‘Boring’ Sam Darnold takes no health risks as Jets camp begins – New York Jets blog

There is no NBA-like bubble for NFL players amid the coronavirus pandemic, but New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is hoping to create something close.

“For me, I’m just going to stay in my apartment and really travel from there to here inside the building,” said Darnold, who lives less than a mile from the Jets training facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. . “That’s gonna be everything for me. It might be boring, but that’s kind of what I need to do at this point.

For Darnold, a 23 year old bachelor, it will be ready, ready … at home.

If a friend invites him to nearby New York City, he will decline. Perhaps more than any player in the league, he understands how illness can derail a season. A year ago, he became the first NFL quarterback in recent memory to be diagnosed with mononucleosis, which caused him to miss three games. On their return, the team was 0-4 and the Jets’ season was pretty much drawn.

It’s a critical year for Darnold, who, despite two poor statistical seasons, is still viewed by the Jets as their golden child. They’ve just gone through an eventful divorce from security star Jamal Adams, and they need someone to galvanize the squad, create an identity for the franchise, and take the pressure off coach Adam Gase. Darnold can do all of this by meeting the high expectations that came with him in 2018.

Days after drafting No.3 Darnold overall, Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said, “I honestly think they’re going to look back 20 years from now and say that’s when the Jets came on. at a new speed they became a great team. “

Awesome? No. Since then, the Jets have lost 21 of 32 games and changed coaches and general managers. Of course, nothing in the NFL can change the narrative faster than an exciting quarterback prodigy, and the Jets believe Darnold is that guy.

“He’s got a little different way of himself,” Gase said on Tuesday, recalling that Darnold’s confidence has grown by leaps and bounds.

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Jets QB Sam Darnold and Redskins QB Kyle Allen fire passes to Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey in a workout at UCLA.

For now, Darnold is taking small steps. He arrived last Friday, passed his COVID-19 tests and was admitted to the facility on Tuesday, report day for the entire team. Aware of the circumstances, he does not shake hands with anyone, opting for a nudge. When a teammate texts him, “I’ll say, ‘Hey, have you ever passed your test, because I won’t see you if you haven’t passed your test. “”

Even though the Jets have added an experienced save to Joe Flacco, they can’t afford to lose Darnold. Its development will be scenario # 1 in 2020. The internal hope is that it can build on its encouraging conclusion. From Week 10 to Week 17, he posted the 10th best passer rating (93.3), ahead of players like Russell Wilson of Seattle, Matt Ryan of Atlanta and Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay.

Darnold, 23, rebounded from horrific games against the New England Patriots (“Seeing Ghosts”) and Jacksonville Jaguars, indicating the kid has mental toughness. But there must be more to it. For him, it’s a question of consistency, of performing at a high level week after week.

“There is so much more than I understand that I didn’t understand last year,” said Darnold. “For me it’s been a whole year under my belt in the system. I definitely have a lot more confidence in myself. … I have a lot more confidence in going out and playing consistent football.”

The Jets don’t like to admit it, but Darnold struggled with Gase’s system early last season. (Running back Le’Veon Bell called it the most complex offense he had to learn.) After the brutal display in Jacksonville, Darnold had a heart-to-heart with the coach and they reduced the offense. according to his strengths. They’ve won six of the Jets’ last eight games, largely on defense, but the late rally has injected optimism into the organization.

Darnold could have benefited from the practices of the offseason, especially with so much turnover in attack, so it remains to be seen how this void will affect his progress. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said Darnold used the extra (virtual) meeting time to his advantage, claiming they broke every game cut last season. It’s encouraging, but as Bill Parcells said, “Don’t tell me about work, show me the baby.”

It’s a demonstration year for Darnold. It starts with staying healthy.

“We’re just going to have to trust that everyone is safe,” he said. “We are going to be tested every day. We have to trust ourselves that no one is going out seeing people they shouldn’t be seeing, people who haven’t been tested. … It’s going to be the way of the world. There is a new standard now. “