@Ghost of Lambeau posted:The advantage of an imaginary wife is....
a lot less nagging!!
McCarthy being out for the year is horrible news. He gets to sit, watch, and learn. As Packer fans, we know how valuable that is for development.
@Packiderm posted:From Sam Darnold?
Maybe McCarthy will be on the other team's sideline, during games, learning from those QBs.
He'll get to learn from Love twice this year. Hopefully he's not paying attention to those games.
While Darnold is a backup at best, McConnell will have some good plays for him. McConnell managed to get more out of Cousins than other guys did, and I bet he gets more from Darnold than others. He'll probably have Darnold throwing short to medium about 90% of the time. I think you'll see Jefferson go across the middle more and out patterns. McConnell wants to run -- especially with his QB room a mess -- so look for Jones to handle the ball a lot running as well as more designed pass routes rather than just a safety valve.
I like McConnell as a coach, but their GM absolutely sucks so McConnell has had little to work with.
@ammo posted:So Jefferson will be injured more. Or he'll refuse to run those routes or half ass it if he does.
Jefferson's not known for half-assing anything. Now, would he get more injured running across the middle? Probably. I think Jones is the one who's going to suffer the most from overuse.
@Fandame posted:McConnell wants to run -- especially with his QB room a mess -- so look for Jones to handle the ball a lot running as well as more designed pass routes rather than just a safety valve.
if Jones is running 15-20x per game and catching 5 passes a game - how many games will he last? Half a season?
Somehow the narrative regarding Jones is that he's not able to play a full season. That he somehow is always injured. That he's an unreliable starter. I get it that he's approaching age 30 by the end of the season, and that RBs traditionally seem to wear down quicker than other positions. And given last season, it could appear he's injury prone. But........
....that's not really the case. Prior to last season, Jones was the Packers starting RB in four straight season. He played all 17 games in 2022. He missed 2 games in 2021 and 2020.And he played all 16 games in 2019. Given how the Packers tend to be overly cautious with injuries, I don't think missing 4 games in 4 seasons (prior to last year) makes him injury prone.
Would not be surprised at all if he plays all 17 for Minnesota this year.
@lovepack posted:And with that quarterback?
And with that fanbase?
@PackLandVA posted:Somehow the narrative regarding Jones is that he's not able to play a full season. That he somehow is always injured. That he's an unreliable starter. I get it that he's approaching age 30 by the end of the season, and that RBs traditionally seem to wear down quicker than other positions. And given last season, it could appear he's injury prone. But........
....that's not really the case. Prior to last season, Jones was the Packers starting RB in four straight season. He played all 17 games in 2022. He missed 2 games in 2021 and 2020.And he played all 16 games in 2019. Given how the Packers tend to be overly cautious with injuries, I don't think missing 4 games in 4 seasons (prior to last year) makes him injury prone.
Would not be surprised at all if he plays all 17 for Minnesota this year.
As far as missing only a couple of games you are right but I seem to recall he was on short least/limited use for others. Thus although he was available he was not near full strength. I am old with a bad memory so please correct me if I am wrong.
The Packers used Aaron Jones sparingly early in season, where he would be ready at the END of the year to empty the tank. He was hurt with the hammy early last year so everything fell into place in December and January in Dallas/SF.
The Vikings don't give a shit about Aaron Jones so they're going to ride him this year until he's hurt or retired.
The #Vikings are making a major free agent acquisition at a time when they rarely happen: Former Pro Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore is signing in Minnesota on a 1-year, $10M deal, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 18, 2024
The ex-#Cowboys and #Patriots CB is back with DC Brian Flores. pic.twitter.com/YgA8pXqtEl
It's not as if the Vikings are going to have any need of players in January anyway.
Worry about your own team doofus
— JThomas (@JTMNskol) August 18, 2024
The Vikings went 7-10 last year with a pretty good Kirk Cousins and Hunter that had 16.5 sacks.
Sure, Jefferson is a top 3 receiver but it’s crazy to think Cousins is far more reliable and consistent than Darnold.
