Content available exclusively for subscribers
Premium – Time for a heaping helping of Dan’s Website Whispers on Gang Green with a few different goodies from behind the scenes. Let’s jump into it . . .
During the Jets-Vikings game at the University of Minnesota, writers in the press box had a view of Woody Johnson’s box at the stadium.
It was right next to the press box with a big window separating the press box and Johnson’s box.
I did look over there from to time to time.
I didn’t know everyone in the box, but the people I did recognize were Jets president Neil Glat, Woody’s right-hand man Ira Akselrad and Woody’s brother and mother (who are actually minority owners).
Look, I don’t want to jump to any conclusions based on my observations because we could just see what was going in there, not hear anything.
But there was very little emotion in there.
Now, it is quite possible, that since they knew we could see them, everyone in the booth was being low-key.
But it just seemed to me, that the owner is at a point of this rough season, where he’s accepted the fact that this is just not their year, and his emotions about these late season games have been tempered.
Talking to a team official, before the game, I don’t sense the team’s brass has made up it’s mind yet on what they are going to do after the season.
He kept emphasizing nothing has been decided yet.
Now Woody could have an idea in his own mind, but people who pretend to know what he’s thinking, are making it up.
People who claim to know what Woody is thinking are full of you know what.
Who does he confide in?
Ira? Neil? His wife? His brother and sister?
He’s not the kind of guy who runs around talking to people around the league or reporters. It’s just not his world.
We will see what happens.
But I just wanted to pass along was his mood from Minnesota.
He was very mellow during the game, not displaying a lot of emotion . . .
The shoulder injury to Tennessee QB Zach Mettenberger actually hurts the Jets.
The two reserve quarterbacks in Tennessee, Jake Locker and Charlie Whitehurst, are better than Mettenberger.
It’s kind of like the Jets’ situation.
When the backup plays, it’s an upgrade . . .
Late in the Jets-Minnesota game, Percy Harvin, who played a very good game, hurt his ankle.
I observed him quite a bit in the locker room after the game.
He could not put any weight on the ankle.
He needed crutches to get around.
It would be shocking if he plays this week in Tennessee . . .
One thing to consider about the Jets loss to Minnesota.
In the Vikings OT win over the Jets, Minnesota rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater had a terrific game, going 19-27-309-2 TDs.
Aside from some inconsistent QB play from the Jets cornerbacks, another big factor in his success was Norv Turner.
Turner isn’t a great head coach, but he is a fantastic offensive coordinator, a great play-caller, and outstanding with young quarterbacks.
December 8, 2014
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Tuesday.
When it comes to calling an offensive game, there aren’t many better than Turner, and that was on full display yesterday.