Updated: Cowher – Your Next Jets Head Coach?

Multiple sources, including ESPN, are reporting that Bill Cowher will not interview for the Jets vacant head coaching position because he wants to bring in his own director of player personnel, whereas Jets owner Woody Johnson has committed to keeping Mike Tannenbaum as GM (or assistant to Brett Favre, depending on who you believe).

The question remains, would Tannenbaum relinquish control for a certain former mentor of his who likely wouldn’t be keen on “cooking someone else’s groceries”?

UPDATE: 12:48pm – Some sources (WFAN, ESPN – see above link, which has been updated) are now saying that Tannenbaum is willing to take a reduced role to get Cowher on board. I reckon this move is going to happen…

141 Responses to “Updated: Cowher – Your Next Jets Head Coach?”

  1. I guess everyone will want Tannenbaum fired now…

  2. This is a a joke. No to Cowher and yes to that bean counter stuttering GM Tannenbaum!!!!!!!!!! Woody needs to get a clue. Guys, we are not going to be successful if this guy keeps calling the shots. Neither of them are football guys!!!!

  3. Well fans you got what you ask for. They fired Mangini and kept Mr T……Now Cowher wont come in unless Mr T is fired…Typical Jets!! Plus we have the Favre nightmare just getting started…..This is going to get messy. We will wish for the Mangini days if we dont get Cowher…..Mark it down!!

  4. No Cowher? This is gonna get real ugly, real fast.

  5. Bring in Billick. He’s a surly SOB – will fit right in with the NY media.

  6. Fire Tannenbaum! I want me some Cowher!

  7. Unleash the hounds. You reap what you sew Tannenbaum.

  8. This is how I look at it…

    The Jets need to do whatever it takes to win..

    -Tannenbaum has done a good job as the GM of the Jets. He was brought in talented young players and mixed in some highly sought after veterans.

    With that said, Tannebaum is still unproven and doesnt have a successfull track record as a GM. He has been a GM for 3 years and is partly responsible for the Jets success, or lack there of in the last 3 years. I am not saying he should or shouldnt be fired, but he is still unproven,

    -On the other hand, Bill Cowher is a proven leader with a well known track record. His team always competed in Pittsburgh and has an identity as a coach. He is a very good defensive coach, that likes to be a bit conservative on offense, but LOVES to run the ball.. SMASH MOUTH STYLE.

    There is no guessing game with Cowher and we all know what we are going to get, including Woody Johnson.

    Lastly, Woody doesnt know how far Tannenbaum can take him because he is still young and lacks experience as a GM. Cowher has been around the block and has developed a solid reputation that will grant the Jets instant credibility around the league.

    IMHO, I would take Cowher over Tannenbaum. Not because Tannenbaum is a bad GM, but because Cowher is more proven and has a better and more impressive resume.

    As fans, we can alsmost guarantee that we will be a competetive organization with Cowher in a matter of 2, maybe 3 years. That is a guaruntee with Cowher. We can say that with confidence because of his proven track record.

    The choice is up to Woody but you cant go worng with hiring Cowher. I dont think you can be as confident when saying the same about Tannenbaum.

  9. Marty will be fine. I’ll take 12-4 and the playoffs — I don’t buy the whole big game thing.

    Everyone seems to be so excited to get Cowher to coach that they are willing to take on Cowher the GM as well to build this team — a GM that has never evaluated personnel very well.

  10. no kerry rhodes is not dead. he can disappear on a football field, but magically reappear when a newspaper or tv station would like to interview him.

  11. Why doesn’t Woody just let the fan boards run the Jets. Obviously, they’re never wrong about anything. Failing that, just get Lupica. Because he knows what every NY team should do.

  12. Did Cowher handle personnel in Pittsburgh or did he just coach?

  13. TOTAL NONSENSE. THEY ALREADY KNOW WHO IS THE NEW HEAD COACH. THIS IS ALL SMOKE THEY ARE BLOWING.

  14. LUPICA IS AN IDIOT THAT NEVER GOT PICKED IN ANY PICK UP SPORTS GAME.

  15. A compromise for the Jets and Bill Cowher:

    Bill should be given his own Personnel Advisor who would oversee, consult and review the entire personnel operation on behalf of Bill Cowher. In effect Bill’s eyes and ears in personnel. Bill would be given a say in all personnel decisions. Now we all know that Eric and Mr. T had a great working relationship as far as personnel was concerned. This set up would give Bill a strong say without him having to do all the personnel work. Mr T would still be in-charge along with the current operation.

    I think this is a great compromise that Bill Cowher and the Jets should strongly consider. I am against giving a new coach full control and his own personnel guy as described in these reports. The reason is that when Cower leaves the Jets in the future the entire operation would need to be replaced. This is unacceptable.

    Joe

  16. I love Kerry Rhodes. But he does disappear. A very disappointing season and I can’t think of one game changing play he made. He is no Ed Reed…..but he could be…..

  17. cowher is a great coach

    not to mention that this is going to be the best FA market in the NFL in years.

    The first thing I do as the Jets is get rid of Coles, who is old, has lost a step and has problems getting open.

    The Jets need to get better at FS, Abram Elam is not good enough and they need to get someone better than Kenyon Coleman at DE.

    If Favre retires (which I think he will) than I would take a look at Matt Cassel. I know he’s a product of being on the Patriots but he has shown he can play in the NFL.

    They also need a big target at WR although Houshmanzadeh is one of the best WR in the NFL and would be a great fit here.

