quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly, he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and he now has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

Yes some will flip on Sam because you have JJM and Daniel Jones in the bullpen....who is to say Daniel Jones can't also be as good as Sam.

One has proven it by winning 14 games with this team. The other two have combined for 0.

Like I have said, it's crazy talk. Winning isn't easy in the NFL. What is the expectation? Most in here said 8-9 wins at the beginning of the season. ZERO people said 14, guaranteed.

What more could they possibly want, and why should I believe one of the other two guys can get it?

It isn't crazy talk....it was a 3rd or 4th place schedule and if you are worried about regular season wins why not stay with Kirk at that 40-50 million?

They have 2 possible QBs and many positions to fill next year.........JJM and Jones in the bullpen make this possible. They goal is to win it all and if Sam isn't that guy.....it is a stones measure this Monday.

Again, why does anyone think McCarthy or Jones can get it done? At the end of the day, it is a results driven league. They have no results.

The franchise tag is a perfect bridge to whomever is the future quarterback. Sam Darnold has to prove nothing. He's won 14 games with this team.

The coach has done a lot with Mullens and Dobbs at times.
Darnold is getting it done because of KOC not on his own. Kirk, Mullens, Dobbs, and now Sam is that proof.

Again this is a stones measure on Monday Night....does Sam have the stones to keep him?

Going into last game I was about 60% opinion to franchise Sam; now about 40-45%. I see 2 talented QBs in our bullpen then I look at the IOL and CB rooms.....if Sam doesn't show stones it isn't happening. It was always a show me contract.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly, he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and he now has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

Yes some will flip on Sam because you have JJM and Daniel Jones in the bullpen....who is to say Daniel Jones can't also be as good as Sam.

One has proven it by winning 14 games with this team. The other two have combined for 0.

Like I have said, it's crazy talk. Winning isn't easy in the NFL. What is the expectation? Most in here said 8-9 wins at the beginning of the season. ZERO people said 14, guaranteed.

What more could they possibly want, and why should I believe one of the other two guys can get it?

It isn't crazy talk....it was a 3rd or 4th place schedule and if you are worried about regular season wins why not stay with Kirk at that 40-50 million?

They have 2 possible QBs and many positions to fill next year.........JJM and Jones in the bullpen make this possible. They goal is to win it all and if Sam isn't that guy.....it is a stones measure this Monday.

Again, why does anyone think McCarthy or Jones can get it done? At the end of the day, it is a results driven league. They have no results.

The franchise tag is a perfect bridge to whomever is the future quarterback. Sam Darnold has to prove nothing. He's won 14 games with this team.

The coach has done a lot with Mullens and Dobbs at times.
Darnold is getting it done because of KOC not on his own. Kirk, Mullens, Dobbs, and now Sam is that proof.

Again this is a stones measure on Monday Night....does Sam have the stones to keep him?

Going into last game I was about 60% opinion to franchise Sam; now about 40-45%. I see 2 talented QBs in our bullpen then I look at the IOL and CB rooms.....if Sam doesn't show stones it isn't happening. It was always a show me contract.

Josh Dobbs went 3-2, throwing five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Nick Mullins is 3-2, throwing eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.

What have Jones or McCarthy shown you?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Daniel Lee Young

Sam Darnold is and was brought in as insurance, in case JJM was not ready for prime time..

Injury made that a moot point.

Darnold got the starting job, simply because Mullet has proven to be a loser, and it turns out Darnold can’t be a prime time player, either.

But Brad, after saying he might be good in January, “ if he can get wins with all the talent” ( after advocating dumping Jeffersonfor some draft picks..)

Now had a boner for a guy who has won zero playoff caliber games, choked on the national stage with the division and HFA, and #1 seed on the line..

At least, he is sticking to his unproven hatred of JJM.. “ he has never thrown a pass in an NFL game.. neither had Bo Nix,.. until he did..

What a lame argument..

The only intelligent thing out of him in the draft thread for 2024, was his call for spending capital on an OL upgrade..

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly, he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and he now has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

Yes some will flip on Sam because you have JJM and Daniel Jones in the bullpen....who is to say Daniel Jones can't also be as good as Sam.

