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New Jersey – We have two interesting nuggets today to get into in the latest installment of “One Jets Drive.” Let’s get this started . . .
I want to see how smart everyone is at picking up clues.
Gary Myers wrote the following items.
First he wrote this about Mike Pettine’s replacement if he leaves.
“Defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman, whose group, even without Revis, was the best thing about the Jets this season, should be promoted. If not, then Rex should call Jerry Jones to free his brother Rob from Dallas. Maybe two Ryans would be better than one.”
He also wrote who Tony Sparano’s replacement should be –
“Norv Turner, and there is not a close second. Turner was a mediocre head coach for 15 seasons, but he’s an elite offensive coach and maybe the only guy who can get Sanchez straightened out.”
Why do you think he’s promoting those two guys?
It’s pretty obvious.
It’s about time fans understand how this stuff works . . .
I don’t mean to disrespect any of these men, who all have strong qualities, but when you see candidates like Marc Ross, Tom Heckert, David Caldwell and Tom Gamble, my first thought is – maybe the Jets should have just stayed with Mike Tannenbaum.
Ross is the New York Giants college scouting director.
“The Giants draft is a little bit perception vs, reality,” said one long-time scout. “It’s middle of the road results when you look at 4-5 year snap shot.”
Heckert was 14-32 as the Cleveland Browns’ GM.
It seems to me that Caldwell and Gamble, two former Bill Polian assistants in Indianapolis, are being pushed hard by the former Colts’ President.
Hey, you have to give Polian credit for his loyalty, and his desire to go to bat for his guys.
But why should the Jets listen to Polian on these guys? First of all, when they called him, he had no interest in the Jets’ job, and somehow that was leaked to the media, and it made the Jets’ look bad.
Secondly, if Polian had this keen interest in helping the Jets fill their spot, why doesn’t he push his own son, the former Colts’ GM, Chris Polian, who is out of work?
You need to be careful about taking the advice of somebody pushing his former loyal employees. Listen, but take it with a grain of salt.
I remember last year when Bill Belichick was pushing Greg Schiano on Tampa Bay. Hey Glazer family, use your noodles, Belichick’s son played for Schiano at Rutgers.
I never would have hired Schiano. Being in Jersey, I talk to a lot of people around the Rutgers’ program, and the buzz about Schiano – great recruiter, sub-par game-day coach. Last time I checked, there is no recruiting in the NFL.
Look, I’m not saying these are bad candidates, but to me, none really seem like a big upgrade over Tannenbaum.
The Jets don’t need “just a guy,” – they need a leader – somebody who can take charge of that football operation in disarray, plagued by myriad leaks, and clean the darn thing up.
I just don’t think Rex is going to stop the leaks.
“The leaks don’t seem to bother him,” said one Jets’ beat writer recently.
Quite honestly, Woody Johnson clearly hasn’t been able to do anything about it. They continue.
This team needs a powerful leader.
Maybe that guy is in the aforementioned group.
But the Jets better be careful with this choice – very careful. Take their time and get it right.
Albert Breer reported that Polian has been pushing Gamble, and he’s the leading candidate.
I like Gamble. He’s a great guy. Always had a big “hello” whenever I see him.
But nobody should be the leading candidate before the interviews even start.
And Polian’s influence should be listened to, but he should not be driving the bus.
January 3, 2013
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