What we need to see from Sammy D in OTAs

[CarolinaLivin]

What do the Carolina Panthers want to see from their new quarterback Sam Darnold during organized team activities later this week?

Although this week is just the start of official offseason workouts, there is a lot riding on it for Sam Darnold. The Carolina Panthers have placed a tremendous amount of confidence in the quarterback after acquiring him via trade from the New York Jets, even though the evidence suggests he might not be able to reach these sorts of expectations.

It will all come down to whether Darnold is good enough now he has plenty of weapons around him and an offensive coordinator Joe Brady who’ll put him in the best position to succeed. These are luxuries that he simply didn’t get at any stage during his time in New York before they ultimately decided to cut their losses in favor of drafting Zach Wilson at No 2 overall.

The ball is in Darnold’s court, so to speak.

And it’s vital he hits the ground running.

Darnold will be scrutinized more than any other player on the Panthers this offseason, which comes with the territory for signal-callers across the league. However, considering what’s at stake for the former USC star, he needs to make a strong first impression on the field during OTAs.

The Teddy Bridgewater era in Carolina was a disaster and ended after just one season. He failed to get the job done in the most critical moments and was traded to the Denver Broncos as a result, so it won’t take long for the natives to get restless if Darnold suffers the same complications during some favorable early games on the 2021 schedule.

 

What the Carolina Panthers need to see from Sam Darnold?

Sam Darnold has more upside in terms of age at just 23 years old. He only turns 24 this week.

But now is the time for him to stand up and be counted.

First and foremost, Darnold has to be confident.

There’s just no telling how much this has been knocked after a torrid three years at MetLife Stadium. But he should treat this as a clean slate and the big opportunity he’s been waiting for.

Building this during the offseason and any time Darnold sees in the preseason is going to be vital.

Forget the past and focus on the future.

Another thing that the Panthers need to see from their signal-caller is leadership. Darnold looked like a fish out of water in the pressure cooker of New York at times. Now the spotlight is off him a little bit he can re-focus his energy on getting those around him to believe he can take them where they want to go.

This can be done on and off the field.

But winning is what counts the most.

Carolina won’t be expecting anything major from Darnold at this stage. As long as he can familiarize himself with his new surroundings, build chemistry with receivers and other weapons in the passing game, and lead from the front, this will stand him in enormously good stead ahead of a pivotal training camp for the No. 3 overall selection in 2018.

Head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Scott Fitterer have every belief Darnold can be the starting-caliber quarterback the Panthers have been searching for. He’s been subpar at best and has plenty of work to do, so catching the eye at OTAs will be the first small step on a potential road to redemption in 2021.

 

Everything rests on Sam Darnold.

Looking across a very talented roster accumulated by the Carolina Panthers over the last couple of seasons, there doesn’t appear to be many weaknesses. There are some obvious problems that could emerge once again across the offensive line if things don’t click into place, with the tight end position also needing to raise its contribution following the arrivals of Dan Arnold and third-round pick Tommy Tremble.

The Panthers also look much stronger defensively, so it’s really going to come down to whether Sam Darnold can shine now he has been freed from the moribund New York Jets.

Everything rests on the quarterback.

It’s just that simple.

That’s why OTAs are so important for Darnold. It gives him the chance to impose his will across the organization and leave teammates and coaches alike hopeful they have the right man under center in 2021.

One could argue this is Darnold’s last chance to secure a long-term starting role despite his tender age. There weren’t that many teams knocking down the Jets’ door to secure his services once he was made available, so it’s vital he shows the right mindset and uses this as additional motivation to make the most out of what appears to be a fantastic chance to rejuvenate his career.

Considering the talent around Darnold, he doesn’t even have to be that great.

Link: https://catcrave.com/2021/05/24/carolina-panthers-need-see-sam-darnold-otas/3/

[OldhamA]

I love that people think that now he's out of the 'pressure cooker' of the NY market he'll have more space to breathe.

Half the fan base is ready to jump down his throat the first time he throws an INT because he's not the particular brand of 2021 rookie that they tied their colours to. 

He knows this is his make or break year if he wants to be a starting NFL QB.

