Sam Darnold

New York Jets Snag Fiery Leader for Defense in Gregg Williams

by
New York Jets, Gregg Williams

Not long after officially introducing Adam Gase as their new Head Coach, the New York Jets secured a new Defensive coordinator in Gregg Williams. Despite a scarred history that includes his role in Bounty Gate, he is the right man for the job. His experience and aggressive style should re-ignite the dormant Jets defense. Williams’ arrival will also allow his similarly bold counterpart, Gase, to right the ship on offense while he focuses all his energy on the defense.

A Veteran Presence:

 Williams joins the Jets with a lengthy resume that includes 20 years of experience as a head coach or defensive coordinator. He recently led the resurgent Cleveland Browns to a 5-3 record as interim head coach. Some thought he had earned the job in Cleveland permanently, but they elected to go with offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens instead.

Regardless, Williams’ success with coaching defenses is impressive. He has led seven top-ten ranked defenses in yards and five top-ten ranked defenses in points . He also helped the Browns reduce their points allowed total for the second straight season, ranking 21st.

Williams brings with him a 4-3 scheme that relies on heavy blitzing, which has garnered positive results. The Browns finished last season with 31 takeaways, the second highest total in the league behind the Chicago Bears. It should be a huge boost for the Jets defense, which couldn’t create enough turnovers under Todd Bowles.

A Potential Fire Starter:

 Williams’ play-calling and bold reputation should spark a Jets defense that has become complacent in recent years. Jamal Adams bemoaned the lack of “dawgs” on the defense, indicating the need for fire in the hearts of his teammates. Williams can bring back that fire. He won’t allow the Jets to lie down; he can give them the much-needed attitude adjustment to spur them and their confidence.

His 4-3 scheme should provide more opportunities for certain players on the defense. With more men up front in the trenches, linebackers like Darron Lee will have the chance to play more freely in the open field. More men at the line will provide the capability to unleash the lion in the “Big Cat”, Leonard Williams. He’ll be less likely to get double-teamed and could certainly see his sack totals increase next season.

More blitzes by the defensive line should also create big plays by the secondary. Adams and co. will wreak havoc on opposing offenses when plays break down due to pressure up front. Meanwhile, underperformers like Trumaine Johnson can certainly redeem themselves. Quarterbacks will have to make earlier throws, allowing Johnson and others to maintain better coverage and create more turnovers.

The Odd, Yet Intriguing, Couple:

 Combining the equally intense personalities of Adam Gase and Gregg Williams on the same staff is daring, but it’s a very good bet by the New York Jets. Williams becomes the sole coach of the defense while not having to worry about the rest of the team, which he had to do as the head coach in Cleveland. All of his passion and prowess will go into resurrecting the Jets defense.

On the flip side, head coach Gase will not have to worry about his defense, knowing it’s in the capable hands of Williams. He will center his attention on the offense and the development of his promising young quarterback, Sam Darnold. Gase’s innovative mind and creativity should enable Darnold and the offense to rise to new heights.

In effect, the New York Jets have hired two head coaches: one for the offense and one for the defense. With young leaders like Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold, the Jets just need to get their drive and motivation back. A new era of discipline, accountability, and tough love can light the fuse. The combo of Gase and Williams can provide the spark.

Sam Darnold Shows Promising Traits in Jets Victory Over Buffalo

by
New York Jets, Sam Darnold

It finally happened: the moment Jets fans have been waiting for all season. In the midst of another bleak season, rookie quarterback Sam Darnold showed why the New York Jets drafted him 3rd overall. He displayed some heroic qualities as he led the way in a come-from-behind 27-23 win over the Buffalo Bills. In doing so, he showed that he has what it takes to be the franchise quarterback the Jets have endlessly searched for.

Durability

 The first drive of the game for the Jets offense provided a scare. Due to a miscommunication on 3rd down, Sam Darnold tried to run for a first down. He came close to picking it up, but Trent Murphy tripped him up and landed awkwardly on Darnold’s foot. In a flash, Sam came up limping and went straight to the locker room.

Josh McCown was in for the next offensive series, probably leaving many Jets fans shaking their heads. Any hope of seeing if Darnold could continue to develop appeared lost. The same foot that kept him out for the past few weeks seemed to be injured again, likely ending his season.

