Sam the man — for one day
SAM DARNOLD received the most reps at quarterback Tuesday during the Jets’ OTAs, including several reps with the first-team offense. The No. 3 overall pick at one point connected with Robby Anderson down the left sideline for an impressive pass-and-catch. He also threw an interception during a seven-onseven drill.
Todd Bowles said he’s thrown rookies on both sides of the ball into first-team reps, and the reps between Darnold, Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater will even out by the end of the week. But Bowles did say Darnold is progressing.
“Obviously installing the offense and putting everything in on defense, he’s seeing things for the first time on both sides of the ball, and as days go by he’s getting more comfortable,” Bowles said. “So he’s got to keep working at it to get better.”
Bowles has also liked what he’s seen from Bridgewater, who missed all of 2016 after dislocating his knee.
“Has shown no signs of weakness with the knee,” Bowles said.
Bridgewater switched his jersey from No. 2 to No. 5, which was Christian Hackenberg’s old number. Hackenberg was traded last week to Oakland.
Bowles likes the chemistry his three quarterbacks have so far and said “it’s the most together” group of QBs he’s had with the Jets.
And Bowles feels that chemistry, along with the experience of McCown and Bridgewater, will help Darnold’s development.
“Right now I think it’s big for him to take the tips they’re giving him,” Bowles said.
SLENDER MAN: Safety Jamal Adams said he hired a chef to improve his diet, inspired by prominent athletes who have done something similar like LeBron James and Tom Brady, though he admitted Brady’s diet is “on another level. That’s something I can’t do.”
Still, he has committed to eating healthier and says he weighed in Tuesday at 208 pounds, down fiveto-six pounds from last season.
“I stopped eating fried food,” Adam said. . . CB Trumaine Johnson, whom the Jets signed to a fiveyear, $72.5 million contract, was not in attendance for Tuesday’s voluntary practice. He participated in last week’s session open to media. Bowles said he knew Johnson would be absent and that Johnson isn’t injured.