© Copyright 不及格社區
Steady progress.The first eight games of Sam Darnold's NFL career have been marked by the ups and downs typical of a rookie quarterback playing his way through a crash course of a life as a pro.Starting now [url=http://www.saintscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-hats]New Orleans Saints Hats[/url] , though, the face of the New York Jets franchise wants more."I'm always looking to improve," Darnold said Wednesday. "I guess I'm happy with the way I've played. I feel like I've stayed poised, I've done my job every week, but at the same time, in that same breath, I think I can always do a better job protecting the football."Darnold is tied with Denver's Case Keenum and Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston for the most interceptions in the NFL with 10. A week after throwing three against Minnesota, the No. 3 overall pick had none in New York's loss at Chicago.That's progress, and something off which he can build."Ten picks, it's not ideal," Darnold said. "You obviously don't want turnovers, but I thought I've been doing a good job lately of taking care of the football. If I can just do that, I think I'll be all right."As far as the Jets are concerned, Darnold is better than just "all right." They like the way he has handled himself during both the highs — a two-game winning streak during which he threw five touchdown passes — and the lows — a three-game skid and the team's current two-game losing streak.From the time Darnold was declared the starter for the season ahead of veterans Josh McCown and the since-traded Teddy Bridgewater, it has been all about letting him learn and grow."Just being able to find consistency," Darnold said when asked what his biggest focus has been. "I think I've done a pretty good job of, first of all, finding the open guys, but also I think I can do a better job of, once the open guy is not there if the first and second guy is not there, know exactly where my check-down is and go to him. If he's not there, go right to a scramble drill or look to find open room."If I feel the pocket closing down or everyone is closing in on me, just to be able to throw the ball away. Throw it at someone's feet and live to see another down. I think that's more of the growth that I see happening in the near future."Darnold is 21, but his approach is that of a more-seasoned player who has been through it all before. It has served him well, as has his refusal to repeat mistakes on the field."Just a natural progression each week," coach Todd Bowles said when asked what he's expecting over the next eight games. "Him getting out the huddle faster and making the audibles, understanding the game and the game slowing down for him, which he has done and will continue to do, and that's what we look for."Darnold has 11 touchdown tosses, having thrown at least one in each game except for the distressing loss at Cleveland in Week 3.There are other numbers, though, that look very much like they belong to a rookie. His 55.2 completion percentage — 138 of 250 passing — is the second lowest in the league among quarterbacks who have thrown at least 130 passes. Darnold's 74.5 quarterback rating also ranks among the NFL's worst.The Jets rank 29th in overall offense, including 28th in the passing game. They're also 28th in the league while averaging 200.4 total yards per game, and their 314.1 yards per game is better than just three teams: Tennessee, Buffalo and Arizona. The last two also have been led by rookie QBs.The Jets' struggles aren't all on the rookie. Ankle injuries to Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson have left Darnold without his top two receivers, and there have been few options to step up in their place. Running back Bilal Powell, a versatile threat out of the backfield, is out for the rest of the season with a neck injury."Guys' first year in the NFL is usually a tough one," Darnold said. "I'm aware of that, but at the same time, we have certain standards here and expectations of winning. I don't really use that as an excuse."Darnold will get a chance to start turning things around on the field and in the standings Sunday at Miami, the first opponent he'll face for a second time. In Week 2, he had a season-best 334 yards passing, but also had two INTs in a 20-12 loss at home.He knows none of this is easy, and didn't expect it to be. Darnold just wants to be better."Sure it's tough," he said. "I mean, it's NFL football. It's tough defenses and they're doing some different things that I've never seen before, but at the same time [url=http://www.saintscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-hoodie]New Orleans Saints Hoodie[/url] , credit to the coaches, and Josh and Davis (Webb). We've been preparing really well throughout the week, every single week. We've just got to continue to do that, continue to prepare really hard, and I think that'll just continue to help me throughout the year."NOTES: WRs Quincy Enunwa (sprained ankle) and Robby Anderson (ankle), TE Neal Sterling (concussion), NT Steve McLendon (ankle), CBs Trumaine Johnson (quadriceps) and Morris Claiborne (excused absence), and LBs Frankie Luvu (neck) and Kevin Pierre-Louis (foot) did not practice. ... C Spencer Long (knee/finger), S Marcus Maye (thumb), LT Kelvin Beachum (knee/ankle) and LB Jordan Jenkins (ankle) were limited.2018 New Orleans Saints Training Camp Preview: Cornerback The New Orleans Saints won the NFC South division last year for the first time since 2011, thanks in large part to a vastly improved defense that complimented their always prolific offense. The play and health of the Saints secondary, often a team weakness, was a major reason for the improvement. The team had an incredible Seven defensive backs miss significantly time with injuries in 2016, severely limiting any consistent effectiveness. The Saints addressed the issue in a big way before entering last season, drafting a cornerback with the 11th overall pick and a safety, Marcus Williams, with the 42nd overall selection in the 2017 draft to add to their already very young defensive backfield. After previewing the safety position last week, we take a look at what could turn out to be one of the deepest positions on the team in today's training camp preview.CORNERBACK Key Losses: Delvin Breaux (free agent, CFL)Key Additions: Patrick Robinson (free agent, Eagles), Natrell Jamerson (draft, 5th round)Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesMarshon Lattimore surprisingly fell to number eleven in last spring's draft, and the Saints wasted no time in pouncing on the Ohio State star. Lattimore would not only