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Here are some thoughts from Jets Confidential publisher Dan Leberfeld about the Jets’ 16-6 loss to Detroit in Week Two of the preseason.
This Jets’ first team pass defense wasn’t that great. It’s exactly what I’m seeing in training camp. Too much pitch and catch against them. Not enough defensed passes. They are still getting on the same page. Two rookie safeties and not enough plays on the ball by the corners.
And there were three blown coverages.
It’s time for the Jets’ brass to allow Dexter McDougle to compete for the second or third cornerback spot. No more anointing.
McDougle had his second strong preseason game in a row, not just in pass defense, but in run support . . .
It’s time to end this Potemkin Village QB competition.
Josh McCown is going to be the Jets’ quarterback in Week One. It’s possible we find that out this week, since the third preseason game is the dress rehearsal for the opener, and the starters generally play into the third quarter.
It’s time for the Jets to pull the plug on this QB competition and start letting their starting offense play more together, to develop continuity, and to be ready for Week One.
Christian Hackenberg isn’t ready to staart. He played the entire first half in Detroit, and finished 2-6 for 14 yards. His deep ball down the right sideline to Robby Anderson wasn’t particularly accurate, and the speedster didn’t have much of a chance to haul it in. Hackenberg also had an strange incomplete pass on third down when he tried to stop himself from throwing mid-motion, and the ball came trickling out of his hands and went forward a couple of yards. This showed he lacked the confidence to pull the trigger on this play and tried to pull it back in. He’s being too cautious right now, too afraid of taking chances and possibly throwing a pick. He also had a low pass to tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the left flat that was down by his feet. He still has a ton of work to do before he’s ready to start.
Bryce Petty played the second half, and led the Jets on two drives that resulted in field goals.
Petty has improved, but he needs to get his team in the end zone more. That was a problem last year, and tonight.
Bill Parcells always said, “A quarterback is judged by his ability to get the team in the end zone.”
Petty needs to do that more . . .
Outside linebacker Corey Lemonier helped his chances of making the team a great deal tonight with a sack and interception. Of all the Jets outside linebackers, he might be the most athletic . . .
Sheldon Richardson was the Jets’ most effective defensive lineman tonight. He’s was very active and his top-shelf athleticism was on full display. The Jets would be nuts to get rid of him. Defensive lineman with this kind of athleticism are rare . . .
Reserve safety Ronald Martin seems to be coming into his own after a couple seasons on the practice squad. He threw his body around tonight and had four tackles. Another reserve safety who helped himself tonight was Shmarko Thomas, who was very active on special teams and in run support . . .
Wide receiver Myles White had a nice return to his native Detroit with three catches for 43 yards . . .
August 19, 2017
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