Link: Risk Can Be a Very Good Thing
Michael Salfino writes a very interesting analysis of some of the recent risks the Jets took with their roster of late. It’s a very compelling read, and here’s a bit of it:
The key takeaway for me is that Tannenbaum is a totally malleable GM who does what the coach wants. Rex Ryan is a riverboat gambler. This is Ryan’s team, just like it was Mangini’s team. It’s never been and probably never will be Tannenbaum’s team. That’s a good formula for keeping Ryan happy, and that’s of paramount importance because Ryan is guy that players clearly love and respect. If Ryan wants the challenge of righting some rudderless ships — yachts, really — give it to him.
From a football standpoint, this is a great move. Holmes will be able to practice with the team all spring and summer. When he returns after four games, he will step in as a slot receiver with Jerricho Cotchery and Edwards. Then, in 2011, Ryan will decide whether he want Edwards or Holmes as the home run hitter opposite the steady Cotchery.
While I think that Tannenbaum’s flexibility is a good thing, I also think that Tannenbaum’s malleability also gives him something of a “Teflon Mike” nature. Should things go wrong (as they did with Mangini) then he can just say he was taking direction from the coach.
32 Responses to Link: Risk Can Be a Very Good Thing
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Eddie DiGio says:
Drew
Agree with the TEAM concept…Baltimore signed veteran guys while Rex was down there a lot as well
The vets we bring in are being brought in to play a ROLE, one specific job they are good at, and our younger plays like Revis, DH, Mangold, Shonn Greene and Calvin Pace are all good enough to be the ones that our team’s success depends on..
Thats why I havent had much problem with bringing the older guys…because our young guys are the core of the team
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BamBam says:
Did Rex make the decision to trade up for Shonn Greene – don’t think so!! … Ryan is the alpha-male but Tannentrade is a strong character too … and a talented GM
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david i says:
The great think about Tanny is that he knows what the teams needs are and then knows what who the coach can handle. Mangini had to have boys scouts or he would have made Tanny work harder having to trade them all out, like they did in Cleveland last year. Rex has a stronger presence and personality, so he can handle the bigger load when it comes to handle the players with the bigger issues.
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Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
Drew I agree however I think TJ’s production at the end of last season had more too due with his release then his leadership and team chemistry.
As for Feely I believe he was a casualty due to the final four rules. I believe the front office (as well as I) was hoping that Leon was going to be picked up from another team just so we could sign that free agent. Since Feely went first… well that’s just sucks because I think the Front Office would have liked to retain Jay.
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johnc says:
I’m not sure which I like better… Rex or Mr.T
Tanny’s been making great deals for years tho…since Curtis Martin. Making bold moves is nothing new for this guy -
Johnny Hector says:
johnc
Parcels signed Curtis Martin in 1997. Mr T didn’t become GM until 2006.
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JustAGreenGuy says:
Fins want to drop Ginn. If they cut him and we trade Leon he may be worth a look as a returner.
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tish says:
Let’s keep a realistic perspective. It is hard to recall such overall optimism as presently exists. Fan expectations will be at an all-time high once the seaon begins. Should this team have a less than special year (i.e. not making the playoffs, losing in the first round), I will guarantee that Mr. T’s teflon will be like the cheering I heard when Gholston was drafted. Only a disasterous situation (i.e. losing Sanchez, losing Revis and Harris) could provide Mr. T with a viable excuse.
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Johnny, I thought that Tanny had something to do with Curtis Martin’s terms that made it so the Patriots couldnt match the Jets.
Maybe I’m wrong -
WoodyWoodChuck says:
I want the new blood brought in so I can sell my PSL’s!!!!
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John C is correct Mr T made a lot of friends in Jetland (and enemies in NE) with his assist in the C Mart contract. He was Parcells “Cap Genius” at that time
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“The new general manager, Mike Tannenbaum, brought Curtis Martin to the Jets in 1998 with figures that satisfied the league’s salary cap.”
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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/sports/football/08jets.html -
tish
I think you are right but as I look at our roster from top to bottom and the coaching staff we presently have…the only way this team misses the playoffs is catastrophic injuries just like 98…it did happen in 98 but the odds are greatly stacked against it happening again…
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WoodyWoodChuck, on April 13th, 2010 at 5:04 pm Said:I want the new blood brought in so I can sell my PSL’s!!!!
Hey if Woody is trying to entice us to buy PSLs by doing whatever is takes to field a championship caliber team…whether you agree with the PSLs or not, Ive got no problems with it…
They arent exactly content with just making the Conf Championship, they are going out to win the whole god damn thing
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reality jet fan says:
i tell u eddie i was watching jetnation and saw TJS pregame speech i think they are really going to miss TJ.
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JesusRevis says:
Why does everyone assume that the Jets will choose between Holmes and Edwards after the season? Who not keep both? Cotchery doesnt make a lot of money.
