FOXSports.com: ‘Calm,’ ‘Hungry,’ ‘Infectious’, ‘Psycho’?: The Sides of JJ McCarthy

[StickierBuns]

Can't throw a dead cat and not hit a new JJ McCarthy article the last 3 weeks. This is one of the best writeups I've seen of McCarthy. NFL media knows he's a different cat in the best way, he's got a chance to be a face of the NFL:

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/ma...er-offense

Hard not to fall in love with this kid. I'm beyond stoked to his rapid development this year, because the JJM you see this Monday and the JJM you see in mid-December is going to be a much better QB. If he can take the team to the playoffs, this kid is ice water. For real.

[purplefaithful]

Admittedly, I've seen little of JJM playing in college.

I have no idea how he'll respond to the challenges of playing Sundays?

Just glad we dont have to wait any longer.

[Vikesrock]

Can't throw a dead cat and not hit a new JJ McCarthy article the last 3 weeks. This is one of the best writeups I've seen of McCarthy. NFL media knows he's a different cat in the best way, he's got a chance to be a face of the NFL:

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/ma...er-offense

Hard not to fall in love with this kid. I'm beyond stoked to his rapid development this year, because the JJM you see this Monday and the JJM you see in mid-December is going to be a much better QB. If he can take the team to the playoffs, this kid is ice water. For real.

As a long suffering Vikings fan, I can't keep the lingering thought out of the back of my mind of...what is going to happen?  I trust O'Connell.  If this was still Zimmer's regime, I would question everything on offense, but I think O'Connell and McCown will have JJ on mark.

So what is it?  It can't truly be happening can it?  We aren't really going to see the dawn of a Viking Empire beginning on Monday night with McCarthy and O'Connell?  Something HAS to go wrong.  Has anyone made sure that the kicker is ok?

Too much damage for too long to just be excited.  I would say it's nervous anxiety with a dose of Please God ONE TIME!

Here's to the season!  NFL Football is back baby!

[purplefaithful]

Righly or wrongly, win or lose, we'll all place too much emphasis on the what and the how on this first game...

[JR44]

Righly or wrongly, win or lose, we'll all place too much emphasis on the what and the how on this first game...

I totally agree, I was thinking the other day that I am a little nervous for those first few drives when we find out what we really have.  But that won't be really fair to make instant evaluations.  I do think what we are looking for though is the potential - the poise, decision making, anticipation of where his WR will be, strong arm, accuracy, going through his reads, leadership.  It will all come together in a progression over the course of the season, but hoping to see elements of each of these key factors.  

I do feel confident he will rise to the occasion, I see a stat line of something like 22-30, 250 yards, 3 TDs, 0 picks.

[purplefaithful]

I totally agree, I was thinking the other day that I am a little nervous for those first few drives when we find out what we really have.  But that won't be really fair to make instant evaluations.  I do think what we are looking for though is the potential - the poise, decision making, anticipation of where his WR will be, strong arm, accuracy, going through his reads, leadership.  It will all come together in a progression over the course of the season, but hoping to see elements of each of these key factors.  

I do feel confident he will rise to the occasion, I see a stat line of something like 22-30, 250 yards, 3 TDs, 0 picks.

I could live with that

I see something closer to 1 td/1 pick, 225 yds, 89 QBR...I think its a slobber-knocker game with plenty of running and d. Probably decided on last drive of whomever has the ball.

[MaroonBells]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I believe four things: that the Vikings have their best roster and coaching staff in decades, that JJ could easily struggle early on, that the Vikings can contend for a Super Bowl with just an average season from JJ, and that JJ could feasibly be as good or better than Darnold was last year. How's that for nailing it down? 

Still, I'm waiting until this game is over (or at least halftime) before I determine the final amount of my Super Bowl stake. If JJ plays well, that sucker's going four figures.

[StickierBuns]

Righly or wrongly, win or lose, we'll all place too much emphasis on the what and the how on this first game...

Especially the media. They are waiting to pounce, one way or the other. But KOC isn't and he's said as much. JJM is very good at using the noise to sharpen his skills, he's been doubted before. But if fans can't understand this is his first game on the road under the bright lights of MNF against a divisional opponent and in front of a hundred family and friends, not sure I can help them understand nor do I really want to. Growing pains are going to happen....show me a QB where they haven't.

[Zanary]

That was a really good read, and gave some insight into our young signal caller. I think the last year must have been pure torture, at least the football side of it, as he's apparently a ball of intensity that has to be reined in between games. Monday's game WILL get too much emphasis from everyone, and every misstep along the way will have the mega-nega-types muttering "bust" while the Kool-Aid Swillers will see all the positives and scream "FRANCHISE QB!!!".

(pouring myself a fresh glass)

He's got a ridiculous bar set by his peer on the Commanders, but he's got a helluva team around him. I can't wait for Monday....

[Vikesrock]

Especially the media. They are waiting to pounce, one way or the other. But KOC isn't and he's said as much. JJM is very good at using the noise to sharpen his skills, he's been doubted before. But if fans can't understand this is his first game on the road under the bright lights of MNF against a divisional opponent and in front of a hundred family and friends, not sure I can help them understand nor do I really want to. Growing pains are going to happen....show me a QB where they haven't.

So then what does  "successful" start on Monday night for JJ look like?  Does it have to be a win?  To me, 0 turnovers, a win for the Vikings is a successful JJ debut.  Like everyone else, I am sure there will be bumps in the road, unless he drives the car off the cliff, everything else is a success.