Jarrett Stidham sounds like he’s shaken off pick-six debut
Jarrett Stidham, the Patriots’ fourth-round pick this year, had an inauspicious NFL debut last Sunday, but he sounds like he’s already moved on.
Credit rookie New England quarterback Jarrett Stidham with moving on quickly from a disastrous first outing as a professional.
The former Auburn Tiger entered the Patriots’ Week 3 game against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter, with his team already up big at home by a score of 30-7. Stidham completed his first two passes to Phillip Dorsett and Rex Burkhead, despite absorbing a seven-yard sack in between the plays.
Then on 3rd & 14 from the Jets’ 48-yard line, Stidham air-mailed a pass to running back Brandon Bolden that landed right in the open arms of New York’s Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams. Adams ran it back 61 yards into the Patriots’ end zone, and just like that, Tom Brady was back in the game on New England’s next possession.
It’s certainly not altogether unexpected for a rookie quarterback making his first regular season start to make a mistake. After all, that’s what it means to be a rookie in the NFL.
What’s odd is that Stidham had previously displayed remarkable poise in preseason action against the Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants. He didn’t make any major errors, he read the defense well, and he operated like a quarterback well beyond his years.
Obviously there’s quite a jump between the preseason and the regular season, but it’s not like the 0-3 Jets have the look of world-beaters this year. Adams is unquestionably the most talented player on Gang Green’s defense, but let’s be honest – that pick-six could have been returned by just about anybody on the field; the throw by Stidham was just that horrific.
After the game, the rook owned up to his poor decision-making and said all the right things, per NESN’s Zack Cox:
"“It’s obviously not how you want to start things. I’ve just got to continue to trust in my ability and get the ball to the receivers the right way. I got a lot of work today. I’m excited about that. Just got to do better. … Obviously, I’m very thankful to get a few snaps. But wish it would’ve gone a little better. I just have to make a better throw, so I’m going to continue to get better and have a next-play mentality.”"
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It’s exactly what you want to hear from a rookie after he’s made a crucial gaffe in meaningful action. Hopefully Stidham now backs up his words by practicing all the harder and getting both better and smarter with his craft; considering how dominant this Pats team has been so far, he might get many more chances to enter games this season.