Jets training camp primer
With the Jets reporting to training camp Friday, here’s a primer of the biggest issues:
Biggest comeback
Matt Forte played most of last season with a torn meniscus in his right knee. Ultimately he landed on injured reserve in December and required surgery in January. Forte is fully recovered, and the weapons-starved Jets need him to return to the form he showed in some of his best years with the Bears. They will be counting on him not only to run the ball, but also to catch it out of the backfield to help an offense that has inexperience at wide receiver and may have a young quarterback.
Biggest position battle
The competition at right tackle …. oh, who are we kidding? This training camp is going to be all about the quarterback. The Jets signed 38-year-old Josh McCown in March to be the veteran in the quarterbacks room and provide a bridge to their younger quarterbacks. How long will that bridge be? Christian Hackenberg has a shot at being the opening-day starter if he turns heads during the preseason. Otherwise, expect him to take over in the middle of the year. Bryce Petty is a long shot.
Most fascinating newcomer
The secondary was a huge weakness in 2016. The Jets have revamped it this year, and part of that is cornerback Morris Claiborne. The 2012 first-round pick by the Cowboys has had trouble staying healthy, but played well last year before suffering another injury. Claiborne should be an upgrade over the 2016 version of Darrelle Revis. If Claiborne can stay healthy, he should be a key piece on the defense.
Coach’s toughest challenge
The one area where the Jets are not hurting for talent is along the defensive line. Leonard Williams, Muhammad Wilkerson (left) and Sheldon Richardson all have been to Pro Bowls. Yet last year they did not play well on the field together. Wilkerson and Richardson had down years overall. Bowles must figure out how to get the most out of his defensive line stars. That might mean a rotation where all three are not on the field as much as they were last year, but it is essential for Bowles to maximize the talent he has at the position this year.
Most intriguing rookie
Jamal Adams is being counted on not just to be a good player as a rookie, but also to be a vocal leader. That is a tough ask for someone who was playing at LSU a year ago, but Adams appears to be up to the challenge. Adams will be a starter from Day 1, and he showed this spring he is not afraid to open his mouth. He was calling out plays pre-snap and encouraging teammates. The Jets are counting on Adams, the No. 6-overall pick, to be a piece of their long-term core.
Most notable absence
Take your pick — Revis, Nick Mangold, David Harris,
Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Ryan Fitzpatrick all were key pieces of the team last year, and some for a lot longer than that. They all fell victim to the roster purge. Harris’ absence will be the toughest to fill. He was a strong leader as the quarterback of the defense, and he led the team in tackles in nearly every one of his 10 seasons with the Jets. From a straight production standpoint, Marshall leaves the biggest void.