 joined by a member of our show. He's a part of the show as well. We talk to him every Monday. They play usually on the weekends, but they played yesterday, so Sam Donald joins us now, and I have a nice warm welcome for the quarterback of the jet, Sam Donald. I think people are upset he cut the line though. He cut the line really. Sam Donald reported on 9870 ESPN Brunch by Miller Light and the New York Structural Steel Painting Contractors Association. I always wonder, Sam, thank you for coming in after playing last night. When you play a game like that, the next day, do you ache? Do you feel pain? Yeah, you know, body's aching a little bit, but it's nothing, nothing crazy. You know, I thought really, for the most part, our offensive line did a really good job. I mean, running the football, everyone did a really good job in the running game. I thought I could have done a lot better in the past game. Again, really good team. We had our chances in the first half, but you know, once they got going on offense and, you know, when we kind of stalled a little bit there in the beginning of the second half, it was hard to stop them. I don't know if you got this feeling. I saw some of your teammates said this as well. I just had the feeling watching the game. If you guys scored at the end of the second quarter, it might have been a different vibe. I don't know if you win, but it might have been a different vibe. Do you feel that? 100%. I mean, when you're down there, especially against a good team, really against anyone in the NFL, you know, if you get a chance to go down there and score at the end of a, at the end of a half, you got to make the most of that opportunity. You know, I think that killed us, especially the turnover. It was a dumb decision. You know, just poor, poor timing as well. So it was just, you know, it's not going in the half, having that happen. And then in the second half, we couldn't really get anything going there in the third quarter. Is this the best team you faced this year? It's hard to say. Really? Yeah. I mean, that offense was rolling. Um, you know that Lamar is playing about as well as anyone could play in the league right now. So, and their defense was tough. So I was one of our, our toughest challenges so far this year for sure. Did you, uh, did you and Lamar have any dealings, uh, like post college pre NFL during that time at all? No, no. So are you really just getting to watch him for the first time sort of now as it's unfolding in front of all of us? I mean, I watched him at Louisville when he won the Heisman. I mean, he was, he was balling then too. I mean, I had a good feeling that he would do really spectacular in the NFL too. So do you think it was weird though when people started doubting him before the draft? Like I always found it odd that I mean, people are doubt, people doubt everyone before the draft. They, they try to find every thing that's wrong with her, which they should do. You know, it's, you know, it's a huge, especially if you're going to take a quarterback in the first, second round, uh, you know, that's, that's an important pick, especially if you're going to pick a quarterback there. So, um, people are going to doubt any time you pick a quarterback in the first round, they're going to doubt that person. But, um, all things considered, I think he's doing a great job handling it. And he's been balling. You know, I wanted to ask you this because I asked you about how your body felt. He said, you know, you're the lanky yet. That's, that's the game. Can he continue to play like that and run and get hit at more than most quarterbacks and survive? We'll see. I think, you know, Vic did it. Michael, Vic was able to do it all those years. Um, you know, there's been, there's been plenty of quarterbacks, I think, especially early on in the NFL, uh, that were able to do it, you know. So, um, I think if anyone could do it, he could. Towards the end of the game, the cameras caught you having a bit of a, I wouldn't say heated conversation with Gates, but you seem like you were frustrated. Anything to that? No, no, there's nothing to it. And it wasn't, you know, I wasn't frustrated with Gates or anything like that. It was the situation. Uh, I believe it was in the fourth quarter. Uh, you know, it was just a frustrating time. We, uh, went forward on fourth and short. Didn't get it. Um, so I was just kind of talking about the play and, um, it wasn't me, you know, complaining to Gates about anything or anything like that. It was just both of us being frustrated. Now, if you watch the video, I don't know if you're really going to take us into the conversation, but the backup quarterback, I think, was standing to the right. You had your helmet on. You said