The New York Jets are hoping their offense is competitive this upcoming season. The last few years, the Jets' offense has been riddled with inconsistencies stemming from the quarterback play to the lack of a run game. However, this year they are hoping for different results after loading up on more weapons in the offseason. However will that push some players off the roster before the season officially begins?
Stephen Hill was a second-round draft pick in 2012. Expectations were extremely high for the wide receiver given he had the build of a top pass catcher in the league. However, those expectations have yet to be met and the now the Jets are thinking there might no longer be room for Hill. According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, Hill is not guaranteed a roster spot this season after the Jets made moves to acquire more players.
New York signed Eric Decker in the offseason as their marquee free agent. Jeremy Kerley is expected to lineup on the other side of the field. Then players like Jacoby Ford, David Nelson and Greg Salas are batting for the third spot. Hill is reportedly struggling to keep up with the rest of the roster talent. Ford and Clyde Gates have spots on special teams. Nelson and Salas looked locked in for a fourth spot at least given their preseason success. Hill could be the odd man out if the Jets are simply willing to cut the weight.
The urgency to win is very high for the Jets right now. Geno Smith is entering his sophomore season and backup quarterback Michael Vick understands the window is small to win a title. He is stressing to Smith that the time to step up is now. If Hill cannot also answer the call, the Jets might drop the second-round draft pick.
"There wasn't patience with me," Vick said, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. "There wasn't patience with Brett Favre. I've seen Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco go in there as rookies. Ben Roethlisberger. They had to get it done and they got it done. There's really no patience, just being honest. . . . We got to win and we got to win now."
The Jets offense is entering a crucial season and there are still plenty of questions remaining outside of the Hill issue. Can Chris Johnson return to being a dominant rusher? Can Chris Ivory be a quality backup? Will Smith become more elite this season? The Jets have plenty of things to get done before the season begins.