In this lively episode of ‘Two Old Bloggers’ with Darren and Dave, the focus is on the Minnesota Vikings and their growing strength in the NFC North. Key segments include an in-depth analysis of J.J. McCarthy’s performance in training camp, intriguing discussions on the quarterback battles with Sam Darnold, and the latest roster updates. The hosts also discuss standout rookies and potential emerging stars from the preseason, alongside other training camp tales. They reflect on the NFC North division’s overall improvement with emerging quarterback talents and predict a competitive season ahead.
Vikings Training Camp: Week Two Highlights
Hey, hey, hey – we’re into week two of Vikings training camp, and that means Vikings quarterback watch has been on full display! The training camp news has been dominated so far – as we expected – by coverage of the Vikings quarterback situation. All eyes are on how J.J. McCarthy is progressing and whether he is challenging Sam Darnold for the starting quarterback job.
Practice Insights
The Vikings have had nine practices so far – not counting today’s work – and four of them have been in pads. By almost all of the accounts I have read by Vikings beat writers, McCarthy has looked like the better quarterback than Darnold. We’ve been seeing lots of social media posts of McCarthy throwing dimes, with posters telling us he looked much better than Darnold on various days.
It’s thrilling to see McCarthy performing well in practice, especially given the high expectations placed on him as a first-round draft pick. The young quarterback has shown poise, precision, and a keen understanding of the playbook, which are all promising signs for the future of the Vikings.
The Real Forno Show Take
Tyler Forness talked about this last week on the Real Forno Show after he had been at some of this week’s practices. Tyler was telling us that these posts weren’t giving us the full picture of how McCarthy and Darnold were doing in the practices he watched. He was seeing pretty equal amounts of good stuff and not-so-good stuff from both guys. He didn’t seem to think McCarthy has been the better quarterback of the two so far.
Tyler’s insights are invaluable because they provide a balanced and nuanced view of the quarterback competition. While social media may highlight McCarthy’s spectacular throws, it’s important to remember that training camp is a rigorous process designed to test players in various scenarios. Both quarterbacks have had their moments of brilliance and their struggles.
Fan Excitement and Reality Check
Most Vikings fans are pretty excited about McCarthy and what kind of player he will be. That’s natural when a team drafts a quarterback in the first round and is grooming him to be the franchise guy. But Tyler’s opinion after watching practice is important. Maybe McCarthy’s plus plays have been getting more attention than his bad ones.
It’s great that McCarthy has looked good throughout camp. The first practice we heard that he really struggled in was Friday’s so far. Otherwise, there seems to have been lots of positives about what he has done, whereas I’ve been hearing some of his draft classmates like Drake Maye in particular, and Caleb Williams have struggled early in their training camps.
The excitement surrounding McCarthy is palpable. Fans are eager to see him succeed and potentially lead the team to greater heights. However, it’s crucial to temper expectations and understand that development takes time. McCarthy’s journey is just beginning, and there will be ups and downs along the way.
The Battle for the Starting Job
It’s also good that he seems to be pushing Darnold. While Darnold is still the #1 guy and likely will be our starter in week one, McCarthy isn’t handing the job to the veteran. He’s making him earn it. This competitive environment can only benefit the team, as it ensures that the best player will emerge as the starter.
However, I don’t think it’s very useful for fans to look at social media posts saying McCarthy has been the better quarterback X number of training camp days compared to Darnold. The reality is that training camp is just one part of the evaluation process. Coaches and analysts look at a wide range of factors when determining the starting quarterback.
Preseason Is The True Test
The preseason is going to give us a better idea of what we have with McCarthy and how close he is to being the Vikings starter. He’s likely going to be playing with backups and the backups of backups. He’s going to get some crummy pass blocking in front of him. There will be several penalties that put him in bad down-and-distance situations. He’s going to be throwing to wide receivers who aren’t talented enough to win consistently like Justin Jefferson does.
The preseason games will be a crucial test for McCarthy. It’s one thing to perform well in practice, but it’s another to translate that success to actual game situations. The challenges he’ll face – from subpar pass protection to less experienced receivers – will provide a true measure of his readiness to lead the team.
