Christian Hackenberg deserves patience from Jets fans

[Marshmello]

Accurate.

http://nypost.com/2017/05/29/christian-hackenberg-deserves-patience-from-jets-fans/

The old saying goes that the most popular player on a football team is the backup quarterback. He usually holds the allure of the unknown, a sense of hope and possibility.

That is … unless it is Christian Hackenberg.

The Jets’ second-year quarterback seems to have already been written off by many fans and media members. It is odd to see how Hackenberg is being viewed before he even throws a pass in an NFL game that counts.

Typically, quarterbacks are not viewed as poor players until they actually play. It is the NFL version of innocent until proven guilty. Over the past decade, Jets fans clamored to see backup quarterbacks like Kellen Clemens, Greg McElroy and Bryce Petty play. Once they played, the love affairs died.

With Hackenberg, though, it feels like the conclusion has already been reached that he stinks and he has to prove otherwise. It started with predraft hatchet jobs on Hackenberg off of his inconsistent career at Penn State. People were eager to dismiss the success of his freshman year under Bill O’Brien and focus on the struggles he had as a sophomore and junior. Mostly lost in those analyses, though, was a look at the diminished quality of the team around him in those years thanks to NCAA sanctions and the dip in the quality of coaching he received.

Modal Trigger

Christian Hackenberg (center) with quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates (right) and assistant quarterbacks coach Mick LombardiBill Kostroun

When the Jets took Hackenberg in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the scrutiny on Hackenberg only grew. For Hackenberg, the Jets probably were one of the worst places for him to land. He joined a losing franchise with a fan base starved for a franchise quarterback and an unrelenting media spotlight. Had he landed somewhere like Seattle or Green Bay, he would have been allowed to develop without a microscope on him at all times.

Instead, he’s a Jet.

That has led to a fascination with Hackenberg that has included anonymous evaluations of him in practice last year, and then last week an anonymous critique on ESPN.com of his accuracy in warm-ups last year. The latest is a breakdown of Hackenberg’s 2016 preseason tape by Bleacher Report. Think about what we’re evaluating here. Games from nine months ago when he had three months with the team.

There is also a storyline about Hackenberg being “so bad” the Jets would not put him on the field as a rookie. But their plan was never to have him play last year. The Jets knew when they drafted him that they wanted him to hit the reset button from college and try to reverse all of the bad habits he had developed at Penn State. They also wanted him to take a break from the spotlight that had been on him since high school. It would have been a shock if Hackenberg did play in 2016. You can say the Jets should not have taken a quarterback in the second round that they thought needed a “redshirt” year. Go ahead, but that is on Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, not Hackenberg.

SEE ALSO

 

Christian Hackenberg is 'different' and ready for Jets QB battle

 

The critics may end up being right about Hackenberg. He might stink, but can we let him throw a pass in a game before we decide he does?

The kid (he turned 22 in February) has been a total pro since he has joined the Jets. He says the right things, carries himself the right way and this spring has been one of (if not the) first players in the building every day. This is not a player who will fail because of lack of preparation or work.

The likelihood is Hackenberg will begin this season on the bench behind Josh McCown. But he will play at some point in 2017. The Jets need to figure out if he is the answer or if they are in the 2018 quarterback draft market by the end of this season.

There will be plenty of practice and preseason interceptions and miscues that will be dissected between now and then. But maybe there will be some touchdowns and positive plays, too.

Give him a chance.

 

 

 

 

[LIJetsFan]

I think it's that we fans are just fed up with this franchise's inability to get out of it's own way.  It ain't personal, Hack.    

[T0mShane]

24 minutes ago, Marshmello said:

 

 

Think about what we’re evaluating here.

 

 

Indeed, Brian Costello. Indeed.

[sciond]

he can have his chance as long as we tank...

