4 ways Sam Darnold can exorcise the ghosts of MetLife Stadium
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold must be decisive on play-action calls
Matt Rhule stated following their loss to the Minnesota Vikings that he wants the Carolina Panthers to adopt a run-first mentality moving forward. Not exactly the biggest vote of confidence in Sam Darnold’s recent performances.
However, this could help the signal-caller even without Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.
Chuba Hubbard has done well over the last two games. Certainly, enough to suggest that he could be an every-down back in the future if his productivity in the passing game improves.
The Panthers also have Royce Freeman to call upon, which Carolina should use more rather than give Hubbard 30 touches a game.
If the Panthers go in this direction at the Giants, then Darnold has to make sure he is decisive when offensive coordinator Joe Brady calls some play-action to keep the defense honest.
Darnold needs to have courage, find the open receiver quickly and when things aren’t developing as expected, take off on the run or just throw the football away.
Forcing the issue isn’t going to do him any favors whatsoever.
Establishing the run is all well and good. But this will count for nothing if Darnold cannot also make a difference in what is a quarterback-driven league.