It’s going to get real for Hackenberg
On the field, I know I’m going to have better years. This is just the start.
Just about a year ago, the Jets traveled north to Foxborough during the holiday season and delivered a lump of coal to their fans in the form of a 41-3 loss to the rival Patriots. A season marred by locker room discord, losing and underperformance officially hit rock bottom on that cold Christmas Eve at Gillette Stadium.
Tempers flared after the game. Sheldon Richardson publicly called out Brandon Marshall. The small fractures that had been growing all year splintered into full-fledged crevasses. “That was just an embarrassment,” outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins recalled of the game.
Over the ensuing 12 months, though, Todd Bowles revamped the culture at One Jets Drive. With the help of general manager Mike Maccagnan, he rid his locker room of disruptive personalities, including Richardson and Marshall. The organization brought in young guys and veterans with passion, leadership, drive and, most importantly, a willingness to listen and buy into Bowles’ message.
Now the Jets head back to Foxborough this weekend for their season finale. And while they boast an almost identical record (5-10) to this time last year, players reflected positively this week on the changes that have taken place in Florham Park since the last time Gang Green faced the Patriots on the road.
Jenkins, now in his second season, went so far as to say that
If Christian Hackenberg does finally make his regular-season debut Sunday at the Patriots, the mystery surrounding his ability will diminish — not just for fans and media, but for coaches at One Jets Drive.
Offensive coordinator John Morton said Thursday that Hackenberg seeing regular-season action would be a “determining factor” in measuring his progress as a quarterback.
“You have to wait until they’re in a regular season game to get a true evaluation of a guy. I truly believe that,” Morton said after practice in Florham Park. “We haven’t seen him in a real game yet.”
Hackenberg, regardless if he plays, will finish his second full NFL season in Foxborough this weekend. Thus far, the former second-round pick hasn’t taken a regular-season snap and has been active for just four regular-season games in his career.
On Wednesday, Todd Bowles said Hackenberg could play Sunday. Bryce Petty will start the game, but Hackenberg might sub in, possibly to start the second half. Bowles stayed true to that notion on Thursday.
FORTE’S LEG
Running back Matt Forte has been dealing with swelling in his surgically repaired right knee for most of this season. On Thursday, he revealed he’s “basically been playing on one leg” since the Jets’ bye in Week 11. Forte will finish this season with career lows in rushing yards, total yards, touchdowns and carries.
“That’s been tough,” Forte said of the knee, “and obviously that hinders your production level.”
Despite the nagging injury, Forte remains steadfast on playing next season, something he’s said frequently throughout this year. He doesn’t expect to need another surgery on the knee.
“I’ve been running the ball for 10 years,” Forte said. “And so you have wear and tear and sometimes joints get overworked and they swell up and they need time to heal.”
If Forte, 32, does play in 2018, it likely won’t be with the Jets, who will save $3 million in cap space if they cut the running back . ...
Forte (knee), defensive lineman Leonard Williams (back), wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (ankle), tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (ribs, foot) and right tackle Brandon Shell (concussion) did not practice. Wide receiver Robby Anderson (illness), cornerback Morris Claiborne (foot) and linebacker Jordan Jenkins (ankle, shoulder) were limited.