There was plenty of apprehension inside the Jets organization about appearing on “Hard Knocks” this summer.
The team fought the NFL but eventually was forced to do it.
Now that it’s done, it seems the Jets enjoyed being on the show.
The team has veto power over what gets on each episode so there were not many, if any, moments that could be seen as negatives.
Instead, it put the Jets in a good light and especially new quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers was asked if he thought “Hard Knocks” showed his true leadership style, something fans may have not known about before.
“I think they had known some about, but maybe not rooted in a lot of truth,” Rodgers said. “So, I think that part was good to have out there. I think there was some misgivings about the whole experience. I don’t know how much we initially allowed them to film. I thought from my standpoint, when you are cutting a guy, it is the lowest part of a guy’s career and I am glad we did not keep that in there. I think that should be behind-closed-doors conversations. Maybe not every team meeting they were in, but there was a lot of access. I felt like it was good for our guys. The majority of our guys, except for C.J. Uzomah’s hair, we kind of stayed pretty authentic to ourselves, we didn’t change a whole lot. Overall, a good experience for me and good experience for the team, I think.”
Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was on the sideline for the opener against the Bills and his plan is to remain there all season.
Former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur moved from the sideline to the coaches’ booth in his first season and remained there.
“I have been on the sideline for the first four preseason games,” Hackett said. “That is something we, Aaron and myself, talked about and that is what we thought was best. I am very excited to have [passing game coordinator] Todd [Downing] up there, he has done a great job and Aaron has been listening to every single thing that has gone on, with his headsets on. We have gotten lots of critical feedback.”
Hackett said it will be a collaborative effort to come up with the game plan but ultimately he will be the one calling the plays.
He also will be the one talking into Rodgers’ helmet.
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