Hackenberg In Odd Preseason Spot For 2nd Round Pick

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Christian Hackenberg in odd preseason spot for second-round rookie QBsChristian Hackenberg

By: Gary Phillips | 2 hours ago
The Jets have no intention of playing rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg this season.

That much was clear when New York selected the Penn State alum in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Hackenberg is considered the future – a project, the long-term guy, the man waiting in the wings. He knows it will take multiple injury disasters for him to step on an NFL field during the regular season.

While no one ever expected Hackenberg to suit up for the Jets in 2016, it is strange that the 21-year-old has not played in the team’s first two preseason games.

Todd Bowles had said he planned on getting Hackenberg in leading up to Friday’s game in Washington, but the coach ultimately pulled the plug.

“Coach’s decision,” Bowles told reporters that night.

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And so, Hackenberg has no NFL game experience beyond carrying clipboards and riding the bench through two exhibition contests. This goes against the norm.

Since 2000, second-round rookie signal callers like Hackenberg have averaged 79 preseason pass attempts, according to the Wall Street Journal via Stats LLC. The Jet, however, has yet to take a preseason snap under center.

With three other quarterbacks on the roster and regular season play a longshot this season, it is easy to see why New York wants to take it slow with Hackenberg. Still, to not play him at all is bizarre, even for the Jets.

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In 2006, Gang Green let Kellen Clemens participate in all four preseason games, throwing a total of 39 passes. Geno Smith only played in two preseason games in 2013, but he totaled 37 passes and was named the starter when Mark Sanchez hurt his shoulder.

Neither of those players panned out, so maybe the Jets are wise to proceed with excessive caution when it comes to Hackenberg.

Bowles has not explained why the QB has yet to play. At this rate, Hackenberg will redshirt not only his first NFL season but possibly his first preseason too.

There’s no metric to determine if that is for the best or not, but it’s certainly not typical.

 

[flgreen]

Former NFL Director of College Scouting says Jets know Hackenberg can't playChristian Hackenberg

By: Joe Lacalandra | 25 minutes ago
Through two preseason games rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg is yet to see the field. He was supposed to play on Friday night, but didn’t. Why?

“Coach’s decision,” Todd Bowles, said after the game.

Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal, even with Hackenberg being a second-round pick, but when pressed to give an answer as to why the young quarterback hasn’t played, Bowles gave a convoluted answer.

“We’ve got a plan for the quarterbacks that we’re not revealing, and Saturday [against the Giants], we’ll play the guys that we have scheduled to play,” Bowles said after practice Sunday.

Odds are that the Jets are simply protecting their prized young quarterback, not wanting to throw him into the fire, especially with a backup offensive line. But, why are they being so secretive about their plan for Hackenberg when everyone knows he’s not going to play in 2015?

One former Director of College Scouting has a theory as to why Bowles hasn’t played Hackenberg.


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Greg Gabriel @greggabe
The Jets are finding out Hackenberg can't play. Hardly a surprise. #wasted pick
10:37 AM - 20 Aug 2016
25 25 Retweets 43 43 likes


Gabriel, who is the former Director of College Scouting for the Bears, has worked as a scout for over 30 years. He’s qualified to give an opinion on Hackenberg, but his query is not anything new about the former Penn State quarterback.

Hackenberg was one of the most polarizing players in the 2015 NFL draft and his selection in the second round was met with much skepticism. The Jets obviously like Hackenberg and have big plans for him, but they know he has a long way to go.

Hackenberg has all of the qualities of a franchise quarterback. He has ideal size, a cannon for an arm and scouts rave about his football IQ. But his throwing mechanics and footwork leave a lot to be desired. A year sitting on the sidelines following noted quarterback guru Chan Gailey and watching Ryan Fitzpatrick will help.

If the Jets would simply give a straight answer as to why Hackenberg hasn’t played, a lot of this speculation would go away.

 

[Jet Fan RI]

Not sure what to make of Hackenberg's lack of playing time. Sure hope this guy Gabriel has it wrong.

