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USC QB Sam Darnold is a New York Jet. Not UCLA signal-caller Josh Rosen. Let’s take a closer look at what went down.
There were rumors that the Jets would pick Josh Rosen, if Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen were both available at three.
Two very reliable reporters – Jay Glazer and Lance Zierlein – reported this. Both of these guys have great sources.
It didn’t happen.
And it was probably for the best.
Rosen is a terrific prospect, but like I mentioned before, he had two concussions last year, and he’s not mobile. If he suffered another one or two, with a doctor father, who knows when they pull the plug, especially in this day and age with concussions front-and-center.
Also, Rosen wore that “F-Trump” hat last year. Not to get into politics, but just stating the obvious – when one of the team owners is Trump’s Ambassador to Great Britain, you are instantly inviting a major controversy the second the guy walks in the building.
Thirdly, the Jets’ new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is a little tempestuous. Bates is a brilliant offensive mind, but he’s kind of like a piano wire who could snap at any time. Rosen is known for challenging coaches. I don’t think the Bates-Rosen marriage would have been a good one. That is my gut.
The Darnold-Bates dynamic is much better. Darnold will do what he’s told.
Rosen and Darnold are both very talented throwers, but here is the advantage Darnold has over Rosen as a thrower – Darnold doesn’t need to have his feet set to make all the throws. He can make a lot of throws with his feet moving in different directions. Rosen is more of a guy who needs his feet and mechanics to be just right to make the throws.
Darnold probably needs a redshirt year. He’s very talented, but has a lot to work on. Sitting this year behind Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater will be good for him – two veteran quarterbacks who are also great guys who will teach him a ton.
One thing about Darnold, he’s not going to “go for the cheese” with the media.
That is a term about falling into media traps.
Darnold is really guarded with the press.
And that is a good thing in this market.
If Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield were here, I could see both of them go for the cheese.
Won’t happen with Darnold.
And this is important.
He’s not going to slip on any media banana peels.
He was asked after the Jets picked him if could he tell us what former Jets QB Mark Sanchez told him. They both went to USC.
“No. The conversations between me and Mark are going to remain personal,” Darnold said.
He was asked how close he would be ready to start Week One.
“There is no way to tell until that week one, right?” Darnold said.
You get the idea – this media thing isn’t going to be a problem.
April 26, 2018
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