LANDOVER — Sam Darnold looked sharp at times Thursday night in his first preseason start for the New York Jets, but it only took a few fellow rookies on the opposing defense to give him problems.
Washington Redskins first-round pick Daron Payne registered a third-down sack on Darnold on his first drive. Fifth-rounder Tim Settle later swatted a pass away with both hands, and fourth-rounder Troy Apke was on the receiving end of an interception.
The rookies made valuable plays to contain the Jets’ offense on the way to a 15-13 Redskins victory, and for Apke and Settle in particular, it won’t hurt when their coaches sit down with game film next week.
The Jets came out with three straight pass plays on Darnold’s first drive with the first-team offense. Payne cut inside the backup right guard and caught up to Darnold as he tried to scramble.
Daron Payne’s first sack with the #Redskins. Working vs RG, catches him lunging, clubs inside and chases down Darnold for the sack pic.twitter.com/UBGPFK4qjx
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 17, 2018
Payne missed the better part of three weeks of practice with an ankle injury and did not play in the first preseason game, so Thursday was his debut in a Redskins uniform and his sack came on his third play.
“It felt good to be back out there. I ain’t practice the whole month,” Payne said, laughing. “It felt good. I’m just glad I got it.”
Payne and the other defensive starters only played two series, and Settle soon replaced Payne on the interior D-line. In the closing minutes of the second quarter, the 328-pounder pushed against the Jets’ starting center, former Redskins Spencer Long, and took a bunny hop as he batted away a quick throw with both hands.
Good push from #Redskins rookie Tim Settle, working against a double team. Shows awareness to get his hands up and break up the pass pic.twitter.com/WgUYeUHUIC
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 17, 2018
On the same drive, the Jets gave Darnold a chance to go for it on fourth-and-1. He did not see Deshazor Everett lurking near intended receiver Jermaine Kearse, and Everett batted Darnold’s pass high in the air for Apke to field.
“I was just playing the post and honestly, Deshazor had a great tip on it and I was just running to the ball and made a play on it,” Apke said.
Troy Apke INT came after a great play by Deshazor Everett, who tipped the pass up for Apke to make a play on #Redskins pic.twitter.com/RJ1f7kkDZU
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) August 17, 2018
Darnold finished 8-for-11 for 62 yards and took two sacks.
Five of the Redskins’ eight picks in last April’s draft were defensive players. The group has been able to grow closer as their time in Washington has progressed.
“Coming in as all rookies, we’re always together, whether it’s meetings — because we have extra meetings when we’re rookies and things like that,” Apke said. “We’ve all bonded pretty well.”
“I’m always happy to see other guys eating,” Payne added.
As expected, Payne was Washington’s starting nose tackle, and he’s the overwhelming favorite to keep that job for the regular season. Settle was the second-string nose tackle behind him, and Apke was the second-string free safety, but they got extended time against the Jets’ starting offense in the second quarter.
Apke had previous experience playing against Darnold — when Apke was at Penn State, his squad lost to Darnold’s USC Trojans 52-49 in the Rose Bowl in January, 2017. “He got the best of me there,” Apke said.
Apke dropped the ball as the defense left the field after his interception, but he’ll still get to keep it as a memento of the night.
“Someone picked it up for me and brought it to the sideline and gave it to me,” he said. “I don’t know who that was, but I’m happy they brought it.”
But Apke and his new teammates definitely didn’t “drop the ball,” metaphorically speaking, Thursday night.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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