the moment of truth arrived for Sam Darnold

• Rafael Zamorano

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  since 2007 he has been an NFL editor and columnist for ESPN’s digital platforms. He previously wrote for sites like KFFL.com and SportsNet.com.mx. Follow it by Twitter.

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Quarterback Sam Darnold will begin his third, and so far most critical, season as a starter with the Jets

Considering the disaster the New York Jets at times during the past season, they achieved surprise wins against the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers –in addition to a victory on the final match against the Buffalo Bills– who helped inflate their brand to 7-9 after starting the season at 1-7.

The debut season of Adam Gase as head coach of the Jets He left a lot to be desired, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, where he is supposed to be a league genius. In his second year at the head of the club, Gases will have to show a significant improvement in the functioning of the club on the field of play, particularly as regards the third-year quarterback, Sam Darnold, whose development was one of the main objectives for which Gases in New York, In the first instance.

Is 2020 Sam Darnold’s last chance with the Jets?

In all honesty, it seems so. Darnold He has had to overcome physical situations – such as mononukellosis at the beginning of last season, or an injury to the thumb of the hand that he suffered later – but even when he was healthy, Darnold he has not been able to consistently deliver strong performances.

That doesn’t mean it hasn’t had bright spots. There have been, although they have been rare. That translates to Darnold still have someone to advocate for him around the league. However, the results have not been as expected, and ultimately, the NFL it is a business of results.

An improved offensive line – solidified with the huge rookie first-round tackle, Mekhi Becton– should be an important first step towards the progress of Darnold. The contribution of the rookie second-round wide receiver, Denzel Mims, can be essential, too, as well as what the veteran provides Breshad Perriman, a free agent hired in the offseason off his best season as a professional, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Finally, a Le’Veon Bell revitalized, as it appears to be, will be a key cog in relieving pressure on Darnold of having to make all the plays with his arm.

In short, it is, if everyone stays healthy, an offensive group with the ability to be competitive. But if the trigger –Darnold– Fail, ammunition will be useless.

The handover of Jamal Adams – and a 2022 fourth-round pick – to the Seattle Seahawks it paid off New York a first-round pick from 2021, a third-round pick from 2021, and a first-round pick from 2022. plus safety Bradley McDougald. And Darnold does not live up to their expectations, the Jets have enough draft capital to move up a bunch of echelons, if necessary, next year, where names like Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields they will be very attractive.

Who is the new face to follow?

In terms of raw talent, Jets could have brought in the greatest talent available to the offensive line this year in Becton. It did not have the reflectors that they enjoyed Andrew Thomas The Jedrick Wills Jr. in the SEC, The Tristan Wirfs in the Big Ten, but if we talk about the combination of athleticism and size for the position, I like what it offers more Becton than the rest.

Becton has the mission to replace Kelvin Beachum, who was not retained. Curiously, Beachum it was the best he had New York last year, so the simple change in position will not necessarily be enough to guarantee a qualitative leap.

However, Becton owns something that Beachum no: potential. Yes Becton becomes what is believed to be, Jets They will have found their left tackle of the next decade or more and the anchor that provides certainty to the rest of the unit. The changes are numerous in the group. George Fant will be the new right tackle, replacing Brandon Shell; Alex Lewis he definitively appropriates the left guard post; Connor McGovern will play center in the place left vacant Ryan Kalil, and the right guard will be for Greg Van Roten, new face that came via free agency just like Fant and McGovern.

I do not think that Becton It was the most polished of the tackles available this year, but it did have the highest ceiling. It depends on the Jets help you to achieve it.

Who are they going to miss?

No team loses its best player, and it improves as a group. In the case of Jets, Adams He was not only his best talent, but also the one who showed it with the most consistency from week to week. Sure, the reward was very high, perhaps exaggerated, on the part of Seattle, but outside of McDougald –who clearly falls short of Adams– there is not much immediate relief to fill the void.

The Jets will depend a lot on what you do Marcus maye, the other safety they drafted in 2017, one round after Adams. Maye takes a bigger leadership role this year, and in terms of the system, could start to be moved at different points on defense, as was the case with Adams.

The output of Adams opens a window of opportunity for Maye Take your game to the next level and be recognized as one of the league’s top-line safeties. Maye is a good element that used to go unnoticed playing next to a star like Adams. Its time to shine.

Players who declined the season because of the coronavirus

Supporter C.J. Mosleyoffensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi, wide receiver Josh Doctson.

What do the bookmakers say?

The Jets appear as the most disadvantaged team among the four clubs in the AFC East to win the division, according to the Caesars Sportsbook, which puts them at +900. The same bookmaker places its odds to win the Conference at +4000, only above the Cincinnati Bengals (+4500) and Jacksonville Jaguars (+10000)

Caliente, on the other hand, has them third to win the AFC East, at +850, just above the Miami Dolphins (+900). And his win-loss line is set at 6.5, with the ups paying -112, and the downs paying -115.

Forecast for 2020

Perhaps, the 7-9 of last year seems like a mirage that does not correspond to the product that the Jets during most of their encounters last year. Or perhaps, we are not giving them the credit they deserve. In any case, an improvement over that brand would mean the club’s first non-losing brand since 2015.

The 2020 schedule is not generous (as it is not for the entire division), with games pending against the two reigning conference champions. Rivals expected to be in the postseason fight, such as the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders The SeahawksTo name a few, they will possibly tip the balance one way or the other in the year for the Jets.

The changes to the offensive line look positive, on paper, but the lack of time working together in the offseason seriously affects how much needed chemistry develops in the unit. This may be the Achilles heel for a team that projects for a 4-12 this year.

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