BREAKING SAM PROBABLY COMING BACK

https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/pelissero-smart-money-is-still-on-darnold-being-back-with-vikings-01jhqxsbnr8e

I'd be ok with that if he is coming back as the clear backup at a reasonable cost. This is JJ McCarthy team and we haven't spent years cutting cap only to blow a sizeable contract on Sam Darnold. I'd still have to say the smart money is he gets a better offer elsewhere to start. One way or another, the Vikings are going to need to make that decision soon (if they haven't already) to chart our path forward this offseason.

medaille wrote:
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/pelissero-smart-money-is-still-on-darnold-being-back-with-vikings-01jhqxsbnr8e

Of course he’s coming back. He had one of the best years in Vikings history for a quarterback.

Peyton Manning’s first three playoff games…

50-105 lol

supafreak84 wrote:
I'd be ok with that if he is coming back as the clear backup at a reasonable cost. This is JJ McCarthy team and we haven't spent years cutting cap only to blow a sizeable contract on Sam Darnold. I'd still have to say the smart money is he gets a better offer elsewhere to start. One way or another, the Vikings are going to need to make that decision soon (if they haven't already) to chart our path forward this offseason.

He’s not gonna be the back up to JJ McCarthy. He will be the starting quarterback my God people.

The last two games gave every team in the league the blueprint to beat Darnold. What is the logic to bring him back to just rinse and repeat the last two games next season? Doesn't make any sense at all. It's time for JJ to take control and if he isn't ready than resign Danny Dimes to the same 10 million to start the season until JJ is ready.

If they bring Darnold back they are losing another year to evaluate JJ before his rookie contract expires and they fall into the same situation the Packers did with Love. They got 1 year or 1 1/2 years to see if he was the guy going forward before they made him the highest paid quarterback, and is he really worth that? If they had given him another year maybe they would have made a different decision but they held on to the aging Rodgers for too long before giving Love the job.

Hmmm, if the media says it then it must obviously be true.

Greylock wrote:
The last two games gave every team in the league the blueprint to beat Darnold.  What is the logic to bring him back to just rinse and repeat the last two games next season?  Doesn't make any sense at all.  It's time for JJ to take control and if he isn't ready than resign Danny Dimes to the same 10 million to start the season until JJ is ready.

If they bring Darnold back they are losing another year to evaluate JJ before his rookie contract expires and they fall into the same situation the Packers did with Love.  They got 1 year or 1 1/2 years to see if he was the guy going forward before they made him the highest paid quarterback, and is he really worth that?  If they had given him another year maybe they would have made a different decision but they held on to the aging Rodgers for too long before giving Love the job.

Those two games were more on the coach than the quarterback where were the hot routes on the blitzes Ben Lieber just said that of Kfan. There were no hot routes when he watched the two games back. That’s poor coaching.

I mean, can you really visualize this guy leading alpha males at the quarterback position? It just is not going to happen. Haha

https://www.facebook.com/share/15Zau3xcta/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Why do you keep posting the same picture of JJ. You dont draft a QB 10 overall to "It is just not going to happen" the guy. Delusion at its best.

Canthony wrote:
Why do you keep posting the same picture of JJ. You dont draft a QB 10 overall to "It is just not going to happen" the guy. Delusion at its best.

I just think he looks kind of weird. They list him at 219 but it’s obvious he only goes about 180 maybe 190 tops and they said on Kfan the other day he’s lost a lot of weight. It was shocking how skinny he looks in the locker room they said. Why is that he should be working out with his upper body. 

Something isn’t right with him obviously.

And by the way, why are  they putting this out there?! It is  for a reason and I think I know why I’m hearing he looked like absolute shit in practice before he got hurt.

My guess is they know they fucked up drafting him and now they know they have to bring Sam back.

TheWinterSKOLdier wrote:
Hmmm, if the media says it then it must obviously be true.

The media put it out there because someone in the Vikings organization told them that don’t be so obtuse

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero believes the "smart money" is still on Sam Darnold returning to Minnesota this offseason, whether via the franchise tag or a multi-year contract.
"I would still say that the smart money would be on Sam Darnold being back in Minnesota," Pelissero said on KFAN radio on Thursday. "And if anything, what happened in those last two games might make it simpler to get him back."

