Jets hoping to find answers at minicamp
The Jets’ spring has become more about who is no longer on the team, but for the next three days the focus will be on the field again.
The Jets conclude their offseason workouts with a threeday mandatory minicamp in Florham Park where their entire 2017 team is expected to be on the field for a final few practices before breaking until training camp.
Here are the top five things we’ll be watching:
1. Hackenberg, Hackenberg, Hackenberg
Yes, the Jets have three quarterbacks competing to be the starter, but there is only one that draws all the attention — second-year man Christian Hackenberg. Last week, it became a big deal that reporters were hit by a couple of passes he bounced into the sideline area where the media stands. Anything he does seems to become news now.
Hackenberg has had some good moments this spring mixed in with plenty of bad ones during practices open to the media. It would be a confidence builder if he has a strong minicamp and heads into training camp feeling good about himself.
“I’m confident I can play at this level, and play at a high level,” Hackenberg said last week.
It is time to see him start proving that.
2. The Young Ones
The Jets made it official Monday, releasing wide receiver Eric Decker. That leaves the Jets with a whole bunch of young wide receivers.
Quincy Enunwa is really the only receiver the Jets have who has proven he can be a consistent threat in the NFL. Robby Anderson showed flashes as a rookie, but needs to be able to do more than run the go-route before he is considered a reliable receiver.
After those two, rookies ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen are going to get a look. Both have spent time in the trainer’s area this spring with injuries instead of on the field.
Second-year receivers Jalin Marshall and Charone Peake are also in the mix. It is a very young group, which means lots of work for offensive coordinator John Morton and receivers coach Karl Dorrell.
3. Filling Big Shoes
When David Harris was cut a week ago, it left a huge hole in the Jets locker room and in the middle of their defense. Harris has been the heart of the defense for 10 years, calling the signals and nearly always leading the team in tackles.
Coach Todd Bowles said last week Demario Davis, Bruce Carter and Julian Stanford will compete for Harris’ spot. You can throw in recently signed Spencer Paysinger, too.
Davis would seem to have the inside track, but he just got here two weeks ago in the trade with the Browns. There could be some confusion with the defense until someone gets used to being the “Mike” linebacker.
4. Pulse of The Room
The Harris and Decker moves were made after the media left the locker room last Tuesday. This week will be the first time to speak to players about those moves. Harris and Decker were popular figures in the locker room. Harris may have been the most respected player on the team. It will be interesting to see how these moves are being received in the locker room.
5. Rookie Report
With all the changes the Jets are undergoing, the focus is on the future and who will now be the core of this team. Rookie safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are going to start immediately this season. It will be interesting to watch them for three days and see how they look both from an Xs and Os standpoint and one of leadership. Six days after notifying Decker that he would be either traded or released, the Jets released Decker on Monday. The move came after Jeremy Maclin signed with the Ravens, a possible trading partner for the Jets. The release of Decker clears another $7.25 million in cash and cap space.