One has proven it by winning 14 games with this team. The other two have combined for 0.

Like I have said, it's crazy talk. Winning isn't easy in the NFL. What is the expectation? Most in here said 8-9 wins at the beginning of the season. ZERO people said 14, guaranteed.

What more could they possibly want, and why should I believe one of the other two guys can get it?

It isn't crazy talk....it was a 3rd or 4th place schedule and if you are worried about regular season wins why not stay with Kirk at that 40-50 million?

They have 2 possible QBs and many positions to fill next year.........JJM and Jones in the bullpen make this possible. They goal is to win it all and if Sam isn't that guy.....it is a stones measure this Monday.

Again, why does anyone think McCarthy or Jones can get it done? At the end of the day, it is a results driven league. They have no results.

The franchise tag is a perfect bridge to whomever is the future quarterback. Sam Darnold has to prove nothing. He's won 14 games with this team.

The coach has done a lot with Mullens and Dobbs at times.
Darnold is getting it done because of KOC not on his own. Kirk, Mullens, Dobbs, and now Sam is that proof.

Again this is a stones measure on Monday Night....does Sam have the stones to keep him?

Going into last game I was about 60% opinion to franchise Sam; now about 40-45%. I see 2 talented QBs in our bullpen then I look at the IOL and CB rooms.....if Sam doesn't show stones it isn't happening. It was always a show me contract.

Josh Dobbs went 3-2, throwing five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Nick Mullins is 3-2, throwing eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.

What have Jones or McCarthy shown you?

That was against a 1st or 2nd place schedule if you remember....this year was a 3rd or 4th.
The Wilfs, Kwesi, and KOC have won the division with Kirk. Again Post Season play is the key; not only for Sam but KOC and Kwesi. If Sam shits the bed again it will cost KOC and Kwesi too and they may have doubts about keeping him.

I know you are a fan of Sam and at about 99.9% favoring a Franchise tag but realistically if you saw what Kirk did during the regular season versus the post season...it is why we moved on. Fans, Coaches, and the owners all went thru it.

To answer your question they have shown as much as Sam did going into the season.....they basically would be taking the same chance next year. There is no guarantee Sam can maintain what he did in the regular season to the next (regular season).

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Let's just call a spade a spade.

Darnold choked
O'Connell choked

The defense kept us in the game for 2.5 qtrs but wore down. (AVG did choke dropping a pick 6)

We all have to just face the facts. This franchise has choked consistently throughout its existence.

Not true. For example, the SB losses were not chokes. A case could be made that the Vikes did not take the Chiefs seriously and were upset. But prognosticators aside, history shows those Chiefs teams were stacked. Miami, Pitts, Oak were all powerhouses.

Losses in the playoffs since are a mixed bag. '98 was a choke I pin on Gary Andersen who had not missed a FG all year I think. If he made that chip shot FG, we would have been up two scores late. The Blair Walsh project was a choke. This year, Darnold launching space rockets was a pure choke.

Gary Anderson’s kick was 37 yards in door AND he hadn’t missed all year.

It’s an all sport all time choke.

He took a Freaking Knee!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Todd M

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

Let's just call a spade a spade.

Darnold choked
O'Connell choked

The defense kept us in the game for 2.5 qtrs but wore down. (AVG did choke dropping a pick 6)

We all have to just face the facts. This franchise has choked consistently throughout its existence.

Not true. For example, the SB losses were not chokes. A case could be made that the Vikes did not take the Chiefs seriously and were upset. But prognosticators aside, history shows those Chiefs teams were stacked. Miami, Pitts, Oak were all powerhouses.

Losses in the playoffs since are a mixed bag. '98 was a choke I pin on Gary Andersen who had not missed a FG all year I think. If he made that chip shot FG, we would have been up two scores late. The Blair Walsh project was a choke. This year, Darnold launching space rockets was a pure choke.

Gary Anderson’s kick was 37 yards in door AND he hadn’t missed all year.

It’s an all sport all time choke.

He took a Freaking Knee!

