It’s fair to say, however, that the contest is likely over after the Jets’ 24-16 preseason win Monday night over the Falcons at MetLife Stadium. If it wasn’t Hall’s play that gave it away, it was his mere presence on the field four times a game when most of the starting defense was sitting. His play, however, did not help matters. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus runs for a touchdown with New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall.AP Hall was perceived in all the wrong ways. He committed a penalty, fumbled multiple times and lost a tackle, all in the span of a few drives. There wasn’t much to take from this game – even by preseason standards, it was a snoozer. But that put an end to any notion of serious competition between Sauce Gardner and Hall. Ty JohnsonNoah K. Murray On the first drive of the game, Kyle Pitts beat Hall badly on a corner route, going 52 yards down the sideline to set up the Falcons for a potential field goal. At least that was against Pitts – the best player in an Atlanta offense that leaves a lot to be desired. Hall later said he was trying to make the jump on a potential interception and was arrested. Chris StrevelerBill Kostroun “It’s just vision,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “It’s such a simple solution. … That there, just trust your vision, trust your size, that’s going to be a bang-bang game.” “There are times and places where you can do that,” Hall said. “And I’m very happy that it happened on this stage. I’m learning and I feel like I’m going to be a lot better than them.” A drive later, Hall was complicit on two plays, failing to tackle KhaDarel Hodge on a short curl that ultimately went 13 yards as well as giving up a touchdown on a slant to Olamide Zaccheaus — a play in which Hall misstepped outside . off the line and never recovered. After that, Gardner – who had a quiet night, making one tackle – didn’t play the rest of the way. Hall still had a low light to pass, making a catch midway through the second quarter during a play where he was held up 12-yards by Damiere Byrd. It was always going to be strange to see anyone other than Gardner, who the Jets passed on with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, line up at cornerback in Week 1 against the Ravens. Now, that would be downright shocking. Saleh said an official decision could come soon, with the goal being a dress rehearsal against the Giants in the third preseason game. “He’ll be fine,” Saleh said of Hall. “He has a very good camp. You know that probably stings a little and he knows it’s not good enough. But at the same time, he’s having a good camp, so you don’t want this day to define what he can achieve.” Mike White throws a pass for the Jets against the Falcons on Monday. Bill Kostrun Whether or not Saleh calls the contest over, there’s not much to decide at this point. DJ Reed, who did not play Monday, is a lock atop the depth chart at cornerback injury. And Gardner now looks like a clear starter next to him. After Monday went as badly as it did for Hall, the more relevant question may be whether he can hold down the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, which Brandin Echols and Isaiah Dunn could challenge for. Hall started all 17 games for the Jets last season and acquitted himself quite well. But the writing was on the wall four months ago. Monday just provided visual confirmation. “I think it’s all a learning lesson,” Hall said. “I think every chance you get to go out there, you watch the film, you analyze it. It won’t be the first time something has gone wrong. So my mindset is I’m not going to let it change anything.”
