I don't think it showed a lack of arm strength at all. It was a line drive, thrown with very little air under it. Those throws indicate a strong arm and give the safeties very little time to react as opposed to the pop ups we were used to seeing from the likes of Pennington and Fitzpatrick. Yes, Darnold was late getting the ball to Anderson and Robbie made a great play to wrestle the ball from the defender. More importantly, that throw establishes a dangerous weapon for the Jets (more so than McCown/Anderson) that other teams will have to incorporate in their defenses playing the Jets from now on. Other teams now have to recognize the Darnold/Anderson deep threat. Note: Yes, I know Fitzpatrick had a career day throwing the deep ball Sunday, but his receivers were ridiculously wide open. Almost any throw would have done the job. I'll take Darnold's throws over Fitzpatrick's any day.
A few things. 1. Sam is 21 this year. He's a growing kid. Remember that. 2. That said, it looks like the timing was off (slightly, mind you) on that throw. In WCO, they time everything - that is, they even time the long balls. Sam did hold on to the ball a bit, and when that happens, the WRs outrun the ball. It is still a wonder that Sam still got the ball to Anderson after holding the ball for good 5 seconds. So maybe he didn't have the best long balls when he was at USC. Who cares? It's more than likely that USC didn't run WCO either.
I dont think it was necessarily a weak arm, I just think it was a bit under thrown. It was still a laser. Also, keep in mind, he's 21. His arm strength can absolutely improve.
One scout said his arm is stronger than 85% of NFL QBs. He had the 2nd best arm in the draft. He has a stronger arm that recent draftees Wentz, Watson, Tribiski. His arm is fine. The pass wasnt even underthrown. Anderson slows down and then turns up the speed and catches the pass. 40+ yards on the move in the pocket and if hes not hit dead in stride its underthrown and we question his arm? LOL, wow
the ball came out late and very flat. it needed to be released earlier and with more arc on it. it also looked like he had a long wind up last night. i dont recall that from him in college.
Darnolds important numbers, first game ever: 76.2 comp % 2 Tds 1 INT Passer rating 116.8 Lets bitch a little. Not enough, we've been spoiled.
I disagree quite a bit with the "flat" comment but I do agree that the windup looked long. Watching back the video the Jets just posted on Twitter of all his throws, you can see it. I'm also not worried about it.
The deep ball isn't there yet in it's entirety but it's coming. Gotta keep working on it in practice.
It's just you. Are you announcing your candidacy for the Dark Sider Award? Sam may not be Josh Allen or Pat Mahomes, but he's got all the arm strength he needs. How many overthrows have Jets fans seen year after year from our QB's who have to hail-mary any deep route? At barely age 21, it'll even get better.
Gee wiz - Seems to me that throw was made after Sam analyzed the defense. Even less than a snap-decision. I doubt they broke the huddle thinking "Long ball to Robbie on two" Sam recognized, and reacted. This is his strength, and is why he is gold to us. (At least for today LOL)
The Kid is only 21. Probably not thru growing yet either. Sam will get stronger as the years go on. He'll put on some weight in the upper body too. He may never throw a football thru a brick wall, but he will be able to hit whatever brick you point out wherever it may be on the field.