Hunter was one of the best pass rushers in the league. He’s gone. Their secondary was bad even before injures took over and Harrison Smith is what, 45 years old now?
Aaron Jones might be one of the best players on that team but he can’t carry them. Nor can Jefferson which is why they should have traded him for picks.
As it stands today, I see Minnesota as a 4 or 5 win team. Maybe if things break their way they can get to 7 wins again but it’s not like that will get them in the playoffs. They would be better off tanking to reload with McCarthy.
@Boris posted:The Packers used Aaron Jones sparingly early in season, where he would be ready at the END of the year to empty the tank. He was hurt with the hammy early last year so everything fell into place in December and January in Dallas/SF.
The Vikings don't give a shit about Aaron Jones so they're going to ride him this year until he's hurt or retired.
I don't think GB limiting Jones carries earlier in the season had anything to do with them caring about him. Guessing it was more about ensuring he could contribute the most by being as healthy as possible down the stretch. I'm guessing Jones doesn't feel GB gives a shit about him either after taking multiple salary cuts and being let go. It's a tough business for sure.
Jones was on a limited pitch count several times in GB, and I think he left early at least a couple others with dings. Jones averaged just over 5 yards whenever he touched the ball for his career. While he's remarkably steady with yds per touch (high of 5.9 in 2018 and 2020), his lowest years with 5.2 yds per touch were in his first year (2017) and last year. His rushing average is 5.0 for his career; last year he had his lowest with 4.6 per game -- tied for the year he had 16 games and his most carries (2019). In Jones' case, Gutey was probably thinking "better one year too early than one year too late."
With Darnold as your QB and no Hockenson to start, and perhaps a limited Addision with the ankle, Jones will get a lot of touches on that turf running and receiving. I hope he makes it through the year (and still the Vikings lose) because he's a great guy and a great pro, but I will be very surprised if he does.
I don't know if I can recall 100%, but I seem to remember the first 2-3 years Jones was on the team, he was being used sparingly even when he was healthy.
I never associated that with being on a 'pitch count' or trying to keep him fresh for the home stretch games, rather it was more of their offensive scheme/plan.
This was during the time when Rodgers and LeFleur were having their own issues, and I'm sure was a factor in how many touches Jones could get.
He could still have fresher legs than someone who has had 300+ rushing attempts every year for 5 years or more, but the combination of age/wear/turf condition doesn't favor him becoming one of those backs all of a sudden.
@YATittle posted:
This paragraph is the killer essence of the article: “I think guys are pretty confident in Sam Darnold,” O’Connell told reporters. “I do. When Nick Mullens got his opportunities last year, we were very explosive as an offense. His ability to run the show and really highlight a lot of different aspects of our offense with his understanding is something. That’s why Nick’s here. He’s a guy we really respect and respect his prep and his experience.”
So... "Darnold is our starter, but we sure are glad to have Mullens more than anything!"
That's just got to make Darnold feel all tingly and excited to play! 
Brian Flores, of the vikings, criticized by Tua Tagovailoa:
@Boris posted:
Worry about your own team doofus
— JThomas (@JTMNskol) August 18, 2024
Dude will be 34 in a few weeks. Father Time is coming for ya!
He visited MN earlier but left over a lowball offer. Then, another CB went down, the Vikes' offer jumped to $10 million, and Gilmore -- having no other choice -- returned.
Can you imagine being 85 years old and signing a 30 year mortgage that you will pay off in your lifetime?
@lovepack posted:Can you imagine being 85 years old and signing a 30 year mortgage that you will pay off in your lifetime?
Sounds like something you would want to do to a family you didn't get along with toward the end of your life. I know that at the very worst, the survivors could sell the house and pay off the mortgage, but nothing like leaving a few headaches behind. Maybe leave a couple bottles of aspirin behind to ease the pain.
Won't be available for Week #4
Minnesota is leaving TE T.J. Hockenson on the Physically Unable to Perform List, which means he is ineligible to be active during the first four games of the season, per sources. Hockenson still is recovering from last season’s torn ACL but is expected to return this season. pic.twitter.com/yic1seDyka
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2024