  18. I’m with Oscar, Brian Billick would be a nice fit. Let’s see if they even look to interview him.

  19. So, if Cohwer is out, I like the idea of Billick. He’s proven he can be a great offensive coach (at Minnesota, and after firing Fassel at Baltimore). He has a Super Bowl. He’s always been surrounded by great defenses and may be able to get Marvin Lewis after he gets fired. Brian Shottenheimer will work well with Billick. I think we all agree Tannenbaum has brought in the talent, but Mangini wasn’t ready to manage it. I want to see a coach who gets upset with mistakes, not a coach that goes through a pack of gum each game and looks clueless.

  20. Billick?? Wasnt he the offensive genius from Minn that went to Balt and produced the worst offense in NFL history?Plus he is awful with the media. I dont think thats what Woody is looking for. He wont hire a 1st year guy again ( he’s already hired 3)….If its not Cowher it will be Marty Ball.

  21. So now Cowher is a no go… I am really starting to question what the hell woody was thinking with Mangini and if he can even fathom how to own a football franchise.

    Send Tannenbaum packing and bring in Cowher. If woody is looking for a face for the franchise Cowher looks a hell of a lot better then Tanni

    P.S. Favre get out and never come back

  22. THis is not over jets fans!!!! I just saw on espn, that mike would take a lesser role with the jets to bring bill in…. I have a feeling this may work out!!! I hope so

  23. What makes anyone think Cowher could and successfully handle personnel decisions while trying to coach a football team, almost never works.

  24. Tannenbaum will offer to take a lesser role, because it’s better than no role at all. Woody has no loyalty to Tannenbaum.

  25. Mark it down…within 3 weeks, Marty Shottenheimer will be named the HC of the NYJ. In Woody’s mind, this accomplishes two things, both of them being silly: (1) Keeps Tannenbaum in place as GM; (2) Allows Shotsy the Younger to remain as OC, thereby keeping the same offense, thereby given them a greater chance of retaining Favre. The only way that this would make any sense would be if Woody puts Tannenbaum & Shottenheimer on a one-year plan, and if they don’t make a serious run, he cleans house & cedes all control to Cowher…unfortunately, the 2010 season won’t sell any PSL’s for Mr. Johnson.

  26. I guess Tannenbaum is glossing up his lips and assuming the position for the next butt he needs to kiss.

    Keep the 3-4 it is all I ask. I will even deal with Favre.

  27. Get the feeling this is all negotiation through the media. Determining what is and what is not acceptable to each side.

  28. WFAN reporting that Cowher will interview, and it is not tied to Tannenbaum. I’m of the thought that Tannenbaum has strengths we need to protect, negotiates contracts getting players in on time, can make a shrewd trade (i.e. Thomas Jones, and is great with the cap. That being said, since no one has ever won a super bowl in two locations I’d like to see the greek tragedy that is Marty and get over the hump just like Cowher did in Pittsburgh.

    With that thought in mind, Cowher is no playoff genius himself — 5 home playoff losses.

  29. Tannenbaum is such a team player. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was willing to accept a different role with the organization in order to give Cower the control he seeks.

    Moreover, I think Cower’s first choice will be to coach the Jets. Given that his daughter is a Princeton student, I’m sure he would like to be close. Also, NY has the big market he is seeking and he will already have the personnel in place to run the 3-4 defense.

    This could happen….

  30. F@#$ Bill Coward, remember that most coaches who make personnel decisions never succeed. So, get Spags or get Holmgren. I don’t want Marty or his son.

  31. I’m fine with that. Tannenbaum has been a fine evaluator of talent and he’s been good in the draft. Cowher is a hell of a coach, but as far as managining our team’s personnel, that’s questionable. Like someone said before, I’m also happy with Martyball, if it comes down to it. Putting all our personnel decisions in Cowher’s hands would have been a major gamble anyway, one that might have ended up leading to countless “COWHER IS AN AWFUL GM!! BRING BACK BRADWAY!!1!” posts a year from now.

  32. Why would the Jets want Marty, so they can do great in the regular season and play not to lose in the post season and choke? No thank you, stay away from the Schottenheimers please. Spags, Ryan, or Billick and more importantly no Favre!

  33. Woody needs a name…It will be Marty or Cowher. He is dumb for wanting Favre but hopefully its Cowher and he tells Favre to take a hike along with B-Schott

  34. Looks like Tanny will do what ever it takes to get Cowher?
    http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3799959

  35. Even thinking about keeping yes-man Tannenbaum at the expense of getting Cowher in here shows how completely incompetent Woody Johnson is to run anything. This bufoon inherited a pile of money. His family didn’t want any part of him running Johnson & Johnson so he took his bucks and bought the Jets. So that makes him a great football mind. We need Favre and Tannenbaum like a dog needs fleas.

  36. I hope the Farve experiment is over. Does anybody think Ratliff has a chance to start next year? He and Clowney looked good in the pre-season.

  37. JetsRWinners- I want to see him and KC in camp. A little bit of Ainge too. I wouldn’t be suprised to see him start, even though he has only played 2nd and 3rd stringers.

  38. ESPN is notorious for false reporting and changing there story 10 minutes later, I am all for Cowher as long as he doesnt have total control. In todays NFL there is so much for a coach to do and combining that with scouting, giving out contracts, preparing for the draft, and all the finances its almost impossible to have both roles.

    Yes give the other Brett a chance, why not, I guarantee you he doesn’t throw 22 INT’s and is more accurate down the field.

