Link: Salfino’s Post Mortem
SNY compadre Mike Salfino writes a post-mortem on the 2008 Jets season and addresses a lot of the issues with which the team is currently faced, starting with the coaching situation.
According to Newsday, Jets honcho Mike Tannenbaum really wants to hire Brian Schottenheimer as head coach but is worried about the fan and media backlash. We’re fortunate then that Tannenbaum doesn’t have the courage of his convictions, because this would be a baseless choice. And you don’t have to be a psychology major to figure out that Tannenbaum, young and completely unproven as a football man, wants someone younger and even less proven than he is under him so that there’s less of a chance of Tannenbaum’s power being threatened.
And for the record, the article didn’t exactly say “really wants” or anything even close …
We’ve been hearing that Schottenheimer wasn’t given a fair chance (at least this past season) and was hampered because it was in fact Eric Mangini that might have been scripting his first slating of plays for him.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t the Jets 10-6 on scoring on first drives if you count a missed 30 yard field goal by Jay Feely in the first Pats game? Someone please remind me how exactly that is that a feather in Schottenheimer’s cap and proof of his success? When I look at Brett Favre’s QB Rating splits by quarter, there’s only one in which Favre had an over 90.0 rating … care to guess which one it is?
What I don’t understand is the following quote from the same article:
Derek Anderson fell into this category in 2007 but struggled last year along with the rest of the Browns. He’s probably available via trade and has a Northeast, blustery Meadowlands weather arm. Will Mangini and Tannenbaum be able to deal? I have no idea but a trade (for the Jets No. 1 pick) should be pursued.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? A first rounder, the 17th overall pick in the draft, for Derek Freakin’ Anderson??? I beg your pardon?
Brandon Spikes, someone who mock drafters were projecting as a potential first round selection by the Jets to play ILB alongside Harris in the 3-4 is returning to Florida for his senior season. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3835065
Where have you been hearing that Mangini was scripting the first series of offensive plays?
I agree with most of what Salfino wrote. It was the best overall review of our season that I have read. I agree with Giles, no way do I trade our #1 for Anderson. I would trade Calvin Pace for him, instead. Although, I like Calvin in many situations — he cannot cover a back or TE. Therefore, he can be replaced by someone who is faster. We get a QB and use the draft pick to get Pace’s replacement. Mangini might go for that. Truth is, we still don’t know how good our three QB’s really are.
As for Tannenbaum, I believe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Many of his pre-season moves worked out well. The O-Line was quite adequate and held up all season. Richardson and Caulcrick solidify us at FB for years to come. Keller will be a nice offensive weapon. Feely filled in admirably. Lowery has potential. Things that didn’t work out – Favre and Gholston, could have had alot to do with the coaching.
Until Tannenbaum chooses to stick with Schottenheimer at OC or make him the HC — I let him do his thing. I think we will end up with Rex Ryan as HC and Ryan will bring in his own people. Let us pray.
Oh yeah — JENKINS is a beast!
I have to strongly disagree with these assertions that Tannenbaum wants Schott as HC, but won’t do it because he’s afraid of the media and fan backlash. Or that he wants a coach who is “younger and less accomplished” so he won’t be threatened. He strikes me as a very smart and confident guy. And look at it his way: With Mangini gone, he is next in line to fired, should the Jets regress. So, he obviously understands he needs to pick the best candidate for the HC position, the one that will make HIS job more secure. He does not stike me as someone who would put his ego above KEEPING HIS JOB. He is not a dummy.
Pete, Exactly!
If anyone is the dummy, it is the writer from Newsday who was stupid enough to write that.
Harvlis, I’m not sure I understand these writers/ media types. I guess their main objective is to get fans to read/ listen to them, so they come at stories from that angle, not neccessarily what is true, or makes sense. But I think they are misguided. If I was in their place, I would try to report things as accurately as posssible, and truly make my opinions based on well thought out premises. I believe that person would have a large fan base becuase he/ she would be so unique!
I dont’ get this at all. If Mangini was scripting the early plays, doesn’t that reflect even more poorly on Schottenheimer? The Jets were most effective during the 1st 2 drives of the games.
