WHAT IF?

[Retired AFA]

Not to throw Zach Wilson under the bus because of his injury. I for one was not a big fan for drafting him because he played against inferior talent his last year in college. What if we stuck with Sam Darnold. He has played no worse than Wilson. We could have traded the #2 overall pick instead of drafting Wilson and could have gotten two #1's which could have been Linebacker (Parsons) and the following year OT (Penning). Two big needs right now. Hindsight. We will never know.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Wilson’s ceiling is still much higher than Darnold. Arm talent is better, mobility is better. Just a question of him learning how to process as an NFL QB which is always the hardest part.

I’m much happier with Wilson. Darnold is going to get beat out by Mayfield and probably never be a starter ever again. Unless some team is desperate.

 

[Innocenti]

It's a very interesting question. Yeah, Wilson's ceiling is higher than Darnold's. But the team do a lot to facilitate Darnold's growth.
Darnold's rookie year was better than Allen's. And even though Allen's 2nd season had a better TD:Int ratio than Darnold's 2nd season, The QB ratings were close.

Maybe the Jets ruined Darnold.
Maybe the Jets have had a string of bad qbs because of coaching and player development. I mean the patriots throw any garbage on the field at qb and it seems to work out for them.

If we stuck with Sam Darnold, he would've sucked because we're the Jets. Had he started his career in the current system, maybe not.

 

[Old#15]

Elephants could fly…

 

[Tinstar]

Elephants could fly…

You mean Dumbo’s not real ? Ah man what the hay .

 

[NewMFS62]

You mean Dumbo’s not real ? Ah man what the hay .

And I never clapped for Tinker Bell, either.
Later

 

[Retired AFA]

Blindside, I definitely see your point and it is very accurate. If we passed on Wilson and let's say took Parsons and Penning. We might not have Darnold this year depending on the trading of QB's last year. Would you rather have the likes of MLB Parsons and OT Penning instead of Wilson with the chance of drafting another QB this coming year. We know what we have in Wilson, yet unproven. Would you strengthen 2 positions to pass on Wilson? I for one would love Wilson to turn out to be just like Drew Brees. IMHO he is just another wasted #2 overall pick.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Blindside, I definitely see your point and it is very accurate. If we passed on Wilson and let's say took Parsons and Penning. We might not have Darnold this year depending on the trading of QB's last year. Would you rather have the likes of MLB Parsons and OT Penning instead of Wilson with the chance of drafting another QB this coming year. We know what we have in Wilson, yet unproven. Would you strengthen 2 positions to pass on Wilson? I for one would love Wilson to turn out to be just like Drew Brees. IMHO he is just another wasted #2 overall pick.

Nowadays teams have a quick trigger on these QB’s. If you don’t see franchise QB traits within 2-3 years, it’s a restart. And the HC and GM aren’t far behind. Nature of the game.

But I’d hate to see any premature moves on a guy like Wilson simply because he has traits that typically transfer well to the NFL. Big arm, accuracy, ability to throw on the run, hard worker. Darnold lacked the big arm, which was a big deal playing in the Northeast during the winter months. Pennington had that problem, too. Sam also had a higher than desirable turnover rate. I don’t think Darnold will ever amount to anything more than a decent backup QB.

Regarding Parsons and Penning, I understand the “two is better than one” argument except in regards to QB’s. Joe Douglas decided Wilson had more potential than Sam, and made the move to upgrade the most important position in all of sports. It was the right move regardless of what happens with Wilson. If he flops, you either draft another one high or get really lucky finding a Russell Wilson in trade talks with a team ready to start over like Seattle.

 

[Tinstar]

Nowadays teams have a quick trigger on these QB’s. If you don’t see franchise QB traits within 2-3 years, it’s a restart. And the HC and GM aren’t far behind. Nature of the game.

But I’d hate to see any premature moves on a guy like Wilson simply because he has traits that typically transfer well to the NFL. Big arm, accuracy, ability to throw on the run, hard worker. Darnold lacked the big arm, which was a big deal playing in the Northeast during the winter months. Pennington had that problem, too. Sam also had a higher than desirable turnover rate. I don’t think Darnold will ever amount to anything more than a decent backup QB.

