5 ways Panthers QB Sam Darnold can make his former team pay in Week 1
By Dean Jones
Sam Darnold must take charge
The notion of Sam Darnold ever becoming a vocal, charismatic leader that the Carolina Panthers once had with Cam Newton is just never going to happen. However, that does not detract from his cerebral approach to leading fitting in very well with this current group of players.
Darnold is imposing himself in his own way. Commanding the huddle and getting things done both at practice and during his time on the field in preseason games.
This was a good start. But nothing more than not.
Taking this into reps that matter more is the next step for Darnold. So if the signal-caller transitions this into Week 1 against the New York Jets, it going to provide tremendous assistance to his cause.
Anything tentative will be immediately sniffed out by the likes of Quinnen Williams, who went against Darnold every day in practice and knows exactly what characteristics he displays when confidence is low.
It’s also worth remembering that the Jets will see this as a great chance to gain an opening day victory versus a quarterback they know can get flustered under pressure and make decisions that potentially cost his team in a big way.
Darnold has to seize this opportunity. Communicating well, being in charge of every situation, and leading from the front is the right way to go.