So you're doing "What if" scenarios now....
How about focus on the fact that he's NOT on a team with Average play?
That he's NOT on a team with less talent?
Why are you doing this?
I don't understand.
It's not rose-colored glasses to say that he's played well for us this season despite his turnover issues. (and he HAS played well for us)
Nor is it rose-colored glasses to say that he CAN be the difference maker in an offense that's predicated on the Running attack and Defense which is what the original plan was supposed to be when the Hawks first acquired him.
In fact, that would increase his odds of being the difference when he can now PICK HIS SPOTS to make big throws instead of attempting big throws every time.
Bro. It's not what if. It's what is. I am not dealing in speculation.
Since when is it wrong to respond to someone else's post or talk about a player if you aren't just waxing poetic about how great he is.
And I said UNLESS he grows into something more, he will be a product of the defense and how well it can cover for errors.
As to whether he ever becomes elite? Hasselbeck wasnt elite. I loved him and still do. Kreig wasn't elite and he is one of my favorite QBs of all time. I would never have advocated the FO pay either as though they were top 8. 10 to 12? Sure. Why? Be ause I want the team to win. If the QB is hands down the reason we are in games, that's one thing. Leading the league in TOs isn't that.
Sam's play is enough to win now with the team we have now. If he was enough on his own to beat basic cover 2, light boxes, or enough to avoid throwing careless interceptions despite having a solid offense and all around supporting cast... constantly, he would have shown it. He has everything a QB could want to NOT lead the league in INTa and he is doing it anyway. He hasn't. Yet.
That's not to say he can't be better, it's to say he hasnt addressed some things. And if he doesn't, he shouldn't be paid as if he can, just because the rest of the team covers for his deficiencies.
The criticism isn't even JUST about 'big games ' as much as it is figuring out given looks and defensive strategy. 14 of his 20 INTs came in non- 'big games' / 'big moments'. When the box was stacked and there were opportunities for him to push the ball down field, things looked great. When teams committed less to stopping the run and took away what he likes, he became the league leader in TOs. That's fact.
And I am perfectly fine appreciating Sam for what he is and am thankful he has done what he has this year to help to get us where we are. I am not going to look at last night's game against a poor defense and think to myself 'we are good to go moving forward' because Sam has made some leap and evolved into a QB worth being awarded money that will take away from the team's ability to actually protect it from his mistakes.
This isn't an indictment of Sam Darnold. I am a fan of the Seahawks and happy as F they are wear they are right now.
I also want them to stay there and not make the .mistake they made 8 years ago when it comes time to make a financial decision about the QB. I was responding to a post about that. I didn't create a thread to start a conversation about his value.
Hopefully he improves and everyone feels he is worth whatever investment we make on him.
