The rookie quarterback talked about his progress and buying into Kevin O'Connell's plan for his development...
It has been uttered so many times by athletes, coaches and executives at this point that it’s reached the Mount Rushmore of sports cliches right next to “one game at a time.”
Since drafting McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, head coach Kevin O’Connell has made it clear that he does not want the former Michigan star QB to play before he’s ready. Through three practices McCarthy hasn’t taken any first-team reps. Veteran Sam Darnold remains QB1 while McCarthy has worked with the second team. The young QB said that he is completely buying into the plan, even if it means that Darnold gets all the crowd-pleasing camp throws to Justin Jefferson for now.
“Being around this building, my confidence in this offense is growing exponentially. In OTAs it was very hard for me to get out a play call,” McCarthy said. “Everyone thinks they can play quarterback but try getting out of the huddle. That was my biggest goal coming into camp was to be able to hear it one time and regurgitate it to the guys with confidence. I’ve been doing it so far.”
Not that there hasn’t been velocity. McCarthy’s first two practices have featured high speed throws, two of which were highlight-reel worthy during Thursday’s practice. The Vikings staff is in the precarious position of trying to give Darnold all the practice snaps that he needs in order to start Week 1 if needed and build comfort and chemistry with his new teammates while also giving McCarthy the opportunity to either win the job or feel like he’s improved by leaps and bounds by the end of camp.
“There’s a balance between pushing guys and being patient but at the quarterback position you are not going to be able to force him to get to where you want him to go,” Phillips said. “You do have to take some of the ups and downs at the position and there’s a lot of information to process and a lot of different things for those guys to remember. We like the way he’s developed so far. We like his progression. He’s spent a lot of time in the offseason working and has come back ready to go.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Matthew Coller: Analyzing Mike Clay's Vikings projectionsESPN's fantasy analyst predicts everything from which QB will start more games to Dallas Turner's sacks and we break it all down
Read more »
Matthew Coller: What do fantasy projections say about Vikings' opposing QB schedule?Do the Vikings have a tough slate of QBs on the way? The fantasy world certainly thinks so
Read more »
Matthew Coller's Vikings training camp preview: Defensive linemenHarrison Phillips anchors a group with a lot of question marks
Read more »
Matthew Coller's Vikings training camp preview: Linebackers and edge rushersThe Vikings reloaded their linebacking corps this offseason
Read more »
Matthew Coller's Vikings training camp preview: SafetiesHarry is back. What does that mean for everyone else?
Read more »
Matthew Coller's Vikings training camp preview: Offensive lineThe Minnesota Vikings offensive line has been solidified over the past few seasons by two very good tackles but there are still questions about the interior.
Read more »