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Florham Park – I don’t want to be a broken record. All spring and summer I wrote that Josh McCown
clearly gives the Jets their best chance to win. Today he was named the starter.
In my opinion, there really wasn’t a quarterback competition. It was window-dressing for something else entirely. What was going on in the spring and summer, was the Jets were giving their two young quarterbacks – Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty a ton of reps in practices and games. They felt the only way for these guys to truly learn and mature was to get a lion’s share of the reps in spring and summer practices, but if it wasn’t framed as a competition, it wouldn’t make any sense.
So what has been going on is the Jets were calling it a “competition” but it was ruse. It really wasn’t a competition. It was a way to get the two young guys valuable reps.
And the Jets felt they could do this because of McCown’s extensive experience as a #2 QB who has often had to prepare for action with limited back-up reps, and relying on a lot of mental reps, because as a reserve QB, he would never get a lot of practice reps.
I asked McCown this very question last week.
Q)Did all those years as a #2 quarterback prepare you for how this summer was handled (limited reps in practice and preseason games)?
McCown: You nailed it in the question. There’s guys that are obviously that are going to go in and they’re starters and they are starters their whole careers and there’s guys that don’t necessarily enjoy that, like myself who have been in and out long enough and you develop a way to learn, study, have yourself prepare because the team expects you to play well when you go in there and you don’t want to have any drop-off. So absolutely you draw on those experiences and I think it’s part and parcel to why Coach Bowles feels comfortable with going through this process the way that it is.
To me, that quote explains it all.
In 2013, with the Chicago Bears, McCown played in eight games, starting five, and finished with 13 touchdowns, one interception and a 109.0 passer rating, filling in for an injured Jay Cutler during that season. He didn’t go into that season as the starter, didn’t get the starting reps in camp or in preseason games, but when he was thrust into action during that season, he played well. So there is anecdotal evidence this can work.
I have told you guys for the last few months, and I truly believe it – watching McCown in every practice this spring and summer – he can be a very good game-manager for the Jets – he’s smart, can read defenses and makes quick decisions. And you know what, after last year’s dysfunction, the Jets need this guy’s alpha dog leadership qualities in the locker room and on the field. He’s a tremendous leader. The team lacked leadership last year, and when you have a lot of young players, it’s good to have this kind of guy leading them from the most important spot on the field – the quarterback position . . .
the Jets traded safety Ronald Martin to Indianapolis for long-snapper Thomas Hennessy. Some people thought this was a money move since Tanner Purdum makes $900,000 and Hennessy makes $465,000. I don’t think so. Purdum signed a one-year deal this off-season for $980,000 with $405,000 guaranteed. So when you combine Purdum’s guarantee and Hennessy’s salary, it adds up to $870,000. So it’s not a big difference. Perhaps the Jets want to save $110,000, but from what I hear, Purdum didn’t have a great training camp. I think that is more of what is at play here.
And remember Boyer came to the Jets after being the assistant special team’s coach in Indianapolis. He’s good friends with Tom McMahon, the long-time special team’s coach there. I’m sure McMahon told him the kid (Hennessy) has looked good this summer if you need another guy. The Colts are going with Luke Rhodes.
August 28, 2017
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