What to Watch For
If he can still perform consistently well when he does play in the preseason – moving the Vikings offense, putting together scoring drives, avoiding negative plays and turnovers – that’s when we’ll know how close he might be to being our starting quarterback. That’s when we’ll get a better idea if Kevin O’Connell and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah got their man.
Fans should watch for McCarthy’s decision-making, pocket presence, and ability to handle adversity. These are key indicators of a quarterback’s potential to succeed in the NFL. If McCarthy can demonstrate these qualities in the preseason, it will bode well for his future with the Vikings.
A Look Back and a Look Forward
Darren thinks back to 2022 when the 49ers played the Vikings and Brock Purdy played in that game. Purdy didn’t dominate – he was 14 for 23 for 123 yards and didn’t throw a TD pass. But he remembers seeing this rookie in that game and thinking, ‘this Purdy kid looks pretty solid. He’s calm back there, making solid throws and decisions, and looks confident and in command of this offense.’
A few months later, he was the 49ers starting quarterback, and a season after that he was starting in the Super Bowl. If I see that kind of play from McCarthy when the preseason gets rolling in six days, I’m going to be pretty pleased.
The comparison to Purdy is intriguing. It shows that a young quarterback doesn’t need to dominate statistically to make a positive impression. It’s about how they handle themselves on the field, their ability to make smart decisions, and their leadership qualities. If McCarthy can exhibit these traits, Vikings fans have every reason to be optimistic about the future.
In conclusion, while it’s too early to make definitive judgments, J.J. McCarthy’s performance in training camp has given us plenty to be excited about. The preseason will provide further insights, and we look forward to seeing how he develops in the weeks and months ahead.
As we wrap up the second week of Vikings training camp, there’s an abundance of developments to discuss. From quarterback dilemmas and new signings to rookie standouts and injury updates, this week has been eventful. Let’s dive deep into everything that transpired.
Quarterback Conundrum: Mullens and Hall Under the Radar
Last week, we brought you stories from training camp, and this week, we turned our attention to the quarterbacks. While Kirk Cousins remains the undisputed starter, the buzz around McCarthy and Darnold has overshadowed the other quarterbacks on the roster. Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall have been flying under the radar, with minimal news about their performances.
The primary reason for this is their position on the depth chart. As the third and fourth-string quarterbacks, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall haven’t been getting many reps in practice, especially Hall. Most of the action has been reserved for McCarthy and Darnold, leaving fans and analysts wondering about the future of Mullens and Hall with the Vikings.
Does this lack of attention matter? Potentially. There was speculation earlier in the offseason that Mullens might attract a day-three draft pick in 2025 from a team in need of a reliable backup QB. Kevin O’Connell faces a tough decision: can he afford to have just two quarterbacks capable of playing winning football after last year’s tumultuous season, which saw the Vikings use four different quarterbacks due to injuries and poor performances?
This leads to several critical questions: Will Mullens stay in Minnesota, or will he be traded for draft capital? Will Hall be cut and possibly stashed on the practice squad? The answers depend on multiple factors, including McCarthy’s ability to build on his encouraging training camp performance and Hall’s progress in training camp and preseason games. The three preseason games will be pivotal for Hall’s future as a Viking and in the NFL.
Cornerback Room Churn: Assessing McCain and Moreau
The Vikings’ cornerback room saw significant changes this week with the signing of Bobby McCain and Fabian Moreau. Should we be excited about these additions? The answer is complicated. McCain and Moreau have both played for multiple teams in recent years, and their PFF grades last season were less than stellar. McCain had a sub-50 grade, albeit with limited playing time, while Moreau’s grades were slightly better at 62.4, having started 11 games for the Broncos.
Despite these concerns, McCain and Moreau could still provide valuable depth. When your other options behind Byron Murphy and Shaq Griffin are Akayleb Evans and Andrew Booth, additional experience and bodies are always welcome. However, these signings are a far cry from the players we discussed last week, such as Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, and Adoree’ Jackson. The reality is, those high-profile players might not want to join a team not expected to contend for the Super Bowl in 2024.