Yet he came back, in a big way. McCown only played one series, and Darnold played the rest of the game, showing no ill effects at all. He provided the grit the team needed in a “revenge” game they desperately wanted to win. It was his play that enabled them to accomplish that goal.

Determination

 In the 3rd quarter, Darnold made a classic rookie mistake: trying to make something out of nothing. He forced a throw to tight end Christopher Herndon and got picked off by a fellow rookie, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. It cost the Jets momentum as they were deep in Buffalo territory, trying to tie the game.

Yet Darnold didn’t give in, didn’t get rattled, didn’t quit. With his signature poise, he fought valiantly to get the Jets back in the game. He showed no fear as he completed several key passes, including a perfect 37-yarder to Robby Anderson during the game-winning drive. It’s this unflappable confidence that proved Sam Darnold could lead his team to a win.

Dependability

Darnold’s shining moment came on a broken play. On another 3rd down, the pocket collapsed on Sam, leaving him scrambling once again. Yet this time, his feet got him out of trouble. He avoided a sack, and after rolling back to his left, he threw a 7-yard dart to Robby Anderson for the game-tying touchdown.

It’s plays like this that show why the Jets should have faith in Sam Darnold. With rare intangibles and the uncanny ability to improvise, he is proving his mettle. He’s a quarterback we can continue to put our trust in, because he will do everything it takes to succeed. He needs to keep playing and honing his skills. If he does this, and the Jets allow him to, the franchise can become the Sam-chise.

Evaluating The New York Jets After The BYE Week – Grounded

by
New York Jets, Sam Darnold

Remember Week One, New York Jets fans? The team was flying high off a stunning blowout of the Detroit Lions on Monday night, with their engines firing on all cylinders. Yet here we are, Thanksgiving’s past, and we’ve all come crashing back down to earth. What went wrong for the New York Jets? Here are a few observations:

Darnold Unable to Take Off…Yet

Look, we know Sam Darnold’s a rookie, that he’s turnover prone, and that he was bound to hit a wall. You expect a rookie to make mistakes, no matter how good his intangibles are. But the lack of a consistent supporting cast, coupled with Jeremy Bates appearing unwilling to remove the training wheels, hasn’t helped at all.

Injuries to Bilal Powell, Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, and Spencer Long have taken away talent around Darnold. The running game has been stagnant, in part because of a mediocre offensive line. And the passing game? It’s dependent on a bunch of screen plays and trickery that’s not fooling anyone rather than allowing Darnold to roll out of the pocket and take some shots deep (his bread-and-butter).

No Pass Rush = Big Problems

It’s plain and simple: smoke and mirrors have not produced a pass rush for the Jets. Leonard Williams has improved, but he can only do so much. Brandon Copeland and Henry Anderson have had their moments, but the other cast members (Jordan Jenkins, Darron Lee, Nathan Shepard, etc.) just haven’t been quick enough.

This has led to the defensive backs getting beaten on deep plays too many times to count. It’s made Trumaine Johnson look nothing like a $72 million dollar man, while the rest of New Jack City is completely penetrable, no matter how impressive Jamal Adams has been.

No Drive From the Top

The players can try to defend them all they want, but the coaches of this team seem to be asleep at the wheel. Bates may be a quarterback whisperer (it’s only been 9 games for Darnold), but he hasn’t whispered any life into this offense. He plays it too safe and doesn’t leave enough room for Darnold to improvise.

While Kacy Rodgers’ comeback was inspiring, the performance of his defense has been the complete opposite. They’ve allowed quarterbacks like Brock Osweiler and Matt Barkley to look like John Elway and Joe Montana. And according to the team’s lone energizer bunny, Mr. Adams, it’s due to preparing to play against the wrong quarterback.

And Todd Bowles? Come on, man! Where’s the emotion? The passion? The common sense?! Like maybe if your center is having trouble snapping the ball to his quarterback due to injury, and it’s leading to turnovers, take him out of the game!

At the end of the day, we knew this team wasn’t going to go very far this season, but things clearly have to change. Darnold, if healthy, should continue to play and develop his game. The culture of the team needs to change, which could (and should) spell the end of the Bowles (and Bates) era at the end of the season. $100 million in cap space and new draft picks should provide a much-needed facelift, but new leadership and sustained growth of the cornerstones, Darnold and Adams, are what the team really needs to take flight in 2019.

