THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Darnold not just a passenger on Super ride

Do you remember the days of Howard Cosell?

The snarky TV personality got famous by insulting people — mostly broadcasting their games, but also in person.

Howard barely believed a word he was saying, but as long as people hated him, they'd watch just to vent their anger.

Let's say he produced a set of rankings, any sport.

He would intentionally snub some really good athletes, just to get fans in an uproar.

I've been thinking about Cosell this week.

Sports Illustrated, which has built a reputation for decent sports journalism over the years, last week published a story ranking all the current NFL quarterbacks.

SI has no plans to imitate Cosell, but you might have trouble selling that notion in the Northwest.

The magazine pegged Sam Darnold at No. 17 among QBs, which has to be the least respect any quarterback has managed coming off a Super Bowl victory.

You've probably heard this before, but SI tossed Darnold in with Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer, quarterbacks who basically were carried to Super Bowl wins by terrific teams around them.

In other words, Darnold was a passenger last January.

SEAHAWKS linebacker Ernest Jones IV, however, is having none of it — Sports Illustrated or not.

"Sam is our leader and he's been the man," Jones said. "Don't be listening to that (crap).

"We wouldn't have the trophy without him."

Amen.

The notion that Darnold is just hanging around the NFL, and got lucky landing with a talented, trophy-winning team in Seattle is just nonsense.

There have been a couple of games (one each in 2024 and then last year) when Sam has struggled.

Both were against the Rams.

After leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record two years ago, Darnold endured a nightmare playoff game in which the Rams sacked him nine times.

NINE!

It's amazing Sam came back to take his shot with the Hawks last year. I'm surprised he didn't just take savings and go get a job as a librarian.

Anyhow, that game against the Rams two years ago stuck in the minds of pundits who just couldn't believe that Darnold was the real deal — and he'd thrown 35 TD passes that season against 12 interceptions (for 4,319 yards).

I'm sorry, but you can't put up those kind of numbers by accident.

The Vikings obviously bought that tired old narrative, because they cut Sam loose and handed the quarterback job to rookie J.J. McCarthy. 

Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who has the reputation of a "quarterback whisperer," grabbed Darnold to replace Geno Smith — and the Hawks were off and running.

Oh, and that nonsense about Darnold just handing the ball off while his teammates won the Lombardi Trophy?

Hah.

Sam was totally in charge as Seattle thumped the Patriots 29-13 in the Super Bowl, wrapping up a season in which he got better as the games became more important.

The road to that Super Bowl went through the Rams, who had punished Darnold twice in these past two years.

SAM WAS ready to give some back.

The Hawks had to win two thrillers over L.A. to win the NFC West and grab home-field advantage all the way through the postseason.

Sam held his own in a shootout with future Hall of Famer Matthew Stafford, and along the way he threw a pass I'll remember forever.

The game to decide the division title went to overtime, and the Rams scored first to lead 37-30.

Darnold responded with a clutch drive that included inch-perfect sideline throws to Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Eventually, Darnold hit Smith-Njigba with a 4-yard TD pass, and with leadership of the division on the line, the Hawks went for two points.

Coach Mike Macdonald said that was the plan all along. He wasn't interested in a tie.

"But the play took so long," Mac said. "Credit to Sam for keeping it alive.

"The Rams are a tough defense to block, and we went all the way to our fourth progression."

It seemed like there were a hundred people crowding the end zone by the time Darnold — standing ice-cold all the way — found tight end Eric Saubert open for a heartbeat.

"Sam is amazing, going through his progressions," Saubert said. "I thought I was late getting to my spot, but Sam just ignored everything that was going on and put the football right on me.

"Not many quarterbacks could have made that throw."

Saubert's right.

I doubt there are 16 of them walking around, either.

Steve Cameron: [email protected]

Longtime journalist Steve Cameron writes "The Cheap Seats" column for The Press three times each week.