SIGNAL STALLER
Bowless still won't commit to starting OB - and may not decide by Monday
The perceived favorite in the Jets’ quarterback competition threw one more pass than the team’s beat writers on Thursday afternoon.
Head coach Todd Bowles said practice reps have no correlation to playing time in Saturday’s all-important preseason game against the Giants. And the quarterback competition — which still includes all three contenders, Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty — may not have a Monday resolution after all.
The bizarre situation under center continued Thursday in Florham Park, as McCown, the veteran many have expected would win the job, received just a single rep, with the scout team no less, in the final tune-up for the game. In fact, there was even less certainty about the position as Bowles said his decision could extend into the middle of next week, and it remains “an open competition.”
“I’ll see how they play Saturday night, and then I’ll make [a decision] after that,” he said.
Bowles refused to tip his hand about playing time for Saturday. He was unwilling to even confirm whether all three quarterbacks will see action, and said the regularseason starter could play in the fourth exhibition game, a rarity in the NFL.
There is no book for the way this competition is being run.
It sure seems as if Hackenberg will get another shot to make a case for himself. The Jets’ second-round pick in 2016, who didn’t appear in a single game last season, struggled mightily against the Lions in the second preseason game, leading the offense to four three-and-outs in five first-half possessions. But he received the most reps by far this week with the first team, and Bowles was complimentary of the strides he has made.
“The more he plays, the better he gets,” Bowles said.
McCown, meanwhile, was mostly inactive this week, after not appearing in the game against the Lions, a contest Bowles previously said he would be featured in. He received by far the fewest reps the last four days in practice, rarely practicing with the starters. Responsible for the lone touchdown of the preseason in his only drive, McCown got just three first-team reps in team drills on Tuesday and had nine on Wednesday. But it didn’t catch McCown by surprise. Bowles talked to him about the plan at the beginning of the week.
“We understood exactly how things were going to go,” McCown said. “I know that they have to make decisions and so for me, I want to play every chance I get, but at the end of the day, if that’s not part of it right now, and if I’m called upon Week 1, I’m going to be ready. There’s no excuses. ... I expect to play at a high level.”
Bowles defended the deci- sion, telling reporters McCown has gotten plenty of work. When it was pointed out how few reps he has received, Bowles said: “You’re not here at our walkthroughs and see everything we’re doing. So there’s nothing for me to explain.”
Bowles did admit it’s fair to say the three quarterbacks haven’t separated themselves thus far, even though he also said: “I’ll keep my personal opinions to myself and I’ll discuss that with the coaching staff.
“[McCown has] gotten a lot of work in practice [pre- viously]. He had a good drive the first game. I wanted to see the other two guys play.”
The 38-year-old McCown continued to play the role of good soldier, refusing to question Bowles’ peculiar rotation. While he did say the more reps a quarterback gets the better he is — “there’s no substitute for that,” he said — McCown also said he understands the thinking behind getting Hackenberg and Petty more reps.
“I trust they have a plan they’re working by,” he said.
Bowles talked up the development of Hackenberg and Petty, who is entering his third season in the league, stressing the importance of the two getting extra reps and game action during the preseason. He sees both improving, getting better as they gain more experience. Whether that will include the two getting the bulk of time Saturday night remains to be seen.
Everything, it seems, remains up in the air with this strange quarterback competition.