 

[flgreen]

BART HUBBUCH
SPORTS
Why are Jets fueling the mystery around Christian Hackenberg?

By Bart Hubbuch August 21, 2016 | 9:15pm
Modal Trigger Why are Jets fueling the mystery around Christian Hackenberg?
Christian Hackenberg and Todd Bowles (inset) Photo: Bill Kostroun; Anthony J. Causi


From Mets to Browns boss: How trailblazer brings 'Moneyball' to NFL
Don’t bother asking coach Todd Bowles about the Jets’ plan for rookie quarterback Christian Hackenberg, because it’s the equivalent of a state secret.

Two days after the second-round pick from Penn State didn’t play at all for the second preseason game in a row, Bowles was still tight-lipped Sunday about the reasons and Hackenberg’s immediate future.

“We’ve got a plan for the quarterbacks that we’re not revealing, and Saturday [against the Giants], we’ll play the guys that we have scheduled to play,” Bowles said.

At least with Hackenberg, it doesn’t need to be this way.

The Jets have four quarterbacks in camp, including a starter in Ryan Fitzpatrick who missed their entire offseason program and a pair of backups in Geno Smith and Bryce Petty who could very well be duking it out for one roster spot.

It would be perfectly understandable for the Jets to have Hackenberg take the NFL equivalent of the redshirt year he never got in the Happy Valley pressure cooker.

Even with his second-round status, there are no outsized expectations for Hackenberg like there were at Penn State, where he was one of the most celebrated recruits in the country and pegged as the program’s post-scandal savior. In fact, there are no expectations at all this season.


While it might sound odd to say the perennially quarterback-needy Jets have a logjam at the position, it’s true.

And that logjam could allow Hackenberg to sit back and quietly reboot at the foot of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey — one of the NFL’s top quarterback whisperers — after two underachieving seasons that sapped Hackenberg’s confidence and made him undraftable in the eyes of a lot of scouts.

Hackenberg himself sounded as if he welcomes the spotlight being on every Jets quarterback but himself.

“It’s been a dream come true for me,” Hackenberg said Sunday after a two-hour practice. “To be able to come in and just put my head down and go to work each day has been awesome.”

If you’re hoping to see Hackenberg in an actual game, it seems increasingly likely it won’t be this season.


Most teams usually play their starters into the third quarter in the third preseason game, which all but rules out Saturday for Hackenberg. The second half of the Sept. 1 exhibition finale against the Eagles is a possibility unless the Jets coaches haven’t made a decision between Smith and Petty.

That would be OK, too. There is no rush whatsoever with Hackenberg, who as a second-rounder and pet project of general manager Mike Maccagnan is in no danger of being cut anytime soon.

So why all the secrecy from Bowles & Co.?

The Jets seemingly won’t even be upfront with Hackenberg himself. That was obvious from Friday’s 22-18 loss to the Redskins in Landover, Md., when Hackenberg felt confident enough about playing to invite his father and several close friends to the game — only for them to watch him ride the pine the entire game.

Outsiders are already drawing conclusions from the Jets’ refusal to use Hackenberg in either of the first two preseason games, hinting the coaching staff or front office is afraid to put Hackenberg’s mental and mechanical shortcomings on public display.

“The Jets are finding out Hackenberg can’t play,” former Bears college scouting director Greg Gabriel tweeted Saturday. “Hardly a surprise. #wasted pick.”

Hackenberg hasn’t exactly been lighting it up in practice, either. In one team drill Sunday, he threw five consecutive incomplete passes.

In short, Hackenberg has a huge arm but poor mechanics, and he looks lost in a pro-style offense. But the same was being said about Petty this time last season, and now he is pushing Smith for the Jets’ No. 2 job.

A quiet redshirt year could have the same effect on Hackenberg. Why Bowles and the Jets won’t admit as much remains the head-scratcher.

