New York Jets: Sam Darnold impresses Gang Green vets
Three veterans are impressed with New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. There’s one question, how will he respond with the lights on?
When he was coming out of USC, three intangibles stood out for quarterback Sam Darnold on his scouting report: Ability to bounce back from mistakes, poise, and leadership. It was easy to see why the New York Jets drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick and moved up hoping to land him.
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Three Jets veterans are impressed with Darnold. ESPN’s Rich Cimini interviewed wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, and safety J.J. Wilcox. They all had a lot of praise for the rookie quarterback.
Kearse loves his poise and his mobility. Kearse told Cimini that from Day 1, he seemed calm, cool, and collected. But most of all Kearse saw a very confident quarterback. Kearse also loves his pocket presence and the fact the his eyes remain focused on the receivers even when he’s moving out of the pocket.
Ijalana noticed his work ethic right away:
"“My locker is pretty close to his. In OTAs, every time I saw him, he was hunched over with the playbook in his hands. It was like he was reading grandma’s Bible. He’s quiet, he’s chill. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”"
It hasn’t been all peaches and cream, though. Darnold has thrown five interceptions in practice, including one from Wilcox, who told Cimini about how he got him to throw the interception, and the talk they had afterward:
"I just leaned the opposite way, then came back to the other hash. I worked with him afterward; we talked about it. I told him the veteran safeties are going to be able to line up on this hash, but at the same time, have their body go to the opposite hash.”"
There were a lot of excited people in regards to the Green and White when the Cleveland Browns drafted quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and then the New York Giants took Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. The Jets finally had their franchise quarterback. And early on he’s showing signs that he can be the man.
Mayfield put on a show in his rookie debut. Now Darnold has to prove it under the bright lights as well. It’s a chance to see what people are raving about from practice.
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Preseason games aren’t about stats or the final score. In 2008, the Lions finished 4-0 in the preseason and then went onto a 0-16 season) It’s about showing what you’re capable of, and the first step for Darnold is against the Atlanta Falcons. Let’s see if the impression he made on his teammates in practice translates into what he does on game day.