DH11 wrote:

I just think he looks kind of weird. They list him at 219 but it’s obvious he only goes about 180 maybe 190 tops and they said on Kfan the other day he’s lost a lot of weight. It was shocking how skinny he looks in the locker room they said. Why is that he should be working out with his upper body. 

Something isn’t right with him obviously.

And by the way,why are  they putting this out there?! It is  for a reason and I think I know why I’m hearing he looked like absolute shit in practice before he got hurt.

My guess is they know they fucked up drafting him and now they know they have to bring Sam back.

No, he didn't. All that was talked about was that JJ was doing great. Showed up to rookie minicamp knowing the whole playbook. Darnold didn't even know the whole playbook in training camp. Down to "rumors" that KOC said I am not sure how I am supposed to keep this kid off the field. 

BTW, with knee injuries and rehab. Many lose weight to ease the pressure and the rehab process. That is not a secret. I am sure he will be 220 come TC.

DH11 wrote:
Those two games were more on the coach than the quarterback where were the hot routes on the blitzes Ben Lieber just said that of Kfan. There were no hot routes when he watched the two games back. That’s poor coaching.

I mean, can you really visualize this guy leading alpha males at the quarterback position? It just is not going to happen. Haha

https://www.facebook.com/share/15Zau3xcta/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Oh my how could we all be so stupid to believe JJ could be the guy going forward.  I mean the media is saying Darnold is going to be back and you are saying it so I guess it must be fucking true.  Haha joke is on us.  Are you getting paid for clicks on your threads or responses to the shit you post.  Anyway until a little birdie says Darnold is coming back is isn't happening unless it's for a minimal contract.

Here ya go, little buddy.

Stephen A. Smith: Darnold is a fraud. He is seeing ghosts again when teams and games become important. I don't believe they should bring him back. They have their own top talented QB that they drafted in the first round. Don't waste your time with it. I don't believe he is coming back. - Stephen A. SMith

So, it must be true right? Smith knows A LOT of people with the NFL and, even though I do not like him, is really well respected and in with the NFL.

Point is, you are passing it along as this is what will happen and truth. It isn't, he said the smart money is still on Sam coming back. Okay? It should be if you can tag and trade him.

Then you post what someone said and keep repeating it to every thread to prove your point, because you found someone that believes what you think. Then beat it down people's throats and repeat the same thing 100 times.

Canthony wrote:

No, he didn't. All that was talked about was that JJ was doing great. Showed up to rookie minicamp knowing the whole playbook. Darnold didn't even know the whole playbook in training camp. Down to "rumors" that KOC said I am not sure how I am supposed to keep this kid off the field. 

BTW, with knee injuries and rehab. Many lose weight to ease the pressure and the rehab process. That is not a secret. I am sure he will be 220 come TC.

I hear the opposite. I have a contact at the WCCO sports department that said he looked like absolute garbage and I’m going with that contact info.

Canthony wrote:
Here ya go, little buddy.

Stephen A. Smith: Darnold is a fraud. He is seeing ghosts again when teams and games become important. I don't believe they should bring him back. They have their own top talented QB that they drafted in the first round. Don't waste your time with it. I don't believe he is coming back. - Stephen A. SMith

So, it must be true right? Smith knows A LOT of people with the NFL and, even though I do not like him, is really well respected and in with the NFL.

Point is, you are passing it along as this is what will happen and truth. It isn't, he said the smart money is still on Sam coming back. Okay? It should be if you can tag and trade him.

Then you post what someone said and keep repeating it to every thread to prove your point, because you found someone that believes what you think. Then beat it down people's throats and repeat the same thing 100 times.

Lol
Steve  A. Smith has not talked  to anyone in the Vikings organization like this guy did. Lol You don’t like the news but get used to the fact that Sam will be the starting quarterback next year as well and He should be. The Vikings are  putting this out there for a reason means they have no trust whatsoever in JJ.

I think the only way Sam is back is if we decide there is value in tagging and trading him.

It's not a great QB draft. There are only two guys who will likely go in the first round and they both would have graded behind Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy.

