QB Sam Darnold is a Viking

Originally posted by 49ers81:
Out of 32 starting positions he's in the top 32. Well gosh, can't get much higher praise than that.

It's arguable at best as well. The problem for Darnold is he even if he's a top 32 QB currently, he really only fits certain types of situations. Bridging for a young player, game manager for a playoff level team with no QB.

What situations are out there like that? Maybe 2-3 teams and Darnold likely not first in line as a potential fix. Pittsburgh going to be jumping to sign him? Highly doubtful.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Originally posted by frankieuc68:

Originally posted by Crown:

Originally posted by pdc20:

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:
I thought Sam played pretty well in the first half and then showed in the second half why he is a backup QB.

Yeah pretty much the same.
If he was starter material or at least potential bridge, he would have done much better in the second half.

I mean - it would help if WRs could catch a pass.

3 really nice passes dropped by my count.

Yup, agreed. If Conley made the catch on that good throw, we will be talking about a potential game winning kick to end the game. I liked the scramble run when the opportunities were there. I thought he played well enough even though the team started sitting our starters.

Wait, are you guys talking about the one in the endzone? This is the problem with "drops" in that everyone has a different interpretation of what a drop is. To me that was an inaccurate laser pass that was more the fault of the QB than the WR.

For me,I was talking about the throw close to midfield with less than a minute. Bottom line for me though, he is a backup with less weapons that hasn't played much all season. With that said, he played well enough IMHO.

Originally posted by tankle104:
I was most impressed with how he kept plays alive and then kept his eyes downfield to make a play - which he did but was let down a few times by our backups backups. the fumble is on him, he has always had ball security problems, but outside of that I thought he played pretty well. especially when he had the starters in.

AGree on the ball security issues, and he did alright as a QB. But his touch and anticipation is nowhere near Brock's level though. He's a good backup QB, that's pretty much what I saw this weekend. Personally, if the 49ers have some excess draft capital in 2024 (which I doubt) I'd like them to draft a QB in day 3 and have Brandon Allen be QB2. I like Allen's touch and anticipation better than Sams. I think Sam was acquired as a free agent *just in case* Brock can't go. Now that Brock *can go* and looks pretty good after his surgery, they need a younger backup that has the potential to be developed and get ShanaLynch some compensatory future picks or future trade bait values.

Originally posted by 49ers81:

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
Darnold has elite traits, if you say Purdy or any potential starter..
Purdy is an MVP front runner, I do think Darnold is a potential starter.. he's is probably top 32.
Easy to see Sam moving well, throwing well on the move, and spinning the ball well. He's looked good every time he's been out there. Who cares about 'winning the game' if we wanted to do that, he wouldn't have been playing. Winning wasn't the intent. It was more like preseason ball, so I care less about winning and outcome, more about process and play. He played well.

Out of 32 starting positions he's in the top 32. Well gosh, can't get much higher praise than that.

I don't understand why we bash the guy, who is a 49er. He's represented himself and the team well this season. I think he's looked good in the times he's been out there. I think he's probably got more starts to his career going forward, those days are probably not over for him. He's 26, that's pretty young.

I thought he did a good job. Moved around, made a few escapes, some good throws. Too bad the last TO kind of a downer on the day. Had a couple of killer drops on what would have been really good pass play.

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:

Originally posted by pdc20:
You don't think Purdy or any potential starter QB wouldn't have done better in the second half playing against reserves?
McVay basically went to play this game just to give the two records to Puka Nacua. The rest he didn't care about.
It's not like Darnold played against Aaron Donald destroying the O-Line by himself.
Again put Brissett or Minshew in Darnold's place and they probably win the game.
It was 20-7 after the first half. They just needed one good drive in the second half to win this game.
I mean if you're happy with what Darnold did that's okay. Me personnaly, I just see a back up and that's it and I think there's possibility to upgrade the position for next season. I would say that I would be fine with Darnold as back up and that I'm certainly concerned by this rumor that the Niners see Allen as a potential QB2 for next season.
Because if there's someone that showed absolutely nothing it's Brandon Allen and there's a reason the Bengals cut him.

