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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) – The kid also has a sense of humor.
Sam Darnold kept his face upright for a fraction of a second by answering a question about what he could have done differently on his first pass in the first game of the New York Jets season in Detroit.
You know, the one that was intercepted and came back for a touchdown before many fans settled in their seat Monday night.
"Yeah, I mean, do not throw it," said the rookie quarterback on Wednesday before launching a big smile. "It's the easy answer."
Darnold went on to explain how he could have continued to roll to his right and threw the ball or finally found an open receiver once he noticed the safety of the Lions When Diggs seated in the high school, ready to take.
It was a moment of early learning in the defeat of the Jets 48-17, and an error he was able to bounce back.
"I thought, of course, that I could clean things up here and there," said Darnold. "After putting the first game behind me, I thought I'd play well."
Darnold was 16th on 21 for 198 yards and touchdowns against Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa, checking a personal first-round list – first game, first start, first TD, first INT, first win – in the NFL.
"To get my first win, it's a very good feeling, more than anything," he said. "Just so I can win a game in the NFL and know that I can do it, even though I knew I could do it. It's really nice to go out and run with my teammates, especially as we did.
"But, yes, go ahead, trust me and trust my teammates because we are all one in the other."
In the days following Darnold's debut, coach Todd Bowles and President / CEO Christopher Johnson called the 21-year-old "old soul."
They praised his balanced approach and outstanding work ethic, which is rare for recruits at this stage of their careers.
A game in one, USC's No. 3 draw choice gets rave reviews from fans and national media, too. With outstanding prime-time performance, the Jets quarterback has already achieved celebrity status.
And through all this, Darnold remains imperturbable.
"You know, just being at SC, I usually get attention," he said. "I know that for my last year at SC, it was a bit hectic, in terms of Heisman speeches (Trophy) and all that stuff, but you know, I'm pretty used to that.
"But it's different now, being in the NFL and all those expectations and everything. It's different, but at the same time I will continue to be myself.
"I myself am all my career – high school, college, now the NFL – and I do not see myself changing anytime soon."
This is exactly what inspired Scouts to love Darnold, in addition to his physical talents. The fact that he stays cool in the face of pressure is extremely unique.
Now here in New York, Darnold bears the burden of trying to help deliver a frustrated franchise to a Super Bowl one day.
It's been 50 years since Joe Namath backed up his guarantee and Darnold is the 31st quarterback to have started a match since Broadway Joe's last game for the team in 1976.
But maybe – maybe just – do the Jets have their franchise quarter?
"We won a game," said Bowles. "I can tell you after 100 more if we have one or not. Right now, it's a bit early.
No doubt about it. And Darnold's next big test will be on Sunday in the Jets' first game against the Miami Dolphins.
If he plays a good game and wins that one too, the hype around Darnold will really start to grow.
No one will need to worry about how the young person will handle everything.
"I have not paid much attention, but I'm sure people are talking about what they expect from our team over the next few years," said Darnold.
"I'm just going to continue to focus on the next game. That's all I can control and that's what I'll do every week.
NOTES: WR Jermaine Kearse (abdomen) was a full participant after missing the game in Detroit. "We will evaluate it during the week, see how it goes," Bowles said. "He has to pull himself together and see if there are any sequels." . … LB Kevin Pierre-Louis has been activated on the list of suspensions and OL Ben Braden has been ruled out to make room on the list.
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