  39. Let’s give schottenheimer a break. We scored over 400 points and our QB threw 22 picks. Why is Bob Sutton still on payroll.

  40. I tend to think that Favre ran out of gas toward the end because he came to the Jets in less than ideal shape from the lack of a true off season training program and being late to camp. Like many a rookie, he hit a wall late in the season. Maybe, undergoing a proper offseason conditioning program and a full camp would lead to a better finish.

  41. As I’ve said all along, just make Cowher the Head of Football Operations and the GM has to answer to that position. Tannenbaum’s title does not change, he just has someone suddenly above him. He still gets the glory of GMing a successful team, so his resume is not harmed much. And he looks like (and is) a total team player for doing what he has to do to get the guy he wants. Win-win for all.

  42. First off… Tanny is 1 of the best GM’s in the NFL!!! Second… Fransesca just heard from a reliable source that Cowher has made NO DEMANDS! You guys believe everything ESPN says! Besides that, what has Cowher ever done as a personnel guy? I’d trust Tanny over him any day!

  43. Tannenbaum has not been a fine evaluator of talent. I don’t think he knows a good player from a bad one. What he has done is facilitiate the deals that were recommended by the HC and scouting staff, and maintained the cap.

    That could still happen with Cower and his own director of player personnel. Let them tell Tannenbaum who they want and let Tannenbaum make it happen.

  44. I have confidence in Tanny. He mostly makes good decisions and is a good negotiator. Just remember how awful Bradway was.

    That being said, Cowher > Tannenbaum

    This makes too much sense for the Jets and Cowher, with both Cowher’s daughters in the NY/NJ area, and him wanting to be close to them. We have the personnel for his style of football. We have the 3-4, and have everything in place for tough defense, solid running, and smashmouth football. I know it was ages ago, but that’s what we did to the Titans. Let’s do it every game next season.

    I think the chances of this happening are getting better than 50% by the minute.

  45. NO Billick! NEVER! An offensive coach that never had an offense with the Ravens!

    NO Billick!

    I will give up being a Jets fan if they bring in Billick!

  46. Based on this latest report, I think Cowher is about as close to a done deal as can be – with some jockeying for personnel control and maybe tweaking of salary/perks. It appears the Jets are putting everything in Cowher’s basket. I just hope there is a back-up plan… remember the one day reign of Billy B.?

  47. Billick couldn’t find a QB when he had McNair he was good. If he could finally find a QB he wouldn’t be bad.

  48. I know people are looking to make excuses for Favre but how does him running out of gas have anything to do with throwing a Pick 6 on a damn screen pass?He is foolish with the ball and it was glaring in the final 5 games. Most of his pics down the stretch were just stupid throws not tired ones.

  49. Tannenbaum is the WORST GM in this league! Ok, maybe Matt Millen is the worst.

    But I love the so called Jets fans who want us to root for Tannenbaum!
    I suspect that something else beyond football is involved here, with regard to the support that some of them have for Tannenbaum. And I do not believe that this is because his supporters are his kids, cousins or relatives…

    Maybe they do not know yet that;
    This guy is primarily responsible for the current state of this franchise.
    If some argue that is Favre, who brought in Favre?
    If others argue that it is Mangini, who brought in Mangini?
    Who is the freaking architect of this mess?
    But he is a great evaluator of talent? What jokers!

  50. Yes, I would give Ratliff a shot to win the job!

  51. Get Cowher now. THis is crazy you going to let him walk for tannenbaum. Move Tannenbaum to another position this not hard……Let him run the saless position like the islanders did with milbury. hahaah

  52. - Nikolas??
    The worst GM in the league. He is a cap genuis. While he is not a big talent guy he does know the cap. Parcells was begging this guy to come to Dallas with him years ago to run the cap. Youre selling him short

  53. Physical exhaustion leads to mental exhaustion. A tired body doesn’t think right.

  54. KD??

    He has the most pics in NFL history…he must be tired alot…lol

  55. Nikolas,

    He drafted Leon, Revis, Mangold, David Harris, and D’Brick. He brought in Jenkins and Faneca. He got Pace when Parcells wanted him. It gets a whole lot worse in the NFL than that (*cough* Bradway *cough*). He even learned from the Kendall debacle in dealing with Baker. He’s gotten steadily better as a GM.

    The collapse was directly on the coaches and Favre, but Tanny put the player talent in place for so much more.

  56. listen…..favre blew the last 5 games on purpose just to get mangini off his butt….he will come back next year and we will win the superbowl…period!

  57. Oscar,

    This is much different from the Bill B. situation. Cower is not stepping in for a retiring coaching legend, and he holds all the cards, unlike Bill B. did when it was assumed he would be the HC of the NYJ.

  58. Chad threw 27 TDs and 25 ints in 06-07. Maybe he’s not the sharpest mind out there either. Maybe, the game plan for the past three years has been quite predictable. I’ll give that Favre was awful but Shotty’s play calling was just as awful. Even his trick plays were predictable.

  59. Tannenbaum has done a very good job but Cowher is an exceptional coach that would make the Jets a 9-7+ team every single season.

    With Jauron possibly getting the boot, bringing him in along with Cowher would make a great defense and with the offensive line we have now we can bring in a good WR to replace the aging Coles…

  60. Let’s not lose Tanny to get Cowher. He’s drafted well, and has brought in good FA’s. If what I’m hearing is correct, we can have both. I think the Jets made the Mangini decision based on some knowledge of Cohwer’s availability and willingness to come to the Jets. What better legacy for Cowher then to turn-around this team.

