Gang Green Nation, Jets fan: 'The play clock has been a big problem with the Jets' | Broncos Q&A

A New York Jets fan for 50 years, MacGregor Wells is deputy manager for Gang Green Nation, arguably the most popular Jets fan site on the web. Wells spoke to The Denver Gazette for our weekly Broncos Q&A:

The Denver Gazette: What’s the excitement level for Jets fans with a healthy Aaron Rodgers?

MacGregor Wells: “I’ve got to say this is an interesting year for the Jets. It’s a very exciting year for the Jets. You know, the Jets haven’t had a good quarterback in 15 years. We had Brett Favre for a year (2008) and before that, Chad Pennington (2000-07). Having a Hall of Famer like Aaron Rodgers is a big, big deal for the Jets. And last week he really looked like the MVP version of Aaron Rodgers. The Jets have a talented roster for the first time in forever. The Jets, let’s face it, have been one of the worst rosters and quarterback situations in the NFL.”

DG: Is it the Broncos-Peyton Manning model — an elite quarterback at the end of his career?

Wells: “That’s a good way to put it. There’s a built-in expiration date. If it doesn’t happen in the next year or two, it doesn’t happen at all. They have a shot. Now, are they the favorites to win the Super Bowl? Of course not. But they have a shot, and the last time they had any shot at all was in 2010 (with Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez).

DG: How would you describe the Jets’ history at quarterback?

Wells: “It’s funny, because Jets fans always talk about we’ve never had good quarterbacks. That’s not true. It’s just been a very long time. Even Joe Namath, he got hurt a lot. You had the Super Bowl year, then he’s constantly injured. He’s really good but for a short period of time. Richard Todd (1976-83) had one good year. Ken O’Brien (1984-92) had a couple good years. You have one or two good years and they’re gone. The last one we drafted was Chad Pennington and he was a good player, but he got injured a lot.”

DG: What are the expectations for this Jets team?

Wells: “My sense is that Jets fans are ready for the other shoe to drop. They’re ready for something bad to happen, because it usually does. Everyone on the outside is talking up the Jets roster and talking up Rodgers. And bad things always happen to the Jets. Personally, I don’t believe that. I don’t believe the franchise is cursed. The fact is the Jets do not have a bad team this year. They have a good roster with a good quarterback.”

DG: Why didn’t it work out with the Jets and (Broncos backup) Zach Wilson?

Wells: “I just think people overrated his talent level. He had a nice arm, but it wasn’t a Brett Favre arm or an Aaron Rodgers arm. He could run a little bit. But he couldn’t read a defense. He doesn’t seem to have the mental aspect of the game. Most of this game is between the ears and we never saw that in the brief time he was with the Jets. That doesn’t mean he can’t develop that aspect. But in his Jets career it was one boneheaded decision after another. He had one good year in college at BYU. He’s young, so maybe it works out eventually. Geno Smith eventually worked out. Sam Darnold has gone on to look good. But it wasn’t panning out with the Jets.”

DG: How’s it going with (Jets coordinator) Nathaniel Hackett and the play clock?

Wells: “Jets fans are not really fans of Nathaniel Hackett. The amazing thing is that he’s the son of Paul Hackett, and Paul Hackett was one of the most reviled (offensive coordinators) in Jets history. I don’t understand it, why they thought this was a good idea. The play clock has been a big problem with the Jets this year. Part of that is Aaron Rodgers likes to milk the play clock, take it down to near zero. But Hackett is a bad offensive coordinator. We feel like Aaron Rodgers can make up for the incompetence of Nathaniel Hackett.”

DG: Broncos Country associates Metlife Stadium with Super Bowl XLVIII and a blowout loss to the Seahawks. Would New York ever host a Super Bowl again?

Wells: “I think that the New York area would. But I don’t know if the NFL would do it. It’s a February game. This is New Jersey. You could have a blizzard. It seems like a bad choice to me. What happens when there’s an enormous blizzard? But we’d love to have it again.”

DG: Have you seen a Steve Atwater-Jets jersey in the wild?

Wells: “Definitely once in a while. But it’s very, rare rare. And he was a perfect example for the Jets. The Jets always get that one year when a guy is no longer the player he used to be.”

DG: What’s your prediction for Sunday?

Wells: “The Broncos have a really good defense. But I think this game begins with the quarterbacks. Bo Nix looks like he has promise and he played well last week. But Nix is still a rookie. Rodgers is Rodgers. It think it’s a low-scoring game. Jets, 20-17.”