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Look, I understand the media stuff is only a small part of the job . . .
. . . but this is so different than what we’ve seen.
Talking about Joe Douglas’ press briefings last week.
He’s got a command. He’s got an alpha dog quality to him, and it comes through in the pressers. He’s different than some who previously occupied his office.
I went back over the tape from his recent press briefing. Sometimes right after an press conference happens, you can’t see the forest for the trees. Sometimes when you let it breathe a little bit, and go back to it, you get some new takeaways, that you didn’t have the first time around.
Here are some new takes after listening to it again:
There was one line from him, that was probably considered a throw-away line when he said it, but it showed his leadership skills. He was asked how the Jets are dealing with the “brave new world” of preparing for a draft with everyone involved at home, and not assembled in the war room. He gave a long answer praising Jets IT guys like Tom Murphy and Steve Piazza, and then at the end of the quote, he sent a strong message.
“We’re going to be ready, I promise you that,” Douglas said.
In other words, there will be no excuses, and they are going to navigate through these challenges and get the job done.
His answer about Jamal Adams contract also sent a strong message.
A few of the past general managers, when asked about a contract negotiation, might have answered, “I don’t necessarily want to get into contract talks.”
Douglas actually answered the question.
“Since we last spoke, nothing really changed on our end,” Douglas said. “We have really focused on free agency and the draft. No news to report in that regard.”
He’s not going to be bullied by the media or the court of public opinion, in that he has to give Adams a big contract now. First off, he’s got one year left on his rookie contract, and then the Jets can pick up his fifth-year option. Secondly, not sure Douglas has totally made up his mind that he wants to break the bank on a player, who embarrassed him in the middle of the season blowing the Dallas trade talks out of proportion.
Not saying Adams isn’t a terrific player. Not saying Adams won’t get a long-term deal. Just saying that Douglas will do this when HE thinks it’s the right time and the right price, and isn’t going to be shamed into giving him a reckless deal by the media and Adams’ camp. In reality, the Eddie Jackson deal in Chicago is a fair number for Adams, whether he’s like it or not.
He’s not going to cave like a cheap suitcase due to public pressure like the Jets’ former brass did to Mo Wilkerson, before his leg even healed, for goodness sake.
One writer claimed that agents told him that the Jets are having cash flow problems. Since when is not wanting to spend like a drunken sailor indicative of cash flow problems?
“We are trying to be as financially responsible as we can be and we feel comfortable about where we are now with our cash flow, while also maintaining a certain level of flexibility, so if the right opportunity presents itself, we can be proactive and go after a certain player,” Douglas said.
In other words, they might not be done in free agency, and maybe a pass rusher is on the horizon.
April 14, 2020
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