Offensive coordinator defends critical call in loss

The Jets’ chances at victory Sunday in Miami vanished suddenly when Josh McCown threw an interception with 39 seconds remaining in a tie game. The Dolphins took over at the Gang Green 27-yard line and kicked the winning field goal three plays later.

In retrospect, the Jets could have run the clock out and played for overtime, even with three timeouts still in their pocket. They also could have run a different, safer opening play — maybe a screen or a draw. But play-caller John Morton disagreed with both those notions while speaking for the first time since the loss Thursday in Florham Park.

“I called one of our best plays,” Morton said. “(McCown) didn’t see the guy in the flat. So he threw the ball, and they picked it. I’ll call the same play again, because it’s a play that works really well.”

McCown admitted afterward that his vision was obstructed on the play, and he didn’t see cornerback Bobby McCain until it was too late. The 38-year-old signal-caller has now thrown seven interceptions on the season to go along with two fumbles lost. In a Week 6 loss to the Patriots, McCown threw a pick at the end of the first half that allowed New England to tie the game heading into halftime.

McCown won the starting job in preseason largely because the coaching staff trusted him to protect the football. Nonetheless, Morton isn’t alarmed with McCown’s turnover rate so far.

McCown is on pace to set career highs in passing yards, completion percentage and touchdowns.

“I’m not frustrated,” Morton said. “He’s played a lot of ball, man. I’ve got the upmost confidence in him. He’s playing really good ball.” because he slammed his helmet into the turf while still on the field.

“It was a straightforward conversation,” Anderson said. “He just don’t want anything like that to happen again. But he understands my frustration, and I understand his frustration, as well.”