Go Tankenberg

[Scoop24]

I have 16 games of patience ..  all I ask is him to show me signs of being great .. I know it's not gonna be perfect 

[OH THE PAIN]

7 hours ago, Marshmello said:

Accurate.

http://nypost.com/2017/05/29/christian-hackenberg-deserves-patience-from-jets-fans/

The old saying goes that the most popular player on a football team is the backup quarterback. He usually holds the allure of the unknown, a sense of hope and possibility.

That is … unless it is Christian Hackenberg.

The Jets’ second-year quarterback seems to have already been written off by many fans and media members. It is odd to see how Hackenberg is being viewed before he even throws a pass in an NFL game that counts.

Typically, quarterbacks are not viewed as poor players until they actually play. It is the NFL version of innocent until proven guilty. Over the past decade, Jets fans clamored to see backup quarterbacks like Kellen Clemens, Greg McElroy and Bryce Petty play. Once they played, the love affairs died.

With Hackenberg, though, it feels like the conclusion has already been reached that he stinks and he has to prove otherwise. It started with predraft hatchet jobs on Hackenberg off of his inconsistent career at Penn State. People were eager to dismiss the success of his freshman year under Bill O’Brien and focus on the struggles he had as a sophomore and junior. Mostly lost in those analyses, though, was a look at the diminished quality of the team around him in those years thanks to NCAA sanctions and the dip in the quality of coaching he received.

Modal Trigger

Christian Hackenberg (center) with quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates (right) and assistant quarterbacks coach Mick LombardiBill Kostroun

When the Jets took Hackenberg in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the scrutiny on Hackenberg only grew. For Hackenberg, the Jets probably were one of the worst places for him to land. He joined a losing franchise with a fan base starved for a franchise quarterback and an unrelenting media spotlight. Had he landed somewhere like Seattle or Green Bay, he would have been allowed to develop without a microscope on him at all times.

Instead, he’s a Jet.

That has led to a fascination with Hackenberg that has included anonymous evaluations of him in practice last year, and then last week an anonymous critique on ESPN.com of his accuracy in warm-ups last year. The latest is a breakdown of Hackenberg’s 2016 preseason tape by Bleacher Report. Think about what we’re evaluating here. Games from nine months ago when he had three months with the team.

There is also a storyline about Hackenberg being “so bad” the Jets would not put him on the field as a rookie. But their plan was never to have him play last year. The Jets knew when they drafted him that they wanted him to hit the reset button from college and try to reverse all of the bad habits he had developed at Penn State. They also wanted him to take a break from the spotlight that had been on him since high school. It would have been a shock if Hackenberg did play in 2016. You can say the Jets should not have taken a quarterback in the second round that they thought needed a “redshirt” year. Go ahead, but that is on Jets GM Mike Maccagnan, not Hackenberg.

SEE ALSO

 

Christian Hackenberg is 'different' and ready for Jets QB battle

 

The critics may end up being right about Hackenberg. He might stink, but can we let him throw a pass in a game before we decide he does?

The kid (he turned 22 in February) has been a total pro since he has joined the Jets. He says the right things, carries himself the right way and this spring has been one of (if not the) first players in the building every day. This is not a player who will fail because of lack of preparation or work.

The likelihood is Hackenberg will begin this season on the bench behind Josh McCown. But he will play at some point in 2017. The Jets need to figure out if he is the answer or if they are in the 2018 quarterback draft market by the end of this season.

There will be plenty of practice and preseason interceptions and miscues that will be dissected between now and then. But maybe there will be some touchdowns and positive plays, too.

Give him a chance.

 

 

 

 

[dbatesman]

finally some REAL news

[JetFaninMI]

Well do we have any other choice but to give him a chance? Maybe we should direct this at Bowles and the coaching staff. Unless Hack and to a lesser extent Petty totally crap the bed in TC or the preseason one of them should be starting. It makes no sense to start the Six million dollar man for more than one or two games if they are serious about developing one of these guys. Then again based on what we have seen so far nothing Bowles does makes sense.