The Jets Finally Have Their Quarterback, But Will He Start In 2018?

by
New York Jets, Sam Darnold

One of the biggest questions surrounding the New York Jets now that the 2018 minicamp has begun is, which one of their three quarterbacks will be the starter come September 10th in Detroit?

Josh McCown presents a stable veteran who was our starter last year and played solid gang green football before breaking his hand last December. Teddy Bridgewater has missed the last two seasons because of a terrible knee injury suffered with the Vikings, but looks to jump-start his career with the Jets and has shown signs of progression during camp. And finally we have Sam Darnold, our prized first round pick that fell on to the laps of the Jets this past April at pick No. 3.

Sure, the Jets on paper gave up a ton of assets to the Indianapolis Colts to move up from pick 6 to pick 3, but couldn’t afford to let another year pass by without solving their solution in finding a franchise quarterback.

In 41 seasons since Joe Namath’s departure , only 6 quarterbacks have started at least 40 games for Gang Green. This is why the Jets spent an an abnormal amount of their time scouting and putting together high talent evaluators, including Mike Maccagnan to watch top prospects play in person every weekend leading up to the scouting combine and pro days.

So can Sam Darnold be the answer for the Jets?

Strengths:

At 6-foot-3 , 221 lbs and just 21 years old,  Sam Darnold possesses great size at his position along with a very strong arm and solid accuracy both from the pocket and on the move. Played in a pro style system at USC and is accustomed to dropping back, sitting in the pocket and firing with confidence. Has what I call the “It” factor, meaning, has the swagger needed in the Big Apple , confidence to make his team better and a winner’s mentality .

Weaknesses:

Still very raw and has a tendency to be very reckless with the football. As no surprise with being careless with the football, turnovers were his main concern come draft day. In 14 games in 2017, he threw 13 int’s and fumbled 12 times. Not having a great offensive line and go-to weapons back at USC certainly did not help his cause, but poor on field decisions definitely need to be corrected at the pro level.

What can we expect?

Sam Darnold landed at the right place for a rookie quarterback. Josh McCown is a solid veteran who has played for ten teams during his 15 year NFL career and to me, while not on paper, is the highest paid assistant in the league.

Meaning he’s there to properly tutor and show young Darnold what it takes to be a quarterback at the NFL level both on and off the field. And then there’s Bridgewater who’s on the roster to provide some insurance and brew a solid competition amongst the three quarterbacks.

The Jets also did a great job acquiring more depth at receiver, running back and offensive line. At his disposal, Darnold has many weapons that can truly be a solid core for years to come. Quincy Enunwa comes back after missing last year with a terrible neck injury. Returning is Robbie Anderson and Jermaine Kearse, who both played very solid with McCown under center.

The addition of Terrelle Pryor brings some excitement and lets not forget about last year’s rookies in ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen, who come back after a year of learning the playbook . Not to mention adding Isiah Crowell to pair alongside Bilal Powell and the Jets seem to have installed the right pieces for whoever is named starter come game one of the regular season.

The word around Jets camp is that Sam Darnold has grasped the playbook at a quick pace and has been seen making solid throws between defenders. This can only make Jets fans more excited for what’s in store for the presumed future of the franchise. Worst case he sits this season and learns even more from the right tutelage from McCown and Jeremy Bates. Best case he impresses and wins the QB competition at camp and becomes the starter right out of the gate. Either way I believe the Jets have created a solid foundation around their prized signal caller and only time will tell when our franchise quarterback is ready to take us back to the promised land.

What Would A QB Like Sam Darnold Bring To The New York Giants?

by

The New York Giants and their fans have enjoyed over a decade of a quarterback that has been known as “immobile.” Eli Manning relies on his timing, accuracy and chemistry with players to make the most out of his abilities on the field.

With the NFL draft coming up in about two weeks, the Giants have an extraordinary opportunity to draft their next quarterback, if they so choose.

So, in this article we will be reviewing what USC signal caller Sam Darnold would bring to the Giants, and how he would differ from Manning.

[sc name=”NYG Articles Thumbnail”]

Sam Darnold:

Darnold has been compared to quarterbacks like Brett Favre, Ryan Tannehill, Jared Goff, and Tony Romo. Most of these quarterbaks have had extreme success in their careers, but Darnold brings several interesting aspects to his game.

