OWNER ASKS FOR PATIENCE AFTER 5-11 YEAR
Five things to know about the New York Jets heading toward the season.
Guaranteed improvement? At a recent charity banquet, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said the Jets would win more games in 2017 than they did last season. “And that’s a fact,” he said. Not exactly a bold prediction, considering New York is coming off a 5-11 season. Interestingly, Joe Namath, the quarterback who famously guaranteed a Jets upset in Super Bowl III, was at the same banquet. He seemed unimpressed. “Right now, I don’t think there are many teams wary of the Jets,” Namath said. “Until they start playing well, who’s going to respect them?” The Jets have not made the playoffs since 2010 and have losing records in three of the last five seasons.
Safety valves: The Jets used their first two 2017 draft picks on safeties — first-rounder Jamal Adams and second-rounder Marcus Maye. Don’t be surprised if both rookies are in the starting lineup for the opener. “If they earn it, they could both start. I’ve seen it happen before,” coach Todd Bowles said. Fourth-year starting safety Calvin Pryor was upset that the Jets drafted two players at his position. “If you’re afraid of competition, then you don’t need to be here,” Bowles said when asked about Pryor’s hurt feelings. Pryor still could be dealt in the offseason.
McCown’s the front-runner: Journeyman quarterback Josh McCown is expected to win the job and be the bridge quarterback for the Jets, who continue to look for their franchise guy. He will turn 38 in July and is with his eighth team in 15 years. Despite losing 20 of his last 22 starts and throwing 29 touchdown passes vs. 24 interceptions in that three-year stretch, McCown appears to be the best option. His role will include mentoring second-year pro Christian Hackenberg and third-year pro Bryce Petty. If the Jets struggle, as is expected, Hackenberg will take his first NFL snaps this season. The Jets don’t know what they have in Hackenberg. They have a better read on Petty, who threw three touchdown passes and seven interceptions in six games last season. He doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer.
Lowering expectations: Owner Woody Johnson said the Jets would take a methodical approach to rebuilding and has asked fans to focus “on how we improved during the year,” not on wins and losses. It will be interesting to see if he’s patient with Bowles, who is 15-17 in two seasons. The Jets went 10-6 in Bowles’ first year, losing at the Buffalo Bills on the final day of the season to miss the playoffs.
Powell’s time: Given Matt Forte’s age (31) and recent knee surgery and Bilal Powell’s lateseason rush, it appears Powell will carry more of the workload this season. The 28-year-old running back finished strong in 2016, rushing for 411 yards and catching 21 passes for 141 yards while starting the final four games in place of Forte. The Jets will continue to use Forte, who had 1,076 yards from scrimmage. But they probably will rest him more because of the wear and tear from 2,770 touches he has had during a nineyear career.