 

[flgreen]

Not sure what to make of Hackenberg's lack of playing time. Sure hope this guy Gabriel has it wrong.

I've watched about 75% of Hackenberg's games at Penn St, and I'm not sure what to make of him either.

Kid has a ton of talent, big guy, strong arm, nice kid. He is also one of the most inaccurate QB's I can remember playing for a big NCCA program. Thought when they took him it was way to early. Macc didn't. I'll deflect to Macc for now. He probably knows more then I do.

Wasn't crazy with what Gailey had to say when asked a week or so ago about why Hack wasn't playing. To paraphrase..

"When you have to completely rebuild a players mechanics it takes 10's of 1,000's of reps. We just don't have the time"

Can't help but wonder when they will have that time? During the season the QB's coach is very busy working with the #1, and game planning. Under the CBA teh position coaches can't even talk to the young players. OTA's and mini camp is the usual place for that. Hack needs some reps with the full team soon.

The CBA rule is very stupid, it only protects the vets, from hard working young players. Needs to change, especially for QB's.

This time last year Petty had just come off a very nice performance against Atlanta in the second game of the pre-season. Same CS. What's up?

 

[lounap23]

RED shirt year.... Not going to throw him to the wolves..... Breaking him down to rebuild his mecahnics... not destroying his confidence....In return building his confidence and getting his mechanics to match his talent.... Thus building the protypical QB from what the JEts felt was a young talented moldable qb that will have a high chnace of success in this formula.... Already showing dividends with Petty and having Fitz to build the gap to one of them.... I like it. If Sanchez was given this treatment and maybe even Geno too we may have been better off in the long run...

I live by a motto... teach my kids it as well.. There are no shortcuts and sometimes you can get lucky but life is about putting in the work... Short term pain for long term gain....

 

[Jet Fan RI]

Wasn't crazy with what Gailey had to say when asked a week or so ago about why Hack wasn't playing. To paraphrase..

"When you have to completely rebuild a players mechanics it takes 10's of 1,000's of reps. We just don't have the time"

Uh oh. Sounds like years of work. Maybe Gabriel has it right after all. Especially with what you saw today with Hack's reps.

 

[flgreen]

Uh oh. Sounds like years of work. Maybe Gabriel has it right after all. Especially with what you saw today with Hack's reps.

I didn't see them, it was just reported in the training camp tweets. Most of the scribes seemed to agree.

If Hack makes it, and he has the tools it will be a 3 year project. Petty seems to be ahead of schedule, but don't forget he was a big project also.

IMO Petty will be ready to compete for the starter next year, Hack in 2. Like I said, JMO

 

[McJet]

Can Hackenerg get an "injury" towards the end of training camp and get an exemption? Where he doesn't count as a roster spot, doesn't have to get cut or go to waivers. Stays with the team to "rehab" and basically continues to learn during his redshirt year.
I think that Patriots practice this tactic.

 

[jetgreen13]

RED shirt year.... Not going to throw him to the wolves..... Breaking him down to rebuild his mecahnics... not destroying his confidence....In return building his confidence and getting his mechanics to match his talent.... Thus building the protypical QB from what the JEts felt was a young talented moldable qb that will have a high chnace of success in this formula.... Already showing dividends with Petty and having Fitz to build the gap to one of them.... I like it. If Sanchez was given this treatment and maybe even Geno too we may have been better off in the long run...

I live by a motto... teach my kids it as well.. There are no shortcuts and sometimes you can get lucky but life is about putting in the work... Short term pain for long term gain....

well said.. that said, i hope our resident "QB whisperer" hangs around for a good while..

 

[flgreen]

Can Hackenerg get an "injury" towards the end of training camp and get an exemption? Where he doesn't count as a roster spot, doesn't have to get cut or go to waivers. Stays with the team to "rehab" and basically continues to learn during his redshirt year.
I think that Patriots practice this tactic.

Not positive, but I thought that rookies going on IR have to go thru waivers for that very reason.The claim is seldom done, but if I'm not mistaken didn't Belichick claim a Giants player a few yeas ago who was IR'ed?

