The Dispiriting Reality Confronting the Vikings
So much of the focus from March onward rested in building a roster capable of taking the burden of winning off J.J. McCarthy’s 22-year-old shoulders. So far, that objective has fallen short of the goal.
A pair of weeks isn’t a whole season. Far from it, in fact. The early returns on investment haven’t been very promising, however. Confronting the Vikings is that McCarthy has largely been playing horrendous football prior to succumbing to injury, proving yet again that the NFL is seldom a place where success can arrive without competent quarterback play.
The Cold Reality Confronting The Vikings
Burning up a year of Justin Jefferson’s prime is far from ideal.
At 26, Jefferson is in the middle of his best years. Surrounding the all-world receiver is a collection of talent that’s the envy of most of the NFL. Even more promising are the investments made along the offensive and defensive lines, a shift in focus in Minnesota that was supposed to add needed ruggedness to a team that has lacked it in the past.
And yet despite all of these efforts, the Vikings struggled in Week 1 and Week 2.
Not everyone played poorly. Brian Flores’ defense, for the most part, did quite well. With very little by way of run support, Flores nevertheless put a stingy defense onto the field. Imagine where things could go if the tactician at DC (read more) could partner with an OC (HC?) capable of unleashing a clock-killing, point-scoring offense.
So, too, have the special teams had strong moments.
In particular, one thinks of Will Reichard being perfect on his kicks. Myles Price wasn’t perfect in Week 2, but he has nevertheless had some strong returns. Tai Felton is a menace at gunner. Ryan Wright is starting his fourth NFL season in a productive, promising manner.
But then there’s that stubborn reality: J.J. McCarthy hasn’t been anywhere close to good enough.
Talented and not lacking in work ethic, McCarthy was supposed to be prepared for the moment. Coming out of a major college program that won a title was supposed to help. So, too, was a full season to soak up the mental side of things supposed to prepare the young fella.
What has taken place on the field has been far from promising.
The ball has been bobbled on a QB sneak. There has been some inability to secure the pigskin while working through a fake toss. There have been a trio of interceptions and a trio of fumbles. He has been too quick to run, failing to elude more explosive NFL defenders with some regularity. He’s completing just 58.5% of his passes and has been sacked 9 times (while being hit plenty more).
The Vikings should be 0-2. They are 1-1. J.J. McCarthy is all over that record.
Losing to the Falcons largely came down to a passer who played an awful football game. Winning against the Bears largely came down to a passer who looked remarkable in the 4th quarter. But therein lies the issue, right?
The Vikings are supposed to win without needing J.J. McCarthy to be tremendous. The issue so far is that he was so brutal versus Chicago that he had to shift to the other extreme, playing fantastic ball for a quarter to pull off the comeback.
Against Atlanta, there was no hidden brilliance awaiting the Vikings. The 4th quarter arrived and incompetence was still present. At that point, only superhuman quarterback play could have dug the Vikings out of the hole that was dug by poor quarterback play.
Going into Week 3, the Vikings are turning to Carson Wentz since J.J. McCarthy is nursing an ankle injury. The message to the veteran journeyman is as follows: play simple, effective football. Be a point guard who protects the ball while distributing it to the team’s various playmakers. Doing so is very likely to lead to good things.
Meanwhile, Mr. McCarthy will be looking for a reset mentally and physically. The message from the team’s leadership: catch your breath, young fella. When it’s time to come back, McCarthy needs to elevate to at least average. The roster is built in a manner that will allow for success if the passer is just pretty good.
Failing to get to consistently average will mean that a couple of outcomes become likely. First, McCarthy could oscillate between disaster and terrific, an unsustainable strategy that he has nevertheless proven capable of. Or, more likely, the team will put up more stinkers that resemble the Atlanta effort.
Weekly competence from J.J. McCarthy (when healthy) is what everyone involved with the Vikings is looking to see.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