  61. gr33n…..
    He brought Favre in, He brought Mangini in
    He gave Brian Thomas a long term multi-million contract,
    He gave Kenyon Coleman a multi-million contract,
    He let Mawae go,
    He let Kendall go,
    He let Chad go
    He let Vilma go.
    He let Eric Coleman go,

    And now the CAP is also a mess!!!!

  62. Nikolas = angry and clueless as always.

    Tanny has done a good job and is a master with the cap and negotiations. Get him and Cowher working together and it could be a recipe for success. I don’t trust Cowher as GM – he has no experience in that position. If they share the duties and each do what they are best at, it could work.

    FWIW, bringing in Favre was the smart move that worked out terribly. Sometimes that happens. If you look at how Favre played in ‘07 and how Chad played in ‘07, it was a no-brainer.
    If you criticize every GM who has made moves that work out badly, then you have to criticize EVERY GM. It is widely agreed that Parcells makes decisions that produce winners. I agree with that – but – how did you feel about him when he signed Rick Mirer 2 weeks before the season started and went into the season without a viable backup for “Ironman Vinny”? He got lucky that his 3rd string QB had a career 2nd half of a season, thus retaining Parcells respectability.
    Point is, a lot of moves become bad moves in retrospect, but make sense at the time they are made. Favre made sense, too bad he sucked the last 5 weeks of the season.

  63. He wouldn’t turn around this team. He would take this team and continue to win with it. 2 tds and 9 ints in 5 games will make any team bad. Especially when it puts coaches in positions they don’t know how to handle. This team wasn’t 4 – 12 A veteran head coach can elevate us, but if you turn our record around it is 7 – 9.

  64. Nikolas:

    Most of your guys are debatable especially Vilma and Chad but you just lost all credibilty when you have E Coleman on your list of guys to prove your point.

    Plus the cap is not a mess most of these contracts have outs after next year.

  65. Nikolas,

    After next season, there may very well be no cap at all.

  66. I’m surprised you didn’t say he let John Abraham go but then again he got Nick Mangold for that pick. Mangold, over the long run, is more valuable and he also replaced Mawae.

  67. Tannenbaum didn’t draft anybody. He only negotiated the contracts of the draft picks and FA that Mangini told him to get.

  68. To add to the Parcells point from NYC parking expert, He let Farrior walk after trading down from #1 to get him and losing O Pace. He traded H Douglas becasue he didnt fit a 3-4. Not to mention the Mirer mess. All GM have warts. Tanny has done a decent job

  69. As we all know Woody J want to sell PSLs and pack the stadium…Mike T although a back stabber of sorts wants to retain his job for more than one year and will cave into the demands of Cowler…Mike T has overall been a negotiator not a personnel advisor as many have reported.I think this is a done deal and Woody get his man in Bill Cowler….Cowler plus FAVRE=more money in Woody’s pocket for the next couple of year…The front office of the Jets like the media frenzy as it draws more nationally televised attention to his team and puts people in the seats at the games..AND to all the people who say Cowler is all about the running game this is true but looks at the other offensive weapons he has fielded in the past…COWLER is money and fits the system Bet your last quarter by the middle of January all the intriquet details are hashed out and Cowler gets a 4-5 year deal to turn this Jet organization into a champion….

  70. ramble – agree with you. my point is that all effort seems to be aimed at Cowher and this might drag out – just be ready with a plan b that can be executed quickly if Cowher can’t be had.

  71. The NYC Parking Expert….

    Go back to your old posts to judge who is clueless.
    The problem with you is not that you are just clueless, are also arrogant.

    For the past two years everything you have said and predicted has turned out to be exactly the opposite, so you must have a nerve. Go get some parking space now for my car.

  72. Drafting Blair Thomas at the time made sense.

  73. We can spend the entire off-season debating whether Tanny has done a good job as the GM. For every arguable mistake (like losing Kendall who was asking for too much money anyway), Tanny has also brought in talent such as Faneca. Also, it is indisputable that Tanny is one of the best at salary cap management.

    I think the Jets can find a way to keep Tanny on board and bring in Cower. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Tanny is instrumental in forging a deal b/w Cower and the Jets. I’m looking forward to watching this unfold.

  74. I would take Marty Shottenheimer if Cower is unreasonable in his demands!

    Marty is a winnner with a better regular season record than all the big name coaches including Bill Cower and Bill Parcells and others.

    I will take being in the playoffs every year over not getting in. When your in the show anything can happen. Plus… if Marty gets in the playoffs with the Jets… God will give him a break and finally give him a Super Bowl WIN to top off a great career.

    This may be the only way in for a 40 year Jet Fan like me. To have God on the Jets side for a change after Joe N. made a pac for the 1968 win!

    Remember Cower had many chances to get a Super Bowl win before he actually got one. He was Marty II for a while. Remember!

  75. this idea that Pennington would have gotten the Jets into the playoffs is hysterical.

    as bad as Favre was during the end of the year, Coles and Cotchery were just as bad. They couldnt get open and neither are fast and big enough to get the deep ball.

    get rid of Coles and sign a better WR (Houshmanzageh)

  76. Oscar,

    Plan B? I’m not sure if they have a plan A. This is one sorry ass franchise.