Every time I hear that I think to John Madden calling the Patriots game against the Rams in the SB. Madden thought it crazy to he going for the win and not OT with a 1:30 left on the clock. Teams all the time now are pressing the envelope with little time left but that wasn’t always the case.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly, he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and he now has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

Yes some will flip on Sam because you have JJM and Daniel Jones in the bullpen....who is to say Daniel Jones can't also be as good as Sam.

One has proven it by winning 14 games with this team. The other two have combined for 0.

Like I have said, it's crazy talk. Winning isn't easy in the NFL. What is the expectation? Most in here said 8-9 wins at the beginning of the season. ZERO people said 14, guaranteed.

What more could they possibly want, and why should I believe one of the other two guys can get it?

It isn't crazy talk....it was a 3rd or 4th place schedule and if you are worried about regular season wins why not stay with Kirk at that 40-50 million?

They have 2 possible QBs and many positions to fill next year.........JJM and Jones in the bullpen make this possible. They goal is to win it all and if Sam isn't that guy.....it is a stones measure this Monday.

Again, why does anyone think McCarthy or Jones can get it done? At the end of the day, it is a results driven league. They have no results.

The franchise tag is a perfect bridge to whomever is the future quarterback. Sam Darnold has to prove nothing. He's won 14 games with this team.

The coach has done a lot with Mullens and Dobbs at times.
Darnold is getting it done because of KOC not on his own. Kirk, Mullens, Dobbs, and now Sam is that proof.

Again this is a stones measure on Monday Night....does Sam have the stones to keep him?

Going into last game I was about 60% opinion to franchise Sam; now about 40-45%. I see 2 talented QBs in our bullpen then I look at the IOL and CB rooms.....if Sam doesn't show stones it isn't happening. It was always a show me contract.

Josh Dobbs went 3-2, throwing five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Nick Mullins is 3-2, throwing eight touchdowns and nine interceptions.

What have Jones or McCarthy shown you?

That was against a 1st or 2nd place schedule if you remember....this year was a 3rd or 4th.
The Wilfs, Kwesi, and KOC have won the division with Kirk. Again Post Season play is the key; not only for Sam but KOC and Kwesi. If Sam shits the bed again it will cost KOC and Kwesi too and they may have doubts about keeping him.

I know you are a fan of Sam and at about 99.9% favoring a Franchise tag but realistically if you saw what Kirk did during the regular season versus the post season...it is why we moved on. Fans, Coaches, and the owners all went thru it.

To answer your question they have shown as much as Sam did going into the season.....they basically would be taking the same chance next year. There is no guarantee Sam can maintain what he did in the regular season to the next (regular season).

The franchise tag is the perfect answer. It's a one-year investment and you can do it twice to a guy. Was the season a fluke? With 14 wins, I'd say it's worth finding out. My other options are nothing more than hope and hype.

You are fine settling with Regular Season wins with Sam but not Kirk.....you don't see that?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Daniel Lee Young

Sam Darnold is and was brought in as insurance, in case JJM was not ready for prime time..

Injury made that a moot point.

Darnold got the starting job, simply because Mullet has proven to be a loser, and it turns out Darnold can’t be a prime time player, either.

But Brad, after saying he might be good in January, “ if he can get wins with all the talent” ( after advocating dumping Jeffersonfor some draft picks..)

Now had a boner for a guy who has won zero playoff caliber games, choked on the national stage with the division and HFA, and #1 seed on the line..

At least, he is sticking to his unproven hatred of JJM.. “ he has never thrown a pass in an NFL game.. neither had Bo Nix,.. until he did..

What a lame argument..

The only intelligent thing out of him in the draft thread for 2024, was his call for spending capital on an OL upgrade..

It's all about results. 14 wins with THIS team. I like that production. I'll take that every season and live a very comfortable life as a fan. You can't win the big one if you aren't in a position to win the big one. He was an eyelash from the top seed in the NFC.

It doesn't matter how he got the job. What matters is what he did after he got the job. The guy has been classy and effective throughout.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

1) Franchise tag Darnold
2) Send a Brinks Truck to Brian Flores' house
3) Get three new offensive linemen (don't care how)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Daniel Lee Young

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Daniel Lee Young

Sam Darnold is and was brought in as insurance, in case JJM was not ready for prime time..

Injury made that a moot point.

