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A couple of important Jets issues to get into today in our Website Whispers . . .
Chris Collingsworth, of NBC Sports, said at the beginning of the Denver-Indianapolis game tonight, that in order for the Colts to beat the Broncos. they need to stop C.J. Anderson.
That certainly wasn’t the case last week. The Jets stopped Anderson and lost 23-0.
Like I said the other day, if you play a team with an average QB like Trevor Siemian, who is better suited to be a backup, you need to stop the run and make that quarterback beat you. The Jets did that, and Siemian beat them.
This points to the fact that the Jets’ pass defense has major issues and needs to be repaired in the off-season.
It’s not just the lack of enough top-shelf cover guy, but also the lack of an ideal edge-pass rush. That is a bad combination.
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has a lot of work to do this off-season . . .
There is a lot of speculation on whether quarterback Josh McCown will be back next year with the Jets.
Jets running back Matt Forte said that McCown said to him after the game, “That might be my last pass.”
To me, that was just a very emotional player after the game thinking the worst.
Like I said the other day, if this injury had been a torn ACL, a torn rotator cuff, a blown out achilles or something like that, I’d say he’s finished.
But not a broken non-throwing hand.
If he’s re-signed, he will be good to go to start the team’s off-season program.
And he clearly wants to play.
He’s really comfortable in the Jets’ offense, loves working with offensive coordinator John Morton and quarterback coach Jeremy Bates.
He also has a strong bond with so many of his teammates who love him like a brother.
This is a good marriage.
I wouldn’t read too much into what Forte said.
Reading the tea leaves, I think McCown wants to play another year.
And I think the Jets want him back.
“Why wouldn’t I? John Morton said about McCown coming back in 2018. “Look at the stats.”
McCown finished the season with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions, a 94.5 QB rating. He completed 67.3 percent of his passes, which is excellent.
So bringing him back is the way to go.
He still has his arm strength, he still has his legs, and most importantly, from a mental standpoint, he’s in a great spot.
There isn’t much he has seen in 16 years of pro football.
Forget his age. He’s still got it.
And the Jets need him next year.
Pick a quarterback high in the draft, let that kid compete with Christian Hackenberg for heir apparent job to McCown (in 2019), and go with McCown as the starter/mentor next season.
The Jets have now missed the playoffs seven straight seasons.
They can’t write off the 2018 season having a young QB learning on the job.
Their fans deserve a playoff season.
December 14, 2017
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