Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – It’s a waste of time, and perhaps it’s a good time to pull the plug. Let’s all just decide mutually to put an end to this yearly tradition . . .
The Jets pre-draft press conference is ridiculous.
It was held yesterday in Florham Park, New Jersey at the Jets’ training complex.
On the dais were Jets GM John Idzik along with Jeff Bauer and Terry Bradway.
Bauer is the Jets’ college scouting director. Bradway is a personnel consultant.
Do you realize that in the entire press conference, and it was a long one (30 minutes), not one player in the draft, and there are thousands, was brought up by name?
So let’s get this straight. This is a press conference to preview the NFL draft, and you can’t talk about any players in the draft?
It’s a joke.
Come up with any analogy you want.
“Okay, we are gathered here today to discuss the Kentucky Derby, but we aren’t going to talk about any of the horses in the race.”
And as you know, I don’t approach things from an entitlement standpoint. The Jets don’t owe the media a damn thing.
Their job is to win football games. That is the bottom line.
But please don’t insult our intelligence.
Please – let’s put an end to this. Call it a mercy killing.
So reporters go along with this, and try not to ask about specific prospects, play along, and even this approach turns into a waste of time as well.
Here are some tidbits from the press conference.
Q)Is the cornerback position as deep as the receiver position in this draft?
Bradway : Well, I don’t want to get into particulars in terms of how our board is set.
Who asked about how the board was set?
Q)Is this a strong draft for cornerbacks?
Bradway: Well, I think this is a good draft for a lot of positions.
Q)Are you open to picking a quarterback in the first round?
Idzik: We remain open-minded. Again, we’re going to evaluate each pick and the players that are available to us at that pick, and we’ll pick who we think is the best player.
Here is my issue with the position of the Jets, and some other teams, in regards to not talking about prospects in this yearly press conference.
Let’s say a reporter asks about Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard.
If the team official said, “He’s a tough kid with great character who is good in run support and solid in coverage,” how is that compromising their position at all?
Let’s say a reporter asks about USC wide receiver Marqise Lee, and the official answers, “He’s a very hard worker, a playmaker, who had a terrific career at USC.”
How does that hurt anybody?
It doesn’t.
Let’s just put an end to this stupidity.
It’s a waste of time for the media, fans and the Jets’ brass.
The Jets’ officials can spend the extra time preparing for the draft.
May 1, 2014
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Friday.