something to Gates and the look on was Phel's face. David Phel's. Yeah, he was like, I mean, he was stunned at what you said. I mean, did you say anything that would stun him? No, no. Have you seen what the video on top of that? Yeah. Yeah, I've seen it. I have to look this up now because I've not seen this. Um, yeah, I said it earlier in an interview, but, you know, David's, he's, you know, he makes that face every now and then for no reason, but, uh, and he gave, you know, uh, Dave is an awesome guy, awesome person. Uh, but there was, you know, it was a conversation, uh, and it wasn't heated. I think we were both just frustrated at what was going on and, uh, that was really, uh, there was nothing really to it. Do you have a relationship that if you were frustrated or you disagreed with something that you could have that conversation? Absolutely. I'm watching the video. It seems that way. You look like people who know each other or a little pissed off in the moment. Yeah. You know, I think, uh, there's definitely better ways, you know, if we are going to hash it out, which that wasn't even the case at that moment. But you know, if we are going to hash it out, it's not going to be on the field. We both know better than that. Uh, but I think during that situation during that span of the game, when things were kind of getting out of control there late in the fourth quarter, uh, you know, my emotions or really our emotions got the best of us. If you get home tonight, go, go Google Phil Sims and Bill Parcells. I mean, Parcells would scream at him constantly. That was more one sided. Yeah. Phil didn't answer back. Yeah. Adam Gates never told you to go sit the blank down. Right? He hasn't done that yet. Right. No. And if he, if he did, I would probably not say anything back to him. So has, has, I mean, I don't want to be dramatic, but has this been everything that could go wrong? The season has gone wrong. Um, I mean, there's a, we could make a lot of excuses for why, you know, we're not doing well or we're not winning games. But you know, our team has done a great job of being resilient and going out there and making the most of every Sunday or Thursday night. So, uh, we've been doing, you know, we've been, we've, we've also had opportunity. I mean the end of that second half, I, like we said, uh, we were moving the ball. We were playing well. Uh, and then I just made that one critical error, uh, the turnover that killed us and, uh, you know, but we're not far off. I know it seems like it, but I mean, we're not far off and guys in the locker room believe and that's really the only thing that matters. Well, one thing that has worked out this year that you can affirmatively point to is the dynamic between you and Jameson Crowder. Um, what's your guys relationship like and how nice of a security blanket is he to have? I'm a Redskins fan. I miss him terribly, but it's certainly your guys game. Yeah. Crowder is awesome. Uh, he just goes out there. Uh, you know, you can kind of tell when he plays, I say this about a lot of guys and if they're a receiver, if they're a skilled player, you can tell that he's played basketball before and that he was a really good basketball player. He's just got a really good feel out there. And for him, just, uh, almost on that first touchdown, I felt like the play was almost over. And then, you know, he kind of just snuck in the back corner and I kind of felt him and the defenders, you know, eyes were on him and he wasn't looking at me. So I thought I could fit the ball in there. And, you know, he did a really good job of coming back after the one that he dropped. And, uh, yeah, I've just, you know, had a really good report with him this whole year. And, um, again, he's a, he's a really good person, really good dude. Did you want to come right back to him after he dropped that one? I mean, you can see it on his face. I mean, is that important for quarterback? Let me get right back. So it's not on his mind. Absolutely. I mean, you're not thinking about it, too much. But for me, it's in that moment. It's like, all right, whoever's open, I'm going to throw it to him. You're not really thinking, oh, I got to come back to him because he just dropped it. You know, we're professionals. We know that we have a job to do and we're, we're going to get it done if things don't happen the way they're supposed to. Like, if he doesn't catch a ball, he knows I'm coming right back to him if he's open. Is anything, I mean, I always wonder what's said in that huddle. Like, after he drops it, do you look at him go, what was that? I mean, you just don't say work. No, I mean, I kind of, you know, me and Crowder have a good relationship. I kind of smiled at him like, come on, bro, he's