The running game gave the offense plenty last night. I bet a couple years ago maybe even last year Akers doesn't get caught from behind. He is a nice backup though and it's impressive what he is able to do after 2 achillis injuries. I agree short yardage is a problem and has been for years. Where is Leroy Hoard?
Darnold was not good. The score probaly wasn't as bad as it looked for the team overall but whether it was all Darnold not playing well or also O'Connell also getting out coached it was got a good look against a team with a bunch of injuries on defense although they did have a good player back.
One really bad game in a big game isn't gonna keep teams from adding Darnold at QB. Will it tamp down the desire to get him and the amount teams are willing to pay him? Absolutely. Still Darnold has done enough to make teams want him because he is likely to be seen as better than the other available options. One thing he has going for him is he has ability to extend plays reasonably well and actually sometimes sees the rush come and escape. Does it get him into trouble some and does he hold the ball too long? Yes but it's something that has value. Let's see what he does going forward in the playoffs. I have been a Darnold supporter and not that surprised at his success but the game last night was pretty rough. Aaron Glenn should get some credit too as well as the Detroit players.
Meanwhile did anyone keep watching and see JJ McCarthy on the sideline at the end of the game? Dude looks like he is in HS and looked more skinny than I was expecting.
I'll predict right now we cannot franchise him and get anything for him. A franchise tag is I think around 41-42 million expected for a QB. So basically teams will have to feel like that is a bargain to extend or sign him from. I don't think anyone thinks he'll be worth 41 million plus. Maybe in the 25-30 range. I honestly wouldn't even sign him to that though. I credit the vast majority of our success to our elite WR's and coaching. Other teams don't have that. Darnold will live or die by his surroundings / system / scheme fit / talent around him. He's not one who elevates the offense.
You have to keep in mind other teams know we have elite weapons and great coaching too and that Darnold has had one good year. He's very risky to pay big money too never the less trade picks for and pay.
These are NFL franchises you are talking about. They do dumb shit like that pretty frequently. Keep in mind 41 million is about to be the new starting point for starting QBs in the league with the cap continuing to rise. If a team trades for him they can either get him for 1 year and see what they want to do from there or sign him to a deal that might more financially viable going forward. I don't see Dwrnolf getting more than 2 years fully guaranteed from any team because of what you suggested.
I'm curious how confident are you in JJ McCarthy being really good?
What I really like about JJ is his athletic ability and his ability to throw on the run. Both look to be great to elite level. Darnold seems below avg in both.
Maybe his two things he needs to work on from college are his touch (Sam Darnold still doesn't have it either though) and his release is on the longer side. He tended in college to rifle balls too much. He does have a strong arm though also. There was one incredible atheltic play he made against my Bama team in the semis where I think the snap was high and almost went over his head, or maybe it did and he made a incredible off balance throw under pressure. It was really impressive.
I do think he can be better then Darnold this year in a couple years. I think first year starting, the odds are probably not favorable. Year two I think his odds are good. Just assuming he stays healthy and everything.
KOC lost all confidence in Sammy in that second half. Went to a bunch of simple short throws, screens, runs, despite being down big. IDK, I would have simply benched him and went to Mullens. He'd at least throw the ball and give you a 3% chance of coming back. I get "sticking" to your guy you rode with all year, but when he is that bad. Kind of a no win situation. On to the next year.
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:15 pm
KOC lost all confidence in Sammy in that second half. Went to a bunch of simple short throws, screens, runs, despite being down big. IDK, I would have simply benched him and went to Mullens. He'd at least throw the ball and give you a 3% chance of coming back. I get "sticking" to your guy you rode with all year, but when he is that bad. Kind of a no win situation. On to the next year.
What a tragedy, to go from regular season hero/potential MVP candidate to a deer-in-the headlights failure. It makes the offseason decision on what to do with him much easier, but that's a small consolation versus the visions of grandeur the fanbase had before the Detroit game.
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:15 pm
KOC lost all confidence in Sammy in that second half. Went to a bunch of simple short throws, screens, runs, despite being down big. IDK, I would have simply benched him and went to Mullens. He'd at least throw the ball and give you a 3% chance of coming back. I get "sticking" to your guy you rode with all year, but when he is that bad. Kind of a no win situation. On to the next year.
What a tragedy, to go from regular season hero/potential MVP candidate to a deer-in-the headlights failure. It makes the offseason decision on what to do with him much easier, but that's a small consolation versus the visions of grandeur the fanbase had before the Detroit game.
He couldn't even throw a screen pass to Jetts which was wide open. Deer in headlights is no joke. I remember Ponder looked that way a little bit at times. Two of the worst QB played games I have ever seen in the NFL. I have no idea why I kept watching that.
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 11:15 pm
KOC lost all confidence in Sammy in that second half. Went to a bunch of simple short throws, screens, runs, despite being down big. IDK, I would have simply benched him and went to Mullens. He'd at least throw the ball and give you a 3% chance of coming back. I get "sticking" to your guy you rode with all year, but when he is that bad. Kind of a no win situation. On to the next year.
What a tragedy, to go from regular season hero/potential MVP candidate to a deer-in-the headlights failure. It makes the offseason decision on what to do with him much easier, but that's a small consolation versus the visions of grandeur the fanbase had before the Detroit game.
