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It’s time for some more of “The Good Stuff,” from Jets Confidential Editor Dan Leberfeld . . . You don’t want to miss it . . . Sign up now.
So how have Woody Johnson and Matt Higgins been spending some of their “down” time during the lockout?
We hear one thing they are doing is helping the fundraising efforts of Mitt Romney, who is running for President on the Republican side . . .
For the first season of the new stadium, the New Meadowlands had not title sponsor.
Remember they had one locked up a few years ago, a German insurance company named Allianz. However, when it came out that Allianz was involved with the Nazi Party in World War II, Jewish groups sucessfully lobbied for the Jets and Giants to back out of the deal.
Keep in mind that Giants co-owner Jonathan Tisch is Jewish.
But now we hear that the New Meadowlands Corporation in closing in on getting a deal done, and something could be announced soon. But it’s’ unlikely any deal could be made public until a new CBA is signed.
After all, if the Jets and Giants announce that they have locked up a $20 million a year deal for naming rights, the union (or whatever it’s called now because they decertified), will definitely hold that against the owners.
A player or union official would likely say, “You guys are crying poverty, and you are signing these kind of naming rights deals?”
We hear that there is a good chance a European company, similar to Allianz, would be a likely candidate to buy the naming rights – like an overseas bank or insurance company. The thinking from one of these companies is that this would help them improve their name recognition in the United States . . .
We hear there could be some changes coming at SNY.
According to an industry source, analyst Greg Buttle could be out at SNY.
It’s possible that they were so happy with Joe Klecko, that they decided to have him replace Buttle.
Remember when Ray Lucas was having neck issues, Klecko filled in for him, and the reviews were very good for the former Jet great.
Now that Lucas has had successful neck surgery and has a better plan for dealing with the non-stop pain he was dealing with, he shouldn’t have to take any more shows off . . .
The lockout is really bad for young players in need of spring coaching and tutoring.
With that being said, the work stoppage is really hurting defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis.
You see these two are very raw prospects. They aren’t like Buffalo rookie defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, coming out of Alabama, after playing under former NFL coach Nick Saban.
Wilkerson and Ellis played at lower level programs, and both need to get stronger, and each needs a lot of work on technique.
Not having OTA’s, mini-camps and off-season conditioning are really hurting these guys.
And while they both have enormous potential, if the lockout lasts much longer, it might be hard for the Jets to play either one extensively early in the season.
Most rookies are lost anyway, but this lockout, is going to increase the “lost” factor, especially in the first month of games.
Don’t be shocked if one or both is deactivated, at times, early in the season, if there is one.
Editors note – Premium articles will appear every three days on the website. So the next one will be on Sunday (early afternoon). We wanted to take the guesswork out of it for you guys and gals.