Biebs-bingo! Schotty has been getting praised for his scripted drives, and criticized for his inability to make game-time adjustments. If this is true that Mangini was the brain behind it- then we fired the wrong coach.
All of this talk about “really wanting” Schotty must be to keep him around as an option for OC; options are better than no options.
Harvlis, what’s this talk about trading Pace?!
No way man! Not for Derek Anderson. Baltimore has replicated the success of the championship Steelers (with rookie-Ben); you don’t need a MVP behind center to win ball games, just a big arm and 12-15 passes a game. I think we have that with our youngsters.
Biebs, Absolutely. If that was true, how can they even think of keeping Schottenheimer.
Pete, You would think that, if your job was to report on the Jets for a major newspaper, that you would have some kind of relationship with the team. If you have the power of the press, it would make sense for Jet management to want to have you on their side. For these guys to write fiction shows you how unconnected they are.
If Harlan will allow me to infringe on his thing … kewpie doll to biebs.
Jameson, I like Pace but, he was exposed, when asked to drop into coverage. We can’t have two outside backers with no coverage ability. Pace has admitted that he cannot play DE in a 4-3. If the next coach decides to go that way, where would we play Pace? He does have ability so, he might be of value to the Browns.
Coaching was so poor that, if used properly, Pace could be a monster. He had some strong games.
I might be very wrong but, as we are not going to get a talented player for free, this seemed like an option.
Fair point on the Newsday piece. But if he didn’t prefer Schottenheimer why on earth would he be torn?
As for Derek Anderson, he threw 29 TD passes his first year as a starter and has a top five NFL arm. If he was in this draft, he would go way higher than the 17th pick. You have a 50/50 chance with first-round picks at best. To prove my point, how about that stiff D’Brickashaw for Anderson. Or, gasp, how about Brick for Jay Freakin’ Cutler.
Finally, as for the point about Tannenbaum’s power, a stronger candidate could absolutely undermine Tannenbaum in his first clash with the GM over a player. These clashes happen all the time in the NFL. And if the coach had some success first and was a bit of a hit, how on earth would Woody Johnson answer the mostly rhetorical question, “What has Mike Tannenbaum ever done other than spend you silly for nothing in return prior to my arrival?” Bill Parcells used to complain to the Maras about George Young about five times a year. And that was George Young, one of the best player pickers ever.
A GM never wants to pick a coach who could get him fired or effectively neutered of power via failure or success.
With most of our positions reasonably filled with decent talent, how come no one is talking about trading out of the first round or the possibility of future first round picks….especially with the array ofquarterbacks and players staying for their senior year next year. With some sucessfull coaching and game planning, i believe we can easily improve upon 9 wins, plus in my opinion our schedule may even be a bit easier for next year
Harvlis – (you knew this was coming) trading Pace is not an option for financial reasons. As they only signed him last year, the balance of his signing bonus would be accelerated against the cap. This would give rise to a huge cap hit which would use up $7m of additional cap space in 2008, even after taking into account the salary saved by him no longer being on the team. They cannot afford that, so Pace will either continue in his current role if they remain in a 3-4, or perhaps will play the Kiwanuka role (which suits his skillset well) if Spags wins the job.
D’Brick is no stiff…
Stiff is a little harsh for Ferguson. Journeyman-level starting tackle is more like it. If he were a fourth-round pick, not fourth overall, people would think the Jets at least filled the position. But these people would be advising an upgrade if someone dominant ever became available.
Bent, thanks for the info. I don’t really have a problem with Pace. His up and down season was probably due to coaching. Unfortunately, he is not a down lineman.
D’Brick is just fine. He is the last guy we need to worry about.
Goalie, Tannenbaum is capable of just about anything, on draft day. His choice will depend upon who is sitting there at seventeen. If he doesn’t like what he sees, he will move back and pick up draft picks. He might trade the pick for a QB, prior to the draft. He might have to use it for compensation for Oaklands Cornerback whos name I can’t spell.
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