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Just like everything . . .
. . . he writes, it went viral.
Manish Mehta announced today that Joe Douglas is the “favorite” for the Jets job. It’s all over the internet.
I told you Monday Douglas was already as assembling a staff. It’s the worst kept secret in the league, but it’s this reporter who gets quoted all over the country today telling the world that Douglas is the “favorite.”
I’m not even looking for credit. I’m just pointing out what a joke the modern news cycle is.
This reporter could report that the Jets got hit by the Bubonic plague, and all these NFL aggregation sites would link to his story.
And he’s turned the Jets world on it’s ear the last few years.
He’s done two stories in the last week couple of weeks trashing the owner, including quoting a “current employee,” as he put it, saying Johnson “doesn’t know what he’s doing.” I guess if somebody was fired, but is still getting paid by the organization, in the eyes of some, they could be considered a “current employee.”
The Jets have no answer for writer. They changed PR guys, but it’s made no difference.
But getting back to Douglas.
He’s clearly the guy.
And honestly, he’s the only candidate that makes sense.
Gase likes him and trusts him. They worked together for a year with the Chicago Bears, and clearly developed a strong relationship. And the idea of hiring a stranger to come in and tell Gase who his players are going to be, since the new GM has final say on the roster, makes zero sense, and is inviting trouble.
They Jets had to know when they asked for an interview with Minnesota Vikings assistant GM George Paton, he was going to turn them down. First off, like I said, it’s the worst secret in the league that Douglas is going to get the job. Secondly, Paton and Gase have no background together, so why would Paton want to come into a situation that would probably be combative right out of the gate. He gets paid well in Minnesota. He can wait for a GM job where he’s not going to place with a coach who just contributed to the last GM losing his job.
But by requesting an interview with Paton, it makes it look like a more legitimate search, because Paton is always on team’s short lists for GM candidates.
Champ Kelly and Terry Fontenot are probably an interview cycle away from being GM candidates. They need to move up the corporate ladder a little more. The Jets will fulfill their Rooney Rule obligation and also could be considered for positions on Douglas’ staff.
Seahawks executive Scott Fitterer is also a guy who needs to move up the ladder a little more before becoming a GM, but took the interview to help get his name out there. Had you heard of him before this interview which happened on Friday?
But it would be a major shock if Douglas doesn’t get this job.
Gase respects him, gets along with him, he’s paid his dues, and is a “grinder” as one league source told me.
“Gase likes grinders,” the source said.
May 31, 2019
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