4 ways Sam Darnold can exorcise the ghosts of MetLife Stadium
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold must manage the game-clock better
Controlling the line of scrimmage is an essential hallmark of any good quarterback. An area where Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers are constantly coming up short.
This was more evident than ever against the Minnesota Vikings. Rarely did Darnold get the snap off without minimal time remaining on the clock, there were a couple of penalties for “delay of game”, and the player also tried to call consecutive timeouts – which isn’t permitted and something the USC product should be all-too-aware of in his fourth season.
A comedy of errors. And something that can be avoided.
Whether it’s Joe Brady not getting calls in quick enough or Darnold simply taking too much time to read the defense in front of him, improving this comes from being prepared for every eventuality.
These problems are a microcosm of the situational football frailties being displayed by the Panthers on a weekly basis. Opposing teams can smell this is a mile away and although the coaching staff also needs to be held accountable, Darnold must do his part to provide more assurances under center.
Moving to the hurry-up in the fourth quarter brought some improved production from Darnold. It also keeps the defense pretty basic which helps.
It would be a shock if the Panthers went away from this in Week 7. But this makes clock management from the quarterback even more important.