Flashes of brilliance. Spurts of inconsistency. Steady progress.

The first eight games of Sam Darnold's NFL career have been marked by the ups and downs typical of a rookie quarterback playing his way through a crash course of a life as a pro.Starting now Larry Warford Jersey Salute to Service , though, the face of the New York Jets franchise wants more."I'm always looking to improve," Darnold said Wednesday. "I guess I'm happy with the way I've played. I feel like I've stayed poised, I've done my job every week, but at the same time, in that same breath, I think I can always do a better job protecting the football."Darnold is tied with Denver's Case Keenum and Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston for the most interceptions in the NFL with 10. A week after throwing three against Minnesota, the No. 3 overall pick had none in New York's loss at Chicago.That's progress, and something off which he can build."Ten picks, it's not ideal," Darnold said. "You obviously don't want turnovers, but I thought I've been doing a good job lately of taking care of the football. If I can just do that, I think I'll be all right."As far as the Jets are concerned, Darnold is better than just "all right." They like the way he has handled himself during both the highs 鈥?a two-game winning streak during which he threw five touchdown passes 鈥?and the lows 鈥?a three-game skid and the team's current two-game losing streak.From the time Darnold was declared the starter for the season ahead of veterans Josh McCown and the since-traded Teddy Bridgewater, it has been all about letting him learn and grow."Just being able to find consistency," Darnold said when asked what his biggest focus has been. "I think I've done a pretty good job of, first of all, finding the open guys, but also I think I can do a better job of, once the open guy is not there if the first and second guy is not there, know exactly where my check-down is and go to him. If he's not there, go right to a scramble drill or look to find open room."If I feel the pocket closing down or everyone is closing in on me, just to be able to throw the ball away. Throw it at someone's feet and live to see another down. I think that's more of the growth that I see happening in the near future."Darnold is 21, but his approach is that of a more-seasoned player who has been through it all before. It has served him well, as has his refusal to repeat mistakes on the field."Just a natural progression each week," coach Todd Bowles said when asked what he's expecting over the next eight games. "Him getting out the huddle faster and making the audibles Ted Ginn Jr Jersey Salute to Service , understanding the game and the game slowing down for him, which he has done and will continue to do, and that's what we look for."Darnold has 11 touchdown tosses, having thrown at least one in each game except for the distressing loss at Cleveland in Week 3.There are other numbers, though, that look very much like they belong to a rookie. His 55.2 completion percentage 鈥?138 of 250 passing 鈥?is the second lowest in the league among quarterbacks who have thrown at least 130 passes. Darnold's 74.5 quarterback rating also ranks among the NFL's worst.The Jets rank 29th in overall offense, including 28th in the passing game. They're also 28th in the league while averaging 200.4 total yards per game, and their 314.1 yards per game is better than just three teams: Tennessee, Buffalo and Arizona. The last two also have been led by rookie QBs.The Jets' struggles aren't all on the rookie. Ankle injuries to Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson have left Darnold without his top two receivers, and there have been few options to step up in their place. Running back Bilal Powell, a versatile threat out of the backfield, is out for the rest of the season with a neck injury."Guys' first year in the NFL is usually a tough one," Darnold said. "I'm aware of that, but at the same time, we have certain standards here and expectations of winning. I don't really use that as an excuse."Darnold will get a chance to start turning things around on the field and in the standings Sunday at Miami, the first opponent he'll face for a second time. In Week 2, he had a season-best 334 yards passing, but also had two INTs in a 20-12 loss at home.He knows none of this is easy, and didn't expect it to be. Darnold just wants to be better."Sure it's tough," he said. "I mean, it's NFL football. It's tough defenses and they're doing some different things that I've never seen before, but at the same time, credit to the coaches, and Josh and Davis (Webb). We've been preparing really well throughout the week, every single week. We've just got to continue to do that, continue to prepare really hard Authentic Garrett Grayson Jersey , and I think that'll just continue to help me throughout the year."NOTES: WRs Quincy Enunwa (sprained ankle) and Robby Anderson (ankle), TE Neal Sterling (concussion), NT Steve McLendon (ankle), CBs Trumaine Johnson (quadriceps) and Morris Claiborne (excused absence), and LBs Frankie Luvu (neck) and Kevin Pierre-Louis (foot) did not practice. ... C Spencer Long (knee/finger), S Marcus Maye (thumb), LT Kelvin Beachum (knee/ankle) and LB Jordan Jenkins (ankle) were limited.Fleur-de-links, September 18: Browns release kicker after losing to Saints Saints News:Saints Become First Team To Beat Browns In 37 WeeksThe New Orleans Saints snapped their winless streak that dated back over eight months, and ended the Browns’ lengthy undefeated stretch of 37 weeks, by taking down undefeated Cleveland this afternoon, 21-18.Browns news: Zane Gonzalez was kicking injured vs. SaintsIt was a rough Sunday for the Cleveland Browns, particularly to kicker Zane Gonzalez. Gonzalez had a horrible performance in Week 2’s 21-18 Browns loss to the New Orleans Saints on the road, as he went 0 of 2 on extra point chances and 2 of 4 on field goal attempts.Watch Browns fans practice field goals on Bourbon Street | NOLA.comThe Browns missed four kicks in Sunday's loss to the SaintsSaints still searching for production from wide receivers other than Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr. | Saints | theadvocate.comThe New Orleans Saints spent the offseason upgrading the talent at the wide receiver position around Pro Bowler Michael Thomas and veteran speedster Ted Ginn Jr.Belief in scheme has led to big returns for Saints under new kickoff rule | Saints | theadvocate.comThe NFL's new kickoff rules have sparked a rash of big returns around the league through the first two weeks.Saints TE Watson suggests quarterbacks wear flagsWatson, a member of the NFLPA executive committee, made the suggestion on Twitter.Ep 184: Saints defeat Browns as Clevelands week 2 hope sails wide right | Game recap | Who Dat Confessional | SpreakerSpreaker provides you with all the tools you need to start a podcast and distribute it on iTunes, Spotify and more. Try our monetization features, analytics or enjoy our vast podcast catalogue.Around the NFL:Falcons favorites to win NFC South as Saints slipThe Saints opened as three-point underdogs against Falcons on Sunday.Josh Gordon trade: Seven times the Patriots turned another team’s castoff into treasure - CBSSports.comWill Gordon turn out to be as good with the Patriots as Randy Moss and Corey Dillon?NFL to showcase controversial Clay Matthews hitThe NFL will showcase Green Bay's Clay Matthews hit as an example of what not to do.Vikings cut rookie kicker, reportedly sign second most accurate kicker in NFL history - CBSSports.comWe're only two weeks into the season and the Vikings already have a new kickerLSU:LSU-Auburn inspired media insanity, from fan trying to invade LSU radio booth to correction-laden AL.com articleAgainst LSU, an Auburn fan got kicked out for repeatedly yelling into crowd mics. He came back and tried to invade the LSU radio booth.Wide receiver Drake Davis no longer with LSU after second arrest on battery charges - CBSSports.comDavis was already facing a second-degree battery chargeHow LSU's passing game adjusted to contain Auburn's defensive line | NOLA.comAfter a week of being scrutinized, the LSU offensive line stepped up to the challenge.Should LSU be No. 1 in Top 25 rankings? Here's why they should be, or at least No. 4 | LSU | theadvocate.comLSU should be No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll.Twitter: Custom New Orleans Saints Jerseys