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The New York Jets have approached free agency with a zeal that borders on desperation. And that has prompted many to conclude that the folks pulling the trigger really are desperate — desperate to win because they’re desperate to keep their jobs.
But owner Woody Johnson has proclaimed that neither G.M. Mike Tannenbaum nor coach Eric Mangini are on the hot seat for the coming season.
Johnson told the New York Daily News that Tannenbaum and Mangini will “absolutely” be back with the team in 2009.
“I really think it takes time to build,” Johnson said. “You can’t do it in one season.”
But why would Johnson back himself into a corner on this one? A lot can happen between now and January. What if the team goes 1-15, or worse? Or what if none of the guys in whom so much money has been invested do anything to help the franchise?
There are far too many variables for any NFL coach or G.M. to be declared “absolutely” safe for the season beyond the one that hasn’t even unfolded yet. And now that Johnson is on the record with his guarantee of job security for the top two guys in his football operations, it will be difficult if not impossible for Johnson to change his mind later.
No matter how the team’s fortunes unfold in 2008.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:51 am
It’s called Faith Florio!
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March 31st, 2008 at 7:51 am
C’mon, Mike - Johnson’s beholden to nobody but himself. If he wants to fire the coach and GM, and he’s willing to suffer the financial consequences of doing so, he can take that action regardless of what he’s said to the press. Nobody truly takes what sports figures say to the press seriously, anyway; it’s all spin, cliches, and damage control at this point anyway, and a healthy portion of your articles stem from your willingness to question the motives of such speakers. Pretending that this serves as a binding guarantee seems silly, even at this early hour. (For that matter, if the Jets go 1-15, I don’t think anyone in New York will be sad to see the duo leave…)
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March 31st, 2008 at 7:58 am
Mike, clearly you’re not very familiar with new york area fans’ psyche.
Speaking in absolutes can be dangerous when it comes to the NFL, but should the team go 1-15 “or worse” no one is going to begrudge Woody should he want to throw them out on the street.
The bottom line is, he thinks these are his guys, and he looks to stable organizations like Pittsburgh or the Patriots and knows that success comes from stability over time, not volatility … you know volatility … it’s what makes PFT one of the most visited websites on the topic of the NFL.
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March 31st, 2008 at 9:24 am
I hope the jets keep their loser coach. All he will do is run them into the ground even more!
BTW, the Jets management looks like a group fighting for their jobs based on that ridiculous FA bonanza.
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March 31st, 2008 at 9:41 am
Why not offer a vote of confidence? You think anyones going to put the screws to him for firing the staff if they do go 1-15??
“Or what if none of the guys in whom so much money has been invested do anything to help the franchise? ”
Come on, Mike. Who doesn’t have this problem? What if Jamarcus Russell decides to become the world’s fattest man? What if the entire Giants defense decides to hold out all year? What are the Jets supposed to do, just take the season off and put their money in CDs?
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March 31st, 2008 at 3:01 pm
This is a clear sign that they are going to draft Ryan.
Either he starts the season or they plug him in when they are 0-8, giving him at least a handful of games to get his act together for the following season. Giving the coach and GM immunity allows them to focus on developing their QB of the future rather than worrying about a few extra wins.
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March 31st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
A one year extension? That might as well be the kiss of death.
The only coaches who GET a “vote of confidence” from an owner are the coaches that NEED a “vote of confidence”. One more year on a contract is a small price to pay in a desperate effort to shore up a coach whose players are thinking he’s closer to MangIdiot than ManGenius. Heck - even two years would have been a fraction of the cost of one more player blackmailing the coach and the organization into trading them or giving them a contract extension.
Lucky for Eric, I’m sure he’s been keeping careful notes on instances of tampering and and other gray areas of the NFL rulebook in which the Jets are delving to convince Woody Johnson (I still giggle every time I say that name) to keep him on.
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