2017 New York Jets Quarter Report

By Alexander C. Lawrence

Despite all the gloom and doom about the 2017 season coming in, the Jets actually have two more victories (2-2) than their stadium-sharing neighbors, the Giants (0-4). What does this all mean in a world where the Jets have a better record than the Giants AND the Bills (3-1) sit atop the AFC East?

1) The Jets new-look, swagger-filled defense

Since joining the Jets on draft day as first and second round picks, Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye have really played intense and fast football to go along with third-year defensive linemen out of USC, Leonard Williams. Not only did this Jets defense outplay Miami in Week 3, they look poised to go all out this season. Something tells me Adams, Maye, and Williams don’t know what the word “tank” means, though I’m also sure they’d rather have guys like Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen on their team.

2) Will Hackenberg ever see the field in 2017?

A month ago I would’ve told you that Christian Hackenberg would be the starting QB for the New York Jets by mid-to-late October, but right now I’m not so sure. I believed in the Jets ability to develop him. He had proven himself in a pro-style offense his first year at Penn State. So far with two wins under his belt, Josh McCown may ensure Hackenberg doesn’t see the field. As a Jet fan, wasting a second round pick shows just how foolish the front office was for drafting him with high capital and then not allowing him to prove himself.

3) Is winning hurting the Jets future?

A lot of people expected the Jets to be either 0-4 or 1-3 at this point, including myself. McCown and that Jets’ offense have played impressive football and I’m honestly not thrilled about it. The Jets need to start fresh at QB and Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold look primed to be that long-awaited franchise guy. That was until McCown started winning. He is not the future, just a hold-the-fort-together guy until they get the chance to draft a real QB. The Jets just don’t have the talent to compete all season long, as teams will adjust and eventually that offense will slow down once they face tougher defenses. If the Jets finish 6-10 and get a top-10 pick, I’d call this season a waste because QB is a must in this draft and the Jets may be too far back in the draft order to grab the one they want/need.

4) Kony Ealy’s tough Week 4

Kony Ealy had a key defensive play in securing the Week 4 victory over the Jaguars for the Jets. He was presented with the game-ball, but not any game-ball. Ealy lost his sister this week, Latoya Brown and no details were given outside of that. That forced Ealy to leave the team for a couple of days but would suit-up Sunday and have the game of his career. He did his scouting report on Blake Bortles, who likes to throw low, and Ealy sure took advantage of that as he put his arms up and ended with four pass deflections on the day. None would top his third quarter batted pass that he caught and ran for seven-yards and almost had their first defensive touchdown in 61 games.

Enunwa To IR – Jets’ Passing Game Needs New Flight Plan

By Alexander C. Lawrence

Jet fans were devastated to learn that New York’s top wide receiver, Quincy Enunwa, will miss the upcoming 2017 season due to neck surgery. It makes the Jets roster look even worse than it already was and may speed up the cheers, or jeers, of “Stink for Sam?” It’s pretty obvious the Jets will miss their top WR since they decided to part ways with Brandon Marshall (NYG) and Eric Decker (TEN) this past offseason. That leaves the Jets with little experience at the WR position.

The big question is who will step up and replace Enunwa in the offense? The simple answer to that is no one. No one possess Enunwa’s combination of experience and talent and expecting one of the young Wideouts to replace him is unreasonable. There are some candidates who may surprise fans this season though.

Robby Anderson is the most likely option to shine, being as most of the rest of the receiving corps is comprised of rookies. His talent level and potential seems to put him at the top of the WR Depth Chart and set him up for a lion’s share of passing targets. Right now, aside from Anderson, the best options Gang Green has are Jalin Marshall and Charone Peake. Jordan Leggett is still getting used to life as the soon-to-be every day tight end going forward. ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen could wind up being nice surprises for the team and believe me there won’t be many bright spots on this team overall.

Robby Anderson doesn’t believe they’ll miss Enunwa too much, but he’ll be eating those words after a few weeks; however it is a big opportunity for Anderson and Co. to make their presence known as to why they should be around for the rebuild long-term. He spent the offseason putting on weight and working out with former teammate Brandon Marshall. It’s time for him to show off his hard work and dedication he put in all offseason.