 

[flgreen]

Can Hackenerg get an "injury" towards the end of training camp and get an exemption? Where he doesn't count as a roster spot, doesn't have to get cut or go to waivers. Stays with the team to "rehab" and basically continues to learn during his redshirt year.
I think that Patriots practice this tactic.

Players with fewer than 4 years in the NFL must be waived before they can be put onto the IR list. This gives other teams an opportunity to claim a promising player that has a severe enough injury that they are likely to miss the entire season, and therefore just uselessly occupy a roster spot.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/4lwd8p/has_a_player_ever_been_claimed_after_being_waived/

 

[mykcuz]

It's a weird strategy to draft a redshirt qb in the second round, but they clearly have a break down build up plan for him. Reports are that his mechanics are horrid. I don't think Bowles feels he's earned game time. Bowles is definitely old school earn your playing time kind of guy.

That really means we have 3 QB's this year, question is do we keep 2 or 3. Geno is currently a better option but has trade value in his final year.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Jet Fan RI]

IMO Petty will be ready to compete for the starter next year, Hack in 2. Like I said, JMO

But wait. In your quote, Gailey said "10's of thousands" of reps would be needed for Hack. That implies at least 20,000 reps. Can a 3rd/4th string QB really get 20,000 reps in just 2 years? Sounds like a 5+ year project to me. But maybe Gailey wasn't being literal with the "10's of thousands" of reps comment.

 

[Fudbutter]

went to practice today

Hackenburg looked terrible

Sure hope that it isn't a wasted draft pick because they could have used a lineman or defensive player with a second round pick

 

[jetgreen13]

went to practice today

Hackenburg looked terrible

accuracy??

 

[ReallyBigfan]

But wait. In your quote, Gailey said "10's of thousands" of reps would be needed for Hack. That implies at least 20,000 reps. Can a 3rd/4th string QB really get 20,000 reps in just 2 years? Sounds like a 5+ year project to me. But maybe Gailey wasn't being literal with the "10's of thousands" of reps comment.

I saw Gailey quoted on that a couple of weeks ago, and he was talking about getting thousands of reps over the course of an entire offseason of concentrated work, to fix his footwork and other aspects of his throwing mechanics. Obviously they couldn't do that this offseason since they just drafted him. The tweet from Gabriel is absolutely idiotic. Hackenberg is exactly what the Jets thought he was when they drafted him - a practically perfect physical specimen of a QB with a high football IQ to boot, but bad mechanics that have to be fixed and bad habits that have to be broken. The Jets have an opportunity to take their time with developing him, and that amounts to a perfect scenario for him - an opportunity to learn and develop away from the spotlight, not getting thrown to the wolves as Geno was.

 

[Jet Fan RI]

I saw Gailey quoted on that a couple of weeks ago, and he was talking about getting thousands of reps over the course of an entire offseason of concentrated work, to fix his footwork and other aspects of his throwing mechanics.

Is that permitted under the rules/CBA? That is, are coaches allowed to work with players in that way over the offseason?

 

[Green Jets & Ham]

This is a RedShirt year for Hackenberg, when is the media going to get that thru their thick heads?

Forget about him until 2017, he's a non story, he's a ghost, metaphorically speaking he doesn't even exist.

Okay, you'll see him in the 4th Preseason Game because thats the throwaway game, but that aside, he's a ghost.

 

[flgreen]

Is that permitted under the rules/CBA? That is, are coaches allowed to work with players in that way over the offseason?

NO!

Position coaches aren't even allowed to talk to players about football during the off season.

The only option a young player has is to hire a QB coach like Penington from a place like T E S T for a week or 2. For 1st rounders that's OK, but for 2nd and 4th round picks they usually don't have that kind of money.

The other option is to have an unselfish vet QB on the team like Fitz who is willing to work with the young guys like Fitz did with Petty his rookie year. Don't know if they did this off-season because of the contract problems