5 Will Darnold run away with starting gig? And four more Jet questions
The Jets’ final dress rehearsal against the Giants tonight will be sprinkled with important storylines in all three phases of the game.
Here’s a six-pack of burning questions for Todd Bowles’ team:
1. WILL SAM DARNOLD GIVE THE JETS ANY REASON NOT TO START HIM IN OPENER?
Gang Green is downright giddy about Darnold’s rate of development this summer, so it’d be an upset if the rookie wasn’t the Week 1 starter. Bowles is keeping his cards close to the vest, but it’ll be Darnold’s show to start the season barring an obvious regression.
Darnold hasn’t been some sort of statistical giant in his first two NFL appearances, but the brain trust is fully aware that the kid has made massive strides in a short amount of time.
“Each week he’s been progressing obviously, getting his reads right,” Bowles said. “It’s not that he has to go 20-for-20 or 10-for-10. It’s just a matter of him seeing the defenses and making the right plays.”
Darnold, who will play at least the first half with the rest of the starters, was much better against Washington last week than many people gave him credit for. He handled himself well considering he faced a first-team defense with a group missing two starting offensive linemen, starting running back, two of the topfour wide receivers and toptwo tight ends.
He’ll have another great learning opportunity in his second start against the Giants.
2. IS TEDDY BRIDGEWATER AUDITIONING FOR ANOTHER TEAM?
Well, duh. Bridgewater has looked very good in the first couple preseason games, but potential suitors understandably want to see more. The Daily News reported this week that at least two teams have expressed interest in Bridgewater. The Jets haven’t received any concrete trade offers yet, but know this: There have been plenty of inquiries about him from teams wanting to know the Jets’ plans for the quarterback.
The league landscape will ultimately determine Bridgewater’s market value, but the Jets have made it abundantly clear that he is available. Team decision makers might as well wear a sandwich board declaring the signal caller can be had for the right price.
What’s the right price? A premium draft pick (first three rounds) will get the deal done tomorrow. Would the Jets part with Bridgewater for a fourthrounder? They better, because saving $5 million and picking up a fourth-round pick for a player who will likely never play a down for your team in 2018 before walking absolutely is fair. Oh, and the Jets aren’t going to get a compensatory pick when Bridgewater signs elsewhere in the offseason, given that they will be uber-aggressive in free agency next year with all their cap space.
If the Jets flipped their $1 million investment in Bridgewater into a fourth-rounder, general manager Mike Maccagnan should give himself a hearty pat on the back. He’ll have earned it.
3. IS IT OFFICIALLY TIME TO PANIC ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE?
Not really, but it’s getting close.
The good news: Right guard Brian Winters is expected to play after sitting out last week.
The bad news: It might be tougher for left tackle Kelvin Beachum (foot), who will be eased back.
Gang Green’s pass protection was, well, shaky, early on last week. Let’s not sleep on the run blocking struggles to this point in Rick Dennison’s zone-blocking scheme. Jets running backs haven’t exactly resembled Terrell Davis in the first couple preseason games.
4. WILL DARNOLD HAVE A FULL COMPLEMENT OF WEAPONS?
It sure seems that way. Quincy Enunwa, sidelined for a couple weeks with a thumb injury, should make his preseason debut. Terrelle Pryor (ankle/foot) will be a gametime decision, but he’ll surely lobby to play at least in a limited fashion after sitting out the first two preseason games. Rookie tight end Chris Herndon, who has started to develop a rapport with Darnold in practice, and Jordan Leggett will play. Running back Isaiah Crowell will be back after suffering a concussion in the preseason opener.
So, Darnold will have a lot more to work with than last week.
5. WILL AN EDGE RUSHER STEP UP?
The Daily News reported this week that the Jets reached out to the Raiders and Jaguars, respectively, to express interest in trading for All-Pro Khalil Mack and Dante Fowler Jr., with the hope of upgrading their biggest weakness.
You’ve got to love Gang Green’s aggressive mindset. It would have been easy for the Jets to sit on their hands (and money) until next year. Barring a trade, the in-house options aren’t particularly sexy. Bowles is hoping Josh Martin, Brandon Copeland, Frankie Luvu or Dylan Donahue can grab the outside linebacker gig opposite Jordan Jenkins. Former third-rounder Lorenzo Mauldin evidently is aware that his days are numbered.