[section314]

51 minutes ago, JetFaninMI said:

Well do we have any other choice but to give him a chance? Maybe we should direct this at Bowles and the coaching staff. Unless Hack and to a lesser extent Petty totally crap the bed in TC or the preseason one of them should be starting. It makes no sense to start the Six million dollar man for more than one or two games if they are serious about developing one of these guys. Then again based on what we have seen so far nothing Bowles does makes sense.

+1. Which scares the hell out of me.

[Skeptable]

OMG, a well written article that doesn't just take shots at the Jets players... its like we actually have a decent beat writer for once.

[Warfish]

So much melodramatic hot air in that OP article.

The TLDR: We all want to see him play. We all want him to be great. We all have reason to be pragmatic and cautiously pessimistic on him at this point. In the end, what Hack will be and what opportunities he gets....will be on Hack himself. Not the fans.

[slats]

55 minutes ago, JetFaninMI said:

Well do we have any other choice but to give him a chance? Maybe we should direct this at Bowles and the coaching staff. Unless Hack and to a lesser extent Petty totally crap the bed in TC or the preseason one of them should be starting. It makes no sense to start the Six million dollar man for more than one or two games if they are serious about developing one of these guys. Then again based on what we have seen so far nothing Bowles does makes sense.

1

I completely agree, but that's a valid qualifier. If they truly are terrible, then (unfortunately) they need to trot McCown out there. Not for the "he gives us the best chance to win" argument, but because they're also trying to develop young receivers. That said, the early part of the Jets' schedule appears to be the easiest part of the Jets' schedule, and I'd like to see one of the kids playing in those games. 

[Ohio State NY Jets fan]

This kid won a $4.6M contract in the draft lottery, got paid $1.5M* to redshirt for a year and now he "deserves" patience from Jets fans?  really?

I appreciate the spirit of the article (agree Mac deserves much of the blame) but it's time for Hack to step up and perform like he is getting paid to play the game, this is not a charity 

 

* $850k earned out of over $2M guaranteed

 

 

[The Crusher]

1 minute ago, slats said:

I completely agree, but that's a valid qualifier. If they truly are terrible, then (unfortunately) they need to trot McCown out there. Not for the "he gives us the best chance to win" argument, but because they're also trying to develop young receivers. That said, the early part of the Jets' schedule appears to be the easiest part of the Jets' schedule, and I'd like to see one of the kids playing in those games. 

If history tells us anything Hack will get his first playing time down by 20 points and nobody will be fooled when  he passes nearly every down .

[NoBowles]

11 minutes ago, The Crusher said:

If history tells us anything Hack will get his first playing time down by 20 points and nobody will be fooled when  he passes nearly every down .

You've seen this movie before I take it? And you already know how it ends?

[flgreen]

28 minutes ago, Skeptable said:

OMG, a well written article that doesn't just take shots at the Jets players... its like we actually have a decent beat writer for once.

Costello?  LOL

It's a trap

[Powpow]

5 minutes ago, flgreen said:

Costello?  LOL

It's a trap

Hey Abbbbbbottttt

[Sperm Edwards]

1 minute ago, slats said:

I completely agree, but that's a valid qualifier. If they truly are terrible, then (unfortunately) they need to trot McCown out there. Not for the "he gives us the best chance to win" argument, but because they're also trying to develop young receivers. That said, the early part of the Jets' schedule appears to be the easiest part of the Jets' schedule, and I'd like to see one of the kids playing in those games. 

It's at least part of the reason any GM, during an obvious rebuild season such as this, would sign or retain players that even the fans know (or think they know, like with Decker) aren't part of the team's long term future and (theoretically) therefore shouldn't be part of the rebuild.

Why sign McCown? As you say, there are receivers to develop, and frankly there are lots of them. It's a disservice to their development if they waste a full 16 games with a pair of QBs so awful (if they are in fact so awful) that they get virtually nothing out of the full season. At least McCown could give them part of a season of playing with a pro (even one as unheralded as McCown) before getting 16 games with a rookie in 2018. 