The USC product has superb NFL size at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, which helps his vision over the offensive line. His ability to look off safeties in coverage and find his target is one of his superior qualities. His release time and anticipation is at the professional level and would translate very well in the NFL. One of the factors that’s most comparable to Manning is his risk taking prowess. Darnold often makes risky throws, but they’re rarely wayward.

Concerns over Darnold’s turnover ratio has been his most prominent weakness, so let’s take a look at his college stats compared to Manning’s side-by-side.

Darnold:

  • 480 attempts
  • 303 completions
  • 63.1 completion %
  • 4143 passing yards
  • 26-13 TD-INT ratio
  • 12 fumbles

Manning:

  • 441 attempts
  • 275 completions
  • 62.4 completion %
  • 3,600 passing yards
  • 29-10 TD-INT ratio
  • 10 fumbles

When comparing the two quarterbacks, you can see that Darnold has more passing yards and completions than Manning, who also has three less interceptions.

The biggest concern for Darnold is his fumble totals. But, an interesting fact here is that Darnold fumbled the ball 12 times over the course of 13 games. There’s no question that Darnold is a more mobile quarterback than Manning, which can attest to those totals.

This clip is extremely impressive from Darnold, as he looks off the safety in coverage and throws a pass from an awkward stance. His feet are facing towards the left of the field, while he throws to the right (on the money). That aspect of his game and vision is a very enticing factor for teams looking for an Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre style quarterback.

[sc name=”StubHub”]

Take a look at this clip; Darnold steps up into the pocket and shows off his extreme athleticism by jumping above the offensive line and dumping off a perfect pass to his receiver in stride. This is the “risky” side of Darnold’s game, which can cause turnover problems in specific circumstances.

The exciting part of his game is the ability to extend any given play and roll out of the pocket. His mobility to the outside and vision on the run is a great look and stock bumper for the USC quarterback. One of the main reasons for his fumble totals being so high is because he’s always looking downfield. He often ignores defenders at his heels in hopes of finding an open receiver, which often times leads to strip sacks. This can be fixed with a an influx of conservative playing at the QB position.

The NFL draft is approaching and the New York Giants can go several different directions. You don’t want to miss out on any BREAKING news! Sign up for FREE here.

One of the most comparable traits that Darnold and Manning possess is their extreme professionalism. Darnold has a calm personality, similar to the two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. This not only contributes to his professionalism, but it also aids his abilities in  clutch moments.

Overall, the Giants would benefit greatly from drafting Darnold with the No. 2 pick. Allowing him an additional year to learn behind Manning would be an ideal situation, but second-year quarterback Davis Webb remains in the wings.

NFL Talent Evaluator Insists Giants Will Draft USC Quarterback

by

The New York Giants have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but at this point in time, nobody knows who they will select.

Reports have Big Blue picking UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, NC State edge rusher Bradley Chubb. The options are plentiful for GM Dave Gettleman, but one player they’re supposedly very high on is USC signal caller Sam Darnold.

“If [Sam] Darnold is available, they’re taking Darnold,” an NFL talent evaluator stated, via NJ Advance Media. “They don’t like [Josh] Rosen.”

[sc name=”NYG Articles Thumbnail”]

The entire draft for the Giants comes down to who the Cleveland Browns pick. Gettleman likely has every scenario simulated and appropriated to fit the needs of the team. Taking Darnold would immediately provide an influx of talent at the quarterback position and create some great competition with Davis Webb.

If both quarterbacks pan out, they can always trade one for picks or players.

The NFL draft is approaching and the New York Giants can go several different directions. You don’t want to miss out on any BREAKING news! Sign up for FREE here.

The wild card:

The wild card in the upcoming draft is in fact Davis Webb, and with OTA’s beginning Monday, the Giants will get a glimpse at his capabilities on the field. There is still no game-tape to evaluate, but this is the best the Giants can do for the time being.

The Giants reportedly are very high on Darnold, Chubb and Barkley, for obvious reasons. The debate between Chubb and Barkley is their NFL ready talent.

[sc name=”StubHub”]

Barkley ‘wows’ scouts, and Chubb is a perfect fit for the new defensive scheme. But Darnold represents quality that could translate into years of superb quarterback play. All of the options are big risks, but luckily, we will find out the answer to our problems in 18 days.