What could have been.

[medaille]

If Darnold was on our team and we were playing either the Rams or Seattle (assuming Seattle had viable QB play), would it have turned out any different than last year vs either the Rams or Lions? In my mind, we’d still be calling 4 second long pass plays, still not running the ball, still got a broken Oline, Darnold still taking a ton of sacks, a ton of hits, getting flustered and making mistakes.

The offense Seattle ran yesterday was markedly different than what we ran. They weren’t trying to hit homeruns every play. Darnold was efficient. He was hitting open receivers wherever they were, not just 25 yards down the field, and frequently they were much closer to the LOS than what we normally run. Multiple times, you’d see them hitting a 7 yard pass, than another 5 yard pass to move the chains.

I just don’t think KOC has learned any lessons from the past two years. I think he’s still of the mindset that once the players get good enough, he’ll be able to run his perfect offense, but he needs superstars at every position for it to work, and when you don’t have superstars at every position, you get the 2025 offense which looks like one of the worst offenses in our history. Meanwhile, other OCs are designing offenses for the QBs they have, the OLines they have, etc. Their offenses look different depending on which defenses they’re playing. If the defense takes away what they do best, they pivot to attack what the defense is weak at.

[supafreak84]

If Darnold was on our team and we were playing either the Rams or Seattle (assuming Seattle had viable QB play), would it have turned out any different than last year vs either the Rams or Lions?  In my mind, we’d still be calling 4 second long pass plays, still not running the ball, still got a broken Oline, Darnold still taking a ton of sacks, a ton of hits, getting flustered and making mistakes.

The offense Seattle ran yesterday was markedly different than what we ran.  They weren’t trying to hit homeruns every play.  Darnold was efficient.  He was hitting open receivers wherever they were, not just 25 yards down the field, and frequently they were much closer to the LOS than what we normally run.  Multiple times, you’d see them hitting a 7 yard pass, than another 5 yard pass to move the chains.

I just don’t think KOC has learned any lessons from the past two years.  I think he’s still of the mindset that once the players get good enough, he’ll be able to run his perfect offense, but he needs superstars at every position for it to work, and when you don’t have superstars at every position, you get the 2025 offense which looks like one of the worst offenses in our history.  Meanwhile, other OCs are designing offenses for the QBs they have, the OLines they have, etc.  Their offenses look different depending on which defenses they’re playing.  If the defense takes away what they do best, they pivot to attack what the defense is weak at.

This is 100% correct. It would have looked a lot like the Rams playoff game last year where our offensive line was getting pummeled, but OConnell was still calling these deep developing pass plays. 29th in called run plays since KOC has been the coach. He's not changing, so good luck to whoever the quarterback is going to be and they better hope the offensive line can stay healthy. Also good luck to whoever the new o-line coach is going to be because you are going to get blamed for it.

[purplefaithful]

I think you need to look at the Rams more than Seattle when it comes to a "cousin" of the Vikings offensive philosophy...

On that offense? Stout offensive line, Puka/Davonte, just enough running and a pin point general in Stafford stir the drink.

They also got more stout on their DL in a year to better compete in division games.

I think their GM doesnt get enough credit. If McCarthy grows into the real deal at QB, the Vikings will look more like the Rams up North than Seattle.

[supafreak84]

I think their GM doesnt get enough credit.  If McCarthy grows into the real deal at QB, the Vikings will look more like the Rams up North than Seattle.

Do you trust Kwesi/Grigson to get that done? I certainly don't. If we want to look like the Rams up North, you fire their asses and bring in Snead's right hand man, John McKay, to run things. We need to start by getting younger and hitting on substantially more players in the draft to supplement the roster

[purplefaithful]

Do you trust Kwesi/Grigson to get that done? I certainly don't. If we want to look like the Rams up North, you fire their asses and bring in Snead's right hand man, John McKay, to run things. We need to start by getting younger and hitting on substantially more players in the draft to supplement the roster

^^^

That goes without say...We gotta hope KAM & team get better at drafting this year. They didn't get kicked to the curb yet. 

That said, hope aint a plan, but its all I got as of 1/26/26

[Greylock]

Do you trust Kwesi/Grigson to get that done? I certainly don't. If we want to look like the Rams up North, you fire their asses and bring in Snead's right hand man, John McKay, to run things. We need to start by getting younger and hitting on substantially more players in the draft to supplement the roster

Unfortunately it looks like both will be conducting the draft this year.  With a good supply of picks they should be able to add a few starters and depth in positions they currently don't have, but they will likely try and outsmart the other GM's and pick for need or trade down for more picks which they will fuck up.

Why haven't we heard anything about new OL line coach search? Are they just sitting on their hands and hoping coaches come to them begging for a job.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

The rationalization thread! Look at all the alternative excuses for a mediocre showing. I guess maybe it wasn't all Sammy's fault after all.

[StickierBuns]

Robert Griffin III
@RGIII
·
14h
Sam Darnold made it to a Super Bowl before Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence.

[purplefaithful]

Robert Griffin III
@RGIII
·
14h
Sam Darnold made it to a Super Bowl before Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, Baker Mayfield and Trevor Lawrence.

I think the more amazing stat is Drake Maye made it to the SB b4 Allen, Lamar, Herbert, Dak, Baker and Trevor!

[StickierBuns]

I think the more amazing stat is Drake Maye made it to the SB b4 Allen, Lamar, Herbert, Dak, Baker and Trevor!

They're all busts anyway!