  77. My prescription:

    1) Keep Tannenbaum as GM to negotiate contracts and deal with the cap

    2) Let Cowher have a director of player personnel and college scouting

    3) Somehow someway get a big receiver that can go up and get the ball. Probably >50% of Favre’s picks were balls thrown up for grabs in 1-on-1 situations — in the past guys like Javon Walker and Greg Jennings went up and got those balls. 15+ years of playing with receivers that would win those matchups have created an indelible pattern his Favre’s head — identify the 1-on-1 and throw it up so your guy can get it. No wonder he wanted Moss so badly before he was traded to NE. This year, those balls were getting picked off because Cotchery and Coles are just not that kind of receiver.

    4) don’t be afraid of going to the 4-3. I know the 3-4 is what this defense was constructed for but look — Jenkins played most of his career in a 4-3 and was a probowler. Ellis has played most of his career in a 4-3 and do either. Gholston would be much more comfortable being a 4-3 end. Pace presumably can play OL having played that this past year, or could be a 4-3 end also. Harris played MLB at Michigan. So if we end up not getting Cowher and have to go for Spagnuolo, I’d be fine with that switch. It’s not like 3-4 defenses are obviously better than 4-3’s — the Ravens and Titans both play 4-3.

  78. Oleosmirf- What is so hysterical he led a less talented team to a 11-5 record and a division championship? Your sense of humor is lacking.

  79. sorry meant to say that the Ravens that won the Super Bowl were a 4-3 defense.

  80. zenlaw

    I agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the plan all along, and a conversation with Cowher was had Sunday night. Thus, 2:40 a.m. e-mail to have a news conference at 10:00 a.m. Tanny is a good negotiator, and he wouldn’t have blown up the ship without known better option.

  81. those reports are totally false. the jets have spoken to cohwers agent and DEF will meet with him. It’s all over WFAN right now Tues 1:36 PM

  82. Frank couldn’t have stated it any better great post and I hope BIG WOODY and MIKE T visit this site and take the advice wisely…….

  83. Makes sense Frank ……almost too much sense to actually happen.

  84. Nikolas: Your comments about NYC Parking Expert are out of order. You have been warned about this before.

    NYC has as much right to post here as anyone else and I consider him amongst our smartest and most informative posters.

    Quit with the condescending attitude.

  85. This has been covered on another post. Pace and Thomas are too slow for 4-3 lbs and were horrible 4-3 DEs. Spagnuolo like fast small DT. Do either of those things equal Kris Jenkins? Plus Harris would lose effectiveness. Yes we lose a lot by going to the 4-3.

  86. Nikky –

    I am flattered that you read my posts so carefully that you know what I have said the last two years. The fact that you are drunk so early in the day is a bit scary, though.

    “Everything I have said and predicted has turned out to be exactly the opposite” – is that right? Are you a stalker? Do you hold up my picture with one hand at night when you are going to bed?

    Pay me and I will find a spot for your car, just don’t drive it drunk, ok?

    And now I revert to the mode I’ve happily been in the last 4 months, which is to studiously avoid any post left by anyone named Nikolas, because they are consistently so pathetic. However, I have no illusions that you will not continue to post and try to have the last word on everybody, always.
    If only you were the GM, we’d just be so damn good!

  87. It’s gonna be Cowher. He wants to coach in NY and there may not be another opportunity waiting for him next year. Right now he has more leverage than he would next year (unless next year Coughlin leaves and Jerry Reese decides to cede power). This is the year that the PSLs are sold. Woody will give him anything he wants.

  88. To be fair, NYPE used the clueless insult first. And while I often find Nikolas slightly inflammatory in the way he expresses his views, he can actually sometimes be funny and there are much worse who seem to get a free pass. Just sayin’.

  89. Bent:

    I just read your last post to Nikolas and I am out of order, too. I shouldn’t get sucked into that, sorry.
    Won’t happen again, I promise.

  90. Pace and Ghoston are hybrids at LB/DE in the right scheme will have much success…Need to add another good defensive tackle,a corner opposite revis,and re-evaluate our current remaining lb’s to see if we can find ilb and olb for the 4-3 scheme….BRING BACK THE SACK EXCHANGE TO NY LOL but just dream’n cause SANTA COWLER IS COMING TO TOWN to make all the JET fans dreams come true…Cowler puts this team deep in the playoff next season and by the following year break open the champaigne…….

  91. GROW UP

  92. I agree with subway…
    I actually didnt think Nikolas was that out of line this time. I still think he is lost on most of his posts but I think he was okay this time….lol

  93. Pace got benched as a DE. He has been solid for us and has a large cap number.

  94. gang green,

    Who is our Qb going to be when this scenario goes down?

  95. To the Cowher rumors…If he is willing to sit down with Woody then he has to be the coach. There should be no way he leaves the meeting without a contract. Case Closed!!

  96. Najy – please not Favre!
    Isn’t it time to let a young guy who will be here awhile run the show?
    KC is now a veteran, I’d give him a shot in training camp and see how little Brett and Ainge look, too. Especially if Cowher comes in, who has a knack for winning with mediocre QBs.
    Not saying that KC will be mediocre, but Cowher has done alot with QBs who couldn’t win anywhere else.

  97. As long as Cowher does not have full control, this deal is a must. Tannenbaum has done a good job as GM, they are only as good as there drafts and free agent, sure there have been some negatives like Nikolas (forgot to mention Kimo) pointed out, but the positives have been a many; Revis, Mangold, Ferguson (Only gave up 2 sacks this year), the TJ trade, Leon, David Harris, Keller, Stuckey, Lowery. If you look around the league there have been teams that have been quite awful at this, so if he conceded a little power wouldnt mind, but if it was all, then we would have a problem.

