JETS PRESEASON SCHEDULE
The offensive line has undergone a facelift, which is typically bad news given that you need cohesion and chemistry with that group more than any other on the field. Second-year right tackle Brandon Shell is key to this new puzzle. He showed some promise in the final few weeks last season, but is he actually ready to take over the full-time gig now? If so, Todd Bowles can safely move free-agent Kelvin Beachum to left tackle. Beachum, truth be told, is probably just as important as Shell. The Jaguars parted ways with him after one disappointing season.
Maccagnan is banking that Beachum will be much more productive in his second full season after undergoing knee surgery. He needs to be right for the Jets to have any chance of being a viable playoff contender in 2017.
l CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
Would it shock you if Bowles’ talented young wide receiving corps (Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson, Charone Peake, Devin Smith) took a significant step forward this year? Eric Decker provides veteran stability if he’s healthy and sticks around (no guarantee, by the way). Morton has a promising group of pass catchers to work with in his first season. If they grow up fast, watch out. l MCCOWN MAGIC? Okay, this doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like “Fitz Magic” — and requires a bit more of a glass-half-full mindset than the aforementioned factors — but anything is possible, right? Sure, the Jets’ plan entering this season is to give Christian Hackenberg a chance to prove that he can actually play, but let’s pose this scenario: What if McCown actually plays well early for a team that is winning?
The smart money is that McCown will be the Week 1 starting quarterback before handing over the reins to Hackenberg (or maybe Bryce Petty depending on how the draft unfolds).
But if the Jets are 6-2 at the halfway point (you never know), would Todd Bowles pull the plug on McCown for a guy with no career starts? Come on.
The 37-year-old McCown, of course, would have to stay healthy, which has been a challenge in recent years. But did anyone think that Ryan Fitzpatrick would lead the Jets to a 10-6 record a couple years ago? vs. Tennessee Titans. at Detroit Lions at Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles Photo by GETTY