J.J. McCarthy will be back under center this Sunday as the Vikings take on the Packers. It will be McCarthy's third straight start after he missed nearly two months earlier this season. The Vikings have lost two straight and sit at 4-6 on the season in last place in the crowded NFC North.
McCarthy is still getting his feet under him as a pro quarterback, but people are starting to lose patience. On Thursday's edition of , there was a pretty frank discussion about McCarthy's play as well as a debate about the quarterback's insistence that he has a second personality on the field.
"In my eyes, everybody loves J.J. McCarthy," said McAfee. "Guy’s a leader. J.J. McCarthy I’m talking about. Two characters. J.J. McCarthy off the field. This guy’s a great leader. He’s got the amount of moxie whenever he shows up everybody knows him. The aura of a starter. Obviously, the meditation, he takes care of himself. He’s all-in. Nine is who he becomes on game days. J.J. McCarthy, loved by everybody. Nine is just kind of ass on the field at this point. When Nine catches up to J.J.? Boy, Minnesota’s gonna be a problem for everybody. When’s that gonna happen?"
McAfee was talking about McCarthy's "Nine" personality, his on-field alter ego that has only completed 52.9% of his passes this season while he's thrown eight interceptions. When you're playing like that, people are less receptive to revealing you've given yourself a nickname.
"Nine" and Other McCarthy-isms
McCarthy, a Michigan Man, got to spend some time with Tom Brady during the offseason with Brady bestowing him with some of the secrets to his success. Between McCarthy and Geno Smith, you have to wonder how much Brady's QB whispering means this year, but at least he said one thing that stuck with McCarthy—He wishes he was drank more water in college. Something to think about.
As the season approached he also discussed his eyeblack:
A few weeks ago he explained his alter-ego.
McCarthy's press conference this week was a true treasure trove. He described how ready he was by comparing himself to a beverage.
He also explained where he was getting the reps he had missed earlier this year.
And he described the science behind his play.
This last one had Richard Sherman wondering what he was talking about.
Since he was injured his entire rookie year and half this season, who knows how many other incredible thoughts and one-liners we've missed.
