McGinn on GoLongTD: 'Darnold isn't playing with any fear'
“He was the third pick in the draft — easily could have gone 1 or 2 — (because) he is that type of talent and has that type of toughness,” Shanahan told Greg Papa last week on NBC Sports Bay Area. “Sam’s got all the tools to be a great quarterback in this league. “We were really fortunate to have him as a No. 2 last year, which was kind of crazy. He’s a stud, and he’s only going to get better as the year goes.”
“Just watch the throw he made (in New York),” said Shanahan. “To the field. He had to wait on it. They faked a screen. He had to throw it down the sideline. Took a big hit with no room, couldn’t step into it. Basically, shot a JUGS machine all the way across the field.”
“I don’t think he’s playing with any fear right now,” an NFC personnel man said after viewing the play. “He looks very, very comfortable. That kind of goes back probably to the confidence he gained backing up Purdy last year and also knowing he’s the guy again.”
One week at a time.....but I can't say I'm not enjoying it. Obviously, another Big Boy game Sunday. McCarthy is seeing first hand how to succeed in KOC's offense, I think that's going to end up being big next year. He's also got a big time arm, probably stronger than Darnold's.
Another article hit this morning on ESPN.com, very good insight from KOC/Darnold:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41325999/vikings-sam-darnold-no-longer-letting-mistakes-snowball
"I've learned a lot," Darnold said. "I've had experiences where bad things have happened. And I think the more you play football, the more you understand you can't control everything out there and things are going to happen in the game.
"But you've got to understand that you've got to put your head down and continue to work and continue to grind throughout these games, because at the end of the day, it's not about what happened in the past or on the previous play, but it's about the next one."
One or two more good games against good defenses in Houston and Green Bay and I think we can start believing we really did just draft a QB 3rd overall and another one 10th overall.
Of course the elephant in the room is what happens if Sam goes on to have an MVP-like season? The future is JJM, but I think they have to consider extending Sam.
MVP like season talk is crazy premature. One game at a time. But lets just say it happens and the chances are very small that it does: it would have to be a conversation, I think. Good problem to have. But I also think McCarthy positively surprised the whole organization on several levels before his injury. Its going to be exceedingly difficult to move off of him as the starter in 2025. They want to take advantage of that rookie contract. I think Minnesota would get a 3rd round pick for comp when Darnold signs elsewhere next year?
An embarrassment of riches at QB in Minnesota? I wouldn't even know how to handle or respond to that, lol. Its much too foreign of a concept and doesn't happen to the Minnesota Vikings. But again, we all know this is way too early and its just fan speculation. Nothing wrong with that. We haven't seen Bad Sam as a Viking yet, so I need to see what that looks like and form an opinion.
I agree that they like him more than they expected to and that he is the future of the franchise. But I wouldn't mind sitting him another year if Darnold turns in an A+ season. It will be a good problem to have.
Of course Darnold could throw 6 picks and be booed out of the Bank tomorrow for all we know.
McCarthy isn't sitting another year, he's the starting QB in 2025. I wish Darnold well, but he won't be on the Vikings in 2025. KOC's vision is the lump of clay in JJM.
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