LAMAR?
Should Gang target ’16 Heisman winner to be their next QB? News’ Manish Mehta answers your questions
THE THANKSGIVING week edition of the mailbag includes how the Jets really feel about Lamar Jackson myth, the Christian Hackenberg mystery, channeling our inner Allen Iverson and much more.
I have a better chance of being drafted to quarterback the 2018 Jets than Lamar Jackson.
Repeat after me: The Jets will NEVER draft Jackson to try to solve their quarterback quandary. It’s not going to happen, folks.
The way the Jets see it (and I wholeheartedly agree), there will be plenty of college signal callers in the upcoming draft better equipped to find success at the next level. The Jets, like many other teams, frankly, don’t believe that Jackson will thrive as an NFL quarterback.
Remember: College quarterback’s stats aren’t an indicator of pro success.
Here are the questions that matter:
1) Will the player’s skill set translate at the next level?
2) How much capacity for growth is there with good coaching?
3) What kind of scheme will maximize the player’s strengths?
4) Are you willing to run that scheme if you don’t already do? If so, can you achieve sustainable success in that scheme?
Jackson deserves plenty of credit for his achievements at Louisville, but he’s simply not in the same stratosphere as Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen as a pro prospect. So, don’t waste your breath even discussing the possibility of Jackson being in the conversation for their firstround pick in the upcoming draft. He won’t be.
The notion that the Jets would even consider Jackson in the second round is high comedy. Gang Green simply isn’t going to invest a premium pick (first three rounds) on him. Period. And you know what? They shouldn’t, because it would be a wasted selection. I think Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty should get opportunities to start in John Morton’s offense this season. It’s hard to fault Todd Bowles for sticking with Josh McCown given his uncertain status with the team beyond this season, but are we ever actually going to see Hackenberg in a regularseason game? Let’s be clear: The debate is not whether McCown deserves to be the starter. Of course he does. He’s played reasonably well through the first 10 games. It’s myopic, however, to view it through that lens. Shouldn’t the organization find out whether one or both of the young signal callers (especially the one taken in the freakin’ second round two years ago) has a chance to be a part of its future even if it’s as a backup? Hackenberg hasn’t taken a single regular-season snap in the 26 games since he was drafted. “This is professional football,” quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates said during the bye week. “This isn’t Triple-A.” The Jets aren’t making the playoffs barring a miracle run. It’s time to call up the kids from Triple-A.
Todd Bowles’ contract gives him final say over which players are on the field. It’s that simple. There’s obviously regular communication with general manager Mike Maccagnan, but it’s the coach’s call. Maccagnan and Bowles are also on parallel tracks with each directly reporting to ownership. So, the general manager does not have authority to fire the head coach. (FOUR QUICK HITTERS)
Lack of clear communication has been an issue. A talent upgrade is also needed. Look for the Jets to add a couple new starters in the offseason. Nope. He’s not the answer.
He lacked professionalism (punctuality was not his forte). He also couldn’t run and cover anyone. But, yeah, I suppose he played with heart.
Practice? PRACTICE?! Not a game, not a game. We’re talking about practice?
Yes, they actually practice.