Namath: "Hard Knocks" was a distraction
New York Jets Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, left, chats with Jets coach Rex Ryan during training camp. (Aug. 5, 2010) Credit: AP
Looking for another reason for the Jets' lackluster performance against Baltimore?
Blame “Hard Knocks,” says Joe Namath.
The Jets legend said Thursday he believes the Jets’ starring role on the HBO series was a distraction and ultimately hurt their preparation leading into the regular season.
“I’ve got to believe that this ‘Hard Knocks’ stuff was a distraction of a nature that didn’t allow them to think about their job,” he said during his weekly radio appearance on ESPN’s “The Michael Kay Show."
Namath, however, was complimentary of Jets QB Mark Sanchez.
“He is still a very young quarterback, but he’s a gifted quarterback,” he said “…He just needs to get more playing time under his belt.”
Braylon Edwards, though, wasn’t so lucky. Namath picked on the Jets receiver for being too slow to be considered a bonafide deep threat.
“I don’t feel that we do have the deep threat, the speed out there at this point, that the defensive backs respect,” said Namath, who called Edwards a "fine receiver." "...I don’t think they’re worried about him running by defensive backs.”
