According to the Political Dictionary, “A gotcha question is one posed by a reporter in an effort to trick a (person) into looking stupid or saying something damaging.”
A couple of reporters wanted to get Douglas to commit to Sam Darnold as the team’s quarterback in 2021 and beyond.
Here are a couple of those questions from Douglas’ press briefing:
Rich Cimini, ESPN: “Can you say for sure that Sam will be your starting QB next year?”
Douglas: “Look, we are trying to get through the next eight games, and my feeling on Sam hasn’t changed. We have to do a better job of surrounding him with talent.”
Connor Hughes, The Athletic: “Believing that if you surround him with enough talent, and he’s an ultra-talented QB as you said, why not commit to him definitely as your QB in 2021?”
Douglas: “I have no problem saying he’s our best QB and our QB for the future.”
Why is it necessary for Douglas to commit to Darnold in 2021 when it’s only the middle of the 2020 season?
Darnold — and most of Gang Green — has not played very well this season. Perhaps, at times, he has not received enough support from his line or weapons, but the bottom line is Darnold and most Jets players haven’t shined this season. That’s quite obvious based on their record, and their minus-147 point differential.
So why is it incumbent on Douglas to commit to veteran players on the roster beyond this year? Of course he’s committed to his first draft class for now. That goes without saying, but the veterans on this roster?
Look at how they’re playing…
This story is from the December 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.
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This story is from the December 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FIRST DOWN- A lot of potential, but a lot to learn
There is a lyric in an old song by the rock group Chicago that sums up where Zach Wilson is right now:
IN HIS OWN WORDS WITH DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JEFF ULBRICH - Ulbrich breaks down Jets' defensive personnel
(Marcus Maye) can do it all. I would feel comfortable with him (at free or strong safety). He’s a guy that, to me, he can play deep, he can play the half field, he can play the middle third, he can do that and you feel comfortable with it. I think he’s got range, speed and athleticism. I think he’s got ball skills and instincts to be a deep safety. But I think he’s got enough size and girth and want-to and courage to play in the box. It’ll be fun to utilize all the things that he does. He can cover tight ends; he can cover some of the wide receivers in this league.
Dan's Minicamp Diary
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Saleh calls Wilson ‘relentless' as a worker
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Jets hope initiatives will increase winning edge
Aside from adding as many good players as possible to help the Jets improve, coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas are trying to turn over every stone to find extra ways to give their team a winning edge, and two examples of this were announced over the course of the offseason, with the additions of a game management coach (Matt Burke) and the installation of an Athletic Care and Performance Department. Let’s take a closer look at these two moves and how they might help the Jets:
Dan's Spring Camp Diary
This time of year for learning, experimenting, not stats
AUDIBLES-Saleh doesn't cave on offseason work
Tom Brady might be wrong about this one.
SAFETIES
Justin Simmons, Broncos 6-2 • 202 pounds • 27 years old
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Trent Williams, 49ers 6-5 • 320 pounds • 32 years old
LINEBACKERS
Lavonte David, Buccaneers 6-0 • 226 pounds • 26 years old