  98. Though I’m cautious about the overselling of Cowher as savior – has any team in the history of pro-sports ever been disappointed by more “saviors?” – he probably represents the best option, given the state of affairs. It would take a SB winning, charismatic HC to get the team’s attention and on the right path.

    As for personnel power, I agree with NYCPE that there’s likely a Cowher/Tannenbaum formula that can work amicably. The real question is the personnel decision at QB. I’d say Cowher is possibly one of a small handful of coaches who might be able to wring one more ‘07 like season out of Favre but he may not be willing to try.

  99. Justagreenguy —
    Agree with you regarding Bryan Thomas — but he stinks anyway to be honest so I’m not worried about him. Pace I have higher hopes for even in a 4-3 as an end. He’s definitely no slower or smaller than Justin Tuck who Spagnuolo made into an all-world 4-3 end. I know speed/size are only part of the equation and that technique and motor are important too, but Spags turned Tuck from a 3rd round draft pick into an All-Pro level player. If we went to 4-3 and had Gholston and Pace coming from either side, I think we’d see a fair amount of sacks and pressures.

    Regarding Jenkins — I think you’d be hard pressed to find a single DC in the league who could not scheme to fit a guy with that kind of physical ability into a good 4-3 defense regardless of whether their preference is for “small fast DT”s. I’d be much more worried about finding another person to plug in next to Jenkins at the other DT spot.

    Regarding Harris – I’m not sure what your evidence is that he can’t play well in a 4-3. Here’s what Wikipedia says about his college career :

    It wouldn’t be until his junior year that Harris finally became a full-time starter. He began to show signs of a future in the National Football League when he led the Wolverines in 2005 with 88 tackles, and 103 tackles as a senior. In 2006, he earned All-Big Ten honors, was Wolverines co-MVP with Mike Hart, and was a second team All-America selection by the Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, and Rivals.com. [1]

    [edit] National awards

    * 2006 Dick Butkus Award semifinalist

    [edit] Conference honors

    * 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches) and Second Team (media)

    I think in general players have a harder time converting from 4-3 MLB to 3-4 ILB — considering Harris has played most of his life at 4-3 MLB I think he would be fine.

    It’s all speculation of course — I bet they get Cowher and continue with the 3-4 anyway.

  100. NYCPE, my point exactly, the Jets offense right now could be a smack mouth offense with a little thunder and lightning of there own, to a different degree of course. They would not need a QB to throw to the other team 22 times in a season, only throw to his own receivers 15-20 times a game. High percentage throws mixed in with some deep play action throws, which Ratliff and Clemens can both do, is all this team needs. Now the defense thats a different story for another day…

  101. Comments noted about Nikolas…what I have a major problem with is that at 1:22pm he made a post which contained a personal attack and nothing more (which then led to a similar response). At least NYCPE’s original post, while it contained an insulting comment which he has acknowledged he shouldn’t have made, contained some information about the team.

    Nikolas gets plenty of rope because he is an entertaining read and he knows this. I’m just reminding him that I am watching, because otherwise everyone will start to behave the same way and the overall quality will drop.

    If you want to talk Jets then there’s no problem, but I will always stamp on posts which add nothing positive to the conversation.

  102. NAJY-Unfortunately the Jets built and spent for the now Although i choke up lunch saying this I think they retain Favre for another few years…AND also I think that although FAVRE made more bad plays in crucial situations than good and in a Cowler offense the running game with come first and FARVE will throw more only on third down play action type scenerio putting a hopeful end to his throw it up and pray mentality…I also feel the jets will go after some taller wide receivers this offseason who can go up for the ball and redeem FAVRE’s interception problems this year..

  103. Najy,

    If we get Cower we won’t need a QB, just someone to hand the ball off . lol

  104. Cowher picks the players, Tannenbaum negotiates the contract. match made in heaven…

  105. The NYC Parking Expert,

    I was a supporter of Favre when he came on board but i have began to hate the guy and wouldnt mind seeing him retire and never come back to play football for the Jets…

    There is no point if he comes back… We will not win a superbowl next year because we will have a new coach and next year will be his last year as a Qb. All he will do is be in the way and not allow the Jets to develop a Qb of their own. Favre is not the long term solutoin and we are not winning a superbowl in the short term. I say we can his ass!

    Can you imagine the “CHIN” on the sideline.. spitting and yelling and smacking players around? Guarntee that TJ and Leon will combine for over 30 carries every game with Cowher as our Qb.

    Now that I think about it, I always admired Steeler football. They had an identity and were the epitome of consistency.

    P.S. Ben Rothlisburger won a championship under Cowher throwing the ball less than 20 times a game. I dont think Qb is an isue.. Just dont turn the damn ball over.

  106. I think the original rumors about Cowher not wanting Tanny at GM were ridiculous. Parcells made the famous quote about wanting a say in buying the groceries if he was going to cook dinner. Consider Tanny a professional shopper. The Jets need an LG…he got the best FA LG on the market. The Jets need a better 3-4 OLB, he got the best FA 3-4 OLB on the market. He’s not a talent evaluator, in fact, isn’t Bradway still around for that? Tanny is a savvy negotiator and capologist, the type of things no HC wants to do…even BB has Pioli for that. Cowher will have his shopping list and Tanny will get them. This was a phony rumor, probably started by someone in the Browns organization.