Darnold got the starting job, simply because Mullet has proven to be a loser, and it turns out Darnold can’t be a prime time player, either.

But Brad, after saying he might be good in January, “ if he can get wins with all the talent” ( after advocating dumping Jeffersonfor some draft picks..)

Now had a boner for a guy who has won zero playoff caliber games, choked on the national stage with the division and HFA, and #1 seed on the line..

At least, he is sticking to his unproven hatred of JJM.. “ he has never thrown a pass in an NFL game.. neither had Bo Nix,.. until he did..

What a lame argument..

The only intelligent thing out of him in the draft thread for 2024, was his call for spending capital on an OL upgrade..

It's all about results. 14 wins with THIS team. I like that production. I'll take that every season and live a very comfortable life as a fan. You can't win the big one if you aren't in a position to win the big one. He was an eyelash from the top seed in the NFC.

It doesn't matter how he got the job. What matters is what he did after he got the job. The guy has been classy and effective throughout.

And he has exactly as many playoff wins as KFC, or JJM..

And he choked..

Get over it.. he is gone, unless he gets past Detroit, and getting past the Rams, has proven to be a bridge too far.. as of today..

You think this team could beat Philly?

They need to win 2 in a row.. and after the last 4 games, KOC and SD both, are in over their heads..

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and people think he has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

The NFL is a business. If this were baseball, we could have Darnold, Jones and JJ all next year, duking it out.

The NFL has a salary cap, and it's not about what you've done, but what you will do in the future. Sam silenced a lot of doubters with his regular season play. He showed he has the physical ability.

Playoffs and must win games are a whole nother story, if you show you are a choke in these games, you greatly diminish future expectations and your worth to a team.

The great thing, he has a chance to turn around one the worst passing performance I've ever witnessed at the professional level last Sunday night, next Monday.

The team has Blackmon coming back at CB next year, but nothing else really, the D line is mostly NFL 1st round busts and college FAs, the IOL has been bad to mediocre for a while. We have viable optoins at QB next year. We do not in those areas.
We also have very few draft picks in 2025. Need money for FAs.

One of the worst passing performances? He threw zero picks and never turned the ball over. Was it great? No. But really, one of the worst? I could comfortably come up with 5,000 worse performances in NFL history, guaranteed!

Your salary cap argument has some merit. Stick with that one. That's why the franchise tag is perfect. It's a one-year investment.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and people think he has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

The NFL is a business. If this were baseball, we could have Darnold, Jones and JJ all next year, duking it out.

The NFL has a salary cap, and it's not about what you've done, but what you will do in the future. Sam silenced a lot of doubters with his regular season play. He showed he has the physical ability.

Playoffs and must win games are a whole nother story, if you show you are a choke in these games, you greatly diminish future expectations and your worth to a team.

The great thing, he has a chance to turn around one the worst passing performance I've ever witnessed at the professional level last Sunday night, next Monday.

The team has Blackmon coming back at CB next year, but nothing else really, the D line is mostly NFL 1st round busts and college FAs, the IOL has been bad to mediocre for a while. We have viable optoins at QB next year. We do not in those areas.
We also have very few draft picks in 2025. Need money for FAs.

One of the worst passing performances? He threw zero picks and never turned the ball over. Was it great? No. But really, one of the worst? I could comfortably come up with 5,000 worse performances in NFL history, guaranteed!

Your salary cap argument has some merit. Stick with that one. That's why the franchise tag is perfect. It's a one-year investment.

Zero picks because most of his passes were caught by the hot dog vendor. I was seriously having visions of Josh Freeman.

That being said, Hockensen didn't help him out, there were a couple not perfect, he could have hauled in.

I've never understood the Hockensen love. I still think it was a mistake to trade for him and give him top $ He's way too expensive for the value he brings IMO. All these teams getting young, cheap TEs that are just as good if not better, College is full of them these days.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

quote:

ORIGINAL: Arlowe84

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

I am continuously amazed at the amnesia in this forum. A year ago most people couldn't wait to get rid of Kirk Cousins. They called him check-down Charlie, a choker, a cancer, you name it.

