Jets QB Sam Darnold Displays Speedy Release in Preseason Debut His overall numbers against the Falcons were great on paper—13-of-18 for 96 yards and a touchdown— but that’s only a small portion of the story. On his first two drives, Darnold’s snap to throw times were as follows (by my watch): 2.04 2.34 1.96 2.13 1.71 2.67 1.89 2.98 2.22 1.27 1.74 3.40 His average over 18 total attempts for the night was 2.28. For reference, according to NFL’s NextGen Stats, Tom Brady averaged a 2.71 last year, Drew Brees had a 2.59 average, Alex Smith had 2.67 and Matt Ryan finished at 2.72, albeit with a much larger sample size and far more deep route concepts (and a different timer). The only passes near or close to the three-second mark in the first half were deep in Darnold’s progression, and both resulted in middle to deep-length completions. In the second half, the two three-plus second throws were on long play-action bootleg passes. Darnold slid safely on his first scramble and threw only one true incompletion before halftime – a slight overthrow deep to the right on his third attempt. The other first-half incompletion was a clear drop.
As impressed as I was with Sam I'm gonna sit quietly in my corner and wait until he comes through in the clutch when we will need him most ... after watching the game last night and after 20 plus miserable years of watching this team I can't get ahead of myself yet, and get heart broken once again ... this time I will proceed with caution and wait patiently. (though that 2 minute drive was for the ages) That said watching him last night gave me goosebumps PS during the draft I was rooting hard for Mason Rudolph and I'll take the heat for it !
I just am having a hard time reasoning that Darnold, 6-4 225 shouldnt play out of fear of injury but instead Bridgewater should be trotted out with his slight build and injury history. Fortunately I dont think a HC or staff decides on lineups that way
i would start bridgewater for the first half of the season. keep fingers crossed and if he plays well and healthy, keep him in there. is he on a 1 year deal??
I must say watching him yesterday his reads were on point and most of the time he put the pass where only his receiver could catch it, not to mention his eyes were all over the field ... not starring down his receivers
He's got the right instincts too. On his TD pass great awareness of the line of scrimmage. He doesn't back peddle. Steps up whenever he can
Mason sort of reminded me of a poor mans Darnold. I'm an OSU fan and alum as well. Figures I'd cheer for the Jets of Stillwater
Average? After years of watching trash QB play from Sanchez, Geno, Petty I'll take average for now. Yeah I have no problem at all with average. I liked what I saw from Bridgewater last night. I didn't get to see much of Darnold I'm reading he looked good.
Preseason does matter Just look at the punt fumbles. Clearly intelligence was gathered from that and adjustments and improvements will be focused on. As for Sam- I don’t care about stats but my eyes never lie. Poise, awareness, progression, huddle control, 2 minute offense, pocket presence, accuracy and touch were all there.... Whatever happens happens, but so far so good. Denying it is lying to yourself. If eyes didn’t matter scouts would not exist.
Darnold looked sharp, but the stud of the preseason is Josh Allen. That guy will be a hall of famer with his big arm.
I think the thing that makes me so excited is the combination. On the one hand he's obviously got a ton of talent. He wouldn't have been the #1 ranked QB in the draft if he didn't. But in addition to that is the attitude/personality. He seems to have an absolutely priceless (imho) combination of respect, dedication and humility during normal every day life, but when on the field seems to have a little bit of the Michael Jordan/Brett Farve fearless assassin in him. Most are lucky to have one or two of those factors going for them but when you combine every damn one of them into a single package? I plead guilty to the charge of being one happy Jets fan at them moment
I liked him a lot as well. Saw a bit of the Pitt.-Phila. game. He looked okay, but I was a bit disappointed to see a few of his throws sail on him. Certainly did not have as good a game as Darnold or even Mayfield.
While it's too early to anoint Darnold as the next great NFL QB, he did look poised out there and made throws that Sanchez could never make. Can't wait to see how he does next week.
Watching it this morning gave me goosebumps too - he's got it. Pocket poise, awareness and a dart of a release. It wont be long before he's our starter. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
