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Perhaps this is not the case just yet . . .
One of more insightful broadcasters in the country about the NFL is former GM Michael Lombardi.
He does a number of different shows on a different platforms, including on VISN – Brent Musberger’s gambling information channel on cable.
He said something a few days ago on VISN that I thought Jets fans would find interesting.
“Manish Mehta, the beat writer for the Daily News, I think he feels he’s the reason they drafted Sam Darnold,” Lombardi said. “I think deep down he’s the GM of the Jets in his mind. He has this love affair for Sam Darnold and he is convinced himself in his mind that Belichick is worried about Sam Darnold.
“The other day he had a tweet that Belichick is worried about one guy in the AFC East and that’s Sam Darnold. I don’t think Sam Darnold has captured all our imagination or our attention yet – he’s still very insecure with the football – he doesn’t hold it, makes too many mistakes. He has unbelievable talent. He makes too many mistakes, but it fairness, he hasn’t been very well protected. ”
I went looking for the Mehta tweet Lombardi was referring to, and couldn’t find one were the writer said Belichick was “worried” about Darnold. There closest I found were these two tweets:
Mehta: “Worst-kept secret in Foxborough… Bill Belichick would love to coach Sam Darnold to keep the Patriots dynasty going.”
Mehta: “Sam Darnold is a better quarterback today than anyone on the Patriots. And it’s not particularly close.”
It’s probably fair to say that Belichick isn’t “worried” Darnold just yet. Maybe soon, but not yet. Let’s not forget, in a Patriots 33-0 win over the Jets last year, Darnold, was mic’ed, and was heard saying he was “seeing ghosts.”
In other words, he was getting confused at Belichick’s defensive disguises, and was having issues diagnosing what he was seeing.
So it would stand to reason that Belichick isn’t worried about facing a player that he made “see ghosts.”
Now eventually, when Darnold improves his reading of defenses, he certainly has the skill set to worry opponents. The Jets expect him to take a big step this year with an improved offensive line and additional weapons.
As for Darnold being better any New England quarterback, I think most of us think he’s much better than Stidham, but since we have seen Stidham play so little on the NFL level, it’s probably too early to tell. The proof will be in the pudding, but entering the season most people assume Darnold is much better.
As for the “worst-kept secret in Foxborough,” I have to admit I have never heard that, so I can’t confirm that either way. And generally secrets in Foxborough remain secrets. Not a lot of leaks in this place. So I have no idea if Belichick is a fan of Darnold.
But there is no question, with Tom Brady now in Tampa Bay, there is a big opening now for Darnold to become the best quarterback in the AFC East.
We will see if he can reach that brass ring.
June 12, 2020
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