For most of training camp, Josh McCown has led the way in terms of reps. But as the Jets held their second to last public practice of camp, McCown remained mostly a spectator while Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty shared the majority of the workload.
“We’re just evening the reps out. He got a lot of reps early, so the other guys are getting a lot of reps now,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “McCown knows what he’s doing and he can play, so we’re trying to give the other guys some experience and some reps.”
Entering his 15th pro season, McCown led the Green & White to their lone touchdown on his only possession of the preseason. Bowles has yet to reveal his quarterback rotation for Saturday night’s game vs. the Giants and the 38-year old McCown kept his legs loose Tuesday with some running on the side.
“He likes to keep in shape. That’s a good thing,” Bowles said.
Besides the running, McCown didn’t do all that much after delivering a great long ball to Robby Anderson in 7-on-7 work. Petty, who was intercepted by CB Derrick Jones, drew oohs and ahhs from the crowd following a lengthy scoring pass to WR Chad Hansen. Saying both Hansen and ArDarius Stewart “showed up” against the Lions with a pair of receptions apiece, Bowles indicated the rookies are beginning to play faster.
One Focus
The Jets don’t think much of the external forecasts of doom and gloom once September commences.
“We don’t care what anybody else says,” said DL Muhammad Wilkerson. “At the end of the day, we’re in training camp and everybody is progressing to get better and to get on the same page, so once the regular season comes there is not an issue. We’re not concerned what everybody else is talking about.”
Their mantra is singular.
“It’s one team, one goal. You guys are asking the questions about people talking about us about the record,” added Wilkerson. “One team, one goal for us is leave all that stuff outside.”
Fired Up
The Jets have three positional battles going on up front and they’ve frequently mixed and matched eight players in with the first unit. The Jets have averaged just 2.4 yards per carry on the ground and Petty and Hackenberg have been sacked five times combined, but OL coach Steve Marshall is excited about the potential of the unit.
“I love this group. This is a good bunch of guys we have,” he said. “These are tough, smart, hard-working… I don’t make predictions, so I’m not going to make predictions. But I’m fired up about this group. These guys are good football players.”
Injury Report
OLB Lorenzo Mauldin (back) remained out of action while CB Morris Claiborne (shoulder) and TE Jordan Leggett (foot) sat out the team’s first pads practice since the Detroit game Saturday night… ILB Darron Lee was on the sideline, but he didn’t participate for a second consecutive day as he battles a stomach virus… Rookie corner Xavier Coleman, who went down in the Green & White practice, took a big step with some snaps in team drills.