Edited May 24, 2021 by OldhamA

[ForJimmy]

He should look good in OTAs. His issues are in game decisions when he is under pressure, which was like every play behind that Jets line....

[kungfoodude]

2 minutes ago, OldhamA said:

I love that people think that now he's out of the 'pressure cooker' of the NY market he'll have more space to breathe.

Half the fan base is ready to jump down his throat the first time he throws an INT because he's not the particular brand of 2021 rookie that they tied their colours to. 

He knows this is his make or break year if he wants to be a starting NFL QB.

Yeah, if he/they think that the pressure goes away with any NFL franchise, they are sorely mistaken. He has to produce and his leash will be WAY shorter than in NY where they were married to his future. We aren't.

[BrianS]

The fact is that this is a guy with three years NFL experience.  I'm not saying it's GOOD experience, but it's three years of NFL competition that a "rookie" just doesn't have.  We should certainly expect "better than a rookie" production from him.

[CarolinaLivin]

Just now, ForJimmy said:

He should look good in OTAs. His issues are in game decisions when he is under pressure, which was like every play behind that Jets line....

Agreed, but fixing these issues... or excuse me "coaching these issues out of him" starts here. He still hasn't been that great in the past even in a clean pocket. Has to come read to work.  

[kungfoodude]

7 minutes ago, BrianS said:

The fact is that this is a guy with three years NFL experience.  I'm not saying it's GOOD experience, but it's three years of NFL competition that a "rookie" just doesn't have.  We should certainly expect "better than a rookie" production from him.

Yeah that whole, "He's basically a rookie!" narrative was utter nonsense. 

He is a four year NFL starter. Did he lose time to illness and injury? Sure, but that will be four offseasons, training camps, four years of film room, four years of development and training. If he didn't produce after this season, he isn't going to.

Edited May 24, 2021 by kungfoodude

[CarolinaLivin]

1 minute ago, Trainwreck said:

2021-2022 season for me will be Sam Darnold vs Justin Fields 

 

Matt Rhule will either be a genius or a dumbass college head coach acting like a NFL head coach. 

I think this will be just for you.

[kungfoodude]

3 minutes ago, Trainwreck said:

If Darnold loses to a rookie Zach Wilson in week 1 that many Panthers wanted and who replaced him in NY, that’s going to be just sad and embarrassing. 

I predict a server crash if that happens.

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, Trainwreck said:

that’s going to be just sad and embarrassing. 

Kind of like your posts...

[CarolinaLivin]

I don't think there is a better week 1 matchup than the Jets for our Defense. Regardless of if Darnold plays bad, I just don't see a week 1 loss. 

[ForJimmy]

7 minutes ago, Trainwreck said:

2021-2022 season for me will be Sam Darnold vs Justin Fields 

 

Matt Rhule will either be a genius or a dumbass college head coach acting like a NFL head coach. 

It should be Darnold AND Horn vs Fields, because we couldn’t have landed Horn if we drafted Fields. Anyway Fields is officially a Bear now, go so follow him there. This board is for the Carolina Panthers. We passed on all but 7 players when we drafted Horn, not just Fields.

[pantherclaw]

I personally don't care what happens to Fields.   Doesn't affect our team in any way.

[ForJimmy]

11 minutes ago, stbugs said:

Well, then it’s Darnold and Horn versus Fields and who we could have gotten with this year’s 6th and next year’s 2nd and 4th. In the end it’s still Darnold vs. Fields because it’s a QB league and our QB choice is what will make or break out playoff aspirations. We appear to be building a solid team outside of the QB so it really is our choice of QB that seals it.

Why not Darnold vs Mac or Darnold vs Mond? Hell we could have traded before the Niners did for pick 3 and grabbed Lance? Do we also look at Darnold vs Lance? We could have offered more to get Stafford as well? It’s a never ending game. People need to move on from Fields. If we drafted Darnold over Fields it would be a little different. We got him for relatively cheap and already had what we think is an option at the QB position with a huge need at CB when we were on the clock. Do the Dolphins have to worry about Fields vs Tua since they passed on him as well? What about the Lions and Goff vs Fields?