Ryan’s QB miscues could be an omen for Bowles’ dilemma
HERE we go again. That is the prevailing thought surrounding the Jets’ quarterback situation which, after three preseason games, doesn’ t l ook any more pro misi ng than when t ra i ni ng camp began. At this point, it is destined to doom coach Todd Bowles the way it did Rex Ryan.
Bowles was on a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning sounding like he rather would be having a root canal than talking about his quarterbacks. This was a day after naming Josh McCown the starter for the regular-season opener at Buffalo.
You would h ave ex pe c te d a speech about how the organization and the players have full con- fidence in McCown or a message intended to rally the fan base with something like “this is our leader going into battle.” Instead, Bowles opted for convoluted coach-speak comparing the quarterback’s availability to the punter and snapper and about how the Jets would use Thursday’s preseason finale against Eagles “to work on stuff.”
Let’s face it: This was a quarter- back competition that ended by default. McCown, who signed a oneyear, $6 million contact with the Jets in March after two seasons with the Browns, didn’t win the job as much as Christian Hackenberg proved he isn’t ready to be a starter. The mistake the Jets made was not making their decision last week, after Hackenberg proved against the Lions that he wasn’t ready to be the starter.
The Je t s should have named McCown the starter a week ago and allowed him to play extended minutes against the Giants, so the offense could establish some type of consistency and clean up “stuff ” against the Eagles if needed. Now, a quarterback who is on a new team and 2-20 in his past three years as
a starter has one preseason game remaining to get ready for the season opener.
Traditionally, starters — especially quarterbacks — don’t play in the final preseason game, or play just enough to break a sweat. Keeping players healthy and looking at those on the bubble of being cut becomes the priority. The Jets have managed togo into Thursday’ s game against the Eagles at MetLife Stadium needing their starting quarterback to take extended reps to get ready for the Bills. No wonder they still have “stuff ” to work on.
Ryan was fired after the 2014 season thanks in part to a quarterback situation that deteriorated in 2012 when Mark Sanchez was benched for Tim Tebow and then Greg McElroy. The 2013 season became a disaster when Sanchez was injured during a preseason game and Geno Smith, a rookie, became the starter. Smith threw 21 interceptions against 12 touchdown passes. The Jets finished 8-8. In 2014, Smith and Michael Vick shared time at quarterback during a 4-12 season.
Once Sanchez l ost hi s conf idence in 2012, Ryan spent three seasons t r y- ing to bring stability to the position by changing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators. None of it worked, and by 2015 he was gone.
Bowles is heading toward a similar scenario. Ryan Fitzpatrick gave him a career year when the Jets went 10-6 in 2015. Now the position is a mess. McCown won a quarterback competition having played just the opening series of the first the preseason game. That might be an NFL first where no injury was involved.
Saying McCown gives the Jets the best chance to win “right now” is not an over- whelming endorsement of the leader of your offense. McCown will be the fourth different starter the Jets have had on Opening Day since 2012 after Sanchez, Smith and Fitzpatrick, now a backup with the Buccaneers. At age 38, McCown is not a long-term solution. His ideal role would be to serve as the veteran backup for Hackenberg or Bryce Petty and play only if needed.
An uncertain quarterback situation ultimately cost Ryan his job with the Jets. It could do the same to Bowles.