Former Michigan star struggling in training camp
McCarthy missed all of last year with a torn meniscus, but after Sam Darnold capitalized on his breakout campaign to ink a major deal with the Seattle Seahawks, the job and the weight of the Vikings are on McCarthy.
Despite his success at the University of Michigan and immense talent, it has been a difficult start in training camp against defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his sensational unit.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic shared these observations:
'The Vikings' defense is just on an entirely different level right now. You have Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner synced up in their celebrations, you have Andrew Van Ginkel obliterating folks. It's very one-sided.'
McCarthy, who was asked about Flores' defensive pressure and complicated blitz packages, added this:
'I mean, the rush and being able to not sit in the pocket and hold the ball. You've got to make quick, decisive decisions, and you really have to a plan and a process going up to each and every play. And once that ball hits your fingertips, you know they're gonna be firing off.'
McCarthy did miss months with that knee injury, and a slight reintroduction period to live football is not uncommon. Even if he continues to struggle against Flores' schemes, there is perhaps no better preparation for real Sundays than a ferocious defense.
McCarthy still has a plethora of weapons, headlined by receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and should thrive in head coach Kevin O'Connell's system, which transformed the aforementioned Darnold's career.
McCarthy is also not the type of player to get discouraged. Despite arriving in Ann Arbor as one of the top passers in his high school class, he had to sit behind veteran Cade McNamara for a year.
Adversity is nothing new for him, and it will only be a matter of time before he shines in the NFL.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Shaun Alexander: Sam Darnold a good risk for Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have undergone plenty of high-profile changes since the calendar turned to 2024. Mike Macdonald was hired as the franchise's ninth head coach last January. This year, Seattle traded Geno Smith, signed Sam Darnold to a contract worth over $100 million, traded DK Metcalf and signed Cooper Kupp to play in his native state. Will the changes result in tangible improvement? The Seahawks haven't clinched a playoff berth since 2022 and haven't won a postseason game since the 2019 season, but former Seahawks great Shaun Alexander believes the team is on the cusp of something special. 'Coach McDonald, his style, his personality, I think the way he's doing it is going to be very beneficial for us. The Seahawk family is in a good place to go on a great run,' Alexander said to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of USAA's Salute to Service Bootcamp. 'Last year, we were the only team with 10 wins and not make the playoffs.' The Seahawks were a part of the quarterback carousel this offseason when they sent Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and signed Darnold during free agency. Darnold is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings in which he recorded career-highs in most major quarterback statistical categories. He became the first QB in NFL history to record 14 wins in his first season with a team and his performance earned him his first ever Pro Bowl nod. But Darnold's been a journeyman quarterback for a majority of his career. Seattle's his fifth team in eight seasons. The big question is whether Darnold's lone Pro Bowl year in Minnesota was an anomaly or a sign of things to come? Seattle signed the 28-year-old quarterback to a three-year contract. However, the structure of the deal enables the Seahawks to cut Darnold after just one season and the club drafted an insurance plan in the third-round of the 2025 draft in Alabama product Jalen Milroe. 'I'm one of those people like, is the risk? Yes, but is it a good risk? Yes. One hand, I love Geno I thought he was very good for our team… Here we are with Sam, I think he's gonna be a good quarterback,' Alexander explained. 'Sam is a fine NFL quarterback that if put in the right situation, he can look really good.' Alexander is the Seahawks' all-time leading rusher. Suitably, he thinks Darnold is in a good offensive situation because of the current Seattle running back, Kenneth Walker, who could be motivated because he's on an expiring contract. Exclusive: Patrick Mahomes talks painful Super Bowl loss (and new haircut) 'I've always thought he was a steal. I always thought he was a jewel of a running back. I think a healthy him gives us a shot in every game. He could look like he just passively is going to put up 100 yards and score a touchdown,' Alexander said. 'He's gonna be in a good place to have a great year this year.' Is Darnold going to be the franchise QB the Seahawks are paying him to be? It's one of the more fascinating questions entering the season. Although, akin to all quarterbacks, the answer is largely dependent upon his surrounding parts. Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shaun Alexander says Sam Darnold is a good risk for Seahawks