Regarding Parsons and Penning, I understand the “two is better than one” argument except in regards to QB’s. Joe Douglas decided Wilson had more potential than Sam, and made the move to upgrade the most important position in all of sports. It was the right move regardless of what happens with Wilson. If he flops, you either draft another one high or get really lucky finding a Russell Wilson in trade talks with a team ready to start over like Seattle

I was never a fan of Sam Darnold or the pick . I was not a fan of picking Wilson either but I going to say something that’s probably going to get me flamed .

Sam Darnold is going to have a career in the NFL that looks a little like Jim Plunkett .

 

[Innocenti]

You mean Dumbo’s not real ? Ah man what the hay .

Elephants can and do fly...and so do pigs. But they need a airplane.

 

[Innocenti]

I commented on Darnold. My other comment is that OT was not the need 2 seasons ago as it appears to be next season. OT is not a pressing need right now. Pretty much the same with LB.

But in the spirit of the whatif, 2 other positions could've been selected like DT and WR.

 

[jetgreen13]

I was never a fan of Sam Darnold or the pick . I was not a fan of picking Wilson either but I going to say something that’s probably going to get me flamed .

Sam Darnold is going to have a career in the NFL that looks a little like Jim Plunkett .

darnold is going finish his career playing for the raiders??

 

[Tinstar]

Elephants can and do fly...and so do pigs. But they need a airplane.

Next you’re going to tell me that Dumbo wasn’t real . You probably ruin Christmas for the kids by telling them there’s no Santa .

 

[Tinstar]

darnold is going finish his career playing for the raiders??

Not where I was going but he could do worst .

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

I was never a fan of Sam Darnold or the pick . I was not a fan of picking Wilson either but I going to say something that’s probably going to get me flamed .

Sam Darnold is going to have a career in the NFL that looks a little like Jim Plunkett .

Darnold is going to win two SuperBowls?? I sure hope that happens.

 

[SackExchange]

If Darnold had gone elsewhere and thrived, I might buy into the argument that it was on the Jets and not on him. But he hasn't. At some point, the player has to assume responsibility for their performance.

This goes for ZW, as well. He needs a building block year. I am not expecting brilliance or perfection, but he needs to take a substantial step forward. Otherwise, in a QB-rich 2023 draft, his replacement might find his way to Florham Park. Generally, I would prefer to render a verdict on a QB after three years, when the decision on a first round pick's fifth year is due. But with the rest of the roster coming into place, and with a solid QB crop in next year's draft, this is a very important year for ZW.

 

[Innocenti]

Next you’re going to tell me that Dumbo wasn’t real . You probably ruin Christmas for the kids by telling them there’s no Santa .

Santa Claus is a real historical figure.

San Nicolò di Bari - The Original Santa Claus - Life in Italy

San Nicolò di Bari, patron saint of children, merchants and sailors: life of the saint and and how he became Santa Claus.

lifeinitaly.com

 

[cheaterhater]

You mean Dumbo’s not real ? Ah man what the hay .

He is too. We just road him at Disney

 

[cheaterhater]

Elephants can and do fly...and so do pigs. But they need a airplane.

Nope. pigs fly at Pink Floyd concerts. I’ve seen them

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

If Darnold had gone elsewhere and thrived, I might buy into the argument that it was on the Jets and not on him. But he hasn't. At some point, the player has to assume responsibility for their performance.

This goes for ZW, as well. He needs a building block year. I am not expecting brilliance or perfection, but he needs to take a substantial step forward. Otherwise, in a QB-rich 2023 draft, his replacement might find his way to Florham Park. Generally, I would prefer to render a verdict on a QB after three years, when the decision on a first round pick's fifth year is due. But with the rest of the roster coming into place, and with a solid QB crop in next year's draft, this is a very important year for ZW.

I tend to believe that the team is fully on board the Zach Wilson train. I think they really believe he has the goods to be a franchise QB. I also think that they knew he wouldn’t be completely pro-ready out of the gate. They knew there would be a process to get him up to speed. BYU to top 10 level QB doesn’t happen overnight.

With that said, you’re right, the roster is filling out on both sides of the ball. This team has talent in a lot of places now, so bad QB play cannot hold the team back. I’m a big Wilson guy, but I acknowledge that there has to be a step forward this year. We brought in some FA’s and had a big draft class. “No weapons” is no longer an excuse.