Trevor Siemian faces large problem in making an attempt to save lots of Jets’ season
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The macro view of the Sam Darnold bombshell is that it is one other bad-luck blow for probably the most star-crossed franchises in sports activities, the New York Jets. Darnold, sidelined indefinitely with mononucleosis, was — is — the one who’s supposed to alter all that.
The micro perspective is the Jets (Zero-1) have to determine a option to save their season with Trevor Siemian at quarterback. For a lot of causes, it will likely be tough.
Siemian’s résumé features a 13-11 report, which coach Adam Gase talked about to the crew Thursday morning when he broke the Darnold information, however the former Denver Broncos starter hasn’t performed a regular-season sport since Dec. 14, 2017. He was Kirk Cousins’ caddie final season with the Minnesota Vikings, a fixture on the bench.
Now he is being requested to rescue the Jets in what most likely might be a multigame gig towards a brutal schedule. He’ll begin Monday towards the Cleveland Browns (eight:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), adopted by on the New England Patriots, the Week four bye, on the Philadelphia Eagles, at dwelling towards the Dallas Cowboys and the Patriots (once more).
That may have been tough for a wholesome Darnold. It’s a large problem for Siemian, who has the worst Complete QBR (42.1) among the many 30 quarterbacks with at the least 1,000 motion performs since 2016. Luke Falk, who might be elevated from the observe squad, will function the No. 2 QB on Monday evening.
The early bye will assist, however the Jets may very well be Zero-Three at that time. Monday evening might be an enormous sport for the Jets — as massive because it will get for mid-September.
Siemian was uneven in coaching camp, impressing together with his sturdy arm on some days however scuffling with accuracy on others. His preseason numbers look good on paper (25-for-32, one landing, no interceptions), however he handed for 158 yards. He was Captain Checkdown towards second- and third-string defenses.
Trevor Siemian (19) and Luke Falk have moved up the Jets’ QB depth chart following information Sam Darnold might be out indefinitely. Noah Ok. Murray/USA TODAY Sports activities
Gase should tweak his sport plans. Not like Darnold, whose energy is being able to make performs exterior the pocket, Siemian is a pure pocket passer. When his safety breaks down, he will not be capable to make improvisational performs the best way Darnold can. When his protections maintain up, he has the potential to carve up a protection. The Jets know this primary hand. In 2017, Siemian accomplished 19 of 31 passes for 200 yards and a landing in a 23-Zero win towards the Jets.
The Jets signed Siemian to a one-year, $2 million contract as a result of they felt assured he may very well be a short-term starter.
“He isn’t a panic man,” Gase stated. “He is acquired a calmness about him.”
Siemian can be calmer with Le’Veon Bell within the backfield, however there’s some query about that. Bell, coping with shoulder soreness, was scheduled for an MRI on Thursday afternoon. Gase did not appear alarmed, however gamers haven’t got MRIs until there’s some concern. If Bell is full-go for Monday evening, he will be the workhorse, taking the strain off Siemian. The offense must run by way of him as a result of he is one of the best participant. If Bell is out, Ty Montgomery and Bilal Powell will decide up the workload.
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Siemian will not have beginning broad receiver Quincy Enunwa (season-ending neck damage) and the offensive line, which struggled within the Jets’ Week 1 loss to Buffalo, is a piece in progress. Middle Ryan Kalil, who got here out of retirement at first of coaching camp, spent the whole summer time practising with Darnold. Now he has to get conversant in a brand new quarterback whereas persevering with to study the nuances of Gase’s offense.
Principally, the Jets are a large number on offense.
A silver lining? Gase is not any stranger to quarterback calamities. In 2017, he misplaced Ryan Tannehill in coaching camp to a season-ending knee damage, prompting the Miami Dolphins to coax Jay Cutler off his sofa. That did not go effectively, however Gase realized how to deal with adversity.
“What’s our angle going to be?” Gase requested rhetorically. “Is it going to be woe is me, the sky is falling? Or is that this one thing we will embrace?
“We will look again at this and that is going to be a great factor for us,” he added. “I feel it should convey the locker room even tighter.”
The morale might be examined, little doubt.