Defensive Standouts: Theo Jackson and Gabriel Murphy
When the pads came on, the defensive players started to make their presence felt. Safety Theo Jackson has been a standout performer, consistently making plays by intercepting passes and breaking up plays in practice. This comes as no surprise, as Jackson showed up every time he was asked to play last year. I’ve previously mentioned that I would feel very comfortable with him playing full-time snaps if one of the Vikings’ top three safeties – Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, or Josh Metellus – had to miss time due to injury. Jackson is undoubtedly a good player.
Edge rusher Gabriel Murphy is another name to watch. Murphy has been turning heads in training camp, earning praise from defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Despite going undrafted due to concerns about his short arms, Murphy had been projected to go in the 4th or 5th round in many scouting reports. His strong performances in practice, including a sack and a pass breakup, suggest that he could be a valuable asset for the Vikings. I’m looking forward to seeing him in action during the preseason to see if the training camp buzz is justified.
Rookie Standouts: Dwight McGlothern and Gabriel Murphy
Dwight McGlothern, another undrafted rookie, has been making a name for himself in training camp. He’s been getting reps with the starting defense and making notable plays, including pass breakups. McGlothern was expected to be drafted anywhere from the 4th to the 6th round, so his undrafted status makes his training camp performance even more impressive.
If McGlothern and Gabriel Murphy can replicate the success of Ivan Pace Jr. from last year, the Vikings could potentially overcome some of their draft shortcomings. Pace Jr., another undrafted rookie, ended up being one of the best rookie linebackers in the NFL. If the Vikings strike gold with McGlothern and Murphy, it would go a long way in making up for the perceived weaknesses in Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s drafting since he became GM in 2022.
Placekicker Competition: Will Reichard Takes the Job
The placekicker competition didn’t last long, with John Parker Romo being released on Monday. Rookie Will Reichard is now the lone placekicker. Despite fans’ wariness due to past experiences, the coaching staff is in a better position to be patient with Reichard compared to the 2018 situation with Daniel Carlson.
Vikings fans are understandably cautious when it comes to kickers, given the team’s history. Carlson, who was cut after missing three kicks in a game during his rookie season, has since become an excellent kicker. However, this Vikings team and coaching staff are in a much better position to be patient with Reichard and roll with any struggles he might have. The 2024 Vikings are being picked to finish last in the NFC North by many and not make the playoffs, so the coaching staff and front office may be more willing to tolerate a bad game or two from Reichard.
Injury Updates: Jerry Tillery and T.J. Hockenson
Unfortunately, the Vikings received some bad news on the injury front. Defensive tackle Jerry Tillery went down with a lower-body injury during Saturday’s practice. This is concerning, as the Vikings’ defensive line is already one of the weakest units on the team. Tillery, who was playing with the first-team defense alongside Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard, might have been a player who could elevate the unit. While Tillery initially sparked concern, it was later reported he only got cleated. Dave shared the relief, “Thankfully, football gods said, yes, it’s only cleated... we need him in that frontline rotation.”
On a more positive note, tight end T.J. Hockenson has been making good progress in his rehab. He has been spotted running well on the sidelines during training camp. Darren mentioned, “Hockenson is looking great,” adding that there’s optimism he might start the season earlier than expected. Although he’s expected to miss the first four games of the NFL season in 2024, his progress is encouraging. There was always the concern that if his knee surgery didn’t go well or his knee didn’t respond well to rehab, his absence could be longer. Based on what we are hearing out of training camp, Hockenson might only miss the four games initially projected.
Today, we’re diving deep into the resurgence of the NFC North and what it means for the Minnesota Vikings and their rivals. The landscape of this storied division is undergoing a dramatic transformation, fueled by emerging talents and strategic offseason moves. The NFC North is shaping up to be one of the toughest divisions in football, and we’re here to break down every angle.
A Changing Landscape
As the Vikings work through training camp and aim to reclaim the NFC North title they won in 2022, one thing is clear: it’s not going to be easy. For years, the NFC North was predominantly Green Bay’s domain, with the Vikings occasionally joining them in the playoffs. The Bears would crash the playoff party now and then, while the Lions often lagged behind, the “same old Lions.” But times have changed, and the NFC North is now more competitive than ever.