Darnold has elite traits, if you say Purdy or any potential starter..
Purdy is an MVP front runner, I do think Darnold is a potential starter.. he's is probably top 32.
Easy to see Sam moving well, throwing well on the move, and spinning the ball well. He's looked good every time he's been out there. Who cares about 'winning the game' if we wanted to do that, he wouldn't have been playing. Winning wasn't the intent. It was more like preseason ball, so I care less about winning and outcome, more about process and play. He played well.

Winning is not important? Maybe for Shanahan and McVay.
But Darnold was essentially trying to prove to the rest of the league that he was indeed like you said a top 32 QB. It was his moment, his game. The reality is that Wentz was better than him. Carson Wentz!!!
Darnold is not a potential starter from what I saw this game or in pre-season.
At best he's gonna find someone that will do to him a Trubisky/Steelers.

Originally posted by pdc20:

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:

Originally posted by pdc20:
You don't think Purdy or any potential starter QB wouldn't have done better in the second half playing against reserves?
McVay basically went to play this game just to give the two records to Puka Nacua. The rest he didn't care about.
It's not like Darnold played against Aaron Donald destroying the O-Line by himself.
Again put Brissett or Minshew in Darnold's place and they probably win the game.
It was 20-7 after the first half. They just needed one good drive in the second half to win this game.
I mean if you're happy with what Darnold did that's okay. Me personnaly, I just see a back up and that's it and I think there's possibility to upgrade the position for next season. I would say that I would be fine with Darnold as back up and that I'm certainly concerned by this rumor that the Niners see Allen as a potential QB2 for next season.
Because if there's someone that showed absolutely nothing it's Brandon Allen and there's a reason the Bengals cut him.

Darnold has elite traits, if you say Purdy or any potential starter..
Purdy is an MVP front runner, I do think Darnold is a potential starter.. he's is probably top 32.
Easy to see Sam moving well, throwing well on the move, and spinning the ball well. He's looked good every time he's been out there. Who cares about 'winning the game' if we wanted to do that, he wouldn't have been playing. Winning wasn't the intent. It was more like preseason ball, so I care less about winning and outcome, more about process and play. He played well.

Winning is not important? Maybe for Shanahan and McVay.
But Darnold was essentially trying to prove to the rest of the league that he was indeed like you said a top 32 QB. It was his moment, his game. The reality is that Wentz was better than him. Carson Wentz!!!
Darnold is not a potential starter from what I saw this game or in pre-season.
At best he's gonna find someone that will do to him a Trubisky/Steelers.

Again, you are looking at Wentz is better, cuz why, the Rams won? No one cares imo. It's about the film. He's not really competing vs Wentz, just trying to have his own good film. Even if it's a drop, if he's throwing a dime to the right read, that's good film. Sam's looked sharp.

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:

Originally posted by 49ers81:

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
Darnold has elite traits, if you say Purdy or any potential starter..
Purdy is an MVP front runner, I do think Darnold is a potential starter.. he's is probably top 32.
Easy to see Sam moving well, throwing well on the move, and spinning the ball well. He's looked good every time he's been out there. Who cares about 'winning the game' if we wanted to do that, he wouldn't have been playing. Winning wasn't the intent. It was more like preseason ball, so I care less about winning and outcome, more about process and play. He played well.

Out of 32 starting positions he's in the top 32. Well gosh, can't get much higher praise than that.

I don't understand why we bash the guy, who is a 49er. He's represented himself and the team well this season. I think he's looked good in the times he's been out there. I think he's probably got more starts to his career going forward, those days are probably not over for him. He's 26, that's pretty young.

Not bashing him, just saying that I wasn't all that impressed by his play and pointing out that the "common wisdom" among various media types is that any competent QB could run Kyle's system as well as Brock, which is not a narrative I buy into. No knock on Darnold really, just glad he's not the starter right now. If by some tragic circumstance our playoff run suffers the same fate as last year, I will be rooting for him to succeed. Go Niners!

Originally posted by 49ers81:
Not bashing him, just saying that I wasn't all that impressed by his play and pointing out that the "common wisdom" among various media types is that any competent QB could run Kyle's system as well as Brock, which is not a narrative I buy into. No knock on Darnold really, just glad he's not the starter right now. If by some tragic circumstance our playoff run suffers the same fate as last year, I will be rooting for him to succeed. Go Niners!

