No Josh-in! Jets’ offense starts strong
Chandler Catanzaro missed a 55-yard field goal attempt to cap Hackenberg’s second series. The quarterback’s night was filled with quick hitters to wideouts and dump-offs to running backs. Nothing too sexy. Hackenberg rarely challenged Tennessee’s defense with intermediate or deep passes.
“He had some shots down the field that they took away by coverage,” Bowles said, “So, he went to his second read and got rid of the ball. So, a good job doing that.”
Hackenberg rarely challenged Tennessee’s defense with intermediate or deep passes…
Hackenberg averted disaster on his fourth drive when his third-down pass was batted in the air at the line of scrimmage, bounced off an offensive line and threw the arms of linebacker Nate Palmer.
The Jets had an opportunity to run a two-minute drill with Hackenberg when they took over at their own nine-yard line with 1:22 left in the first half, but chose the conservative path. Evidently, Bowles and Morton didn’t want to risk dinging Hackenberg’s confidence with a potential mistake just before halftime.
Hackenberg was sacked on his first snap of the second half thanks to an offensive line breakdown that led to two free runners. He ended his night with a lost fumble late in the third quarter on a botched exchange with center Jonotthan Harrison.
A few days ago, Bowles said that he wasn’t expecting the young quarterback to be Roger Staubach. ackenberg’s 83.2 passer rating won’t make anyone think he’s the answer to the franchise’s most maddening problem for the past half century, but this was a necessary step in his education if he has any chance of becoming it.
The theme on this night for Hackenberg was abundantly clear: Better safe than sorry.
A new set of expectations awaits next week. @MMehtaNYDN
HTHE JETS’ starting offense certainly didn’t look like the worst unit in NFL history Saturday night.
Gang Green kicked off its preseason slate against the Titans at MetLife Stadium and actually looked competent moving the ball on the opening drive of a 7-3 victory — a relatively surprising feat considering the lack of talent and depth at most positions, especially wide receiver.
Josh McCown, the 38-year-old journeyman, started under center and led the Jets on an eightplay, 78-yard touchdown drive. Second-year receiver Charone Peake, who entered this season with 19 career catches, hauled in a short reception and crossed the goal line for a four-yard score. It was the first time the Jets scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the preseason since 2003 at Tampa Bay, when Chad Pennington was the starting quarterback.
The Jets received the opening kick after Tennessee won the toss and deferred.
“That was my goal going into it and I think everybody, collectively, it was what we hoped and planned for it to go. And so when it did, it was like, ‘Well perfect,’” said McCown, who was replaced by Christian Hackenberg on the ensuing series. “That’s how I envisioned it going. When a team defers and they give you the ball first, that’s what you should do. You should score.”
A pair of key plays from the Jets’ young receivers set up Peake’s touchdown. First, following a roughing the passer penalty on second down, Jalin Marshall snagged a 15-yard completion on an out route. Two plays later, Robby Anderson sprinted past Titans cornerback Logan Ryan, and McCown delivered a perfect throw for a gain of 53, giving the Jets first-and-goal from the Tennessee two-yard line.
“That was a very good drive. We made some plays. Jalin started it off with that catch,” Anderson said. “I felt like that build the momentum and we all connected and stepped up and it was a good drive altogether, starting from the offensive line and all cylinders.” The drive was even more unexpected considering both Matt Forte (hamstring) and Bilal Powell (neck) — the Jets’ top two running backs — sat out the game with injuries. Rookie sixth-round pick Elijah McGuire started in the backfield, and while Gang Green attempted to run the ball in the opening series, they didn’t have much success.
McCown threw for 72 of the 73 yards gained on the scoring drive. The other five came on a penalty. McGuire finished with six carries for seven yards.
That lack of production is hardly all McGuire’s fault, though. The Jets also boast an unproven offensive line, and three of the five starting positions are up for grabs: right tackle, center and left tackle. Right guard Brian Winters and left guard James Carpenter are the only locks of the group.
Free agent signing Kelvin Beachum started at left tackle Saturday night. Wesley Johnson, who started eight games at center for the Jets last season, began the game in the middle of the line. And Brent Qvale started at right tackle. That group of five played two series to start the game, one in front of McCown and one in front of second-year signal-caller Christian Hackenberg, who completed 18 of 25 passes for 127 yards in eight possessions.
Hackenberg’s first series came with the entire starting offense. He completed all three of his passing attempts for 17 yards. For most of the night, though, Hackenberg was limited to short throws by John Morton, a savvy move from the greenhorn coordinator. Morton has one of the toughest challenges in the league this season, attempting to run a successful offense without many playmakers. But Saturday’s opening drive was an encouraging step.
“It was good to see,” Todd Bowles said. “It was good to start out for the guys, especially some of the younger guys that were out there. So just got to keep building.” GETTY