One further thing (mentioned by Tyler Forness) is that JJ is doing many things at a very good level... The one thing that is messing it up is his footwork (which looks good in practice according to KOC). So this leads the big if of how can he keep his footwork at an NFL level in an actual game
It's like JJ has done all the studying but has no street smarts. Can read a book but can't apply it. Has gym muscles but can't lift heavy furniture. I know that the great QBs all had learning curves, but how many reps is realistically going to fix some of these things?
Now that hopefully everyone is content knowing that KOC's play calling isn't the problem, I want to see KOC let it rip. Put JJ in every situation. Put it all on tape and learn from it. No more discussions of training wheels, but showing the young QB (with support) the level he needs to attain to win. I have no doubt JJ is up to the task mentally.
My heart hurts lol. It just feels like he is not getting anywhere. We have already put a bow on this season. It is a developmental year. Just really sucks. I am really sure he is going to get better. Yesterdays game should have been easier for him.
Unfortunately the Vikings have a very good team outside of QB. They have built up a ton of draft capital and maybe 2026 will be better if the QB is at least average. They would probably be 8 and 2 with Darnold, Bradbury and Phillips remaining in 2025. However, that's hindsight and I believe in the future.
Not feeling it yet for JJ. I guess what I find hardest to accept is that KOC saw something in him that told him that JJ is the man. I wonder what he really thinks now? Was KOC so wrong about JJ? I thought he was the QB whisperer?
Great write-up, Matthew, but you could've saved yourself a lot of typing and said, "Want to know how things are going? Just look at the picture." At no level of football is ok to crouch like a shortstop in the pocket with your weight up on your toes as you're getting ready to throw. His mechanics are awful, and getting worse. He's overamped, his feet and posture are all over the place, and the big back leg swing that he finishes most throws with exacerbates the problem (especially throwing to his left). If he was doing this stuff all through OTAs and training camp, then it should've been obvious to all involved this wasn't going to work this year and he needed an actual redshirt season to get practice reps and fix his fundamentals. If it's something that only happens in games and they're as surprised by it as we are, then that's even scarier. Guess we just have to settle in for watching a lot of bad ball and cross our fingers that he starts to settle down and puts what they're teaching him into game reps.
I know that’s it bad to react to just one game, but after watching that one, it’s hard for me to see either of those teams making any noise in the playoffs if they get there. Just ugly, both teams left so many plays get away. If this is just a JJM development year so be it
Extremely fair to ask the Sam Darnold question now…Imagine him in this system with a full year under his belt…O’Connell is going to regret that decision his entire career.
There were some signs of growth (1st three were mentioned by Kevin Seifert)
Threw his average pass in 2.84 seconds
Encountered a 18.8% pressure rate
Took zero sacks
Illegal motion penalties disappeared.
Also if I were KOC, maybe I try a full game doing the end of the game hurry up script
A. Maybe it gives JJ less time to think (and just go)
B. Simulates the pressure situations he is good at.
But JJ does have to improve touch. Remember, Sandy Koufax became a stud when he realized he did not have throw at max speed
One further thing (mentioned by Tyler Forness) is that JJ is doing many things at a very good level... The one thing that is messing it up is his footwork (which looks good in practice according to KOC). So this leads the big if of how can he keep his footwork at an NFL level in an actual game
It's like JJ has done all the studying but has no street smarts. Can read a book but can't apply it. Has gym muscles but can't lift heavy furniture. I know that the great QBs all had learning curves, but how many reps is realistically going to fix some of these things?
Now that hopefully everyone is content knowing that KOC's play calling isn't the problem, I want to see KOC let it rip. Put JJ in every situation. Put it all on tape and learn from it. No more discussions of training wheels, but showing the young QB (with support) the level he needs to attain to win. I have no doubt JJ is up to the task mentally.
Pessimistic Vikings fans (raises hand) will remain pessimistic Vikings fans (raises hand) until they prove we shouldn't be pessimistic Vikings fans.
My heart hurts lol. It just feels like he is not getting anywhere. We have already put a bow on this season. It is a developmental year. Just really sucks. I am really sure he is going to get better. Yesterdays game should have been easier for him.
Unfortunately the Vikings have a very good team outside of QB. They have built up a ton of draft capital and maybe 2026 will be better if the QB is at least average. They would probably be 8 and 2 with Darnold, Bradbury and Phillips remaining in 2025. However, that's hindsight and I believe in the future.
Not feeling it yet for JJ. I guess what I find hardest to accept is that KOC saw something in him that told him that JJ is the man. I wonder what he really thinks now? Was KOC so wrong about JJ? I thought he was the QB whisperer?
Great write-up, Matthew, but you could've saved yourself a lot of typing and said, "Want to know how things are going? Just look at the picture." At no level of football is ok to crouch like a shortstop in the pocket with your weight up on your toes as you're getting ready to throw. His mechanics are awful, and getting worse. He's overamped, his feet and posture are all over the place, and the big back leg swing that he finishes most throws with exacerbates the problem (especially throwing to his left). If he was doing this stuff all through OTAs and training camp, then it should've been obvious to all involved this wasn't going to work this year and he needed an actual redshirt season to get practice reps and fix his fundamentals. If it's something that only happens in games and they're as surprised by it as we are, then that's even scarier. Guess we just have to settle in for watching a lot of bad ball and cross our fingers that he starts to settle down and puts what they're teaching him into game reps.
I know that’s it bad to react to just one game, but after watching that one, it’s hard for me to see either of those teams making any noise in the playoffs if they get there. Just ugly, both teams left so many plays get away. If this is just a JJM development year so be it
Extremely fair to ask the Sam Darnold question now…Imagine him in this system with a full year under his belt…O’Connell is going to regret that decision his entire career.
“He shouldn’t run on every third-and-2.” -I mean if he did it would fool the defense every time. 😂