WHAT TOOK YA SO LONG?
JETS FINALLY NAME McCOWN STARTING QUARTERBACK
Todd Bowles made it official Monday — naming Josh McCown the Jets starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Bills.
It was the expected conclusion to the months-long competition between McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty.
“He gives us the best chance to win right now,” Bowles said.
What does that tell you about the Jets’ quarterback situation? McCown is 2-20 in the last three years as a starter. But it became apparent Hackenberg was not ready as the preseason wore on, finishing up with two pick-sixes on Saturday against the Giants.
Petty never seemed to get serious consideration as the starter, getting reduced practice reps and no time with the starting offense during the preseason. Bowles did not say who the No. 2 quarterback will be in Buffalo.
McCown will be the 30th starting quarterback the Jets have had since Joe Namath left town after the 1976 season. He is the fourth different starter the Jets have had on Opening Day since 2012 — joining Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
“I feel like I can go out and have my best year yet,” said McCown, a 15year veteran. “They’re going to get everything I’ve got.”
The 38-year-old has played just one series in the preseason — the opening one against the Titans on Aug. 12. Bowles said it is possible McCown could play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Eagles. Traditionally, the starters sit out the final preseason game.
The Jets gave the majority of the game reps to Hackenberg, the second-year quarterback from Penn State. Hackenberg had a strong start to training camp, but tailed off and struggled in his two preseason starts. “Everything he was seeing, going out there against some great defenses the past two weeks, he saw for the first and second time,” Bowles said. “He got better mentally and he got better in some things to learn from. It wasn’t disappointing. It was just a learning experience.” Hackenberg said he does not view losing out on the starting job as a disappointment. He tried to remain positive about it. “I’m confident in what I can do,” Hackenberg said. “You never know what’s going to happen, and you never know how things are going to shake out. I have to keep preparing that way and keep that mindset. “I try to keep the negativity out of my head. I don’t think it’s productive to anything. There are times you’re going to take a deep breath and be bummed, but ultimately, you have to take the positives out of it and move forward. You have to keep plugging.”
Quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates said the coaches will continue to work on Hackenberg’s development during the season. The practice reps will get harder to find now, but Bates feels Hackenberg can still develop.
“As a young quarterback in the National Football League, I don’t think you just sign your contract and automatically become Peyton Manning,” Bates said. “There are going to be bumps in the road. There are going to be ups and downs. The great ones have to come back and watch the tape and learn from both the positives and negative experiences and grow from that.
“As long as a young quarterback is continuing to grow and get better, then you can coach that.”
The microscope has been intense on Hackenberg after the Jets took him in the second round (51st overall pick) last year. Bowles said he should not be viewed differently because of where he was drafted.
“It’s not the pick we’re worried about,” Bowles said. “It’s the development of the quarterback. Like I said, the first year he didn’t play at all. This year, he got some significant playing time. He’s got some things to learn from, that he’ll get better from.”