Darnold is at the top of the FA QB rankings... I could see the front office looking at it as a way to recoup some draft capital and we have the cap space to eat the 41 mil for a bit.

If you're a team like the Steelers, Darnold would be an obvious choice. He fits the profile of QBs they've had success with. Big strong armed QB, likes to make plays downfield. Can run a bit.

Based on Kevin O'Connell's public comments, he has basically said he appreciated the journey with Sam and wishes the best for him wherever his journey takes him. Wes Phillips said this a month ago too prior to Darnold turning into a pumpkin the last two games.

The HC and coaching staff is in love with JJ McCarthy (and for good reason despite what DH11 says). The front office folks are paid to look at how to maximize value of the teams assets (players). This one quote can just be one dude's opinion on how the Vikings should proceed, but it's pretty clear that our HC feels differently.

MAD GAINZ wrote:
I think the only way Sam is back is if we decide there is value in tagging and trading him.

It's not a great QB draft. There are only two guys who will likely go in the first round and they both would have graded behind Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy.

Darnold is at the top of the FA QB rankings...  I could see the front office looking at it as a way to recoup some draft capital and we have the cap space to eat the 41 mil for a bit.

If you're a team like the Steelers, Darnold would be an obvious choice.  He fits the profile of QBs they've had success with.  Big strong armed QB, likes to make plays downfield.  Can run a bit.

Based on Kevin O'Connell's public comments, he has basically said he appreciated the journey with Sam and wishes the best for him wherever his journey takes him.  Wes Phillips said this a month ago too prior to Darnold turning into a pumpkin the last two games.

The HC and coaching staff is in love with JJ McCarthy (and for good reason despite what DH11 says).  The front office folks are paid to look at how to maximize value of the teams assets (players).  This one quote can just be one dude's opinion on how the Vikings should proceed, but it's pretty clear that our HC feels differently.

How do you know if the coaching staff is in love with JJ McCarthy? You’re hoping because you’re a fan of JJ McCarthy & the Minnesota Vikings (I am too ) but truth be told you have no idea and don’t pretend like you do. They are putting this out there for a reason and the reason is I’m assuming and I’m hearing JJ McCarthy looked like absolute crap before he got hurt.

I do think there will be a softening on the Darnold backlash over time. I think teams will look at how poorly the OLine performed the two games he was really bad in, and how well he performed when the OLine was competently performing. They’ll look at KOC’s long developing routes and how that played into things. I think they’ll be weighing their options and think they’ll be able to work around these issues to be successful with Darnold. I wouldn’t be surprised if KOC looks at the film and thinks the tweaks needed to get Darnold performing at a high level are things he was going to do anyway moving forward with JJM or whoever at QB.

He absolutely lost a lot of money, but there will be a market for him, as there’s always teams desperate for QBs, and someone will offer him life changing money.

That said, I doubt the Vikings offer him a long term deal. I don’t think they want to sacrifice the JJM future, but I don’t think one more year is off the table. These past couple days, I kind of thought the franchise tag was off the table, because it’s probably larger than the market would bear and we wouldn’t want to get stuck with him, but now I wouldn’t be surprised if we tagged him. I still think JJM penciled in as a starter with some combination of Jones/Mullens as the backups feels most likely, but I don’t think it feel catastrophic to tag Darnold and let him have the option of an honest competition to start and going out and finding a trading partner that can offer us some trade compensation. One year on the tag as a backup, lets the media do the same thing they’re doing with Cousins, where they criticize you for overpaying your backup, but it’s probably worth it as an insurance policy that might lead to us recouping our picks.

I also think the Pelissero piece is probably PR leaked by the Vikings both as some kindness towards Darnold and for increasing his value in a potential trade should we tag him. There’s no real downside for them for having a 3rd party fluff Darnold a bit.

DH11 wrote:

I hear the opposite. I have a contact at the WCCO sports department that said he looked like absolute garbage and I’m going with that contact info.

Lol
Steve  A. Smith has not talked  to anyone in the Vikings organization like this guy did. Lol You don’t like the news but get used to the fact that Sam will be the starting quarterback next year as well and He should be. The Vikings are  putting this out there for a reason means they have no trust whatsoever in  JJ.