As for Stewart and Hansen their impact is very much up in the air due to their lack of experience. Hopefully for the Jets at least one will be a quick learner and provide a spark to the offense. Stewart could provide a deep, vertical threat and don’t forget is from Alabama; he was well coached prior to joining the Jets.

Chad Hansen, from California, has always been a good fundamental wide receiver and it was easy for scouts to like him as a complementary receiver in the future, but it looks like he will compete right away for snaps as a number 3 or 4 WR on the depth chart. His route running refinement and excellent hands could even make him a safety valve for whatever Quarterback is at the helm.

Charone Peake says the team may have multiple 1,000 yard WRs on the team in 2017 and, while most people would disagree, credit the man for having confidence despite the loss of Enunwa. That quarterback situation is nothing short of a circus and that doesn’t usually lead to multiple average receivers suddenly breaking-out in and having 1,000 yard seasons. This may be the worst offense in the league; New York would be lucky to see one receiver break the thousand mark, much less several. Peake himself does have upside to be a nice asset in terms of a possession WR this season as the Jets have struggled with dropped passes in the not so distant past.

It will be a tough season, but it will be key for the Jets to find the guys who will produce through the tough season ahead. They will have a solid defense to back them up and keep them in games early on, but wins won’t be an often occurrence in 2017. The expectation should be to see what the Jets have in many of their young, unproven players, especially those at the Wide Receiver position.

New York Jets Report: Quarterback Edition

By Alexander Lawrence

As a Jets fan you are more than likely not too happy with their record of 3-7 this season. In what has been a disappointing season we saw the Jets begin to evaluate what they have at the quarterback position. Here are some of the top New York Jets stories involving the QB situation for the remainder of this season and going forward.

The Savior…Bryce Petty?
Like most Jets fan, myself included, we were all hoping for a sign that this season isn’t a complete waste to watch. When it was announced last Sunday morning that Ryan Fitzpatrick would not start, the Jets put the team in the untested hands of former Baylor QB Bryce Petty. I was excited to see what Petty had to offer in his first career NFL start. Boy was it a start to remember. The former Baylor QB threw his first NFL touchdown pass on a huge 99 yard drive. To say that drive got Jet fans excited would be an understatement. Memorable huh? But he did also have the interception that ended the game and led the Rams past the Jets, 9-6. It is important to note Petty had a stat line that was pedestrian (19/32 for 163 yards with a TD & INT) but I do believe that Petty is worth a look at to see if he can develop into a good quarterback. Don’t be surprised to see Petty under center more this season if not the rest of the season. If he plays well enough he may very well be the signal caller next season.

Fitzmagic on his way out the door?
Ryan Fitzpatrick is on a one-year deal and his performance and age aren’t going to force Jets GM Mike Maccagnan into resigning Fitz this time around. Over the offseason you saw all of Jets nation begging for Fitz to come back after his excellent season. That feels so long ago. Fitzpatrick doesn’t seem to be an option for the Jets past 2016, in fact he may never play another down for the Jets. With the bye week this week, it does give him time to heal for the Week 12 contest against the Patriots. I do firmly believe the organization and fan base are ready to move on and see what Petty and Hackenberg have. I think Fitz will be a fine backup for another team not named the New York Jets.

Tony Romo to the Big Apple?
Jerry Jones has named Tony Romo the backup QB to rookie Dak Prescott. Cue Tony Romo as the next QB to start for Gang Green. A lot of fans and experts are expecting Romo to be cut or traded this offseason. Romo is more than likely done in Dallas as a starting QB and will look to find a new home. No one can deny the success Romo has had in his career despite injury. He’d be a huge upgrade for the Jets and most importantly their receiving corps would love him too if he stays healthy. The Jets would be wise to send over an offer or two for Romo as the fan base is desperate for a new QB. If the Jets do go this route expect Romo to start and thrive immediately based off the talent on offense.

Hack-A-Smith
Christian Hackenberg and Geno Smith don’t seem to be in the mix of potential starters next year if you ask me. Hackenberg has done nothing to this point. Literally. He’s been a non-factor and we knew from the beginning it’d be a redshirt year for him to fix his mechanics. He may be the future, but not for 2017. Geno Smith is not going to be a Jet next year. His season ended on a torn ACL in his only start of the season and didn’t make it out of one half! There is no way that Geno Smith is in the plans for the Jets going forward.