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Look, I understand what is going on here. I’m not naïve.
Clearly the Jets are grooming Sam Darnold to take over sooner rather than later.
But I want to talk about Josh McCown a little today.
During the minicamp, on a few occasions, I was in close proximity to him in the Jets’ facility.
And I noticed something – the guy is in amazing shape.
There is so much talk about 40-year-old Tom Brady’s belying his age through his workouts and nutrition.
McCown is an absolute rock. He, like Brady, is in the condition of a much younger man.
He is listed at 6-4, 218, and it’s clear he has very little body fat. He has an ironing board stomach, if you will.
I think we need to look at older player a little different these days. You can’t just assume they have slipped due to their age.
So much more is known about nutritions and conditioning than 10-15 years ago.
Drew Brees is another guy shouldn’t be judged by his age. He’s 39 going on 30. I remember a former Jets player, who played with Brees in San Diego, saying his conditioning is off-the-charts. I remember he mentioned that Brees used to run on the treadmill full speed.
My point here is simple. These are three older quarterbacks who are still at the top of their game, mentally and physically.
Before I continue, I don’t want any of you to think of comparing McCown to Brees and Brady in terms of accomplishment. Based on their careers, Brees and Brady clearly are on another level.
But McCown is at the top of his game right now. What that level is, is subject to debate.
What I’m saying is that McCown is in a good place right now, where you are going to get the best football of his career. He still has his arm, he still has his legs, and mentally, he’s at the top of his game.
I think the Jets’ plan is to have McCown start until they fall out of wildcard playoff contention. I usually write “wildcard playoff contention” due to Tom Brady being in the division.
I think Todd Bowles needs to win this year.
He’s coached back-to-back 5-11 teams.
I could be wrong, but I get the sense that Mike Maccagnan’s job security is a tad bit more secure than Bowles.
That is the sense I get reading the tea leaves.
Let’s be honest, let’s say the Jets go 5-11 again, just for argument’s sake, do you think Bowles can survive three seasons like that in a row?
Some people would say, he just signed a two-year contract extension, giving him three years left on his deal. Hey, Buffalo ate three years of Rex Ryan’s contract, why wouldn’t Chris Johnson eat two years?
And McCown gives Bowles the best chance to have a winning record this year.
While Darnold is the future, he needs a lot of work, and the Bowles needs to win this year, and McCown gives him the best chance to do that.
June 19, 2018
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