New York should cool its jets when deciding Sam Darnold's role
The New York Jets' No. 1 objective this season -- aside from, you know, winning games -- is to put quarterback Sam Darnold in position to have an Eli Manning-like run in New York. You could certainly make a case that Darnold's development is more important than the record. Either way, the powers that be should err on the side of patience when deciding his Week 1 role. To borrow a line from Aaron Rodgers ...
There's no need to rush him. While it might be tempting to show off their golden boy to the football-watching world, the Jets should remember that nobody hands out an award to the first team that promotes its highly-drafted rookie to the starting lineup. It's a long season and there will be ample time to give Darnold the game experience he'll need to overcome the inevitable growing pains.
He still has a good chance to win the job -- that's the sentiment at One Jets Drive -- but there needs to be a big-picture perspective. Darnold played only three-plus seasons of quarterback in high school and college, which he noted Thursday night after his start against the Washington Redskins. It was an astute and mature comment for a 21-year-old. He knows he's green, but it also fills him with optimism about his future.
The tortured souls who call themselves Jets fans have every right to feel the same way because he shows intriguing promise, but there are three very good reasons why the team should tap the brakes.cheap nfl jerseys china nike
his isn't 2013, when the only healthy quarterback was rookie Geno Smith. This isn't 2009, when the only competition for rookie Mark Sanchez was the marginally talented Kellen Clemens. The Jets have two starting-caliber quarterbacks in Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, a couple of wise heads who could hold the fort until the Darnold era commences.
Coach Todd Bowles always says he will start the quarterback who gives them the best chance to win now. That's "the main factor," he said. Based on that premise, Bridgewater should be the guy. He was terrific in the first two preseason games, bringing energy, poise and production to the offense. His surgically repaired knee felt so good Thursday night that he actually didn't mind getting banged around by potential tacklers, prompting a funny remark from an incredulous Bowles.
"I told him I have a neighborhood where he can go and get hit quite a bit if he wants to get hit," Bowles said.
Bridgewater's candidacy is atypical because there's a chance he could get traded. If the Jets are comfortable with Darnold and McCown, they will listen to offers, perhaps hoping to flip Bridgewater for an enticing draft pick.cheap nfl nike jerseys from china
Even though he's only 25, Bridgewater can't be the Jets' future because they've invested so much in Darnold, so it's a one-and-done situation. If they can secure a third-round pick from a quarterback-needy team, they should make the trade and open the season with McCown, who has shown no signs of slippage in limited practice and game action.
McCown and Bridgewater are here for a reason. It would be shortsighted to ignore them.
