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Now it’s time to look at the Jets’ offense as if we were given Sodium Pentothal.
This week, we will run answers from Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates from a recent press conference, and then answer them with brute honestly.
Q)What are your impressions so far of Sam Darnold?
Bates: Really impressed, you know he came in at rookie camp and he hasn’t turned back. He went in for three days there, he really into the meetings and really into the playbook. He has a real serious demeanor, obviously he is a rookie, he is going to make some mistakes but he doesn’t make them twice. We’re really excited about having him as a New York Jets.
Leberfeld: “He has a real serious demeanor” is so true, and so important. Darnold is 22 going on 32 from a maturity and focus standpoint. This kid doesn’t mess around. He knows what he’s here for, and he’s doing to do everything he can to excel at this new job. He doesn’t get caught up in meaningless bull that has nothing to do with being a great NFL QB. I’ve mentioned before, he’s wise beyond his years with the media, and doesn’t fall for trap questions that would create headlines with the wrong answer.
As for, “he doesn’t make ‘mistakes” twice,” I’ve always found that statement cliché. I’m not picking on Bates, because a lot of coaches use that phraseology, but I don’t find it realistic. Darnold had 20 picks in his last 20 games at USC and lost nine fumbles this past season. I’m not saying each of these turnovers was exactly the same, but clearly some fundamental mistakes were repeated.
So, yes, does make the same mistakes twice.
Now, clearly, in part, what Bates is talking about was regarding not making mental mistakes twice in spring practices related to the playbook, installation and assignments. That might be true, but keep in mind, you can’t touch the quarterback in the spring; they wear red jersey. If you touch them, you get yelled at, as Leonard Williams found out when he stripped the ball from Teddy Bridgewater. Todd Bowles yelled at Williams after the play.
So it’s certainly easier to not make as many mistakes, or repeat them, if you playing the quarterback position sans sacks and getting hit. Also, plays go beyond their normal, realistic time frame in spring practices, so sometimes quarterbacks complete passes well after a play might have been over. If a pass rusher has to pull up because they can’t sack or hit a QB, you will often see a QB continue a play after the pass rusher pulls up. That isn’t real football.
So while I think Darnold is very smart, focused and studious, as far as mistakes, and not making the them twice, to me, the only true, accurate litmus test for this is in real, tackle football games.
While I applaud the Jets decision to trade up for Darnold, and there is a very good chance this works out well for them, I will not sugarcoat things during the maturation process. This could take some time.
July 9, 2018
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