Come on. There is a big difference between someone who has played less than a full season to guys that have been part of the process for a couple of years. A lot of Zach's troubles stem from his lack of experience playing at the speed of the pro game - as this is a problem for every rookie. Comparing Zach to experienced players in this regard is apples and oranges. It's like taking a guy who has never driven a Nascar race and comparing his results to drivers who have Nascar experience - they all have the same car, right? So why can't the rookie beat them? Even so, we can see the proof of this over the past couple of games as Wilson has gotten better at reading the defense, making the correct throw - even if he made them all accurately - and not looking like he's a "deer in the headlights". I'm sorry to say that you've made up your mind about Wilson before you have all the data.
I think most of Wilson's detractors either don't know how to evaluate QB talent, or are afflicted by "forest for the trees" syndrome. If you're objective, and step back and look at Wilson's individual attributes: Strong arm Quick release Athletic Fast for a QB Intuitive feel for the game Dedication to improving "Never say die" attitude Good mechanics When you look at this list, they're all key ingredients to success, and with the exception of "good mechanics", they're all inherent traits, things you're born with. This is the "floor" for Wilson. And this is what I believe the Jets based their assessment of Zach on. And keep in mind that Douglas asked for all his evaluators to assess him separately before they came together to compare notes to eliminate "group think". If all these experienced football people came to the conclusion that Wilson was the best prospect I think that has to be respected. Of course it doesn't guarantee he'll succeed. Things can happen: injuries, poor supporting cast - coaching and players, or maybe that "Never say die" attitude gets knocked out of him, or he finds that he can't handle losing/failure. These are things that have ended a lot of promising QB careers. So it might happen to Zach. But there is no way anyone can say with assurance that he's going to fail 9 games into his pro career.
Great post. I hate it, but I agree. I didn't feel great about Darnold after his rookie year, but there were easy to see reasons why - bad decisions, poor footwork, he just doesn't look natural throwing... Wilson just misses too many easy throws either really badly or he makes it tough on receivers when it should be "pitch and catch." It's confusing because we've seen him drop absolute dimes 25+ yards down the field, too. You know the arm talent and skill is there, but WTF is going on under that helmet when he can't complete a simple WR screen??
They are backups for a reason. The only "COME ON" that should exist, Is that of a world In which we see 3 backups each outperform the talented rookie QB. Experience or not, that's ridiculous to me. Mike White had never played In a game as an NFL QB until this year. I mean.. I'm sorry to say you haven't learned your lesson by now with this team. With all the shitty QB's we've had this last decade alone. One of us will be right, one of us will be wrong. I feel comfortable betting on my stance, opposed to yours, proof Is In the pudding after all.
To me, you should draw the opposite conclusion: the problems that Darnold exhibited were/are fundamental flaws that are almost impossible to radically improve on by the time you get to the pros. The problems Zach is showing aren't a lack of ability, and in fact, he's shown that he makes the right decisions most of the time - it's his execution that's falling short, and that can be fixed by increased repetition.
The only thing I respect are results anymore as a NYJ fan. I'm tired of being fed a bunch of shit just to be let down again, again, and again. Results. All I care about. So far, those results, have been mostly dog shit. Especially with Wilson under center. For those things that you listed, to be the reason for his failure, he has to show success first. So far... He has been injured, that hasn't taken away from the poor play though. He played shitty before the knee, he's played mostly shitty after. Supporting cast hold zero weight considering our backups were productive, really productive actually, with the same supporting cast. Coaches have shown, at least offensively, to be capable. As far as that "never say die" attitude. I just watched him play like a complete pussy last game when he slid 4 yards premature on a third down play, instead of fighting for the first down. That says A LOT to me. It's not a good direction type of feel. That's for sure. There is a lot more there saying he is going to bust out, then be the next FQB of the NYJ. I agree you can't say either way, you can see the trends, the patterns, and the history of this team In general and draw a strong conclusion on what direction this Is headed. I still hope I'm wrong but I am not going to pretend like It's okay right now, It's not. The best way to stop doubters like myself from talking about how shitty he has been, Is to stop playing so shitty. It's really that simple. 4 games left. Show you belong. At the very least, just show that. All I'm saying.
