The Minnesota Vikings have placed their future on rookie J.J. McCarthy, and when it comes to quarterbacks, it’s never too early for a team to start preparing for injury risks before they become problems.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic has been observing McCarthy during sessions since the offseason began earlier this month. Lewis has made a few remarks about McCarthy’s throwing abilities, as well as the possibility that his mechanics will develop health problems in his right arm.
“Pitching coaches frequently use the phrase ‘The ball explodes out of his hand.'” On Wednesday, May 22, Lewis wrote: “The same cliché applies to McCarthy, whose ball spirals so tightly through the air you almost expect flames to flow from behind.” “He generates his velocity by efficient mechanics and fluid motion. If anything, the Vikings will need to keep an eye on his arm torque.
Lewis then touched on the potential issues with McCarthy’s elbow that could surface over time. According to The Purple Persuasion X, “McCarthy’s mechanics look clean, and you don’t generate the velocity he does without having efficient movements, beginning with his lower body,” Lewis stated. “However, he has a tendency to overstride at times, forcing him to rely on his arm (which he can do successfully on occasion). For example, consider Matthew Stafford [of the Los Angeles Rams]. He throws bullets all over the pitch, and elbow ailments in recent years have forced him to change some of his conditioning.”
J.J. McCarthy Soaking Up as Much Knowledge as Possible From Sam Darnold
Lewis also mentioned in his report from OTAs on May 22 that McCarthy met fellow Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold at the Target Centre during Game 4 of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ second-round NBA playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. McCarthy began attempting to acquire knowledge of what it meant to be a quarterback in the NFL from the start.
McCarthy has asked [Darnold] numerous questions within the quarterback room in recent days, and Darnold has answered them gladly and frankly. Lewis remarked, “The more he can contribute, the better. Darnold was asked if there are any aspects of a quarterback’s entry to the NFL that are overlooked in terms of value. Darnold reacted by noting a quarterback’s environment, including the coaches, skill players, the system, and the feelings within the quarterback room.