Bart Scott on Sam Darnold: 'I Don’t Think He’s Scared or Seeing Ghosts'
Sam Darnold hasn’t had an easy second season in the NFL. In the eyes of Bart Scott, however, Darnold is as good as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL who made the Super Bowl last year.
He just needs the chance and opportunity to prove it.
From a diagnosis of mono earlier in the year that sidelined him for three weeks to a beat-up offensive line that has allowed him to be among the most hit quarterbacks in the league, Darnold’s sophomore campaign with the New York Jets has certainly been a rough one. Scott, a former star linebacker with the Jets, is preaching patience with Darnold and an understanding that the young quarterback has been through a lot this year.
Scott, who co-hosts a mid-day show with Maggie Gray on WFAN, compared Darnold’s development to that of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, who led his team to the Super Bowl last season.
“We’ve seen anything bad, nothing really has broken off. I think Sam Darnold is as good or better or better than Goff. It’s just getting him comfortable, let him get used to a system so he can master it,” Scott told SI, who was then asked if he’s concerned about Darnold’s development in light of the past couple of games.
Goff, for the record, is on pace to throw for over 4,700 yards and have 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions this year.
“Not at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe he’s still protecting himself. Anyone who’s had mono knows it comes and goes, energy levels go up and down. He came back in record time, we’ve seen athletes come back too early at times,” Scott said.
“I’m sure in the back of his mind, he wants to protect himself. It is still an internal organ, I’m not sure if it is fully right for him.”
The offensive line has been bad for the Jets this year, hit with injuries and decimated by a lack of attention via the NFL Draft and free agency in recent years.
They have allowed 56 quarterback hits this year, fifth-most in the league. The 34 sacks conceded is tied for the most allowed.
This is impacting Darnold, per Scott. Two weeks ago in a 33-0 home loss to the New England Patriots, Darnold was heard saying he saw ghosts on the field, a reference to him being confused by the lookts being thrown at him by the Patriots.
“I’d probably be a little nervous too. I don’t think he’s scared or seeing ghosts, I think he’s trying to anticipate or throw guys open,” Scott said.
“He doesn’t have the opportunity to go through the process because he knows the clock is ticking.”