Likewise, why bring back Decker? Because there are young QBs to whom they need to give serious tryouts before going balls deep on another with next year's high 1st rounder. Wepponz don't make a bad QB a good QB, but there has to be a minimum baseline (particularly for the inexperienced).

If either young QB can be on the field, even if they aren't particularly good, it's still the way to go. For them to go with McCown the kids have to be either injured or unusably-awful.

[Ex-Rex]

10 hours ago, Marshmello said:

The likelihood is Hackenberg will begin this season on the bench behind Josh McCown. But he will play at some point in 2017. The Jets need to figure out if he is the answer or if they are in the 2018 quarterback draft market by the end of this season.

To me this is a complete mistake. This is a rebuilding year - though Mac and Bowles will never call it that - so Hackenberg and Petty should be the ONLY QB's in the competition. What do the Jets gain playing a 38 year old QB who has never won a thing in this league? Nothing. In fact, it will set the team back as Fitz' magic season did. I don't think Bowles job is in jeopardy this season so play the kid QB's and let the chips fall where they may.

[The Crusher]

1 hour ago, NoBowles said:

You've seen this movie before I take it? And you already know how it ends?

Yes. Badly. This year will be extra awesome. McCown will win a couple easy games in the beginning of the season against terrible teams. He will struggle and get hurt facing a decent team. Petty or Hack will go in down by a couple touchdowns and throw picks because everyone knows they are passing.  Neither young QB will look like anything other than a deer in the headlights seconds from being roadkill.  We miss one of the better QBs by a McGown win over a bottom  feeder. We cut Hack or Petty,  one of which ends up a Kellen Clemens type back up for other teams in the league  for about 12 years. We give McGown another contract because he won games for us and draft a mannequin for QB in the sixth round because he looked relaxed under pressure in the pocket during one of the games in his college career. 

[RutgersJetFan]

This season is going to sssssuuuuuuuuuck.

[Beerfish]

The fans owe Hackenbeurg nothing at all, just like we owed Geno smith nothing at all.

It's up to him to seize the opportunity and seize the job with high level of play.  First it was he needs a red shirt year, now it is don;t be mean to him.

Time for him to nut up, play great and show he is better than a 38 year old injury waiting to happen journeyman.

If he is still #3 by the end of camp then he's a lost cause and an afterthought that will hang around for a few years.

[PepPep]

So, my takeaway is- does Hack have the thick skin to deal with the NY media and all the knucklehead Jet fans that will critique and boo every incomplete pass, sack and int. in pre-season and his first few games.  

[ChuckkieB]

52 minutes ago, Ex-Rex said:

To me this is a complete mistake. This is a rebuilding year - though Mac and Bowles will never call it that - so Hackenberg and Petty should be the ONLY QB's in the competition. What do the Jets gain playing a 38 year old QB who has never won a thing in this league? Nothing. In fact, it will set the team back as Fitz' magic season did. I don't think Bowles job is in jeopardy this season so play the kid QB's and let the chips fall where they may.

Completely agree.  In a rebuilding year, the young QB's need to get ALL the snaps during the season.  To do otherwise would be just plain old stupid.  You don't get too many chances to tank a full season where the fans are actually on board, so when you have the opportunity, you might as well make sure you get to evaluate ALL of your young players and see what you have. To play a veteran QB in this situation seems truly idiotic, unless both young QB's prove that they are just atrocious.

[56mehl56]

10 hours ago, sciond said:

he can have his chance as long as we tank...

Go Tankenberg

You have 162 posts do any not contain the word tank in them ??

[JustInFudge]

1 hour ago, Ex-Rex said:

To me this is a complete mistake. This is a rebuilding year - though Mac and Bowles will never call it that - so Hackenberg and Petty should be the ONLY QB's in the competition. What do the Jets gain playing a 38 year old QB who has never won a thing in this league? Nothing. In fact, it will set the team back as Fitz' magic season did. I don't think Bowles job is in jeopardy this season so play the kid QB's and let the chips fall where they may.

