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A big story in recent weeks is how Minnesota QB Sam Darnold is going to be highly sought after in free agency after playing well for the Vikings this year.
“I think we all know that Sam is going to be a sought-after guy from wherever that may be,” said Vikings OC Wes Phillips.” Whatever his future ends up being, I know all of us in this building are going to be happy for him, no matter where that ends up being. I don’t think he has to worry about that anymore.
“He’s proven the doubters, and he’s proven that he can play in this league. Let’s just make this the best possible season we can have.”
He’s a great kid, so hopefully, his next contract will pay him a lot of money, setting up him and his family for life.
But if I were him, I’d take less money and stay in Minnesota another year or two, and not leave Kevin O’Connell so fast. O’Connell has emerged as the best offensive play-caller and QB Whisperer in the NFL.
If Sam goes somewhere else, for big money, the next team, that city’s media and fan base will expect a messiah, and that is not who he is.
While Sam deserves a ton of credit, we can’t lose sight of O’Connell’s brilliance at dialing up ideal first reads for QBs, making their job a little easier.
People might think my point is foolish since the Vikings picked a QB in the 2024 first-round, JJ McCarthy, who is out for the season with a knee injury, so many think the Michigan product will start next year when he returns.
What’s the rush? McCarthy is still only 21 (turns 22 in January). And also, a second surgery was needed a few months after the initial one to clean something up.
Also, first-round QB contracts are as exorbinant at they used to be, so it’s not like they are paying McCarthy a fortune. And also, the way the CBA is set-up, the Vikings can control McCarthy’s rights for five years (four-year rookie contract and fifth-year option) and beyond with the franchise tag.
Look, there is a good chance Darnold goes elsewhere, but it could be a mistake. They are going to expect him to walk on water in the new city, and without O’Connell, who knows what he will do. Be careful what you wish for . . .
Jets defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton had high praise for Haason Reddick on Thursday.
“I’m really happy, with the way that he came in, physically,” Whitecotton said. “Happy with his understanding, his football acumen, his awareness in picking up the scheme. AndAar I think when I’m watching him rush, I’m excited and feel like he’s continuing to grow, and we’ll just keep giving him turns. I really believe in what he’s doing, and I’m as fired up as I was the day that we traded for him.”
In six games, Reddick has five solo tackles and a 1/2 sacks . . .
It’s amazing how so many in the media can dish it out, but they can’t take it. If you are in the business of critiquing people for a living, you would think you would be able to handle those people critiquing you sometimes.
Aaron Rodgers ripped ESPN’s talk heads on their myriad debate shows, claiming some don’t know what they are talking about.
Some of those talking heads, like Mina Kimes and Ryan Clark, went after Rodgers for this. Clark, a sports/political analyst, said, “This dudes a fraud.”
Rodgers didn’t mention anybody by name, so the people going after him, might be assuming he’s taing about them.
But my view on this is – I have no issue with any player or coach trashing him, if they see fit.
If you dish it out, you should be able to take it . . .
Some are pushing Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as a Jets head coaching candidate.
For those Jets fans waxing nostalgic about Glenn being a former Jets, and a good one, which he was, don’t forget, when he retired, he signed a one-day contract to retire with the Houston Texans, not the Jets. He played eight years with the Jets where he was a first- round pick, and three with the Texans.
And the Texans were not his last team, he went on to play for Jacksonville, Dallas and New Orleans after Houston.
If he’s a great candidate, this probably should have no bearing, but for people who act like they would be hiring one of their own, not sure the feeling was mutual when he signed that one-day contract to retire a Texan.
December 13, 2024
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