Adam admits it: He’s botched up Sam
Buried in the usual mountain of excuses, Adam Gase had a brief flash of humility when answering questions about Sam Darnold’s stalled career on Thursday.
“Yeah, I came here to help him, help him develop his career and we haven’t been able to do that,” Gase said.
On either side of that quote, Gase either rejected the premise Darnold had failed or rationalized why he had. He cited Darnold’s unlikely bout of mono in 2019 and blamed his offensive line and wide receivers.
“Last year, mono, if you’re in Vegas, that’s not one you probably bet on,” Gase said. “At the same time, that’s what’s frustrating sometimes about the quarterback position is, you do need 10 other guys to do their job as well. It’s just like when he throws one of those really good balls and we have a drop, that’s frustrating.”
Those were all normal quotes for Gase. The admission that he let Darnold down, however, was unusual. As far as Darnold, the QB appeared willing to go down with Gase to the end.
“I take full responsibility for the way I’ve played, I haven’t played well enough,” he said Thursday. “We have great people in this organization. Everyone’s gonna take blame for parts of us not winning games.”
Darnold has thrown 142 straight passes without a touchdown, the longest streak in the NFL. He ranks last in the league in passer rating, touchdown percentage, adjusted net yards per attempt and QBR. He’s second to last in interception percentage.
DON’T ROCK THE BOAT
Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, who appeared to have his play-calling duties stripped last weekend, spoke to media on Thursday. Like Gase, he was evasive about the situation, although Loggains was significantly more good-humored than Gase.
Pressed on Gase’s claims that he and the head coach were calling plays together — despite the fact Gase was visibly running the offense on Sunday — Loggains gave a pleasant non-answer: “You guys are starting to know my personality, I love to be in the background as much as possible. Fill my role, execute the vision of my head coach — that’s where I feel most comfortable.
“I don’t look at stuff, that’s why I’m so nice to you guys, because I don’t read what you guys (write),” Loggains said, joking that he had not even heard of the play-calling controversy. “In a tough year, everything’s gonna be looked at, we’re in New York, I know how big this media market is, I know how sharp you guys are, it’s just part of what comes with our job.”
Loggains denied switching back and forth, like Gase claimed they do, was abnormal.
“Whoever is calling the plays in that moment is irrelevant... everyone has a voice in those things,” he said.
HOUSEKEEPING
Linebacker Blake Cashman didn’t practice because of a hamstring injury he suffered against the Dolphins, according to Gase. Linemen Pat Elflein and George Fant and wide receiver Breshad Perriman were limited.
Each team nominates one player for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. Jets players nominated defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi. Fellow nose tackle Steve McLendon had been the Jets’ nominee for the award the last two years. The Jets traded McLendon to Tampa Bay in October.