It's literally unreal.  They just watched how hitching your wagon to a sh*tty journeyman vet ****s you over in the long term and they're jumping right back in that saddle again.  It's the Jets.  All they do is repeat the same ******* stupid mistakes over and over again. No matter the regime, the same stupidity follows. 

And I love when writers tell Jets fans to have patience.  Seriously?  GFY.  

[Matt39]

1 hour ago, Sperm Edwards said:

 

If either young QB can be on the field, even if they aren't particularly good, it's still the way to go. For them to go with McCown the kids have to be either injured or unusably-awful.

Hard to see any other reason here.

[sciond]

You have 162 posts do any not contain the word tank in them ??

Tanks for your input

Sent from my LEX727 using JetNation.com mobile app

[LIJetsFan]

So far Bowles ran our defense for 2 years and our defense sucked for 2 years.  Bowles is running out defense this year so our defense will suck this year.  It's nice that Mac drafted some secondaries....they'll get their trial by fire this year and ....well they are rookies so they will not bail us out.  

I say all this not to dump on Bowles....Bowles is what he is.....I say this by way of making the argument that McCown should get VERY limited OTA/TC/pre-season snaps.  Let Hack and Perry play.....build up their confidence vs our defense.  Let them build and develop chemistry with the rest of the O.  Let those 2 QBs and all our WRs just figure it out!  Success builds confidence.  They have every chance to succeed vs our defense.       

[Adoni Beast]

Good article. But more than Hack deserving patience, which he does...Jets fans would be wise to be patient and keep their timelines, landmarks, and expectations of Hack's development reasonable. 

Its not pro bowl or bust, or playoffs or bust for Hack. But then the grey area arises. Everyone has their own personal barometer.

I'm not playing the stats game. Too much yards and td's in garbage time, especially on a bad team that will more than likely be  down by a lot most games this season.

Is he reading defenses correctly? Is he making the correct line adjustments and audibles based off of that? Are his mechanics consistent? Is he making nfl throws for first downs? Is he putting points on the board? Does he seem to have command of his huddle? Are his inevitable mistakes getting better as games go on? Can we build around him? 

I dont care if his completion % is 54, as long as the throws he's connecting are for long gains, and tds. I'll take that over 62% who's dumping off 2 yard gains from a rb screen. 

Make it happen Hack. 

[Rangers9]

I don't really judge a player only on how he looks in practice. He can be inaccurate and just plain terrible but when put in the game a light comes on and he performs. Some players are just not good practice payers they need the adrenaline push of a real game to show what they can do. We haven't seen Hack in a game other than two exhibition games last year. He looked ok in one game and brutal in the other. So it's time to put him on the field he's been there long enough to play. 

[thadude]

12 hours ago, LIJetsFan said:

I think it's that we fans are just fed up with this franchise's inability to get out of it's own way.  It ain't personal, Hack.    

It's not Hack's fault Macc blew a 2nd on him

[thadude]

4 hours ago, dbatesman said:

finally some FAKE news

Fixed

[JoJoTownsell1]

Hack is 22 and Trubisky is 22. There is really no reason to expect Hack to look amazing from day 1 this year. He should be better than last year, but some are already bashing him for a few bad picks in OTAs. The kid is still a work in progress, just like most young QBs. Hopefully he is ready to take over in week 1, but at this point I just want to see some flashes in the exhibition games. 

[rangerous]

same story different thread.  imo the jets need to start hack or maybe petty.  they get zero benefit from starting mccown unless hack or petty are so friggin terrible or injured. i guess you can make the argument that the young receivers need to have a decent qb throwing them the ball and a young qb needs decent receivers to work with.  but at the same time marshall only caught bout 50% of the passes thrown his way by all of the qb's last season.  and most of those misses were in his hands or at least catchable.  i tend to think that these guys have been trining for this day for many years and if they are good they will do good.