Florham Park – Jets QB Justin Fields is starting to get some criticism after a few rough training camp practices.
Some of the criticism is based on media training camp practice stats, which are reckless. This is not the time of year for QB stats. Training camp is for learning the playbook, improving technique, and developing chemistry with teammates, QB stats that are devoid of context.
But whatever you think of this yearly media tradition, quite honestly, nobody should be criticizing Fields for his inconsistency as a passer.
Former NFL lineman Mark Schlereth who broadcast some of Fields’ games in Chicago for Fox Sports, said recently on his podcast – “You watch him from the pocket, he’s off on that throw, the timing was bad on that throw, that one got picked of, and then all of a sudden the inside receiver runs a slant and the outside receiver is on a seam route and Fields is perfect down the seam – in front of the safety before he has a chance to break on it and it’s a dime – bam – and the guy is down the seam for a touchdown.”
This description sums up Fields’ first four seasons in the league, three with Chicago and one with Pittsburgh. The QB is like a home run hitter given to strikeouts, like a Jim Thome or Adam Dunn for baseball fans out there.
So don’t get mad at the player. He’s doing his thing to the best of his ability. He is who he is.
It’s obvious what the Jets want to achieve with their offensive formula – run the ball frequently with their running backs, led by Breece Hall and their QB, and complement that approach with a high volume of RPOs, bootleg throws, and play-action passes.
Time will tell if this vision will work.
But criticizing Fields right now seems a little misguided.
What is he doing differently now than the film of his first four NFL seasons?
Did you expect him to turn into Peyton Manning or Tom Brady as a passer when he signed his Jets contract?
C’mon now.
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