serious. Especially after, after he caught the touchdown afterwards. Right. That's when I was like, could have made a lot easier for you. Sam, I know you're not an excuse maker, but the numbers don't lie. Road team's on Thursday, especially if they're like a two touchdown dog. It's impossible. It really is. I mean, how, how unfair is it to play these Thursday games, especially short turnaround against great teams? I mean, everybody has to do it, but for somebody that used to playing once a week, how tough is it to just turn around on a Sunday and then play that next Thursday? It's tough, but I mean, every single game you play in the NFL is tough. You know, it's going from Sunday to Thursday. You have to cram it in. You have to cram your schedules in just like the home team does. You know, the only difference is that's traveling, which wasn't bad. You know, it was only a two and a half, three hour train ride that we took to Baltimore. So I mean, it's not, it wasn't bad. And you know, there's, I don't think there's really anything to it. It might be coincidence. I think if now if teams have to go cross country, I think that's a different scenario. But for us, it wasn't an excuse at all. We'll talk with Jack quarterback, Sam Garner. We'll take a brief time out. We'll come on back. We'll finish it up until six o'clock with Sam, but Sam nice enough to come into Buffalo Wild Wings. The fans are thrilled to see him a lot of Sam Garner jerseys there. And we'll be back in just a moment right here on yes and 98 70 SPN show everybody. We're in the middle of the Sam Garner report brought to my middle light, the original light beer brewed for more taste and only 96 calories. Middle light hold true and the New York structural steel painting contractors association to learn more about the New York structural steel painting contractors association. Check out NYS SPCA.net. And we are joined here at Buffalo Wild Wings in the flesh by Jets quarterback, Sam Darnold. And Don, I want to tell you what kind of friend you have in Peter. So during the break, you walk your meeting fans and Peter shows Sam the picture of your unrequited high five. Do you have any questions? We ask you a lot of questions every week. You want to ask Don anything about what happened there? Yeah, what are you? What were you thinking? I wanted to give her a high five. She's a nice woman, but she didn't see. So you got away from the eye contact. Yeah, I couldn't agree more. And how do you not bail on it? You got to know when to throw the ball away. Am I right, Sam? Thanks for saying it to you. Yeah. Well, I'm learning. It's hot. You got to get it. You just kept going to the face. Well, I was hoping that I'd get it. Unless you would see it. I contacted already sale. So now what do I, what I got to adjust? You should have just mushed her face. Sometimes it's just. Yeah, but the hand in front of her face was intrusive. It's okay. I bounce back with Alex Lee. Okay, great. So I'm, you know, completing 50% of my pass. It's not NFL worthy, but you know, some good, some backup quarterbacks with less. It made more. Yeah, absolutely. It's a good point. I've read something in the paper today after the specific amount of games that you've played, paired up against what Joe Namath did. I don't know if you saw this. Your numbers are better than Joe Namath's touchdowns, interceptions, completion percentage. I mean, does the specter of Joe Namath hang over this whole team, especially a quarterback? No, I mean, it's a little bit, football is a little bit different nowadays too. I mean, we're throwing the ball a little bit more, but Joe's Joe, man. I mean, his, I mean, he's just such a legend for us. Just after Jets. I mean, we haven't won a Super Bowl since he was here and he's just kind of that. I mean, you know, he won number one, most characteristic guy in the NFL, you know, NFL claimed him that guy. So he's just an awesome guy. Whenever he comes around, he comes around every now and then too. He's a great dude to be around. Do you have a substantive conversation with him ever? Absolutely. And does he talk quarterbacking? Does he talk broader scope? Yeah, I mean, he talks everything. He talks, he talks everything from when he was on the streets, you know, Broadway Joe, and then when he was out on the field. And you guys text? It's no, no, we don't just talk in person. We just talk in person. Yeah. And, you know, whenever he comes around, he's nothing but great. And he gives us two cents. I mean, he's he's also funny. He always says, you know, I don't know how much I could give you, you know, I can't give you much advice because football is so different nowadays. Like all the coverages and pressures people are bringing are so much different. But