The next season cranks up and Vegas predicts the Vikings will win 6.5 games. Minnesota heads into the season with Darnold as the QB and most in here were thinking nine wins would be a spectacular finish.

Darnold proceeds to go out and win 14 games with the #6 passer rating. He does it with absolute class. He presses the ball downfield. He does it while getting paid one of the lowest salaries in the league for a starter. Suddenly he loses to the top seed in the NFC after an off night and people think he has to go out and prove himself in order to be back next season? Somehow, 14 wins wasn't enough?

You people are freaking amazing!

I understand wanting to win. I understand the disappointment of a big loss. What I don't understand is your expectations.

Serious questions. How many games would we have won with JJ McCarthy as our quarterback this season? And what body of work does he have to substantiate your point?

Maybe I'm missing something. I'm all ears.

The NFL is a business. If this were baseball, we could have Darnold, Jones and JJ all next year, duking it out.

The NFL has a salary cap, and it's not about what you've done, but what you will do in the future. Sam silenced a lot of doubters with his regular season play. He showed he has the physical ability.

Playoffs and must win games are a whole nother story, if you show you are a choke in these games, you greatly diminish future expectations and your worth to a team.

The great thing, he has a chance to turn around one the worst passing performance I've ever witnessed at the professional level last Sunday night, next Monday.

The team has Blackmon coming back at CB next year, but nothing else really, the D line is mostly NFL 1st round busts and college FAs, the IOL has been bad to mediocre for a while. We have viable optoins at QB next year. We do not in those areas.
We also have very few draft picks in 2025. Need money for FAs.

One of the worst passing performances? He threw zero picks and never turned the ball over. Was it great? No. But really, one of the worst? I could comfortably come up with 5,000 worse performances in NFL history, guaranteed!

Your salary cap argument has some merit. Stick with that one. That's why the franchise tag is perfect. It's a one-year investment.

Zero picks because most of his passes were caught by the hot dog vendor. I was seriously having visions of Josh Freeman.

That being said, Hockensen didn't help him out, there were a couple not perfect, he could have hauled in.

I've never understood the Hockensen love. I still think it was a mistake to trade for him and give him top $ He's way too expensive for the value he brings IMO. All these teams getting young, cheap TEs that are just as good if not better, College is full of them these days.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Daniel Lee Young

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

1) Franchise tag Darnold
2) Send a Brinks Truck to Brian Flores' house
3) Get three new offensive linemen (don't care how)

1 hasn’t been used in a Q b in over a decade
2 not gonna happen..
3 this team has rarely, if ever, paid any OL FA a market value

quote:

ORIGINAL: marty

What more could they possibly want, and why should I believe one of the other two guys can get it?

The more they could want is playoff wins. Jones has one more playoff win than Darnold. McCarthy has the same number as Sam: zero.

McCarthy has won a national championship, and was drafted #10, just like Mahomes.

McCarthy might never get 14 regular season wins (but it's also possible he gets to 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18 if they make the regular season longer again), but I will take 10 regular season wins, if it means a playoff run where he wins the Super Bowl.

So far Darnold and McCarthy have shown NO ability to win a tough playoff game, so it's zero to zero, and one will need 40 million next year, while the other only needs what his rookie contract takes.

You can build better around McCarthy, and the Lions gave a blueprint on how to slow down Darnold in this offense: blitz a lot, get hits on him early, hold, grab and mug the WRs every play and take a few penalties and benefit from lots of no calls.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

1) Franchise tag Darnold
2) Send a Brinks Truck to Brian Flores' house
3) Get three new offensive linemen (don't care how)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H

1) Franchise tag Darnold
2) Send a Brinks Truck to Brian Flores' house
3) Get three new offensive linemen (don't care how)

The Franchise Tag isn't the magical panacea you're making it out to be.

If we use it, Sam counts 41M against the cap next year. There are no gymnastics you can do to spread out the hit.

So if we do #1, we likely can not do #3.

If Sam redeems himself on Monday, I'm all for Franchising him. If he shits the bed again, then I'm spending that 41M on both of our lines.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brad H
Earlier I asked all of you to predict how many games they think McCarthy would have won as a starter this season, and the rationale behind the prediction. I got zero answers, which is telling.