A Virus? Stephen A. Smith Claims the Vikings Have One.
Most NFL-themed media walked away impressed with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold’s performance in a Week 1 win over the New York Giants.
A Virus? Stephen A. Smith Claims the Vikings Have One.
But one man, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, doesn’t think the production is sustainable, likening Darnold to a “virus” this week.
“If you’re around some people with a cold enough, you’re going to get one. If you’re around some people with a virus, you’re going to get it. Contamination. You ever heard of that word? It happens,” Smith said Thursday about Darnold’s presence on the Vikings’ roster.
Darnold ranked tops in the NFL after Week 1 per EPA+CPOE and Pro Football Focus grade. He banked 208 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 79.2% completion percentage against the Giants.
“When you’re around certain situations, ultimately, you become a byproduct of that. That’s what I am saying of Sam Darnold. I’m telling you, you’re very hopeful and I can appreciate that. But you’re sitting up there, talking to us like we’re supposed to expect the high level of production from this brother. I’m not doing that. I got to see it to believe it. That’s all I’m saying,” Smith continued.
Smith’s counterpart, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky, has spoken optimistically all week about Darnold’s upside in Minnesota. But Smith vehemently disagreed.
Smith added, “At some point, your resume has to matter. Now, we saw him complete 14 of his first 15 passes from a clean pocket last week. We get all of that. That was against the New York Giants. Lets see how he’s going to look when Nick Bosa and the crew are coming his way. Don’t expect the same results because it ain’t going to happen. Let’s get that out of the way first. Secondly, I get your point about Justin Jefferson and having him as a weapon there. I get that part, but I gotta see it to believe it.”
Darnold and his teammates will face a more challenging test this week at home versus the San Francisco 49ers. Some Vikings fans realized the Giants weren’t any good and want to see if Darnold will provide sustainability.
Smith concluded, “He’s been in the league for seven years, and what you describe him as being, I haven’t seen much of from him when he’s been in the lineup. So, I’m damn sure not going to assume I’m going to see that from him now.”
Contrarily, Orlovsky pointed out that Darnold’s footwork has vastly improved from stops in New York with the Jets and North Carolina with the Panthers.
In 2022, Smith claimed Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson could have more success and receiving yards if he played in a warmer building than U.S. Bank Stadium.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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