One week away from the beginning of their preseason schedule, the Jets held their annual Green and White scrimmage. This gave fans another look at how the team’s progressing in training camp, this time under the lights of Met Life Stadium.
I’ll be covering the Jets throughout the 2017 season for NY Sports Day. My Sunday column is now up, it takes a look at what I’ll believe will be the biggest opponent for the team this season.
I’m looking forward to it, it’ll be my second season at the games as a credentialed member of the media.
Meanwhile, here are a few news and notes to keep an eye on with the Jets in preseason:
Air attack grounded before takeoff: First thing’s first, the Jets already have themselves a problem at wide receiver. Their number one receiver, Quincy Enunwa aggravated a neck injury during the green and white scrimmage. The news didn’t get much better from there.
The Jets confirmed Enunwa has a bulging disc in his neck and will miss up to nine months, his season is over. Losing their one legitimate threat in the passing game is a huge blow for the Jets. I wrote about this and what options are possibly ahead as a contingency for NY Sports Day.
McCown or bust: The Jets don’t have much of a quarterback controversy this summer, well not exactly. Unlike last year, the Jets don’t have four quarterbacks on the roster. They do, however, still have one large question at the most important spot on the depth chart – who’s the starter?
38-year old Josh McCown won’t give fans any hopes of a Super Bowl title, but if he stays healthy stands as the most realistic choice to win the job. The Jets still must figure out what they have in last year’s second-round draft pick Christian Hackenberg.
Josh McCown, No. 15 and Christian Hackenberg No. 5 – (Image: USA Today)
Bryce Petty appears to be the odd man out, as the number three quarterback. Petty isn’t getting many reps in camp which may mean Hackenberg is going to get a long look in preseason.
The Jets used a second round draft pick on Hackenberg in 2016, then they made sure he didn’t get anywhere near the huddle for the entire season. With a strong 2018 draft class projected for quarterbacks, the Jets need to find out what exactly they have in their enigma with the clipboard.
If McCown opens the season as the starter, it won’t be a surprise if Hackenberg sees the field long before final game on the schedule.
Jamal Adams (No. 33) and Marcus Maye (No. 26) – (Image Credit: AP / Julio Cortez)
The defense: Expectations for the Jets on offense are low, losing Enunwa dropped those expectations to code red status. If there’s a potential bright spot to keep an eye on it’s the defense.
The Jets still have a formidable defensive line anchored by Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Leonard Williams. The linebackers remain a work in progress, but the secondary could make a strong rebound from last season’s struggles.
Head coach Todd Bowles made his bones on the defensive side of the football. In rookies Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams, he may have a 1-2 punch at the safety position to feel good about for the foreseeable future. Morris Claiborne won’t be the next Revis Island, but if he stays healthy could be a solid pickup for cornerback.
Keep an eye out for Maye – he’s turning plenty of heads in training camp.
