JETS

I have no airtime til next week with all the playoff games etc so for those that are interested (and I appreciate that) I will share my thoughts about Gase, etc. and I need more than 280 characters I’m afraid.

Mike McCagnan has never been more than a director of college scouting prior to his ascent to the GM position here.   He never coached, never was a personnel director, presumably had very little interaction with coaches in his past positions.   He never had say in the hiring of a head coach before, and as far as I know, had little to do with any assistants being hired either.

Christopher Johnson was thrust into his role by the departure of his brother overseas.   His input in relation to his brothers’ is a mystery that is much like many in the closed door secretive world of pro sports ownership.  We must accept that there is much we will never know, because we don’t demand it.   We aren’t shareholders and we aren’t in a position to get answers.   They will do fine with us or without us, and they know it.

So to the coaching hire.   Adam Gase is probably as poor a choice as they could have made.  He is arrogant without having won, he makes excuses as quickly as he needs them, and he has no endorsements from former players other than quarterbacks.  I never look for endorsements from players while the guy is coaching.   They are worthless.   But when a guy leaves and no longer has say over you, the muzzle often comes off and you have a better chance at the truth.   Haven’t seen a lot of his former players claiming Jets hired a great leader here.  He may well accelerate the development of  the franchise qb, but there is no evidence that he can develop a football team, change a culture, or create cohesion.    I have no doubt that when things are good (and they may be with an early pick and $100m) he will have no problems.  But when hard times hit, and they inevitably do, I expect it to fall apart fast.   Leadership is the number one quality I want in my coach, and that includes picking a staff that reflects the boss’ vision.   The Jets have been very comfortable losing.  It’s another day at the office.   Gase’s style requires they buy in.  My way or the highway. And we all agree the Jets need some of that.   But the line is always fine, and betting on this guy to be able to walk it is foolish.   He crosses it and can’t get back.  You never can.

A word about Matt Rhule.   “The Jets” (presumably johnson and mcc) wanted say on who the young coach chose to be his assistants.   What makes them more qualified than any incoming coach to make these choices?   Why would McCagnan and Johnson know more about putting together a staff than an incoming coach?   Let’s face it, the guy under pressure once he gets the roster is the coach.   McCagnan will be gone if he screws up this offseason and or has a terrible draft.   No coach will save him.   And Johnson owns the team and rakes it in regardless of record.   No, the pressure is on the coach.   He is the front line of criticism.   He is the one  most likely to be run out of town.   Don’t you think he is more likely to be right about who his assistants should be than the other two?

In short, the chance at short term success is pretty good with a good young qb and the free agent money they have, but long term nothing’s changed.   If ownership doesn’t get it, the rest are hamsters on a wheel.   Ownership doesn’t get it.