The Athletic: Vikings 'leap of faith' pays off
Joined May 2013
5,337 posts
Rep: 10
Joined May 2013
5,337 posts
Rep: 10
'J.J. McCarthy’s awakening showed why the Vikings took this leap of faith':
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6612586/2025/09/09/j-j-mccarthy-vikings-comeback-bears/
“What we preach is that when it gets hard, when it gets really hard, lean in even more, and you’re going to figure it out. When you’re bringing along a young quarterback on the road in the NFC North, and the place is absolutely electric, you’ve got to find a way to weather the storm. As ugly as things may have looked during the first three quarters, O’Connell didn’t hate what he saw from McCarthy. He liked the young passer’s demeanor and the way McCarthy got the Vikings into the right protections, and into the “cans” that serve as alternate play calls in O’Connell’s scheme. “What I was most proud of,” O’Connell said, “is early on in the game, J.J. might have been one of the most poised players in the huddle.”
That wasn’t all O’Connell wanted to talk about afterward, however. He was frustrated at his team’s overall performance that preceded the final-quarter flurry, saying, “There are a thousand things we all can clean up, me included. Trust me, I could do with way less epic and more, just, 60 (cohesive) minutes. But there’s a lot that can come from moments like that where we just find a way.”
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6612586/2025/09/09/j-j-mccarthy-vikings-comeback-bears/
“What we preach is that when it gets hard, when it gets really hard, lean in even more, and you’re going to figure it out. When you’re bringing along a young quarterback on the road in the NFC North, and the place is absolutely electric, you’ve got to find a way to weather the storm. As ugly as things may have looked during the first three quarters, O’Connell didn’t hate what he saw from McCarthy. He liked the young passer’s demeanor and the way McCarthy got the Vikings into the right protections, and into the “cans” that serve as alternate play calls in O’Connell’s scheme. “What I was most proud of,” O’Connell said, “is early on in the game, J.J. might have been one of the most poised players in the huddle.”
That wasn’t all O’Connell wanted to talk about afterward, however. He was frustrated at his team’s overall performance that preceded the final-quarter flurry, saying, “There are a thousand things we all can clean up, me included. Trust me, I could do with way less epic and more, just, 60 (cohesive) minutes. But there’s a lot that can come from moments like that where we just find a way.”
#1
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Sep 9, 5:38 AM
Sep 9, 2025 5:38 AM
Joined May 2013
5,337 posts
Rep: 10
Joined May 2013
5,337 posts
Rep: 10
p.s.: That TD pass to Jefferson was a laser. The kid just needs reps, reps and more reps. Then he'll gain consistency and be more of a passer than playmaker. The more he plays, the better he'll get....its always been his MO. But I told you KOC would use those legs situationally, he's too fast and athletic not to. He's a sturdy kid, a little thick so he can hold up.
edited Sep 9, 2025 7:38 AM
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