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Madison, New Jersey – My take on the “State of the Jets” address, and also the Jets change to Michael Vick at quarterback. Let’s get things started . . .
The media is trashing John Idzik for his “state of the Jets” address today.
Honestly, with some in the media, I don’t think there is anything he could have said today that he would have been acceptable. He was certainly in a no-win situation with some.
I am not a special pleader for Idzik. As you all know, I have issues with some of his moves, but I’m not going to rip him for this press conference.
I don’t know what people expected from him?
Early in the presser he said, “I don’t know words to describe it. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s brutal. You feel like you’ve been punched in the face. It’s painful.”
What is wrong with that? I’d say that is a pretty fair assessment of how Idzik, Rex Ryan and Jets fans feel right now.
He went on to say, “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.”
Sounds good to me.
And he knows he needs to change the way they go about their business. They can’t go forward status quo.
“With tough times, I can guarantee comes a lot of introspection,” Idzik said. “(There have) come a lot of days and nights when you spend every waking moment thinking and re-evaluating what you’re doing. How can you do better? What can you do to improve this team? I can assure everyone that’s been done.”
Remember, Idzik is just a 1.5 seasons into this job. He hasn’t done a great job, but neither has David Caldwell in Jacksonville. Neither he has never been a GM before, and both have made some rookie and sophomore mistakes. I bring up Caldwell because he was considered the front-runner for the Jets’ GM job.
As I’ve said, some major changes need to take place this off-season – changes to the Jets’ coaches and scouting staffs.
You are going to see Idzik destroyed in the press today and tomorrow.
He can’t win with a lot of these people.
I don’t think he was that bad today.
I’m in the minority.
I don’t know if Idzik is the long-term answer, but I think he realizes he has made a number of mistakes over his first season-and-a-half. He knows he has to do a much better job.
We will see if he can.
But I’m not going to sit here and destroy him over a press conference.
The proof is in the pudding on Sundays.
Not in the press conference room . . .
One reason to start Michael Vick against Kansas City is that the Chiefs have a heck of a pass rush, and it would be behoove the Jets to go with the QB with better escapability.
While Vick did get sacked four times against the Bills, you did see his innate ability to move around in the pocket, with his amazingly quick feet, and ability to create time, and escape.
The Chiefs play a 3-4 defense, and has two premier pass rushers coming off the edge in Tamba Hali (four sacks) and Justin Houston (10 sacks) . . .
The Jets should have made the change to Vick weeks ago. Perhaps they would have a couple more wins.
But at this stage of the game Rex had no choice. He would lose the locker room if he continued with Smith, after his three picks on three possessions against Buffalo.
This Rex quote says it all – “I think when Mike came into the game I thought it did give us a spark. I felt the energy on the sideline.”
Most of the players clearly want to give Vick a test drive.
October 27, 2014
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