Detroit’s Ascendancy
Detroit won the NFC North last year and made it to the NFC Championship game, signaling a significant shift in the division’s power dynamics. The Lions have built a well-rounded roster filled with depth and talent on both sides of the ball. Jared Goff, their starting quarterback, is coming off a phenomenal 2023 season where he threw for over 4,500 yards, completed 67% of his passes, and notched 30 touchdown passes.
Goff’s journey has been remarkable. After struggling in 2019 and 2020 with the Rams, he was traded to Detroit, where he has since turned his career around. With the best offensive line in the league and a four-year contract extension signed in May, Goff is poised to keep Detroit’s offense potent for years to come. His leadership and experience make the Lions a formidable contender in the division.
Green Bay’s New Hope
The Packers, or as we like to call them, TTFW (That Team From Wisconsin), have seemingly struck gold again in the quarterback department. Jordan Love, who sat behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons, was given the starter’s job in 2023. After a rocky start, Love went on a tear in the second half of the season, leading Green Bay to the playoffs and nearly knocking off the 49ers.
Is this the real Jordan Love? As Vikings fans, we hope not, but it’s hard to ignore his impressive performance. Green Bay appears to have found another keeper at quarterback, continuing their legacy of strong QB play. Love’s youth and potential make the Packers a significant threat in the NFC North for years to come.
Chicago’s Fresh Start
In Chicago, the Bears made a bold move by parting ways with Justin Fields and drafting Caleb Williams as the #1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Williams, often described as a generational talent, has a lot of expectations riding on him. The Bears’ decision to draft Williams marks a new era for the team, as they look to find stability and success at the quarterback position.
Williams’ college career was nothing short of spectacular, and the Bears are optimistic about their new QB-of-the-Future. While it’s uncertain if he will live up to the hype, the potential he brings to the table is undeniable. If Williams can transition smoothly to the NFL, the Bears could become a powerhouse in the division.
Minnesota’s Rising Star
Finally, our very own Minnesota Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy at #10 overall. Fresh off leading Michigan to a national championship, McCarthy brings athleticism, a strong arm, and great leadership qualities to the table. His college accolades and winning mentality have us all excited about his potential and what he could mean for the Vikings’ future.
McCarthy’s introduction to the NFL has been met with high expectations. As the youngest of the new quarterbacks in the NFC North, he has the opportunity to grow and develop alongside some of the best talent in the league. The Vikings’ coaching staff and fans alike are eager to see how McCarthy will perform on the big stage.
The Future of the NFC North
No one knows how things will pan out for these quarterbacks, except for Goff, who has already proven his mettle. If Love plays consistently like he did in the latter half of 2023, Williams lives up to his generational talent label, and McCarthy continues his winning ways, the NFC North will be stacked with young, talented quarterbacks. No other division could rival it.
The competition within the NFC North will not only elevate the level of play but also make every divisional matchup a must-watch event. The presence of these promising quarterbacks ensures that the race for the NFC North title will be fiercely contested year after year.
Youth and Longevity
All these quarterbacks are relatively young. Goff won’t turn 30 until October 14, Love turns 26 in November, Williams turns 23 in November, and McCarthy, the youngest, won’t turn 22 until January 2025. If they stay healthy, this young talent could make the NFC North highly competitive for a decade or longer.
The longevity of these quarterbacks means that fans can look forward to years of high-quality football. The rivalries will intensify, and the stakes will be higher, making every game in the division a thrilling spectacle. The NFC North could very well become the standard-bearer for elite quarterback play in the NFL.
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Conclusion: What Lies Ahead
Wrapping up, Dave mentioned an exciting upcoming live NFC North podcast discussing last week’s Bears game, and looking ahead to this weekend’s games, further highlighting NFC North dynamics. Your beloved bloggers concluded with their trademark sign-off: “SKOL, Vikings!”
Stay tuned to “Two Old Bloggers” for more in-depth analysis and spirited discussions on everything Vikings. Be sure to catch their live shows and podcasts for the latest on your favorite team as they head into a promising season. SKOL!
