JetFreak89 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Sam Darnold isn’t acting like a normal rookie on eve of debut By Brian Costello August 9, 2018 | 6:33pm Modal Trigger Sam DarnoldBill Kostroun It has been 106 days since Sam Darnold shockingly fell to the Jets in the first round of the draft like a gift from the football gods. On Friday, they finally get to unwrap that gift. Darnold will make his NFL debut against the Falcons in the Jets’ first preseason game of the season at MetLife Stadium. Jets coach Todd Bowles did not say how he will deploy his three quarterbacks in the game, but expect to see plenty of No. 14. Darnold has taken the majority of the snaps in practice this week as the Jets prepared for the game. The most likely scenario is Josh McCown starts and plays a series, Teddy Bridgewater gets the rest of the first half and then Darnold plays the second half. “I’m really excited,” Darnold said this week. “This will be the first time that we’re able to get hit. So there’s no security blanket on us, we don’t have those red jerseys out there. So, we’re going to be ready to be able to get rid of the ball as fast as possible but also be able to trust our protection and trust what we’ve been working on for so long now.” The preseason opener falls exactly one month before the regular-season opener in Detroit on “Monday Night Football.” Who is under center to start that game is still up for grabs. It is clear, though, the Jets are giving Darnold every chance to win the job. It largely will come down to these preseason games. Can Darnold prove to Bowles he can be trusted and should start immediately or will one of the veterans be the safer choice? In his first week-plus of training camp, Darnold has shown a maturity beyond his age (21) and has made some throws that make you say “wow.” Like all rookies, he also has made some mistakes. But the early returns have been positive. Now, he has to take the next step against an opponent. “I mean every single day that I step on the field, whether it’s practice or whether it’s a scrimmage or whether it’s a preseason [game], I’m just going to go out and take advantage of every single opportunity that I get,” Darnold said. “If I make a great play, awesome. Move on to the next one. If I make a bad play, it is what it is. Move on to the next one. That’s just kind of the mentality that I’m going to have every single day, whether it’s practice, the scrimmage or a preseason game.” Darnold said he is not worried about being overwhelmed by the emotions of playing his first NFL game. “I never really had a problem with that. I don’t think so, but I mean first NFL game, you never know. At the same time I’ve always been able to kind of control those emotions,” Darnold said. “I think I’m just going to go out there and play my game. I think, feeling those emotions is a good thing. Being able to go out there first real NFL game, even though it is preseason. First NFL game, going out there and being really emotional is something I’m looking forward to.” While the quarterback competition will be the main event, there are plenty of other positional battles to keep an eye on. Wide receiver, tight end and outside linebacker all have some interesting competitions going. Bowles said he will be paying close attention to the position groups that will bring the Jets tough decisions in a few weeks. “That’s why these games are important because [the competitions are] so close,” Bowles said. “Obviously, we want to see them against different people and different schemes, and going into Friday night will be the start of evaluating these guys fully that are very close and it’s going to be nip tuck. The better your team gets, the harder the decision gets to cutting anybody. So, it’s going to be key these next couple games.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freemanm Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Who should see the field first, Bridgewater or Darnold? I also don’t think McClown should play, and if he does, it should only be in the second half Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rex-n-effect Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 11 minutes ago, Freemanm said: Who should see the field first, Bridgewater or Darnold? I also don’t think McClown should play, and if he does, it should only be in the second half McCown should start if neither of the other two look halfway decent right now. The rest of the presumed offensive starters deserve to make a case for their place in the depth chart with a competent QB. Give him half of a quarter if necessary and then move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augustiniak Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Just now, rex-n-effect said: McCown should start if neither of the other two look halfway decent right now. The rest of the presumed offensive starters deserve to make a case for their place in the depth chart with a competent QB. Give him half of a quarter if necessary and then move on. i'm guessing mccown plays one series, bridgewater plays for about a quarter and darnold plays the rest of the game. it's still early and the jets have to make sure mccown is ready for opening day if darnold isn't, and they're also showcasing bridgewater while trying to give darnold most of the reps. if darnold does well enough in the first two preseason games i can see him starting against the giants to try and solidify the starting slot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetstream23 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Anyone else nervous about having Darnold (or even Bridgewater) playing behind our 3rd string OLine in the 4th Quarter? (Especially when our starting OLine still has question marks) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sec101row23 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Darnold should be the second QB in, no questions. I don’t want Darnold in there in the late 3rd and 4th quarters. Let him play out the first half after McCown and then let him take a couple series after the half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetster Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 This is going to be strange seeing 3 competent QBs for 4 quarters for the Jets. Should help the Oline, no matter who they are. It's not like Petty "crazy feet" Petty or Christian "I can't even play in the Canadian league" Hackenberg. I'd like to see Darnold first with the starters. Let him get the feel for what MNF will be like vs the Lions. I know its just a preseason game, but he's gonna have his blood flowing for sure. NFL football baby! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetster Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 13 minutes ago, jetstream23 said: Anyone else nervous about having Darnold (or even Bridgewater) playing behind our 3rd string OLine in the 4th Quarter? (Especially when our starting OLine still has question marks) Lets face it, if ANYONE is the sacrificial lamb for the Jets it has to be Bridgewater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetstream23 Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 Why not flip the script. Darnold plays 1st - 2nd Quarter, Bridgewater 3rd, McCown 4th? Let's be real fellas....an injury to McCown just puts him where he and the coaches know he'll be anyway, on the sideline with a clipboard. Let's get #SacrificeMcCown trending. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Losmeister Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 7 minutes ago, Jetster said: Lets face it, if ANYONE is the sacrificial lamb for the Jets it has to be Bridgewater. very Darwinian of you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet Fan RI Posted August 10, 2018 Share Posted August 10, 2018 3 hours ago, jetstream23 said: Anyone else nervous about having Darnold (or even Bridgewater) playing behind our 3rd string OLine in the 4th Quarter? (Especially when our starting OLine still has question marks) Isn't that how Sanchez got injured? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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