  107. Bent-

    Well said. I just feel there are a couple of (or is it just one?) other guys who make Nikolas look like the Buddah. Just want the refs to call a fair game ;)

  108. Najy – good post.

    Does anyone think that Cowher would even want Favre to stay?
    If so, why? I can’t see him wanting that headache, especially with those last 5 games on film.

  109. I only hope whoever the next HC is makes Bill Callahan the OC so the whole team won’t have to learn yet another offensive system. This is true for whoever the QB is, not just for Favre’s sake.

  110. I think Cowher may come partially to coach Favre. He is a legend and imagine the fan fare if they ended our suffering together. Nothing short of action figures and t shirst would lien NY streets.

  111. I for one do not want Favre back. He’s washed up, too old. Time for new blood.

  112. I hate the guy. Just a theory

  113. Marty will want the same control as Cowher + little Brian would remain….. I dont really like any of the options right now, but I would much rather go with a Rex Ryan who has shown he can run a killer 3/4. We dont mortage the entire organizaton should it not work out like we will with Cowher or Marty.
    Sometimes less is more. Expectations will also be through the roof w/ Cowher and he has a horrid record against NE who will be the front runners for the AFC East next year when Miami schedule gets harder.

  114. JustAGreenGuy,

    I think the first step for recovery from this past year is for every Favre supporter (including myself) is to MAN UP and admit that Favre sucked this year and we would have been much better off with Chad. Even though I bashed Chad last year and over the course of the summer, he had a great year and should win comeback player of the year…

    Favre needs to take a hike because he was the main reason why Mangini lost his job.

    To think that Mangini named his son after Favre. I really feel bad for him. He was an average coach who wanted to do nothing more than WIN. Much like Chad. Average Qb that was hard working and wanted to win at any cost… And we ditched them both…

    Thats the past now… Need to move on and bring in an upgrade over Mangini.

  115. Thanks subway, your input is appreciated.

    We don’t like to dish out warnings, but those guys on short leashes know who they are.

    If it makes me look like some kind of dictator, then I just have to live with that, because our policy is not to delete posts or ban people unless we absolutely have to (and we rarely do, unless it’s blatant spam/trolling).

  116. NYC PARKING EXPERT i say yes to Cowler wanting FARVE at QB…FAVRE keeps defenses from bringing 8-9 men to the line of scrimmage which plays right into his run smash mouth football style…You think he got BIG BEN so he could play like PEYTON MANNING…Nope just put a big arm quarteback behind the line of scrimmage who can make a few throws when needed and keep opposing defenses honest…The funny thing is if FAVRE is retained next year he may want to retire anyways because he will get bored handing the ball off 70-80 percent of the game…..

  117. Get Cowher in here, everything else will take care of itself. We do have talent.

  118. Najy, you don’t think Favre could have an Elway-like season, handing the ball off to TJ or Leon and gunslinging only when he had to? Elway’s 2 Super Bowl seasons, while good, weren’t awesome…he completed fewer than 60% of his passes, but the Broncos scored 472 and 501 points in those seasons. I can live with 15 INTs, but matched with 27+ TDs and an offense that scores @ 450 points…and I think that inserting Clowney for Coles and a maturing Keller does that…with no additions (although, of course I’d love Boldin…but Housh is injury-prone).

  119. Najy- I acknowledge having supported the Favre move as a one year experiment on the notion that the team could win enough games to build some confidence and momentum and create a better environment for Clemens or Ratliff to have some success, even if it didn’t ultimately work out. I’ll happily admit it didn’t. I definitely want to move on.

    And while I would love to see Chad be the first player in NFL history win Comeback Player twice, I don’t see him getting past the Ravens next week or much beyond a first or second round playoff exit, ever. Of course, the guy lives to prove statements like that wrong and I’ll be pleasantly surprised and the first to say I was wrong if he does.

  120. SackDance99,

    Its possible man. I just think the major difference between the 2 is that Elway had never won the Superbowl before 98. At that point, he was desperate and was willing to put the good of the team infront of his ego and pride…

    I am not sure if Favre can do that. Its possible because he does have the tools and experience to get the job done. I am just not sure how I feel about having Favre for 1 more year and then he retires.

    Personally, I am all about long term stability and success. Favre doesnt provide that for me.

  121. Sack dance I think you hit the nail on the head with the Elway scenerio…with the jets small receiver at this time and Cowler looking back at game footage this offseason i definitely dont see him letting the reigns loose with FARVE…I know FAVRE didn’t come close to living up to our expectation but to run a Bill Cowler coached offense and not feel like he has the weight of the team on his back to win games FAVRE would have a great chance to bring this team deep into the playoff…P.S. FAVRE strength train this off season,be willing to learn COWLERS offensive scheme,and pray we get receivers like you had in GREEN BAY…MAYBE TIME TO GET FITTED FOR A RING AT THE END OF NEXT SEASON….

  122. Najy, I was a Favre supporter, but I am steadfast in my belief that Chad would not have done any better and that Favre was not helped by the idiotic play-calling and decisionmaking by the coaching staff. The Raiders game was a lay up for a competent coaching staff, as was the Seahawks game. And, even with the ungodly amount of INTs, the Jets scored 405 points…more than the Jets ever did with Chad and C-Mart. Favre deserves all the fans’ ire, but he’s still only 1 of 22 starters.

    On an unrelated note, on the road, in bad weather conditions, BB deferred on the kickoff against the Bills. Mangini, on the road, in bad weather conditions against the Seahawks, elects to receive. Yes, it’s a small point, but it’s just another indication of why Mangini was out-coached so often.

