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Sam Darnold and Josh Allen have often held mini-competitions as they worked together during the off-season, but the Jets quarterback knows that the opening of Sunday's season at MetLife Stadium against the Allen & # 39; s Bills is really "wasted time".
The sophomore callers became friends in the run-up to the 2018 project. Darnold was chosen third and the German was selected four times later by East AFC rivals.
Darnold had 170 yards and a touchdown in a 27-23 Jets victory at Orchard Park on Dec. 9. As a divisional foe, it is easy to imagine that Darnold and Allen leave against each other for many years. come.
Darnold and Allen placed 31st and 32nd, respectively, in the NFL quarterbacks last season. The quarrel back potential of both teams – this year and in the future – is closely related to the maturation of their young franchise players.
"It will be fun to play against him from the second round," said Darnold after Thursday's training at Florham Park. "It's fun to think. Even on the night of the draft, we talked about it a little, jokingly, but now that it's actually here, it's very serious.
"We are both very competitive."
Indeed, Darnold said the two pitching partners participated in various exercises "all the time" while they were training together in California. The quarterback of the Jets claimed to have imposed himself accurately, but conceded to his strong counterpart at long distance shots.
"Yes, it's a given, he's angry at me. He can throw about 100 yards, "said Darnold. "He beats me from a distance, then some of the precision exercises I got him."
Allen had initially supported Bills starter Nathan Peterman last season, but the former Wyoming quarterback, who was 6-foot-5, started 11 games, with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while scoring eight more. goals. Injured at the elbow, he missed the other fight against the Jets. His mate Matt Barkley won the Bills and won an outstanding 41-10 win at MetLife on Nov. 11.
Darnold, meanwhile, started Week 1 as a rookie and 13 games in total. He played three games with a sprained right foot. He finished with 2,865 yards passing, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The former USC star was also impressive – 17-in-25 for 211 yards, with two touchdowns and no touchdowns – in a limited action in the first three pre-season games this summer, while learning a new attack from the first-year head coach Adam Gase and an offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.
Darnold said he spoke "a ton" to Gase about the games he was comfortable playing with.
"I think I'm just in a different place now," said Darnold, 22. "As a rookie and in my first game, I felt a little different. I was not as comfortable as I am now.
"I do not think it's because of the offense, necessarily, I like the offense we're in right now, but I think it's the level of comfort with everything else." that it's the second year, and knowing all the guys in the locker room.I think these are the reasons why I feel more comfortable for this week 1. "
A weeklong duel with Allen only adds to the competition between the two budding friends and rivals.
"I think it makes things fun. It's fun to joke about it at the end of the season and now it's time to go, "said Darnold. "Obviously, I'll talk to him after the game and everything else, but we're both very competitive.
"This first game, everyone wants to go and play football. Especially with a new staff of coaches, as players, we want to show what we have. With new staff too. We are really excited. Football is back and we are ready to go. "
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