DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2018 NFL Season 2018 NFL Draft Sam Darnold

Donald's ceiling is somewhere between Kyle Boller and Matt Barkley.

He’s up to 20 Turnovers on the season and 3 games with ZERO TD passes.

Darnold is going to be very good. But he needs more time. I'd consider darnold #1 but I think he's going back to school. If he doesn't, he could be our QB. I would be extremely nervous handing him over to hue.

Yikes!!!

Yeah... Not looking too good.

pretty TO prone

If this is how Darnold rolls, I don’t think his yeast has completely risen and he’d serve his own interests best with another year in school.

i'd agree ... he probably would be better served to stay

As far as Darnold goes .... it was just one game. I saw some high end throws as well as some not so good ones. I would hesitate to condemn, or draft, him (or any other player) based on just one game.

I think that the kid has legitimate talent. I would like to see us sign an experienced QB, who could play for a year or 2, no matter which rook QB we wind up drafting. That way the rook could, hopefully, watch and learn.

I agree. I think most of the people who think he looked bad are agenda driven.

I am not saying that in a bad way. They simply like "their" guy.

Darnold made a ton of pro throws last night. I agree he might not step right in without some time. All the more reason to bring in a vet who can bridge the gap until whoever we draft is ready to go.

Riding the bench for a while isn't a bad thing for a rookie QB.

Dan Jeremiah writes of Darnold's performance,



I agree.

In my opinion, I saw Ohio State kick the crap out of USC, and Sam Darnold couldn't beat Ohio State on his own. He was sacked 8 times (8 times!!) and throwing to receivers who were incredibly well covered.

Firstly, he still put up 356 yards passing. The turnovers were ugly, and they couldn't turn it in to scoring opportunities, but, he put up a damn good fight.

Secondly, he didn't crumble. I think it can be a big positive to see a quarterback get the ish kicked out of him, and watch how he responds. Derek Carr was infamous for poor performances in games in which his team was outclassed, particularly bowl games, but one thing always noted was he remained consistent as a leader and player. Carr swam against the current, never looked defeated and kept fighting. Darnold did the same thing. I liked that.

It certainly wasn't the incredible performance we hoped for, but he also looked better than some have suggested. (not pointing at anyone in particular, just lots of comments on the internet)

I agree. He threw some passes with great placement. Dropping dimes into places only his receivers had the opportunity to make plays. I was impressed by his accuracy and his ability to throw into tight windows.
Yes he threw a bad pick. Yes he fumbled a couple times. He also was swarmed by the best front 7 in college football and had absolutely no running game. Ronald Jones was stymied.

I’d take Darnold in a heartbeat as long as we pick up a vet so he can sit a year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohtxFaef3W4

There's the game. I don't think he played that bad on second look. Dude got no breaks from his offensive linemen. His elongated delivery might be a problem in the NFL though. I still think he's staying another year, maybe another 2. The kid grew up loving USC, you don't leave your dream school after 3 years.

Looking at the game reminded me of the USC/Fresno game a few years ago when Fresno was way overmatched. Carr played well even though he was dinged.

Darnold can throw the ball with accuracy. He can make plays when things break down. He has some ball security issues. But I like what he can do.

He might love a $20M signing bonus more

The kids arm is legit. Some of those throws were fantastic throws, touch, velocity, anticipation with his ends and center being fed to him. For a kid getting his ass kicked all night (8 sacks) he showed he can make throws. Most of the long completions, those guys weren't even open he put dimes in tight windows.


His long delivery is an issue, I did see him shorten it for quick throws less than 15 yards when he needed to. Unless he can shorten it up, he is in for a lot of strip sack fumbles.

If he can shorten up that throwing motion he reminds me a lot of Philip Rivers. If he can't, he reminds me of a better Byron Leftwhich.

Tough call no doubt.

I think Darnold looked good all things considered - made some terrific throws under duress all night. 1 bad throw - pick 6 and some ball security issues. USC's O-line is horrible and was overmatched. I hope he declares and Browns take him #1.

I like the kid. Yeah he needs some more seasoning but you could see the talent. The pass that Webb had the pick 6 on was a bad throw but man Darnold threw some nice passes too, he hit his WRs in stride without them having to reach back for the ball, or lobbed it right over their shoulders so that they could keep going.

ESPN's official count was pressured on 46% of all throws, 8 sacks total.

After re-watching, I also noticed that both fumbles were on hits directly from behind after he did a nice job stepping up in to the pocket. I think that further highlights how poorly the OL played - if your QB can step up to initially avoid the pressure, you have to bury your man behind the pocket. USC couldn't do that.

I just love this kid more, and I don't think it's a confirmation bias. That level of pressure and that many sacks is absolutely brutal. I've seen, from time to time, the numbers flash up regarding how quarterbacks play when they're sacked four or more times and pressured x amount of times. For Darnold to still put up 350 yards was awesome, and the vast majority of that production came on some incredible throws that few players can make.

In spite of that much pressure, he only threw one pick. Credit to Damon Webb, it was a great play in which he read the play like a book. That one hasn't been jumped all year, so I'll ponder aloud if there may have been a little complacency from Darnold on that one. USC have run that concept quite a few times this season, and OSU was ready for it, so I don't entirely knock Darnold.

Darnold also completed 57% of passes, which isn't that bad on a normal day if you still put up 356 yards, but it is incredible on a pressured-46%-of-all-throws kind of day.

Personally, I hope that the Browns start leaking tales of a very heavy interest in Darnold. Thinking he's a real shot to be the first overall selection would reasonably make him more likely to enter the draft. Even if he's not the guy, he'll be someone's guy, and that'll give that 4th/5th pick a much better chance of being someone like Fitzpatrick, Barkley, etc.

I like this kid more and more. Gun to my head, today, he'd be my #1 pick.

So Kizer's replacement with Kizer-ish stats? Found his replacement?

I didn't like a bunch of what I saw out of Dazrnold last night. What is the upside & ceiling I keep seeing. Took sacks, threw turnovers, etc. Just scratching my head here.

Don't like Rosen much either. Vet sounds better.

Technically he only threw one turnover yesterday. The others 2 were fumbles

I just can't trust a USC QB , I see all these Pac12 teams getting schooled by Big 10 defenses

I keep thinking back to the Rose Bowl last year. He was like a surgeon taking Penn apart. If we don't take Rosen, I hope we do take Darnold. I think he'll be special some day.

For me, the big question is if Darnold stays at USC or declares for the draft. If he declares, he has to be in the mix at #1.

Based solely on this video, I would not be unhappy if we ended up with Darnold and Barkley.

Xactly

Darnold too:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdgdGEHF0UY/

Old friend Mike Lombardi:



https://twitter.com/mlombardiNFL/status/948714871935459328

You should probably check out the most recent posts in the Rosen thread.

Darnold thread:

https://twitter.com/Ryan_McCrystal/status/910697503917355008

Wow, Darnold and Rosen at 1 and 2 leaves a better chance for Barkley to be there at 4. Huge.

Sam Darnold as explained by USC safety Chris Hawkins

Myles Garrett signed a 4 year deal for 30 mil and a 20 mil signing bonus.

NFL players have limited years on the clock. Brady aside, You can’t expect 15 or more years.

Worst case spot for either 1 is 2. Ok it’s early and top 10 is assured.

So the player would be giving up about 7 million.

At the end, you have to make the decision, and I can’t fault either one. It is pretty simple.

Good read, Bone.

FINALLY we'll have our Face of the Franchise in Darnold or Rosen.

Now I'm STOKED!

I SWEAR to GOD, I will be sooooooo damn pissed off if we go Allen, Mayfield or Jackson.