win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, but became the first New Orleans cornerback since Eric Allen in 1995 to be voted to the Pro Bowl, and just the fourth cornerback in franchise's 52-yr. history to receive such an honor. Lattimore led the Saints in interceptions (5, including one for a touchdown), pass breakups (18), and quickly established himself as one of the league's top cornerbacks. He can play either outside or slot, is equally effective in man to man or off coverage, and would often lock on to the opposition's top receiver. He has the size, athleticism, and natural cover skills to match up with the NFL's best receivers. Lattimore was primarily responsible for limiting star wideouts Jarvis Landry, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, DaVante Adams, DeSean Jackson, and Mike Evans to an average of just 25 yards per game when facing the Saints last season, and not a single touchdown reception. Atlanta's Julio Jones, widely considered as perhaps the top receiver in the league, was held out of the end zone in two memorable matchups against the Saints star rookie in what looks to be a gripping rivalry for many years going forward. Lattimore's ability to take on the opponent's best receiver with little help has an effect on the entire defense. It allows coordinator Dennis Allen to employ more intricate coverage schemes, as well as freeing up extra defenders for run support or more aggressive blitz packages. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsKen Crawley was literally thrown into the fire in 2016, his rookie season. After making the team as an undrafted free agent from Colorado, Crawley was pressed into a starting role due to the team's mounting injuries in the secondary. The result was a predictably uneven performance, but one where Crawley showed potential as he gained valuable experience. After an inconsistent performance last preseason that caused him to be inactive for the first two games of the season, Crawley was inserted back into the the starting lineup, where he and Lattimore formed one of the better cornerback duos in the league. Due to Lattimore's lockdown skills, Crawley was often targeted by opposing offenses [url=http://www.saintscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-customized]Cheap Customized New Orleans Saints Jerseys[/url] , and responded with the second most pass breakups on the team, along with his first career interception. He was particularly tough to throw against near the goal line, giving the opposition fits with his tall frame and long reach. Crawley does struggle with smaller, shifty receivers, but performs his best against big physical wideouts, a trait that certainly suits him well against the bigger targets through the NFC. Like Crawley, De'Vante Harris was pressed into action during his rookie year of 2016 after making the team as an undrafted free agent. Unlike Crawley, Harris has not progressed, struggling mightily a season ago. He opened up the year as a starter in the first two games against Minnesota and New England, both losses. Harris was benched after those two contests, as the New Orleans defense surrendered a combined 692 yards passing, six touchdowns and 80% completion percentage. His defensive snaps were limited after that, but in two games when Harris did receive more extensive playing time, the Saints gave up a combined 665 yards and five passing touchdowns in games against the Redskins and Rams. Although he will be given an opportunity to compete for a roster spot again, Harris seems likely to be the first veteran cut from this group. Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsAfter playing in less than six quarters in his first two seasons due to injury, P.J. Williams played in all 16 games in 2017, starting six. Although he had 2 interceptions and nine pass breakups, Williams' performance was inconsistent, and he often struggled in man coverage. Arthur Maulet looks to make a bid for extensive playing time this season, after making the squad as an undrafted free agent last year. The native of Kenner, Louisiana is a bit undersized, but is an aggressive man-to-man defender with explosive leaping ability. He earned a roster spot last season with solid coverage during the preseason and standout special teams play. Another special teams standout was reserve cornerback Justin Hardee, who had the third most snaps on the team on special teams, providing solid kick coverage, and blocked a punt against Tampa Bay, returning it for a key touchdown. Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty ImagesPhoto by Abbie Parr/Getty ImagesPatrick Robinson returned to the Saints this offseason, where he played for five seasons after being drafted in the first round (32nd overall) in 2010. Robinson was often inconsistent during his first stint in New Orleans, and has played for three different teams in the previous three years, but was one of the better slot corners in the league last season with the Eagles. Natrell Jamerson was drafted in the 5th round this spring, in part because of his outstanding special teams play, and also for his versatility in the secondary at Wisconsin. Jamerson, who was recruited to the Badgers as a wide receiver, played both safety and corner during his final three collegiate seasons. He will likely see snaps at both cornerback and safety this preseason, and shows natural defensive back instincts despite his inexperience. Crawley, Harris, and Maulet all made impacts as undrafted college free agents, and the latest player to watch may be former University of Cincinnati star Linden Stephens. Stephens has both the size and athleticism to match up with most receivers, and exhibits the aggressive coverage style that Dennis Allen and secondary coach Aaron Glenn prefer to play. The top three roster spots at cornerback look set, with Lattimore, Crawley, and likely Robinson. The major questions at this position are this:1) Will the Saints get the erratic Patrick Robinson of 2010-16, or the Robinson that starred for a tough Philadelphia defense a year ago?2) Will any of the young New Orleans corners (Maulet, Jamerson, Stephens) be able to take spots away from more established veterans like Williams, Hardee, and Harris?Competition for those final 2-3 cornerback positions should be fierce throughout training camp and preseason games. The performance of Lattimore and Crawley helped spark a major defensive improvement in 2017, but the defense struggled when either of the two were out of the lineup. The improved depth of the Saints cornerback unit could be one of the keys to a championship run in 2018.
The Wall