NY Post's Costello:Is Hackenberg getting fair shake? Plus 4 other big Jets questions

[Gas2No99]

Is Hackenberg getting fair shake? Plus 4 other big Jets questions

June 18, 2017 | 2:48am

 

Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg - Bill Kostroun

A very rocky and interesting offseason is over for the Jets. They concluded their offseason program with last week’s three-day minicamp.

The Jets spent this offseason shedding salary and veteran leadership, in the name of a youth movement, with an eye on grabbing the No. 1 draft pick in 2018. What is left of the roster will reconvene in six weeks for training camp.

Here are my five takeaways from the offseason program:

Catching grief

Of all the changes the Jets have made, I think letting Eric Decker go might be the one they feel the most. Their wide receivers are young — like probably-not-old-enough-to-rent-a-car young. Even with Brandon Marshall gone, Decker provided the Jets with one proven target on the outside. But the Jets cut him last week, and now Quincy Enunwa, Robby Anderson and Charone Peake are your top three wide receivers.

Draft picks ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen had a hard time staying on the field in the spring, both dealing with injuries. Maybe they can fight their way into the conversation in August.

My biggest question, though, is if this season is truly about evaluating Hackenberg, how is he getting a fair shot with this group of receivers? He could use a target he can trust on the outside.

ArDarius Stewart - Bill Kostroun

Oh, snap!

The quarterback competition between Josh McCown, Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty is the most interesting storyline right now. Hackenberg surprised me, especially during the minicamp. He has made some strides and I’m not sure McCown starting Week 1 is a sure thing.

Hackenberg showed a deft touch on deep passes, and looked improved on the short and intermediate throws — an area in which he really struggled last year. He still looks inaccurate and unsure of himself at times. If he can make more progress in training camp and especially the preseason games, he could make the quarterback decision a tough one for coach Todd Bowles.

Pressure points

Evaluating linemen in the spring, with no pads on, is particularly tough, but the defensive line looks like it might be back to its formidable self. After a disappointing 2015 season, Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson look motivated. Wilkerson is healthy again and eager to shut up the critics. Richardson is in a contract year and has dollar signs on his mind. Then there is Leonard Williams, who just seems to get better and better.

Offenses may key on Williams this year, throwing double teams and sliding protections toward him. If they do, that should open things up even more for Wilkerson and Richardson, who both could have big seasons.

Leonard Williams - Bill Kostroun

Hello, again

The most obvious thing to take away from the Jets’ practices this spring is that they have rediscovered the tight end position. The Jets had just 26 receptions by tight ends in 2015 and 2016 combined, 71 fewer than the next-closest team. New offensive coordinator John Morton is bringing the position back, though. Tight ends were frequent targets in the spring.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins may have had the best spring of any Jet. After losing 25 pounds and giving up alcohol, he looks like he may be ready to realize the potential he showed in college.

Fine first impression

Jamal Adams looks like the real deal. He had the most impressive spring of any Jets rookie I have seen since Richardson in 2013. Adams flew around the field, broke up plenty of passes and notched a few interceptions. He also was a vocal presence in practice and already looks like a leader.

Adams will be a Day 1 starter and should have an immediate impact on the defense.

[hokiejetfan92]

Ya know no matter how bad the Jets are, or how terrible management's decision making tends to be.... Come June I cannot wait for August to come around and to see if they are finally gonna figure it out.

 

THIS IS OUR YEAR!!!

[T0mShane]

Anyone feel like these beat reporters were planning on an easy summer of trashing Maccagnan via Hackenberg and then Connor Hughes cockblocked them so hard that they went 180 degrees in the opposite direction and are now lazily treating Hack like a martyr? 

[T0mShane]

10 minutes ago, hokiejetfan92 said:

Ya know no matter how bad the Jets are, or how terrible management's decision making tends to be.... Come June I cannot wait for August to come around and to see if they are finally gonna figure it out.

 

THIS IS OUR YEAR!!!

Open a window.

[thadude]

1 hour ago, T0mShane said:

Anyone feel like these beat reporters were planning on an easy summer of trashing Maccagnan via Hackenberg and then Connor Hughes cockblocked them so hard that they went 180 degrees in the opposite direction and are now lazily treating Hack like a martyr? 

Oh my God get ready for the sob stories next Fall and Winter about how if we only built the greatest team ever Hack might have been a good player

[Lupz27]

Can these slap stick bait clicking morons make up their minds?  Hackenberg sucks, can't hit ocean if he was on a canoe in the Pacific.  Hackenberg not getting fair shake poor kid.  Jesus media outlets should just stop paying beat writers from May till end of July let them cover the Redbulls, or something.

[Larz]

Wepinz! 

[thadude]

1 minute ago, Lupz27 said:

CHackenberg sucks, can't hit ocean if he was on a canoe in the Pacific.  

You're being ridiculous Hack would hit the ocean on at least 50% of attempts while standing in a canoe in the ocean

[Ohio State NY Jets fan]

1 - The test for Hack will be hitting targets on timing routes, reading defenses and pocket presence, he will not be judged on wins or completion percentage (similar to his draft position) so experience at WR is a moot point for Hack evaluation this year. 

2 - Great news on Adams (and Williams), hope we are starting to see the new core players

3 - The increase in TE usage is expected (and easy compared to zero) - so that is good but not really news 

4 - This is effectively a contract year for Mo and Sheldon and that could be interesting to see play out - there can be only one of them left on the Jets next year...

[JohnnyLV]

4 hours ago, T0mShane said:

Anyone feel like these beat reporters were planning on an easy summer of trashing Maccagnan via Hackenberg and then Connor Hughes cockblocked them so hard that they went 180 degrees in the opposite direction and are now lazily treating Hack like a martyr? 

No. I think they were taken unawares by Hackenberg actually playing well.

[predator_05]

Picking Hackenberg in the 2nd round was a fair shake. Dude isn't close to being an NFL starter.

[dbatesman]

Not sure about the other 4 questions, but no way Hackeburg is getting a fair shake. No way

[BigO]

Jim Everett = Christian Hackenberg 

[SickJetFan]

13 hours ago, T0mShane said:

Anyone feel like these beat reporters were planning on an easy summer of trashing Maccagnan via Hackenberg and then Connor Hughes cockblocked them so hard that they went 180 degrees in the opposite direction and are now lazily treating Hack like a martyr? 

Why does it matter what they predict or even write about when there is no football going on.  Have any of them ever been right? They going to get desperate over the next few weeks with the tank on narrative, petty is going to get cut, mistakes made, etc...  click bate sh*t.