Once his career failed to take off with the New York Jets, I thought Sam Darnold may have a path similar to the National Football League success enjoyed by Jim Plunkett.
Plunkett, one great person off the field as well as a brilliant leader on the field, led Stanford University to an upset win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 1970 Rose Bowl shortly after winning the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted first overall by the New England Patriots in 1971 and spent five mostly unsuccessful years on the east coast.
In five seasons with the Patriots, Plunkett compiled a 23-38 won/loss record and never cracked the playoff field. In 1976, he was shipped to San Francisco, this was pre-Bill Walsh and 49ers greatness, and in two years with the Red and Gold he won 11 of 26 decisions.
Then, the Oakland Raiders were in need of a veteran backup for Dan Pastorini, who they acquired from the Houston Oilers in exchange for Ken Stabler. Early in the 1980 season, in a contest against division rival San Diego, Pastorini went down with an injury and was replaced by Plunkett.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Plunkett remained the Raiders starter for seven seasons, won twice as many games as he lost, 38-19, and led the Silver and Black to a pair of Super Bowl wins.
Darnold was drafted in the first round by the Jets in the 2018 draft, third overall selection. During his tenure in New York, he mostly endured disappointments while earning only 13 wins in 38 decisions. Two years with the Carolina Panthers also ended with a losing mark, and he spent one year as a backup to Brock Purdy in San Francisco before joining the Minnesota Vikings this year.
Whalaah, in Minnesota Darnold won his first five starts and has the Vikings battling the Detroit Lions for first place in what may be the most talented division in the NFL, the NFC North.
Is this going to continue on a positive path for Darnold? Has he found his oasis midway through his career just like Plunkett did?
Perhaps … and while I have rooted for years for stars that start their NFL careers slowly to recapture the magic they enjoyed in college; I have trouble betting on it happening.
The Vikings and Lions battled each other blow-for-blow last Sunday with the final kick of the game providing the visiting Detroit squad a narrow victory. Now Minnesota comes off that huge contest with a road game on a short work week against a Rams team looking to overcome a rash of injuries that has reduced Sean McVay’s one-time Super Bowl winner into an also-ran.
Funny things about ‘also-rans’, when they get a chance to slay a dragon they usually do.
Qoxhi Picks: Los Angeles Rams (+3) over Minnesota Vikings