New York Jets: Analyzing Sam Darnold’s dropbacks from Falcons game
Second Quarter
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
Second and seven, Jets 22: After a run play to Trenton Cannon, the Jets were faced with a second and seven. Darnold was under center with Cannon behind him.
The defense was showing four down linemen. Darnold took a three step drop and hit Cannon in the flat who was stopped for no gain.
Assertive decision as he knew where he wanted to go with the ball.
Third and seven, Jets 22: Darnold is in the gun with Cannon next to him. The Falcons show blitz and rush five, getting pressure.
Darnold stands in there, takes a hit but connects with Neal Sterling coming across the middle who takes it eight yards for the first down.
Good pocket awareness and internal clock, knowing when to get the ball out.
First and ten, Jets 30: Darnold is again in the gun and George Atkinson is next to him. He takes the snap and is looking for a receiver, finding none. Pressure comes from the outside but he steps up, pulls it down and scrambles for five yards.
He had the smarts to not force it and take what the defense gave him.
Third and seven, Jets 33: Darnold sets up in the shotgun and the Falcons are showing like they are bringing pressure. At the snap the pressure comes. Darnold steps up and attempts a back shoulder fade to Charles Johnson down the sideline.
Unfortunately it was a little off the mark and it fell incomplete. That may have been his least accurate throw of the night but he was rushed and had to throw it earlier than he wanted to. He did get it out of there, however, and he didn’t throw it up for grabs.
It was a professional throw by a young man who is understanding he must protect the football.
First and ten, Jets 36, 2:31 left in the half: This is a great chance for Sam Darnold, running the two minute drill in his debut game. He starts the drive in the shotgun with two receivers to the left and one to the right.
The Falcons show four down linemen and rush only four. Darnold quickly scans the field, starting to his right and ending up to his left where Tre McBride was running an “in” route. The Jets pick up eight and set up second and short.
Second and two, Jets 44: After hurrying his team to the line for some no-huddle work, Darnold sets up in the shotgun and calls his play. On the quick snap, Darnold hits tight end Clive Walford up the seam on the left hand side for a nine yard gain, taking it to the two-minute warning.
First and ten, Falcons 47: Once again the Jets line up in the shotgun, two receivers to the left and one to the right. The Falcons rush only three, expecting a passing play of course.
Charles Johnson, lined up wide to the left, comes across the middle and Darnold hits him in stride for a gain of eight.
Second and two, Falcons 39: The Jets head to the line quickly without a huddle and line up in the same formation as the previous play.
Darnold takes the snap and scans the field. Finding nobody open he took a final option, hitting George Atkinson in the right flat. He is stopped quickly for a one yard gain.
First and fifteen, Falcons 33: After a false start on Jonotthan Harrison, the Jets have a first and long. With 1:21 left in the half, the Jets set up in the shotgun. The Falcons bring five, showing additional pressure as the Jets are just outside the red zone.
Darnold takes the snap and surveys for the open man. He feels the pressure and very smartly steps up in the pocket to buy time. Clive Walford found an opening in the defense and Darnold hits him, wide open for an 18 yard pickup to set the Jets up in the red zone.
The pass may have floated a touch, but Walford being so wide open made it a moot point and an easy catch.
First and ten, Falcons 15: From the gun, Darnold starts out looking left. Finding nobody open he quickly comes back to the right and finds Tre McBride who is stopped at the Falcons seven yard line for an eight yard gain. A penalty sets up a first and goal.
Having the presence of mind not to lock onto one wide receiver is impressive. Most college quarterbacks aren’t used to going through their progressions. Darnold can do it already.
First and goal, Falcons 3: The Jets go five wide, three to the left and two to the right. Charles Johnson is in the slot right, Trenton Cannon is wide to the right.
Cannon runs a post and creates a “pick” or a “rub” on the defender covering Johnson, leaving Johnson free. Johnson runs an “out” route and is free and clear.
Lined up in the shotgun, Darnold throws a perfect pass that hits Johnson in the hands but he drops it.
Third and goal, Falcons 4: This time the Jets are in the shotgun with four wide receivers, three to the left and one to the right, Charles Johnson.
Darnold’s eyes are impressive on this one. He starts out to the left but comes back to the right at the last second, hitting Johnson on a comeback route in the end zone for the touchdown.
Good execution by Sam, unfortunately nullified because Johnson pushed off.
Third and goal, Falcons 14: Once again it’s a shotgun formation with three receivers to the left and one to the right. At the snap, the protection is good but nobody is open. Darnold steps up and has a wide open field to run.
A different quarterback might have taken off. Darnold didn’t. He kept his head up, looking downfield for the open receiver.
He moved to the right and spotted Johnson at the right pylon. Darnold hit him with a spot on pass to complete the two-minute drill with his first professional touchdown pass.
When a quarterback has the innate ability to keep his head up while scrambling, it shows a guy that has a greater understanding of the position. It’s a great sign.