Is it one man’s fault?

The mantra today at Jets camp was “it’s more than one person” responsible for the Jets 1-8 record. Is that accurate? Let’s take a look.

I’m not that into this whole plane banner (“Fire Idzik”) thing, but it was a big story today, so let’s look at this from a big picture standpoint.

Rex Ryan was asked about the plane that flew over the Jets’ practice field.

“Well, I’m upset,” Ryan said. “Even though I recognize the fans are in pain, we all want to win. But to place it on one person, I don’t think it’s fair.”

Is it fair to place the blame on one person? It you ask the man being targeted, he would say “yes.”

This is what Idzik said last week at his mid-season press conference.

“When you talk about responsibility and where it lies, I’m the general manager of the New York Jets,” Idzik said. “I am responsible for the football operations of the New York Jets. Ultimately, I’m responsible for the performance of our team, the product that we put on the field. That lies with me. The buck stops here.”

So Idzik feels the blame does belong on one person.

Mike Vick also subscribes to this “it’s not on one guy” theory.

“Everybody I think in this locker room understands that it’s not just about one person,” said Vick.

Clearly that was the talking point spread in the building.

But you know what, if anyone would subscribe to the “it is on one person” theory, it should be Vick.

It was Idzik, for some bizarre reason maybe he will explain one day, who decided to hold a window-dressing quarterback competition.

And when questioned throughout the spring and summer about the competition, he redefined the word. In his mind, competition is pushing each other to get better, not necessarily competing for a starting job.

While Idzik was confusing reporters and fans with his unorthodox view of competition, Vick continually set the record straight with reporters by saying, “There is no competition.”

It was Kabuki Theatre.

To sign Vick, and then not allow him to compete for the starting job, is more of an agenda-driven approach to managing a team, as opposed to a winning-driven agenda.

The handling of the quarterback situation in the spring, summer and first half of the season, is a black mark on Idzik’s record.

I can assure you, having a Potemkin Village quarterback competition, isn’t something Idzik learned in Seattle.

So since it was Idzik who had an agenda of making this Geno Smith thing work come hell or high water, and who put a road block up on Vick until the Jets ninth game in Kansas City, perhaps this does lie with one man.

So I agree with Idzik. This mess is on him.

I’m not saying he should be fired, but if he pulls the phony competition stuff ever again, he should absolutely be fired. It’s unacceptable.

November 5, 2014

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