Darnold: It’s vital to come home to boost
SAM DARNOLD says the Jets have found their identity. Asked to explain that, the rookie quarterback mentioned using a dominating offensive line to establish the running game to set up the pass. That’s what he wants the Jets to be known for.
“Our offensive linemen are really establishing the line of scrimmage in these games that we’ ve played,” Darnold said Wednesday. “We’ll continue to dominate up-front and continue to make our plays on the outside.”
That’s the X’s and O’s part of it. The other part of the identity the Jets are trying to build is being a team that’s feared when it plays at MetLife Stadium. The Jets are 3-3 after back-to-back wins in the Meadowlands against the Broncos and the Colts. They’re hoping to sweep their three-game homestand when they play host to the Vikings on Sunday.
If Jets fans are falling in love with the first-round pick from Southern Cal, the feeling is apparently mutual. Darnold gushed about the MetLife crowds that helped the Jets beat the Broncos 34-16 and the Colts 42-34. The Vikings come in at 3-2-1 after reaching the NFC Championship game last year.
“We want to win every single game we play, but definitely on a homestand,” Darnold said. “Winning every single game we get at home is important because our fans are amazing. It’s awesome to be able to play in front of them. Whenever we make a big score or score a touchdown, to feel the momentum in the arena really shift, it’s awesome to be able to feel that. We’ll continue to grow off of that as a team and ride the wave of energy throughout the game.”
Playing the Jet sat MetLife has never been an imposing prospect. Darnold hopes it soon well be.
“Every single team in the NFL or col l ege or even going back to high school, yo u want to win at home ,” he said. “You have advantage sat home that you can’t get anywhere else. You want to win when you’re in front of your fans. That’s key. We have the best fans in the world. It’s awesome to be able to come out in front of them and get W’s. As long as we continue to do that, I think we’ll be all right.”
Darnold has continued to show steady growth through six games. Completing nearly 60 percent of his passes, he is 107-of-179 for 1,346 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is recognizing defenses at a faster pace and going through his progressions without hesitation. He says he has felt “comfortable” and “prepared” for each game. Most of all, he’s learning how to be a pro. “It’s fun to spend time in the locker room and get used to these guys,” Darnold said. “I also think I’ve grown vocally as a leader. I’m going to continue to be myself, continue to stay within myself and understand how I am as a leader.” He’ll face a Minnesota defense that hasn’t played as well as expected and lost first-round draft pick corner back Mike Hughes for the season to a knee injury. “For me, it’s just continuing to grow every single week, continuing to grow in the offense and continue to f ind our identity,” Darnold said. “I think we really have, but just continue to stay consistent and play good football. I’m starting to process information a lot faster. It’s fun. It’s fun to go out there on Sunday and feel comfortable.” It’s fun to be the Jet s quarterback. Imagine that. “I wake up every single day looking forward to it,” he said. Maybe one day the Jets will be known as the Monsters of MetLife.