I can't. I just can't. 

I just looked up 4 different "reports" as I know you are just throwing shit out there now. 

According to reports from training camp, J.J. McCarthy has been performing well, showing impressive arm strength and ability to extend plays, exceeding expectations as a rookie quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, with many considering his performance to be "sharp" and "good" in practice sessions.

Most observers have noted that McCarthy has been looking good in training camp, showcasing his physical talent and ability to make plays outside of the pocket.

His arm strength, from his college career at Michigan, has been highlighted as a positive aspect of his play.

While some reports mention initial struggles with quick decision-making, overall, McCarthy appears to be progressing well in this area. Which is normal for a rookie. His progression was faster than coaches anticipated. Going through reads faster than they thought for a rookie. 

Coaches put J.J. McCarthy out there with the 2's on offense against the 1's on defense. McCarthy out played Darnold that practice. The next day, they did not do that. They really want J.J. to sit his rookie year it seems and are pushing Darnold it looks like. 

His performance has reportedly made the quarterback competition with veteran Sam Darnold more interesting. Forcing the Vikings to have a serious conversation on their thoughts to sit him. 

Why would we not tag Darnold?

What's the potential for harm?

"There is no question in my mind, the physical talent that J.J. has," O'Connell said. "Even just, (if) you saw him day one back in the spring until Saturday night, the transformation of a really good player (who) had really started to look like an NFL quarterback. Just the work he puts in and the commitment to every aspect of the organic way he's learning how to play quarterback in the National Football League. J.J.'s confirmed to me and a lot of our coaches and players that we've got the right guy in the building for the future."

"As our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in," O'Connell said. "As excited as I was to draft him, he's confirmed everything that I hoped to see. Our fan base and everyone should be excited about the fact that we've got our young franchise quarterback in the building."

"I would not stand up here and tell you that a lot of boxes have been checked in my mind and in J.J.'s mind if that was not true," O'Connell said."

Direct quotes from Kevin O'Connell who watched him every day in practice and knows a lot more about football than us fans and local sports media folks.

MAD GAINZ wrote:
"There is no question in my mind, the physical talent that J.J. has," O'Connell said. "Even just, (if) you saw him day one back in the spring until Saturday night, the transformation of a really good player (who) had really started to look like an NFL quarterback. Just the work he puts in and the commitment to every aspect of the organic way he's learning how to play quarterback in the National Football League. J.J.'s confirmed to me and a lot of our coaches and players that we've got the right guy in the building for the future."

"As our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in," O'Connell said. "As excited as I was to draft him, he's confirmed everything that I hoped to see. Our fan base and everyone should be excited about the fact that we've got our young franchise quarterback in the building."

"I would not stand up here and tell you that a lot of boxes have been checked in my mind and in J.J.'s mind if that was not true," O'Connell said."

Direct quotes from Kevin O'Connell who watched him every day in practice and knows a lot more about football than us fans and local sports media folks.

Lol

Of course, he said that. You can put the homer spin on it all you want. I don’t play that game I deal in reality. They knew they were likely going to be in position to get JJ McCarthy yet they tried to make a trade for Justin Herbert before the draft and then during the draft they tried to trade up with  New England. Lol  if they really did indeed love JJ McCarthy why did they do those two things?  I get it when I was younger I  used to be a blind homer as well until I got smarter and more experienced and read up on things more. I stopped putting  the Homer spin on takes - it makes you look rather simple so I just don’t do it.

I vividly remember the Vikings brass saying the same thing about Christian ponder. Let me let you in on a little secret. Don’t believe everything you hear coming from coaches and general managers.

Saying he's "probably" coming back is silly. Is it possible? Sure. He could find a cold market out there after the last couple games and realize that his best opportunity is in Minnesota. But he's likely going to get at least a $25M-$40M offer from one of several teams who are desperate for a starting QB. Vikings aren't likely to match that. And they sure as hell won't match the term. I think they believe that JJM is the QBOTF. 

From the Vikings perspective, they may want some security if JJM struggles either with playing or staying healthy. But isn't that what Daniel Jones is for?