FOR SAM!
future,” Maccagnan said. “We think he has a very high ceiling.”
Ya think?! In playground parlance, Darnold has an unquantifiable “it” factor that shows up on tape time and time again.
Darnold, like every other coveted quarterback prospect, isn’t perfect. Although his funky wind-up won’t be on instructional videos anytime soon, the Jets weren’t concerned.
His nation-high 22 turnovers (including nine lost fumbles) last season, however, were maddening. He committed multiple turnovers in eight of 14 games, but the ball-security issues are correctable. Darnold admitted that he worked with quarterbacks guru Jordan Palmer the past few months on being more cognizant of keeping his left hand on the ball in the pocket to curtail his fumbling issues. (History lesson: Matt Ryan also had 22 turnovers in his final college season before becoming the No. 3 pick in the 2008 draft).
“Obviously we don’t want turnovers on any level,” said Bowles, who was part of the team brass that quietly held a private workout with Darnold a week before his visit to the team facility. “But we think his upside and his ability far outweigh the turnovers and sometimes trying to do too much. Sometimes trying to make the wrong reads. (Those) are things he can learn from.”
Darnold is a coach’s dream in so many different ways: hard-working, clean on and off the field, dependable and room to grow.
His ability to win in and outside of the pocket makes him an ideal match for new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates’ West Coast scheme.
“I think I can fit into any system,” Darnold said. “If it’s going to be different than USC, it might take me a couple weeks to get used to. But I’m ready for it.”
His winning pedigree – 20-4 as a starter in two seasons – and leadership also made this a slam-dunk choice for Gang Green. Although Darnold didn’t live up to the Heisman hype that trailed him after a breakout 2016 campaign (see: epic Rose Bowl performance), he acquitted himself well despite a patchwork offensive line and dubious offensive system last season. He finished his college career with a 64.9 completion rate.
USC quarterbacks don’t exactly have great track records in the NFL (see: Mark Sanchez, Matt Leinart, Todd Marinovich et al), which indicates exactly nothing about Darnold’s future. He’s going to be a difference maker.
Maccagnan woke up to a dream scenario Thursday. So, what can the Jets and their long-suffering fans expect from the new quarterback? “A lot of wins,” Darnold said. The Jets might have finally found their star. —