  123. SackDance99,

    Plus his stupid motivational speech before the game vs Miami summed up his play.

    If it works, it works…. If not, then it doesnt.

    Who the hell says that? To me, that summed up his jump balls that turn into interceptions. He just doesnt care anymore…

    Its the Brett Favre show and he just wants to have fun… “All Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”

  124. SackDance99,

    Every game that the Jets lost this year, they also lost the turnover battle…

    What doe sthat tell you?

    They won every game in which the turnover battle was won by the Jets.

  125. SackDance99,

    Look up every single game the Jets lost this year. In each of the 7 losses, the Jets lost the turnover battle.

    (With the exception of the Seahawks) TO Battle – 2-2

    You cant coach 22 interceptions!
    You cant win with 22 interceptions!

  126. Favre was horrible. The weight wasn’t on his shoulders until numerous turnovers, usually by him caused us to abandon the running game. He locked in on recievers and totally missed if others got open. He made poor decisions and you still can’t tell me that he couldn’t have called an audible to a different play. If it worked no one would have complained. Favre is reckless and his good stats are greatly inflated by his game against the Cardinals.

  127. My nightmare has come to life.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3800421

  128. I think the players on this current JET team bode well for a Cowler team.FAVRE=or better than Rothy,Keller=with more potential that miller,FANECA and a strong run offensive line=
    better than pitts this year,a 3-4 defense just waiting to be coached in the right directions to play into their strengths should be all that Cowler could ask for to take this team to the next level…WE are half way there with our LB core but deffinately need a few more playmakers in the secondary….ADD a few tall wide receivers with good hands and the ability to seperate PRESTO deep play off run for COWLER next season…

  129. I would take Big Ben in a nano second for Favre. They are not equal. Not these days.

  130. Still hoping Favre will ride off into the sunset so we can move forward with the other Brett, Kellen, a drafted QB or a FA QB. Anything is better than a 40 year old Favre who couldnt grasp the offense and was a shell of his former self

  131. I understand what ur saying JAGG just giving the simularities to teams he’s coached in the past…LOL shoot we dont have the BUS either…but i do think we are the closest team to what may pull Cowler out of retirement JUST AN OPPION….

  132. We do have the core team in place for him. That I agree with. I’m very suprised he wants to deal with the media here.

  133. Pitt fan base and media was to kind to him either in those playoff loses..LOL thats why he has such a big chin to take the shots from the media and keep on coaching LMAO

  134. wasnt kind i ment sorry fot the typo

  135. gang green:

    Speaking of typos…it’s COWHER, not Cowler. ;o)

  136. Sack:

    “On an unrelated note, on the road, in bad weather conditions, BB deferred on the kickoff against the Bills. Mangini, on the road, in bad weather conditions against the Seahawks, elects to receive. Yes, it’s a small point, but it’s just another indication of why Mangini was out-coached so often.”

    Here’s my take. The Jets got the ball first in every game and often took the lead because they had such success with the scripted plays. This was clearly crucial to their success as they struggled offensively when playing from behind all year. When they didn’t get a lead (Miami, Denver, SF) or had to settle for a FG (Oakland, Seattle, NE), that’s where they got into trouble. The only other loss was then the defense gave them the lead but the offense handed it back with two crucial turnovers (SD).

    I really think it was an effort on Mangini’s part to have as consistent approach as possible. They always knew they weren’t getting the ball first in the second half. I don’t think this worked out, but I can see the logic.

    His reluctance to give reasons for this approach despite taking it in every game (as far as I recall) suggests to me that he didn’t want other teams to cotton on to it and try and mess up their gameplan by electing to receive if they won the toss (and as we know, things often went south once the gameplan went awry).

  137. Woody is going to do what it takes to get Cowher in here He has PSLs to sell and Cowher / Favre combination would help. The best idea is making Cowher head of football operations above Tannebaum. Cowher would be making more money than Tannebaum anyway. Tannebaum can do his regular GM duties with salary cap and contracts. You hyprocrites need to give Brett Favre a break. Which one of you DON’T have a Favre jersey in their closet. We all do and was feining over Brett during training camp. Don’t blame Favre for Pennington being on a better coached team. The Brett Favre/NYC love affair will continue once times passes and he goes thru a fool offseason and come into camp in better shape. Relax. I like Woody Johnson’s aggressive. It reminds me of the Steinbrenners in doing what it takes to win. LET’S GO JETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  138. Cowherdoim,

    I dont have a Favre jersey.

  139. Cowherdoim- I thought Brett Favre was washed up years ago. He had a lucky 2007 where he blew a game Larry Tynes tried to hand to him with an INT. I hated the trade and pretty sure I said on this board it would cost Mangini his job and that we lost out in the deal. Screw Brett.

  140. To Cowherdoim and those defending favre – would you feel the same if a QB without the big name had put up those same numbers in the last 5 games? Yes, I understand – he’s BRETT FAVRE – but he’s a 39 year old Brett favre who sucks. Can he bounce back and have a better year next year, at age 40? maybe, but a big gamble if you ask me. I liked the Favre trade, I felt that if he played even 75% as good as he did last year it would be an upgrade. There was no way to know he would play from mediocre to lousy all year.

  141. cowher=head coach
    R. ryan=defensive coordintor
    B. Billick=ovensive coordinator
    B. Callaghan=Offensive line coach
    M. westhoff=special teams coach

    Jets= superbowl champs

    PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN WOODY!!!!