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A couple of things to get into today in our Website Whispers. One on why the Jets were denied permission, and the other on the concept of a football czar . . .
The Jets were interested in hiring Philadelphia Eagles QB coach John DeFilippo as their new offensive coordinator, but were denied permission.
This begs the question – Why would the Philadelphia Eagles stop a QB coach from pursing an opportunity to be an offensive coordinator elsewhere? Isn’t that a promotion?
Well, from what I hear, from a very good source, the Eagles plan on promoting DeFilippo to a spot above the team’s current offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
Clearly something is amiss between Reich and Eagles head coach Doug Pedersen.
So perhaps Reich could emerge as a candidate for the Jets’ job.
Stay tuned . . .
There has been a lot of talk over the last few months that the Jets could use a football czar to oversee their football operation above the head coach and GM. This because the current set-up of Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles being equals isn’t ideal.
You saw the Jacksonville just gave Tom Coughlin a job like this as head of the Jags football operations.
There has been some talk that maybe Mike Maccagnan should be promoted to this role. I think that is a bad idea.
First of all, Mike and Todd came in together with set-up clearly defined. To switch that now would create animosity.
Secondly, Maccagnan still hasn’t proven he’s worthy of that kind of power. His press conference last week was painful. Like I’ve said many times, I’m not going to get too caught up in press conference performances, but he certainly didn’t exude alpha qualities.
I often wondered if he’s different behind the scenes at One Jets Drive than with us. With the media, he’s milquetoast. Can he turn it on and off? Maybe.
The following answer is a bad look.
“We’re happy we have Darrelle.” – Jets GM Mike Maccagnan on cornerback Darrelle Revis.
What is that?
Stop it!
Look, I’m not expecting him to trash Revis in a press conference. Not at all. But don’t say that after the two seasons we all just witnessed. Revis made $17 million this past season. $1 million a week. He played like a league minimum corner. He has impacted wins and losses, and has been making too many excuses in the media.
I’m sorry, don’t say, “We’re happy we have Darrelle.”
That shows weakness. It’s pandering. Be a leader. Say other things. Not that. That is a little insulting to one’s intelligence.
So if the New York Jets aren’t going to hire a football czar, they should keep the power structure just like it is. Mike picks the players and Todd coaches them.
Neither one should be ahead of the other.
Mike has a good reputation as a talent evaluator (though the results so far are average) – let him do that. But that is where he should stay.
Good guy. Smart man.
Not a football czar.
January 11, 2017
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