yeah, he has a fun time out there. And we're always so lucky to have him. It's statistically different. But I would think the position is the same as far as being a leader of men communicating in the huddle. I mean, I would think that probably in the 100 years of the NFL, that probably hasn't changed at all, right? No, no, it hasn't. I think just the way that he was with his teammates. And the thing is, too, is he won't he won't talk about it very much. You got to go to other people to hear about how great he was with his teammates, which is, in my opinion, the side of someone who was really great was a really great leader. So, you know, he was he was amazing with his teammates. And, you know, that's that's something that I aspire to be. Now, Sam, this has not been the season that anybody envisioned for the Jets. I'm certainly not you, I'm sure. And then you look around this place and there are people with your jersey on people carrying jet helmets and the jet fans are there. They're hungry. I mean, what does that mean to you to see that kind of support despite a season that you would probably rather have be better? No doubt. You know, it's it's nothing, you know, no one wants to go through it, whether you're a fan, a player, a coach. It sucks. I mean, but at the same time, I know it doesn't look like it, but we're getting better every single day. And, you know, for you guys to be able to come out there on Sundays and support us and be here and supporting the great Michael K show and just the whole Jets community has been nothing but amazing for us throughout since I've been here at least, you know, this is these last couple of years. So can you can you envision what it would be like if you guys did win and win big and win consistently? Have you envisioned that? Yeah, it would be amazing. There'd be nothing like it. And, you know, it's coming. It's coming one day. Now you say that improvements are happening and it's hard to see them because of the record. So can you tell us in layman's terms, what's getting better? What do you feel good about? I think for me personally, I'm just I'm getting the offense, you know, every single day, day in and day out. I feel like I'm getting so much better at understanding the offense and, you know, what just what's going on. I mean, there's so much that goes into it. And just seeing the coverages and different pressures, how teams are bringing them. I mean, there's so much that goes into playing quarterback. And I feel like I'm just understanding it every single day better and better. You know, that's that's really it. Is New York the metropolitan area? What you envisioned it was going to be when you were drafted here? It's a little bit more. You know, I thought it'd be similar to LA, but it's a little bit more than LA for sure. And I'm getting used to it every single day's new experience, especially in the city, if I ever make it out there. So yeah, it's a lot, but it's a good thing too. All right. This is a very hard question. It's been a tumultuous week. Do you really believe that Levy on Bell rolled a 251? Honestly, that's an incredible bowling score. It is. It's great. And yeah, I don't know if I believe it. Has he ever indicated that he's that good a bowler previously? No. I mean, he's never said anything about bowling. And he's just showing up on Saturday sick off the sickness. 250 is 251. Yeah. I don't know. Bumpers. Maybe. What's your what are your you play basketball, right? Yeah. And what else? What are your other what other sports are you good at? I played baseball. I played some beach volleyball golfer. No, not a huge golfer. I'm trying to get into it. You'll get there. Don't bother. It's not worth it. It's your legion. You're above it. Thank you. You're not very good. I hate it. He has made the statement. If they played the Masters in his backyard, he would call the authorities. He wouldn't even look. Wow. I mean, I will watch it. That's him. I got to tell you this. And since you're here, we can tell you this to your face. We've had weekly guests before and the only one that you even compare to is Eli Matting. No matter what the game the previous time, Eli Matting would call in when he was supposed to call in other people at bad phones. They just didn't feel great about being on. I even told our people, listen, he just played last night. If he doesn't want to come here, we shouldn't have him come. And they said, oh, he'll come. You've been nothing but class throughout a very difficult season. And we thank you for that. We're so happy. I'm proud that you're part of the show. Well, thank you guys. Yeah, for not asking me the tough question. Merry Christmas, Sam. Merry Christmas, guys. Happy holidays. All right, that's Sam Darnold, everybody.