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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A match in his NFL career, Sam Darnold was already a big city star certified. He won the first two pages of the New York Post on Sunday, while the Daily News, in competition, dressed him in Hamilton (Samilton). Who cares about the fact that the Jets almost never turn on Broadway, or that it's been half a century since they've won everything?
Joe Willie Namath did not attract that kind of attention until he won the Super Bowl epic in Grade 4 and started wearing pantyhose in TV commercials. And that's fine. The Jets can not sell their winnings to the masses, but in Darnold they can sell the best thing: Hope.
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A 20-12 home defeat against the Miami Dolphins does not change that, of course. Darnold is three months away from his 21st birthday and if you've watched professional football for a while, you could see the rookie's dynamic talent as he was launching two horrific interceptions and his metro area starts like most Jets. – with a dull sound disappointing.
Do not sweat in New York, the kid will be fine.
Namath was 3-5-1 in his first season in 1965. Eli Manning was 1-6 with six touchdowns and nine interceptions as a rookie for the Giants in 2004.
Outside the market, John Elway was 4-6 with seven touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a rookie in 1983. The young Troy Aikman was 0-11 with nine touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 1989. The young Peyton Manning had 3-13 with 26 touchdowns. and 28 interceptions nine years later. Young Tom Brady only had one pass for six yards in 2000 before becoming Tom Brady in 2001.
Nobody knows for sure if Darnold will be the quarterback to finally defeat the AFC East of the eternal death of Brady. Ryan Tannehill, now 2-0, will surprise everyone in his comeback season and prove his 39-40 record does not accurately reflect the previously hidden talent.
But Darnold remains the best bet as a divisional successor to Brady, even if that means he's leading the Jets to a Super Bowl title in his career, no matter how big. He has the presence, the athleticism and, apparently, the maturity and calmness that his fellow USC Trojan, Mark Sanchez, has missed.
That's why Darnold's big hit Monday night in Detroit would have been the biggest for a New York athlete since Derek Jeter made his first game in 1996 on day one in Cleveland. as a full-time stop of the Yankees. The Yankees are bigger than the Jets in this much bigger market, and the Giants hide them too.
Six days after his tale started, Darnold fell back to earth and made mistakes that cost the Jets a 20-12 loss to Miami.
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Ryan Tannehill threw two touchdown passes, Kenyan Drake ran for a score and the Miami Dolphins took advantage of several errors made by Sam Darnold and the New York Jets for a 20-12 win on Sunday.
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And yet, the Jets' biblical drought propelled Darnold into a rock star, especially after the Giants hit him in the draft with the second choice in favor of Saquon Barkley and one last dance with Eli. champion of the time. A popular reference point, at least in this space, is that the Jets have not appeared in a Super Bowl since the man walked on the moon. Darnold's triumph over the Lions was a small step for all the baby boomers who wanted a parade.
Quarterback failed to make a second step Sunday, after missing Quincy Enunwa at the back of the end zone (Darnold said he was throwing the ball before spotting the receiver too much). late) and after missing the goal line. in the final game of the first half to allow Miami to lead 20-0 at halftime. Darnold opened the second half by leading his team to the field and throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Bilal Powell. But after the Jets retrieved a Tannehill fumble in the first play of the next possession, Darnold immediately silenced the MetLife Stadium crowd roar by interception in the end zone, but announced that the Jets would not would not leave the 2-0 start.
The receiver, Terrelle Pryor, was accused of making such a course, but Darnold did not hear about it. "I put that on myself," he said. "I could have put the ball a little higher, give TP a chance to get up and take it with his big body and his long arms, I thought I could give him a better chance of getting the ball." ball."
It was a wise thing for an anointed quarter with a high profile like saying.
Darnold would not criticize his offensive line for hitting him, or his halfbacks for winning 41 yards in 17 runs. In the end, Darnold knew that Tannehill simply surpassed him with his arms and feet and decided to take his defeat like a man.
"Whenever you lose," said Darnold, "I look at it as a lesson."
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In his first stint at MetLife Stadium, Sam Darnold opted for a touchdown pass, but gave up two interceptions in the Jets' loss to the Dolphins.
Not that it mattered a lot in the end. While they were waiting in front of the Jets' locker room, Darnold's parents did not look half as happy as in Detroit last week. Lose stinks. Losing a home start in New York, because the new toast of the city really stinks.
Welcome to the NFL, Sam, and do not get discouraged too much. Jets fans are only waiting for a Super Bowl title over the next 15 years. With your talent and temperament, this should not be too much to ask.
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