Although highly unusual in this day and age, Mike Maccagnan and the New York Jets should bet on a 53-man roster with four quarterbacks.
Just a month ago, there were many who believed Geno Smith would be the New York Jets starting quarterback. These people actually reveled in this idea while Ryan Fitzpatrick toiled on the open market.Now, after just two preseason games, Geno is hanging on to a roster spot by the skin of his teeth.
When the classically hilarious Jerry Glanville proclaimed the NFL as the “Not For Long” league, he wasn’t kidding.
Second-year Baylor product Bryce Petty was so impressive in Washington D.C. on Friday night that head coach Todd Bowles won’t commit to Geno as the backup – after doing the exact opposite the week prior. He declined to get into specifics, yet had this golden little nugget, via Rich Cimini of ESPN New York:
“We’ve got a plan for the quarterbacks that we’re not revealing,” Bowles said.
A plan? What plan?
Perhaps what the second-year boss is alluding to is that the Jets will keep all four of their signal callers. This would be an unusual strategy in this day and age, no doubt, but one that is ideal for this situation.
When predicting New York’s 53-man roster at the beginning of July, we thought four QBs would be the way they’d go.
There are a multitude of reasons:
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Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Health
Remember, your starting QB isn’t the model of health. In 11 seasons, Ryan Fitzpatrick has only played in 113 games. 11 seasons equals the potential of 176 games.
While most of the missed opportunity for Fitz came because he wasn’t the starting quarterback, other times have been attributed to health.
Two seasons ago while playing with the Houston Texans came as a prime example. Enjoying a terrific statistical season, Fitzpatrick fractured his tibia and missed the rest of the year. In 2011 with the Buffalo Bills, it was announced after the season that Fitzpatrick had played with broken ribs.
This is a 33-year old QB who has no fear on the football field. His pocket awareness is superb and loves to scramble with his solid mobility. Injuries and a QB like this are partners in crime.
We all remember the nonsensical broken thumb suffered in Oakland last season.
Should the Jets cut either Geno or Petty and see Fitz go down to injury, a major problem would arise.
NEXT: Zero Value
Geno Smith’s Value Is Nothing
Geno Smith’s statistical output through two preseason games isn’t pretty.
So far, Smith is 14-of-27 for 126 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Couple this with his devastatingly bad 35 interceptions and eight fumbles in just 29 games started, and trade value would, of course, be hard to come by.
Even his status as a second-round pick becomes foggy thanks to the reputation of the man who drafted him and how poor the QB draft class was that season.
The only way Mike Maccagnan would receive anything for Geno is if he finds a team desperate for a QB. One serious injury in Week 3 of the preseason would have to happen for this to be a legitimate option.
NEXT: Farmhand
Hackenberg Is In The Minors
What Maccagnan has done with his prized second-round quarterback from Penn State is, essentially, place him in the minor leauges.
Yes, of course the NFL has no farm system. There is no feeder program similar to what the MLB, NHL and even NBA have. We already know this.
Mikey Mac, though, is a man who’s trying to break the mold.
Immediately what comes to mind is this: He doesn’t like to rush young QBs. There wasn’t a chance in the world Bryce Petty was going to see action during his rookie campaign. Even if he could have provided something, the organization made the decision that they didn’t feel he was ready.
Additionally, they feel the same way about Christian Hackenberg.
Under no circumstances will Hackenberg see NFL action in 2016. This means all fans need to pretend he’s not even on the roster.
Therefore, if the Jets keep only three QBs, it’s almost as if they’re keeping two.
NEXT: 46 vs. 53
46 Active Is Different Than 53 Full
All head coaches and front office execs stripped down to their underwear and danced the day the NFL announced they’d be moving from a 45-man active game day roster to a 46-man version.
The one extra athlete, not just an emergency QB, means all the difference in the world.
Still, 46 active players means seven players are always inactive on gamedays. It would only hurt a fraction of an ounce to keep both Hack and Geno or Petty on the inactive list.
Keeping four QBs won’t take away from the active roster. Moreover, keeping four QBs once camp breaks doesn’t mean the Jets would be forced to keep four QBs all season long. Maccagnan can simply keep four QBs until the right time – when another NFL franchise becomes desperate for a guy.
Then, and only then, should the Jets pounce and trade Geno.
While Petty’s great start to 2016 does allow Mikey Mac to breathe easier in knowing he’s now not forced to keep all four, it doesn’t mean they won’t.
And by the way Jets fans, please don’t bring up the practice squad. There’s a reason quarterbacks never make it to the practice squad. Waivers need to be cleared and thanks to how QB reliant this league is nowadays, all franchises are QB vultures and it’s slim to none that any of the three after Fitz would make it there.
Keeping four QBs is a very easy and possible thing for the New York Jets when camp breaks in two weeks.