In addition to a revamped offensive line and a couple of new wide receivers, quarterback Sam Darnold received a new set of encyclopedias this offseason -- quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Frank Gore.
We're talking about a Super Bowl MVP (XLVII) and a (likely) future Pro Football Hall of Famer, respectively, who bring a combined 27 years of NFL experience to the Jets' backfield. Darnold, still a young pup (he turns 23 on June 5), will be surrounded by a wealth of knowledge for his all-important third season.
Flacco and Gore can be stabilizing influences on an offense in transition, and the person who should benefit most is Darnold, who will be the second-youngest opening-day quarterback. (Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is two months younger. This assumes the Chargers' Justin Herbert and the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa start the season on the bench.)
This sort of thing doesn't happen a lot because, let's face it, football is a young man's game. Currently, Flacco, 35, and Gore, 37, are among only 12 quarterbacks and running backs in the 35-and-older club, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
"I can't wait to get around him and show him why I'm still able to play this game," Gore said of Darnold.
For Flacco, who agreed to terms Friday on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, this is uncharted territory -- the first time he will enter a season as a backup. (He finished the 2018 season on the Baltimore Ravens' bench, backing up Lamar Jackson.) It can be a tough transition for a career starter, but people close to Flacco believe he has adjusted his mindset and will be supportive of Darnold, the clear-cut QB1.
Flacco's father, Steve, called it a "restart" for his son -- a chance to continue his career in a background role while rebounding from a neck injury that prematurely ended his 2019 season with the Denver Broncos.
"It's a lot easier for him to be in [a backup] position knowing he's less than 100 percent," Steve Flacco said in a phone interview. "He won't be healthy coming out of the gate, but he'll be good for the team because of his experience. He knows how to prepare, and he loves to work. He'll be helpful to their young quarterback [Darnold]. He won't try to coach him -- they have coaches -- but his experience should help the quarterback room. We're excited for him. It's kind of exciting to play for the Jets. It's cool to be where Joe Namath was at one point."
Flacco, who underwent neck surgery in early April, probably won't be cleared for contact until early-to-mid September. The football calendar is up in the air because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it looks as though he won't play in the preseason. He has been cleared to throw and should be able to participate in training camp on a limited basis, but he will know more after an early-August doctor's appointment. The Jets didn't give him a physical before the agreement, but they have a handle on his medical situation because Flacco consulted with their doctors before his surgery.
How much does Flacco have left? His numbers weren't great last season, but his protection was poor and the Broncos lost three games on field goals in the final seconds. With a couple of breaks, he could have been 5-3 as a starter instead of 2-6. He completed a career-high 65.3% of his attempts. He's a pure pocket passer with little mobility, so Jets coach Adam Gase will have adjust the offense if Darnold is out of the game. Gase might have to dust off his old Peyton Manning plays from Denver.
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We're talking about a Super Bowl MVP (XLVII) and a (likely) future Pro Football Hall of Famer, respectively, who bring a combined 27 years of NFL experience to the Jets' backfield. Darnold, still a young pup (he turns 23 on June 5), will be surrounded by a wealth of knowledge for his all-important third season.
Flacco and Gore can be stabilizing influences on an offense in transition, and the person who should benefit most is Darnold, who will be the second-youngest opening-day quarterback. (Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is two months younger. This assumes the Chargers' Justin Herbert and the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa start the season on the bench.)
This sort of thing doesn't happen a lot because, let's face it, football is a young man's game. Currently, Flacco, 35, and Gore, 37, are among only 12 quarterbacks and running backs in the 35-and-older club, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
"I can't wait to get around him and show him why I'm still able to play this game," Gore said of Darnold.
For Flacco, who agreed to terms Friday on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, this is uncharted territory -- the first time he will enter a season as a backup. (He finished the 2018 season on the Baltimore Ravens' bench, backing up Lamar Jackson.) It can be a tough transition for a career starter, but people close to Flacco believe he has adjusted his mindset and will be supportive of Darnold, the clear-cut QB1.
Flacco's father, Steve, called it a "restart" for his son -- a chance to continue his career in a background role while rebounding from a neck injury that prematurely ended his 2019 season with the Denver Broncos.
"It's a lot easier for him to be in [a backup] position knowing he's less than 100 percent," Steve Flacco said in a phone interview. "He won't be healthy coming out of the gate, but he'll be good for the team because of his experience. He knows how to prepare, and he loves to work. He'll be helpful to their young quarterback [Darnold]. He won't try to coach him -- they have coaches -- but his experience should help the quarterback room. We're excited for him. It's kind of exciting to play for the Jets. It's cool to be where Joe Namath was at one point."
Flacco, who underwent neck surgery in early April, probably won't be cleared for contact until early-to-mid September. The football calendar is up in the air because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it looks as though he won't play in the preseason. He has been cleared to throw and should be able to participate in training camp on a limited basis, but he will know more after an early-August doctor's appointment. The Jets didn't give him a physical before the agreement, but they have a handle on his medical situation because Flacco consulted with their doctors before his surgery.
How much does Flacco have left? His numbers weren't great last season, but his protection was poor and the Broncos lost three games on field goals in the final seconds. With a couple of breaks, he could have been 5-3 as a starter instead of 2-6. He completed a career-high 65.3% of his attempts. He's a pure pocket passer with little mobility, so Jets coach Adam Gase will have adjust the offense if Darnold is out of the game. Gase might have to dust off his old Peyton Manning plays from Denver.
Jets' Sam Darnold will profit from additions of Joe Flacco, Frank Gore
A Super Bowl MVP and a (likely) future Pro Football of Famer bring a combined 27 years of NFL experience for the Jets quarterback to learn from.