Nice, especially given the late start Jets QB report card after training camp: How did Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater, Josh McCown perform? Posted August 23, 2018 at 07:00 AM | Updated August 23, 2018 at 07:08 AM By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The Jets on Wednesday concluded training camp, so let's bring you our final quarterback report card of camp, including Sam Darnold, Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. How did they perform? Let's take a look. MCCOWN'S FINAL STATS 279 reps 243 with starters 107-of-155 passing (69 percent) Seven touchdowns Two interceptions MCCOWN'S HIGHLIGHTS He was his usual steady, reliable self. Didn't have a lot of miscues in training camp. But the Jets obviously wanted to give a lot more reps to Darnold, since they have invested a ton in him as their potential future franchise quarterback. MCCOWN'S LOWLIGHTS Unless Darnold is a complete disaster against the Giants, or he gets hurt, McCown isn't going to start in Week 1, really through no fault of his own. At his age (39), he just can't make a lot of the sideline throws that Darnold can. Darnold is simply better and younger and an actual part of the Jets' future (which isn't the case with McCown). McCown's reps have basically been non-existent in practice lately. MCCOWN'S FINAL CAMP GRADE GRADE: B+ ANALYSIS: We can't crush him over not being the starting quarterback (or presumptive starting quarterback). He did a fine job in this training camp. And he has been a solid mentor for Darnold, which is important. BRIDGEWATER'S FINAL STATS 497 reps 94 with starters 172-of-269 passing (63.9 percent) 10 touchdowns Three interceptions BRIDGEWATER'S HIGHLIGHTS He answered any questions about his surgically repaired knee. While scrambling and getting hit (in preseason games), he has looked plenty steady. He proved that he can still play at this level, with some degree of success, at least. Overall, this was a very positive camp for Bridgewater. BRIDGEWATER'S LOWLIGHTS He had some hiccups earlier in training camp, in terms of accuracy. And he just doesn't have the zip to the sideline with his passes that Darnold has. Bridgewater can still be a serviceable starter in the NFL, but he probably isn't a star. Not to say Darnold definitely will be a star, but he has more upside, clearly. BRIDGEWATER'S FINAL CAMP GRADE GRADE: A- ANALYSIS: Bridgewater did his part. He proved that he could still play at this level. Now, the Jets just need a starting quarterback to get hurt elsewhere, in order to drive up the trade demand price for Bridgewater. It doesn't make much sense for the Jets to trade Bridgewater for backup quarterback-level compensation. DARNOLD'S FINAL STATS 479 reps 234 with starters 164-of-258 passing (63.6 percent) 21 touchdowns Five interceptions DARNOLD'S HIGHLIGHTS He wasn't flawless in this training camp. But he was composed and reacted well under pressure for a 21-year-old rookie. He doesn't look lost. Far from it. He throws well on the run, particularly on roll-out plays to his right. So expect the Jets to make that a large part of their offense with him as the starting quarterback. DARNOLD'S LOWLIGHTS One of the big questions left with Darnold: Can he consistently and accurately throw the deep ball? The Jets' West Coast offense under Jeremy Bates might not demand a lot of this from him. But it is a lingering question about Darnold, since he hasn't really shown the ability to do this often and well in the preseason so far. DID DARNOLD SHOW PROGRESS? Absolutely. He showed up and hit the ground running despite missing the first three training camp practices. He impressed Bates with his ability to master the playbook so quickly. And when he made a mistake, he rebounded quickly. That is huge for any rookie quarterback — how he responds to adversity and hectic situations. IS HE ON TRACK TO START IN WEEK 1? Yes. Unless Darnold gets hurt Friday night against the Giants or lays a huge egg, he likely will be the Jets' starting quarterback in Week 1 at the Lions. DARNOLD'S FINAL CAMP GRADE GRADE: A- ANALYSIS: Again, not flawless. But pretty darn impressive. Darnold, so far, has lived up to his draft status. Now, let's see him do it when it actually matters.
