Gang Green Meets BountyGate;
Hello, Gregg Williams.
It dawned on me this is the first ever official hire by either Mike Maccagnan and/or Christopher Johnson - neither of whom did I ever feel were sufficiently experienced (much less qualified) to serve in their respective capacities. And despite what may prove to be very savvy changes to the coaching staff, my opinion about the front office remains unchanged.
In the same manner I believe John Idzik undermined Rex Ryan, I view Maccagnan acting as the foil against former coach Todd Bowles. In matters of personnel and free agent expenditure, both Idzik and Maccagnan demonstrated an ulterior underhandedness by forcing their head coaches into making due with increasingly less. Why? Perhaps because neither general manager played a role in hiring said head coach. While an effective working relationship between new head coach Adam Gase and Maccagnan remains to be seen, Maccagnan's ability to smartly invest the team's $100 million salary cap reserves also remains to be seen. If we're being truthful, his team building efforts over the last four years, outside of selecting Sam Darnold in last year's draft, have left much to be desired. Yet, he stays.
Enter Christopher Johnson, who on Monday proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he knows the game and business of football exponentially less than his brother. Being heir to a corporate empire is one thing, but operating an NFL club is entirely another. I do feel owners often times inject too many corporate sensibilities which at times are in direct conflict with the business dynamics of football.
I have no particular opinion regarding the hiring itself of head coach Adam Gase - and that's a good thing. He is certainly someone who seems to have his eyes on the prize! I couldn't resist ...
All kidding aside, I think many agree this hire is a fine step forward toward the development of quarterback Sam Darnold. In that regard, the Jets are justified for moving on from Bowles and Jeremy Bates.
On the other side of the ball, the Jets execute another eye grabbing headline with the hiring of Gregg Williams as their next defensive coordinator. Yes, the same former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator who earned a one-year suspension after taped-recordings surfaced in which he is heard instigating his players into committing unsportsmanlike violence upon the opposition; an episode infamously known today as Bountygate. That aside, he is no doubt an aggressive thinker, and should serve the Jets very well, provided Mike Maccagnan furnishes him with talent. With some play makers, a new Jets identity may very well start on this side of the ball.
Despite my previous support for Todd Bowles, and my vote of no-confidence for Maccagnan, the Jets are nevertheless in the midst of a very promising transition.
