Leonard Williams reveals how Sam Darnold has grown from early in his NFL career
There are ton of gifted players on the Seattle Seahawks' roster this year. That said, you can make a case that the two most-important players on the team are veteran defensive end Leonard Williams and starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
So, a whole lot is riding on the health of two guys who have been teammates a few times before. Both Williams and Darnold played their college football at USC, and then a couple of seasons together with the New York Jets.
That means Williams knows as well as anyone how Darnold has developed as a quarterback over the course of his career. Williams talked about that and several other topics in an appearance on The Insiders on NFL Network earlier this week.
The intangibles might be the most obvious change that Darnold has made since he had a brutal beginning to his career with the Jets.
However, as far as his work on the field is concerned the biggest change is arguably a more understated approach. Darnold came into the league with a powerful arm and he was never shy about using it.
While you want your quarterback to be aggressive, Darnold definitely went over the top in this department. Over his first four seasons in the NFL he threw 54 touchdown passes, but he also threw 52 interceptions.
It wasn't until Darnold spent a season with the 49ers that he really had a break-through in his approach. Darnold credits Brock Purdy with helping him learn to move the chains a little at a time, take what the defense is giving him and not forcing deep throws so much.
Last season Darnold was able to put it all together, combining his athletic gifts with a newfound high football IQ, resulting in an incredible breakout season with the Vikings. Darnold threw for a career-high 35 touchdown passes to go with just 12 interceptions.
So far Darnold has thrown two picks in four games for Seattle, but one of them was more a great defensive play by Jalen Ramsey than anything Darnold did wrong. He's still being quite aggressive pushing the ball down the field, as well. Darnold currently leads the NFL with 9.1 yards per pass attempt and 12.9 yards per completion.
If Darnold can get into a consistent rhythm with any other pass-catcher aside from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, we should see him start to post some Minnesota-type numbers soon.
Prepared for Prescott? Jets D Needs to 'Buckle in' Indeed
When the Jets hired head coach Aaron Glenn this offseason, his message to Jets fans was to “buckle in” to get ready for what was coming. The head coach should have the same message for his defense this Sunday as they prepare to take on Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.
Now in his tenth pro season, Prescott is completing a career high 73.9% of his passes in head coach Brian Shcottenheimer’s offense. Over his past two starts, that number is an even more impressive at 77.5%. So what does that mean for a struggling Jets secondary? Strap up and be ready to play.
Here’s a look at the key matchups for Tomorrow’s game.
CB Sauce Gardner vs WR George Pickens:
Pickens has been the Cowboy’s most productive wide receiver this season, hauling in 21 balls for 300 yards and and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gardner has been inconsistent at best after a dominant week 1 showing against the Steelers. The All-Pro cornerback has drawn multiple flags and Pickens plays a physical brand of football.
WR Garrett Wilson vs CB Trevon Diggs:
Diggs hasn’t been his usual self in the early going this year, having allowed six catches for over 130 yards and 3 touchdowns on eight targets. If he’s not at the top of his game, the Jets should look to exploit it and saturate Wilson with targets.
Edge Will McDonald vs Nate Thomas:
The Cowboys are hurting on the offensive line with three starters expected to sit. For Thomas, this will be his first start as a pro after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2024 draft. If the Jets have any hope at all of slowing Prescott down, they’re going to need their star pass rusher to take advantage of this favorable matchup. Same goes for Quinnen Williams who will be facing a pair of backups on the inside.
QB Justin Fields vs LB Jack Sanborn:
The Jets offense is at its best when Justin Fields is making plays with his legs. Be it on a designed run or impromptu, the Cowboys are going to want to contain Fields and Sanborn will be right in middle of it all for Dallas. Expect him to spy Fields and have the responsibility of preventing big plays on the ground.
Prediction:
The Jets haven’t given anyone any reason to believe they’re capable of slowing down any offense, let alone a group that scored forty points last week. The Jets will put up some points themselves, but come up short.
Dallas: 34
Jets: 24
