re: What if JJ suddenly starts playing well?

No one (or at least no one I know) is down on JJ because they have something personal against him. We're down on him because, despite his physical talent, he has performed poorly and is, in many people's view, the difference between winning the West or being 3rd or 4th place in it.

If he puts it together and plays well, the criticism will cease and fans will be supportive of him retaining his job as the starting QB of our beloved Tigers.

That answers your hypo.