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While the Jets are getting some criticism for number of candidates they are interviewing for their GM spot, there is a really smart aspect to what they are doing that hasn’t been mentioned.
Actually, I think it’s brilliant.
You see if you rush into a GM hiring, like some of these other teams like Arizona, you are missing a golden opportunity.
To interview 20 or so candidates might take a while, and can be tedious, but it’s well worth it in the long run.
Not just because it could lead to a very good selection, but because of all the educated opinions you get about your team, your organization.
During each lengthy interview, you are getting insights from each of the candidates of what they think of your roster, your strategy and so forth.
Most candidates do extensive research before their interview.
I will give you an example. A big reason former Indianapolis executive Tom Telesco landed the San Diego Chargers GM job, was he blew away the Spanos’ family (along with consultant Ron Wolf), with his extensive knowledge of all the players on their roster.
So while the Jets are obviously only going to pick one GM, they got incredible insight and opinions on their team from a variety of really smart football minds.
You better believe, Woody, Neil Glat, Jed Hughes, took extensive notes on everything that was said.
This can lead to some great teachable moments.
Smart teams really benefit from the outside opinions they get on their own team, from people, whether it’s coaches or GM candidates, who were in their building, spilling the beans, on how they feel about your organization, and what changes they would make.
So while people are quick to rip the Jets for their long list of candidates, and how long the process is taking, it’s actually a highly intelligent approach.
Think about it?
They got about 20 expert opinions of Mark Sanchez.
They got about 20 expert opinions of what is wrong with their offense.
I’m telling you, this process is really going to help the Jets . . .
Jets President Neil Glat is involved in the interviews, and according to Mike Florio, this could be a problem.
“There’s another factor that is, we’re told, contributing to the difficulties,” Florio wrote on Pro Football Talk. “There’s a concern that team president Neil Glat will be involved in the football operations. How involved isn’t known, but for traditional “football guys,” any involvement is too much involvement.
“Typically, a G.M. has to deal with only one person: The owner. In New York, the G.M. will have a straight line or at a minimum a dotted line to Glat. And Glat, we’re told, has been asking esoteric football questions during the G.M. interviews.”
Here is the deal on this – Jets fans have nothing to worry about here.
Glat isn’t not going to be involved in the football operation – once the selection is made, he gets out of the way, and goes back to running the business side.
But Woody needs a rep in the meetings (when he can’t be there), and Glat is the team president, so he helps out.
But Jed Hughes is running the show.
So while Glat is in the meetings, it’s not a sign that he is going to be involved in football operations.
He’s not. Woody believes in separation of powers.
But whether it’s Hughes, Woody, Glat – regardless of who is in the room – the amount of info they are gathering about their team, from the candidates, is priceless.
January 15, 2013
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