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New Jersey – Mr. Coffee will be front-and-center on Friday at a press conference being held at 1 pm. Here is a little bit of a preview . . .
On Friday, Mike Maccagnan will hold his pre-draft presser.
But you know what, I don’t expect many of the questions to be about the draft.
First of all, the reporters know he’s not going to be very insightful on the draft, or tip his hand at all.
So since you only have a limited time with the guy in pressers, which are timed, why waste you ammo?
Mike is one of those people who won’t talk about individual prospects in the draft.
So many general managers think that if they answer a question about a prospect, they are tipping their hand.
I’ve always found this to be ridiculous, and I will tell you why.
Let’s say a reporter asks the Jets GM about Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence.
And the GM says, “He’s a very good pass rusher with a quick first step and a good motor.”
How on earth is that tipping your hand?
That is common knowledge in the world of scouting. It’s not like you are showing us your draft board.
I think the GM’s that won’t talk about prospects are taking paranoia to a crazy level.
That hypothetical answer I provided above does nothing to compromise your position.
Or let’s say a GM is asked about Memphis QB Paxton Lynch, and he says, “He’s got great size and a rocket arm. He has a lot of potential.”
Who is hurt by that assessment?
But like I’ve said a million times, Mike doesn’t need to win press conferences, he needs to put a winner on the field.
So I don’t want to be a hypocrite and act like I’m complaining about his answers to the press. I’m not. I’m making an observation.
But aside from the guarded approach of the Jets’ GM leading up to the draft, there is another reason he’s not going to be asked a lot of draft questions on Friday.
Because the Mo Wilkerson and Ryan Fitzpatrick contract disputes are still in full force.
And you are talking about the team’s best defensive player, and the guy they want to be their quarterback in 2016.
So those are two very important topics, and we haven’t talked to the GM in a while.
So expect a ton of Wilkerson and Fitzpatrick questions.
According to Wilkerson, he started running in his surgical leg today.
“I prayed and Allah answered I’m thankful for all the motivation and the doubters keep doing what,” tweeted Wilkerson.
His health is the elephant in the room. How do you sign him long-term or trade him if he’s far from 100 percent?
Aside from myriad questions on Fitzgerald and Wilkerson, also expect a few questions on D’Brickashaw Ferguson’s sudden retirement and the trade for Ryan Clady.
So while this is a pre-draft presser, don’t expect draft questions to rule the day.
April 21, 2015
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