People are attaching free-agent QB Justin Fields to the Jets.
This might be a head-scratcher to some.
Fields is 14-30 as an NFL starter with the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He went 4-2 as a starter last year, his first season in Pittsburgh, but was replaced by Russell Wilson, with coach Mike Tomlin looking for a little more in the passing game.
ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor offered a reason for Fields throwing just 5 TDs in six starts with the Steelers.
“Let’s be honest – he was playing risk-averse football because he know Russell Wilson was right there, he could come back at any moment,” Pryor said on ESPN Radio. “He wanted to extend his time as a starter as long as he could. I’m very interested to see what Justin Fields would look like if he was playing risk-averse. I think there is a happy medium between all out go for the home run every and time and playing not to turn the ball over. I think the Steelers think they can unlock that.”
Fields, an electrifying runner, tends to turn the ball over too much. He has 44 fumbles in 44 starts. He also has 30 picks.
The argument that he was trying to be extra careful with the ball to perhaps keep the job longer is understandable to a degree.
However, here is the issue: He’s not great at going through progressions or throwing with anticipation. Here is part of the scouting report from NFL.com when he came out of Ohio State:
- Field vision is average in face of the blitz.
- Gradual operation time prevents expedited release.
- Needs to release ball earlier on anticipatory throws.
- Needs to improve eye manipulation as a pro.
- Stagnant eyes invite coverage to the passing party.
Some of these issues remain a problem.
Bottom line: Fields to the Jets is perhaps not a good idea.
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