The New York Jets’ already intriguing quarterback competition just got a lot more interesting Friday night.<\/b>
\nEAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. (AP) \u2014 The New York Jets\u2019 already intriguing quarterback competition just got a lot more interesting.
Thanks to a poised Sam Darnold. And a sharp and healthy Teddy Bridgewater.
Josh McCown is still No. 1 on the depth chart, but the other two quarterbacks made big-time statements in the Jets\u2019 17-0 preseason-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night.
\u201cWe\u2019ll see how the preseason goes,\u201d coach Todd Bowles said after the game. \u201cI\u2019ll make my decision when it happens. I\u2019m not going to jump to any conclusions after one game. I\u2019m going to take my notes and watch practice and compare with the coaches and we\u2019ll come up with a decision. It\u2019s a tough decision.
\u201cWe have three good players and we\u2019re happy to have them.\u201d
Bowles has said that the competition could last through the fourth preseason game, and he didn\u2019t back off that when asked if that were still the case.
\u201cProbably,\u201d the coach said in his typically understated fashion.
While Bowles isn\u2019t about to start making any premature proclamations, there was plenty for the Jets and their fans to get excited about.
McCown played just one series and was replaced by Bridgewater, who led New York to scores on both of his possessions. Then, Darnold jogged onto the field at MetLife Stadium to an ovation befitting a guy considered by many to be the savior of the franchise.
The No. 3 overall pick in the draft showed poise, accuracy, playmaking ability on the run and veteran-like cool in his NFL debut.
\u201cI thought I played pretty good,\u201d Darnold said. \u201cI think I just put the ball where it needed to be, tried to get it in the hands of our playmakers.\u201d
The former USC star finished 13 of 18 for 96 yards, including a touchdown pass to Charles Johnson during which he rolled right and zipped the football into the end zone to his receiver while on the run. That came after Darnold brushed off a drop and an offensive pass interference penalty \u2014 both on Johnson \u2014 leading to the score.
\u201cPoise. Again, the poise in the pocket,\u201d Bowles said. \u201cObviously, the touchdown throw. The scramble was very good use of his feet and accuracy, but he does that in practice all the time, so I can\u2019t say it impressed me because we see it every day. Just his handling of game situations. There are things he can get better at, but it\u2019s a good start for him.\u201d
Darnold was quick to point out a negative moment, namely when he was sacked by Jonathan Celestin in the fourth quarter.
\u201cI feel like I could\u2019ve gotten that ball out on the shallow (route) there, but you live and you learn I guess,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, I\u2019m just going to watch the tape and see really what exactly happened on some of the plays, but I thought I did pretty well. I took care of the football, which was my main priority.\u201d
The Jets are giving Darnold every opportunity to win the starting job, and the rookie appeared well on his way to doing so while working with backups against the Falcons.
New York takes on Washington next Thursday, and it remains to be seen how Bowles will split the snaps among the quarterbacks. The next step for Darnold might be playing with the starters.
Bridgewater was also impressive in his Jets debut, showing flashes of the player who was a Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings before a severe knee injury sidelined him for most of the last two years.
He looked comfortable and even took a hard shot during a play, immediately bouncing up from the turf.
\u201cIt felt good getting hit again,\u201d Bridgewater said with a smile. \u201cYou never want the quarterback getting hit, but for me, it was the final step of the process. Got hit, got right back up and it just served as a reminder that the game is still the same.\u201d
Bridgewater capped his first series with a touchdown toss to Isaiah Crowell, and led the Jets to a field goal on his second drive.
He finished 7 of 8 for 85 yards, and looked every bit like a starting-caliber quarterback \u2014 for New York or perhaps another team as potential trade bait if Darnold continues to progress rapidly and leaves no doubt as to who should be under center when the Jets open the regular season at Detroit.
\u201cIf you\u2019re a football fan and you enjoy the sport, it\u2019s fun to be a part of,\u201d McCown said. \u201cAnd to get a front-row seat and more importantly to just go out and want to see them accomplish the things that we talk about in our quarterback room on a daily basis is huge and they did that and so we couldn\u2019t be happier. I\u2019m really excited for them and now it\u2019s back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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