Whole problem is putting real stock into the arguments of media types. At this point if you (not you specifically but anybody) can't get beyond the absolutely inane argument that any QB could do what Brock does here, it's on you. It's not an argument that's made by anyone with a serious opinion outside of hot take entertainment.

Now I will say there is a difference between believing anybody can do it, and arguing that someone else should win MVP. There's a large gray between the two.

He was very impressive, and I see why Shanahan was pleased over his performance. The grading of Sam was when Deebo and Aiyuk were on the field and the offense did not miss a beat. That's what the coaches wanted to see and that got what they wanted. If Purdy gets hurt, our team will still be able to put up points when Darnold comes in. He is not as good as Brock, but he is more than capable of keeping the ship above water and giving the team a chance at winning. We have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing to the practice squad guys or have 2nd string O lineman blocking for him like it was most of that game. Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, CMC, and Jennings will be his targets to use. Trent Williams will be protecting his blind side and Juice will be doing his thing.

Originally posted by Ark49er:
He was very impressive, and I see why Shanahan was pleased over his performance. The grading of Sam was when Deebo and Aiyuk were on the field and the offense did not miss a beat. That's what the coaches wanted to see and that got what they wanted. If Purdy gets hurt, our team will still be able to put up points when Darnold comes in. He is not as good as Brock, but he is more than capable of keeping the ship above water and giving the team a chance at winning. We have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing to the practice squad guys or have 2nd string O lineman blocking for him like it was most of that game. Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, CMC, and Jennings will be his targets to use. Trent Williams will be protecting his blind side and Juice will be doing his thing.

Agreed!!! Good post!!!

Originally posted by Ark49er:
He was very impressive, and I see why Shanahan was pleased over his performance. The grading of Sam was when Deebo and Aiyuk were on the field and the offense did not miss a beat. That's what the coaches wanted to see and that got what they wanted. If Purdy gets hurt, our team will still be able to put up points when Darnold comes in. He is not as good as Brock, but he is more than capable of keeping the ship above water and giving the team a chance at winning. We have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing to the practice squad guys or have 2nd string O lineman blocking for him like it was most of that game. Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, CMC, and Jennings will be his targets to use. Trent Williams will be protecting his blind side and Juice will be doing his thing.

We also have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing against practice squad guys or have 2nd string D Lineman rushing him like it was for most of that game.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Originally posted by Ark49er:
He was very impressive, and I see why Shanahan was pleased over his performance. The grading of Sam was when Deebo and Aiyuk were on the field and the offense did not miss a beat. That's what the coaches wanted to see and that got what they wanted. If Purdy gets hurt, our team will still be able to put up points when Darnold comes in. He is not as good as Brock, but he is more than capable of keeping the ship above water and giving the team a chance at winning. We have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing to the practice squad guys or have 2nd string O lineman blocking for him like it was most of that game. Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, CMC, and Jennings will be his targets to use. Trent Williams will be protecting his blind side and Juice will be doing his thing.

We also have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing against practice squad guys or have 2nd string D Lineman rushing him like it was for most of that game.

And the 9ers O-line still couldn't hold up.

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Originally posted by Ark49er:
He was very impressive, and I see why Shanahan was pleased over his performance. The grading of Sam was when Deebo and Aiyuk were on the field and the offense did not miss a beat. That's what the coaches wanted to see and that got what they wanted. If Purdy gets hurt, our team will still be able to put up points when Darnold comes in. He is not as good as Brock, but he is more than capable of keeping the ship above water and giving the team a chance at winning. We have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing to the practice squad guys or have 2nd string O lineman blocking for him like it was most of that game. Deebo, Aiyuk, Kittle, CMC, and Jennings will be his targets to use. Trent Williams will be protecting his blind side and Juice will be doing his thing.

We also have to remember if Darnold comes in, he will not be throwing against practice squad guys or have 2nd string D Lineman rushing him like it was for most of that game.

And the 9ers O-line still couldn't hold up.

I am just pointing out that you have to have it both ways. You cant complain about who a player is playing with and refuse to acknowledge who he is playing against. That's also what I cant stand about pre-season analysis (which is basically the same thing as this).

imo Darnold would need another 2-4 years here to rebuild himself.