He couldn't even throw a screen pass to Jetts which was wide open. Deer in headlights is no joke. I remember Ponder looked that way a little bit at times. Two of the worst QB played games I have ever seen in the NFL. I have no idea why I kept watching that.
Those weren't even the 2 of the worst Vikings QB performances I've seen. I'll always remember where I was when Josh Freeman's career ended. Speaking of Ponder I also remember when Matt Cassel came in for Ponder and immediately looked like a real QB and that was when Ponder's career as a starter basically ended.
The Vikings are in a good spot with FA before the draft. The franchise tag could still be an option. Basically 30-35 million is the lowest a current starting QB not on a rookie deal is getting and teams are gonna view Darnold as a legit starter. Will they be willing to give up a mid-rpund pick and pay Darnold either just under 40 million for 1 year or on some sort of multi year deal? Idk plus a comp pick woukd he in play but it's going to be a fascinating off-season for MN and the league in general. I'm looking forward to it.
One thing MN has going for themselves is Kevin O'Connell has shown himself to be a guy that gets more out of QBs than most other people plus all the skill players on the roster. If Darnold and Jones both leave some other reasonably intriguing and accomplished QB will come here to compete with McCarthy.
What a tragedy, to go from regular season hero/potential MVP candidate to a deer-in-the headlights failure. It makes the offseason decision on what to do with him much easier, but that's a small consolation versus the visions of grandeur the fanbase had before the Detroit game.
He couldn't even throw a screen pass to Jetts which was wide open. Deer in headlights is no joke. I remember Ponder looked that way a little bit at times. Two of the worst QB played games I have ever seen in the NFL. I have no idea why I kept watching that.
Those weren't even the 2 of the worst Vikings QB performances I've seen. I'll always remember where I was when Josh Freeman's career ended. Speaking of Ponder I also remember when Matt Cassel came in for Ponder and immediately looked like a real QB and that was when Ponder's career as a starter basically ended.
The Vikings are in a good spot with FA before the draft. The franchise tag could still be an option. Basically 30-35 million is the lowest a current starting QB not on a rookie deal is getting and teams are gonna view Darnold as a legit starter. Will they be willing to give up a mid-rpund pick and pay Darnold either just under 40 million for 1 year or on some sort of multi year deal? Idk plus a comp pick woukd he in play but it's going to be a fascinating off-season for MN and the league in general. I'm looking forward to it.
One thing MN has going for themselves is Kevin O'Connell has shown himself to be a guy that gets more out of QBs than most other people plus all the skill players on the roster. If Darnold and Jones both leave some other reasonably intriguing and accomplished QB will come here to compete with McCarthy.
McNabb also, but yes, Darnold was that bad. He had open WR's and time to throw on so many downs it was unacceptable. At least with Josh and McNabb they were freshies to the team and the offense wasn't loaded with elite talent to throw to. Darnold choked on his own throw up. It was gross to watch.
I'd like to see them go get a top G in FA, draft a RB that is solid, maybe even draft another G as well to compete for the other spot. We get no push in the Redzone to run the ball in. You got to be able to run the ball on short yardage. You get a running game going and we could be a top 10 maybe 5 offense even with a basically rookie at QB.
I wouldn't break the bank for Jones. RB's over 30 tend to fall off a cliff. Backup role would be fine though. You got to keep him fresh.
It looks like the Vikings are taking the approach I woukd with Darnold and I'm a fan of his. No tag and he can go see what is out there and some team probbaly gives him a deal well above what the vikings are willing to pay. This likely leads to the Vikings getting another 3rd round comp pick for a QB leaving.
Meanwhile the Vikings have a want and need for a bridge/reclamation QB spot. Daniel Jones might get too good of an offer to stay either. If they bring him back he could help them even more in the red zone in terms of getting the ball in the end zone running the ball. If he leaves he will be part of a comp pick formula.
If Darnold and Jones leave the Vikings now have a rep of being a team that can revitalize your career and won't stand in the way of you going and getting yours if you succeed. There will be a guy that wants to be here and might come cheaper than Darnold's last contract or what they would have signed Jones for. Fun option I thought about yesterday if the QB carosel spins around...Jamis Winston for like 4 million would be fun. Imagine him in a system with good players and all that. He would be a better version of Mullins just letting it fly.
I hope we do better than that but again I think the Vikings will end up with a good relatively inexpensive option compared to what they would have to pay to keep Darnold even at say 25 million which I think I and the Vikings would be willing to pay Darnold but I think he will get at least 30 million a year and more than 1 season guaranteed. For Darnold's sake I hope he chooses his next spot wisely. Daniel Jones too. I actually kinda hope Jones stays. I think he might be a really good fit.
Meanwhile it will be interesting to see what they do with the defensive backfield with basically nearly everyone in question whether or not they Wil return. Oh and interior Oline and an impact DT. I do think DT they might have some options internally. Oh and they need RBs it's supposed to be a deep draft for that spot. It seems reasonable to bring back Jones if the price tag as fairly reasonable on another 1 year deal.
It's gonna be a fun off-season and we should know some info in a few days about what they are gonna do.