Yup. 2019 and 2020 drafts were a damn wash because the Jets didn't have the GM and HC on the same page. 2019 they let Mac hire a HC, spend FA $$$, and run the draft, only to fire him in May. I'm at the point where I'm going to chalk the 2020 draft up to Gase and Gregg wanting certain players for their system. 2021 draft looks promising so far. I'm interested to see what JD does with 4 top 50 picks.
What's "ridiculous" is that you so easily dismiss experience as a major factor here. In every single human endeavor, experience almost always outweighs everything else when comparing two or more people doing the same task. Over time, as a more talented/smarter person gains experience their ability overtakes the more experienced but less able person. That you dismiss this only proves your bias against Wilson. And because unlike you I do account for the affect of other factors which are outside Wilson's direct control, I won't guarantee that he succeeds, but I will continue to maintain that he has the best chance for success on this cursed team (we DO agree on that!) as any QB I've seen. That said, if he actually does fail, I'll admit I was wrong - it's not like I've never been wrong before.
Sorry, but the bold isn't true. He's played much better since he came back, even if the results aren't great. And you're completing dismissing the absolute shitshow that the OL, skill players, and coaching were during his first 5 games. It was only after he went out that those things started settling down. And since he came back, he's benefitted from that improvement around him. Now did he contribute to that shitshow in the beginning? Absolutely. He wasn't making the right reads or calling out the right protections, or if he was he wasn't doing it fast enough, and that made those around him look worse. So when guys with some experience came in, there was an obvious improvement. That said, that improvement has been maintained. You're making it seem like Zach has been a bust from Day 1, hasn't improved a bit, and will be failure. You're entitled to your opinion, but it's not a convincing argument in my opinion.
I don't mean to offend anyone, but any fan "giving up" on Zach Wilson truly does not understand football and may want to consider watching another sport. He is a rookie QB. Have you looked at NFL history? Not many of them succeed their rookie seasons. He was drafted to a (2-14) team with a new Head Coach, new Offensive Coordinator, and a bunch of young players around him. The Jets also took an approach to put everything on Zach's back. No veteran back-up to learn from, no real challenge for him not to be the starting QB or sit for a little while and learn. It was an odd and disappointing approach, that Joe Douglas tried to correct by trading for Joe Flacco. Too little too late in my opinion. Zach has also looked really good at times and has had some amazing splash plays. He looked pretty bad against a strong Saints defense without his Top 2 WR and Top 2 RB. That's life. Even I expected that to happen on Sunday. I love his work ethic and how he talks in his press conferences. The kid gets it. My only worry with him is his accuracy and inconsistency but I think that is more to do with feeling uncomfortable. It still has not clicked for him. Hopefully it does soon.
pretty much. still the draft could turn out decent not great but decent if bectonstops getting hurt and plays like a pro bowler and davis works on enough to be a average starter in the league. 2021 draft though looks great so far
I think the expectations for a rookie QB are always unrealistic. That being said I did expected better from him but I don't see as much as negativity as apparently most of you are seeing.
If Peyton Manning started QBing in todays social media world. He would have been considered a wasted talent.
I think the issue is that White had LESS experience than Wilson. And Johnson, how many games has he played in? Very few, and maybe also less than Wilson. The experience excuse only works for Flacco. two No name QBs came in and looked WORLDS better. Not just slightly better. Shit, White threw for over 400 yards! Johnson had what, 300? come on…Has Wilson even broken 250?
I don't want to totally give up on him, but I do think he needs to sit down and learn the game a little bit. Some guys are ready to go day one, and others need to hold the clipboard for a couple seasons; he's the latter.
Good post... I agree but like you I am "concerned" about his accuracy and inconsistency and unlike CC (no offense intended and hope I read it right) who thinks his mechanics are sound, I do not. The sheer fact he is throwing dirt balls, behind his receivers, etc. tells me the opposite. In any event, as always, as a JET fan, I hope for the best but you know about expectations...
Are you saying he has all of these attributes now as a NFL QB? Or based on the attributes coming out from college?
Well that’s wildly insulting. We’re all fans trying to discuss the game and analyze things the way we see them. How many NFL teams have you worked for? Not to mention that most NFL players have these nonsensical “traits.” And athletic and fast for a QB? Whats it matter when he doesn’t run? Dedication to improving "Never say die" attitude
Wilson doesn't have a lot of talent. He has a few things he does very well. There's a huge difference between those two conditions. If he had a lot of talent he'd have been highly recruited out of high school and he wasn't.
