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From leadership books to 'Game of Thrones' to alone time: How Jets' Sam Darnold stays mentally balanced

Some nights, when Sam Darnold has down time at his apartment around the corner from the Jets' training facility, he'll pick up his latest favorite book and dive in.

"The Dichotomy of Leadership" was written by two former Navy SEALs, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. And while it isn't exactly light reading, its subtitle underscores Darnold's ultimate goal as the Jets' quarterback: "Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win."

Starting as an NFL rookie quarterback, as Darnold has this year, is a physically taxing experience. Darnold will miss his second straight game Sunday against the Patriots because of a strained right foot.