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Florham Park – A lot of stuff going on Florham Park at One Jets Drive, and here are some nuggets from Jets camp . . .
Somebody asked Todd Bowles about the offensive line being an area of concern along with the quarterbacks.
Bowles shot it down, and rightfully so.
The questions about the offensive line are a media narrative.
Watching the first week of camp, I think this line is going to be fine. I don’t think this is going to be a problem for the Jets.
As I mentioned before, right tackle Brent Qvale is having a fantastic training camp. He rarely gets beat, and his technique is outstanding.
At left tackle, Kelvin Beachum looks like he’s back to his Pittsburgh form after playing last year in Jacksonville still recovering from a knee injury. He has a very good kick-slide which allows him to push pass rushers really wide. Ben Ijalana also looks good at left tackle.
The Jets’ interior looks excellent with two talented guards (James Carpenter and Brian Winters), and a center who is much better than people realize. The arrow is pointing up on Wesley Johnson.
I’m not saying this is the best offensive line in the league, but this narrative that the Jets’ offensive line is a problem is blown out of proportion.
The Jets have issues, but to me, this isn’t one of them . . .
Demario Davis is never going to be great in coverage because of his hip stiffness (not his fault), but watching him this summer, he’s definitely better than he was his first time with the Jets.
Early in practice today, he had a terrific PD on a deep pass to tight end Jason Vander Laan . . .
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, barring injury, Josh McCown is going to be the Jets’ starting quarterback in Week One.
First of all, he clearly has the best command of the Jets’ new offense, and he’s making much quicker decisions with the football than the two youngster, getting it out of his hands very quickly.
He’s also a great leader, and this team needs leadership very badly.
I will tell you a little secret.
I’m sure some of you heard that mid-practice today, practice was stopped due to sloppiness, and there was a player’s only huddle in the middle of the field.
Some in the media thought it was Todd Bowles who initiated it. No. It was McCown. He rallied the entire team together and gave them a pep talk.
This Jets team needs McCown early in the season.
Like I’ve said myriad times, McCown should play until the Jets are out of wildcard contention. What I’m saying is,
if you are 1-6, you are probably out of it, but if you are 3-4, you are in it. Once the Jets are clearly done, go to Hackenberg. This essentially the same plan they went with last year with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty.
Watching Hackenberg closely the last two days, he holding the ball too long. He’s not comfortable yet in the system. Give him more time. Don’t rush him into action early in the year and destroy his confidence.
He’s only 22-years-old. What’s the rush? . . .
Jets signed DE Devon Still (pictured above) today. He with the famous daughter – Leah Still – who bucked the odds and overcame pediatric cancer, becoming America’s darling.
Devon Still didn’t pan out in Cincinnati, but they play a 4-3 defense. To me, Still is a 3-4 end, so I think he will fit in better with the Jets than he did with the Bengals. He was with Houston last year in a 3-4 defense, but got hurt.
August 4, 2017
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