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New York Jets: Phil Simms is right about Sam Darnold

By Michael Pallas

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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One prominent member of the media now is one record saying that the New York Jets should start Sam Darnold Week 1 in 2018, and Phil Simms is absolutely right.

It was a gift when the New York Jets landed Sam Darnold at the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Something finally went the way of the franchise that has been missing a quarterback for nearly five decades.

Now, they have to treat it with care and be as patient as possible, right? No, not if he shows the team he’s ready, and one former quarterback thinks he will be.

Former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms told Darryl Slater of NJ.com that Darnold should start Week 1.

"“If I was the Jets, I would play him from Day 1. That’s just me. Start him. Let’s go. Got a long offseason, training camp, preseason games.”"

He even elaborated further:

"“And I don’t want to hear, ‘Oh, we don’t want to hurt his confidence if he fails early.’ Well, if he fails early, and it hurts his confidence and he can’t overcome it, he wasn’t the guy.”"

Simms is absolutely right in this regard. Darnold is supposed to be the franchise guy, and if he gets rattled and can’t withstand the pressure, he’s not who we though he was.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane. It’s 1983, and the Baltimore Colts have the first pick in the draft, and they take Stanford quarterback John Elway, and he forces his way out of town heading to the Denver Broncos. He starts the first five weeks of the 1983 season, and is replaced in four out of five games be Steve DeBerg.

He ended up leading the Broncos to five Super Bowls and two wins in The Big Game.

Next: NFL Draft 2018: Biggest steals for each team

In the end, it’s not the Week 1 start as rookie that do the players in. It’s the player’s individual ability to deal with the spotlight of the NFL and all that comes with it. Teams shouldn’t simply stick to “the book,” because every player is different. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

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