I'm SOLD on Sam Darnold

[bileever]

I like what I've seen so far from Darnold. Especially given how the O-line is still not fixed. Those runs by the RBs against the Cardinals were mainly all Walker and Charbonnet. The line did not open any holes at all. It looked a lot like last year, with the line being pushed backwards.

 

[FreshBoxLive]

He could be even better if our run game ever gets going. While it has been better than last year, the negative yardage run plays are killers. Even if those -2 -3 -5 carries turn into 0 yard carries we might be in business.

 

[Natethegreat]

O-line is definitely still an issue. Running game is getting too many guys in the backfield before the rb's have a chance.

 

[Jac]

He's not putting up ungodly stats, but he's doing what he needs to. Maybe the leash is on him still, maybe he's still getting that chemistry with everyone, not sure. I think he comes alive the further into this season we get, and that's exciting.

Could be that it's being dictated by the flow of the game and how Kubiak's calling it. Maybe he gets into a QB duel with Mayfield next week and needs to put up a 350-yd/4-TD type game. He's certainly capable.

 

[Wsumatt1982]

I like what I've seen so far from Darnold. Especially given how the O-line is still not fixed. Those runs by the RBs against the Cardinals were mainly all Walker and Charbonnet. The line did not open any holes at all. It looked a lot like last year, with the line being pushed backwards.

It will take time for the line to gel. It's basically 40% new starters. The only constant over the past few years is just Charles Cross. They are better than last year, it should continue to improve in time. I'm hopeful.

 

[RiverDog]

Right now, Sam is the better QB than Geno. That's pretty clear to me. One big reason for it, IMO, is that Sam doesn't have the self-absorption problem that Geno has. It's something I couldn't help but notice about him. Rather than connecting with his teammates, inspiring them in that way, too often I saw him pouting and moping about to himself when he came off the field or was somewhere on the sidelines. It wasn't a good look. I think our HC and JS had the same feelings about him as a leader and were ready to move on from him as soon as it became feasible to do so.

Yeah, that interception Geno threw against SF where Metcalf ran a sloppy route is a good example of what you're talking about. Instead of talking it over, Geno went to the bench, sat down by himself, and slammed his tablet on the ground. It seems that he was more upset with being charged with an interception that wasn't his fault instead of trying to fix what was wrong, or at least that's the impression I got.

 

[Tusc2000]

Could be that it's being dictated by the flow of the game and how Kubiak's calling it. Maybe he gets into a QB duel with Mayfield next week and needs to put up a 350-yd/4-TD type game. He's certainly capable.

I think we saw how Sam performed under pressure last year, when the Vikes came into town. I have no worries.

 

[Ostatehawk]

The WB Sam DOTnold to MY NJIGBA will be a beautiful thing for years to come!

My Njigba wins the internet today. Congratulations.

 

[hox]

He makes good decisions. Has a good chemistry with JSN. CAN make the deep throw when needed. Has a good pocket awareness. Doesn't trip over his feet when it's stepped on a line man. Has some wheels when needed. Understands this offense and playbook well. Clutch in the 4th quarter when needed to get into FG range.

 

[glenwo2]

All last season people were saying the Vikings were too smart a team to let Sam walk out of the building. I'm also surprised the Raiders passed on him, I heard Pete and Chip wanted Sam but Brady nixed the deal.

Sometimes the smartest guys in the room aren't always the best decision makers.

Well if that's the case, Tom Brady isn't very smart.

 

[glenwo2]

He has his moments where it feels like you can see him panic, but they are few and far between. Considering that he's cheaper than Geno and we got a draft pick, he's a good replacement.

I don't get this part : "you can see him panic".

How can you know it's him panicking and not him being ALERT and trying to identify blitzes that are coming?

 

[glenwo2]

Until he wins a playoff game, I'm still a critic.

You know what, Hag?

That's fair.

Though to be quite honest, he played far better in that Playoff game than in the Lions game.

Yes, I know it's a low bar but in the Lions game it looked like his brain shut down on LIVE TV.

In the playoffs, he was slightly all there but his OL wasn't doing him any favors getting steamrolled AND his head coach wasn't doing him any favors in having him continue to sit back there waiting for Jefferson to get open.

 

[glenwo2]

Yep solid game manager and didn't screw it up in the end. Very happy.

Yeah.

Instead the rest of the team (Meyers, Woolen, Spoon, K9, in particular) tried to screw it up.

Sam Darnold helped rescue this team from a Devastating (and embarrassing) defeat on TNF.

 

[glenwo2]

Did he just ask her to take her shirt off?

Hope you know by now that he was looking at Fitzpatrick when he was saying that.

 

[glenwo2]

The risk/reward of swapping out Geno (for a pick) for Darnold and the contract he was given was favorable to the Hawks from Day 1, it was just a matter of seeing how it plays out.
Darnold could have a mediocre season and it would still work out in our favor if Geno is mediocre. The draft pick and salary cap flexibility makes a big difference.

Yeah but you have to admit that having Darnold play like this and perhaps show that maybe he CAN be the Long-Term answer here is way preferable to him being mediocre.

 

[glenwo2]

Sam stacked another solid game on 2 others and the 1st game this year was at all bad though it was his late fumble that lost the game

He’s a whole lot better than many are acknowledging, he has the stuff to create Ws when the game is on the line and is an accurate passer.

If he keeps playing like this all the ancient history with poor teams and crappy coaching will be forgotten.

We have a better QB than the guy who was here last year. Things are looking good and will be better when they can get a consistent running game to help him out.

Meanwhile our D is looking more and more special game on game.

Yes and no.

Yes, for the most part.

No, because we want to see how he does when he gets another shot at the Playoffs.

I want to see him WIN a Playoff game (and look good doing it like he is right now) or two...or three...

 

[glenwo2]

Have you ever had a 300lbs man jump on you while holding a ball?.. I would imagine it's pretty hard to not drop a ball every now and then..

Why do I get the feeling this is a friendly jab at my direction for me being annoyed that he fumbled the football at one point (and I made a thread on it)?

 

[soxhawk]

Yeah.

Instead the rest of the team (Meyers, Woolen, Spoon, K9, in particular) tried to screw it up.

Sam Darnold helped rescue this team from a Devastating (and embarrassing) defeat on TNF.

Can't believe spoon let that TD drop in. Was our D just tired? Doesn't seem like coach would have a team that let's off the gas.

 

[glenwo2]

I wouldn't say that lost the game, I mean Sam didn't allow Purdy to throw for 277yds and 2tds.

Sam also didn't allow a 3rd-string receiver to catch a TD (*cough* Woolen *cough*)

 

[Ostatehawk]

Agree that Darnold played a commendable game last night. He made a number of very good throws and none that were bad. That last part is what made the difference, and is the difference between Darnold and Gono.

There were numerous plays last night by Darnold that WITHOUT QUESTION would have been sacks or intentional grounding calls by Genoooooooo. Even the Geno humpers know this is accurate.