New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) falls back while being sacked during the second half against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Ryan Clark crushes Sam Darnold for phantom sack

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 10/2/20

Sam Darnold showed on Thursday night that he still has a long way to go before he can be considered a serviceable NFL starting quarterback. Former NFL safety Ryan Clark felt one play in particular from Darnold showed that the New York Jets are in serious trouble.

Darnold took a brutal sack on 3rd-and-4 with the Jets trailing the Denver Broncos 27-16 early in the fourth quarter. He dropped back to pass and had a chance to get the ball off, but he instead pump-faked, lost his balance and fell to the turf. Clark described Darnold as a “poor baby stuck in a nightmare.”

Well guys it’s all come full circle for my guy Sam Darnold… last year he saw Ghost & this year he got sacked by one. Dang horror story continues. Poor baby stuck in a nightmare.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 2, 2020

Darnold was ruthlessly mocked last season after he admitted he “seeing ghosts” during a blowout loss to the New England Patriots. Darnold was mic’ed up for the game, and ESPN aired the clip, which angered Jets coach Adam Gase and others.

Darnold said he felt the reaction to his “seeing ghosts” comment was blown out of proportion, but he may never live it down.

The Jets lost 37-28 to Denver and fell to 0-4 on the season.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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