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Ex-NFL RB LeShon Johnson convicted on federal dogfighting charges
Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson has been convicted for his part in a large-scale dogfighting operation in Oklahoma, federal prosecutors announced. The 54-year-old Johnson was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture and acquitted of 17 other similar counts. Johnson is now facing up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count. He will be sentenced at a later date. 'This conviction sends a strong message that those who abuse animals for entertainment and profit will face serious consequences under federal law,' said Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) in a statement. 'ENRD's Environmental Crimes Section and our partners are committed to aggressively prosecuting individuals who perpetuate the brutal practice of dog fighting and to disrupting this illegal and inhumane industry.' Johnson allegedly ran the dogfighting operation, known as "Mal Kant Kennels," out of Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. According to court documents, he bred 'champion' and 'grand champion' fighting dogs to produce offspring with abilities that would allow them to take part in dogfights. He was arrested on March 20 and released on bail. One week later, Johnson was indicted on federal charges after 190 dogs were seized from him in October under the Animal Welfare Act. 'He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,' said Johnson's lawyer, Billy Coyle. 'Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.' In 2004, Johnson pled guilty to state animal fighting charges after running 'Krazyside Kennels." He received a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents. Johnson, 54, played five seasons in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants. His career spanned from 1994-1999 after being a third-round draft pick out of Northern Illinois.
USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Shaun Alexander: Sam Darnold a good risk for Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have undergone plenty of high-profile changes since the calendar turned to 2024. Mike Macdonald was hired as the franchise's ninth head coach last January. This year, Seattle traded Geno Smith, signed Sam Darnold to a contract worth over $100 million, traded DK Metcalf and signed Cooper Kupp to play in his native state. Will the changes result in tangible improvement? The Seahawks haven't clinched a playoff berth since 2022 and haven't won a postseason game since the 2019 season, but former Seahawks great Shaun Alexander believes the team is on the cusp of something special. 'Coach McDonald, his style, his personality, I think the way he's doing it is going to be very beneficial for us. The Seahawk family is in a good place to go on a great run,' Alexander said to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of USAA's Salute to Service Bootcamp. 'Last year, we were the only team with 10 wins and not make the playoffs.' The Seahawks were a part of the quarterback carousel this offseason when they sent Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and signed Darnold during free agency. Darnold is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings in which he recorded career-highs in most major quarterback statistical categories. He became the first QB in NFL history to record 14 wins in his first season with a team and his performance earned him his first ever Pro Bowl nod. But Darnold's been a journeyman quarterback for a majority of his career. Seattle's his fifth team in eight seasons. The big question is whether Darnold's lone Pro Bowl year in Minnesota was an anomaly or a sign of things to come? Seattle signed the 28-year-old quarterback to a three-year contract. However, the structure of the deal enables the Seahawks to cut Darnold after just one season and the club drafted an insurance plan in the third-round of the 2025 draft in Alabama product Jalen Milroe. 'I'm one of those people like, is the risk? Yes, but is it a good risk? Yes. One hand, I love Geno I thought he was very good for our team… Here we are with Sam, I think he's gonna be a good quarterback,' Alexander explained. 'Sam is a fine NFL quarterback that if put in the right situation, he can look really good.' Alexander is the Seahawks' all-time leading rusher. Suitably, he thinks Darnold is in a good offensive situation because of the current Seattle running back, Kenneth Walker, who could be motivated because he's on an expiring contract. Exclusive: Patrick Mahomes talks painful Super Bowl loss (and new haircut) 'I've always thought he was a steal. I always thought he was a jewel of a running back. I think a healthy him gives us a shot in every game. He could look like he just passively is going to put up 100 yards and score a touchdown,' Alexander said. 'He's gonna be in a good place to have a great year this year.' Is Darnold going to be the franchise QB the Seahawks are paying him to be? It's one of the more fascinating questions entering the season. Although, akin to all quarterbacks, the answer is largely dependent upon his surrounding parts. Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