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reality jet fan
TJ was a true warrior and as you’ve said, a locker room leader…I loved what he did here but the numbers do not lie
He averaged less than 3 yds a carry in the playoffs and didnt break a 100 yds the last month of the season besides against the Tampa Bay Bucs…and the Jets went 7-2 during that span…
TJ for LT swap was more an effort to help Sanchez become a better QB, as LT is better reciever and is better in blitz pickup than TJ is..
I played the game from when I was 6 years old until I was 22 and locker room speeches were nice, but when the guy giving them is one dimensional as a RB and is not a threat to catch the ball, you cant keep him for locker room speeches…
Is like the Bob Knight thing “what the hell is a game face???
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JR
Thank you…I was arguing with someone at work today about the same thing…
The Pats had Stallworth, Moss and Welker all under contract
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Eddie- Agreed. Perhaps the football Gods will protect the team from catastrophic injuries, Tanny will acquire the necessary depth that they need and Sanchez will develop faster than we should have a right to expect him to improve. And as usual, it takes some luck, just recall the teams that have pulled off the big upsets or got lucky in the end.
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Mr. T - best GM in NFL says:
Eddie D is absolutely correct.
I understand the TJ supporters but you have to understand the situation. He may be one hell of a guy, and I think a lot of us knew that. However, by the end of the season and into the playoffs, it was pretty evident that Shonn Greene was the better back. Granted he did not play the whole year and was fresh, he was jetting forward for almost 6 yards every carry. TJ looked borderline terrible and slow, and could not react to a whole fast enough. LT certainly will not put up the numbers that TJ did last year. The thing is TJ would not either, and LT doesnt have to. He has to play the role he was brought in to do. Hopefully we have Leon in the mix and I cannot imagine what the trio is capable of with the best line in football – something LT has not had in awhile, if ever.
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Obviously its time to move on. Hows rex eddie?
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johnc / AKA Drew
I know Mr T was the “Capologist” and he came up with creative ways to keep within the salary cap. My point was that it was Parcels who brought Curtis to the Jets. I don’t think Curtis would have come if Parcels wasn’t here.
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jvsvn says:
Everybody works for Woody Johnson. Each has whatever authority that Woody has delegated to him. It seems to me that Woody gives the coach final say on the personnel and performance of the team. The GM is the implementer. In that capacity, Tanny is great at his job. I’m not saying that Tanny doesn’t have an important opinion that holds some sway. I’m sure he does. But at the end of the day he is building the team that Rex wants built (and he was doing the same with Mangini).
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Patrick From The Bronx says:
Why , When things are falling into place does someone have to write about ” Who has the power “. Tanny and Rex are working TOGETHER to build a strong TEAM. This is how alot (some) sports writers make their name by trying to throw a wrench into a machine that is running good. The Jets are working as a unit and I as a Big Jet fan am very proud of how they are building a Championship Club. Kudos to both Men !
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JoeF says:
Gee, hindsight is a wonderful thing – since most fans credit only Tannenbaum for drafting Revis, Harris, Mangold, Ferguson etc. yet the blame for drafting Gholston is given solely to Mangini…give me a break!
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dakar says:
jesusrevis
didn’t you realize you’ve been talking to a bunch of GMs…lol…
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reality Jet fan
I gotta come up with something short to call you…because there is another poster called RJF
We cant do anything about it other than remember all the good TJ did for us and thank him if we ever the chance to if he comes back to the Jets post career…you can knock his game but never question his heart and desire to win for all us Jets fans
Rex is getting bigger everyday, has chewed up a phone book but he is very, very, very quiet…I am surprised at how little he barks!!! Im gonna put him out to stud before I get him the big “N”…cant take that away from him, he is a man’s man dog
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WOJF says:
I like the Cromartie and Holmes moves, plenty of reward for modest risk, perfect when you are one half of football from the super bowl.
But will never understand the risk, no matter how much Brendan and others attempt to explain it to me, of unloading existing proven productive vets with existing proven locker room chemistry for players that simply were not as good last year.
With these moves Mr. T is incurring risk with no discernable reward except for saving a few bucks which they intend to allocate to one of two older Vets neithe of which I want on this team.
I hope he is right, but I think TJ, Feely and Rhodes will be missed.
Not on Kerry, was his attitude SOOOOOOOOO bad that he HAD to go? Willing to take on the risk of Cro and Holmes but not Kerry? Just wondering.
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Brendan says:
WOJF,
Cromartie isn’t as good as the veterans he’s replacing?
Holmes isn’t better than whoever he’s replacing?
LT vs. TJ can be debated but we’ll never have a real answer. Oline vs. Oline the Jets is exponentially better, and that obviously benefit TJ, while LT struggled behind a poor run-blocking line.
But this outcry about Feeley, I don’t get it. Yes he was solid, but he choked in the biggest game of the year, in a dome. Kickers are a dime-a-dozen (for whatever reason) and he wanted a raise and, like TJ, felt he could get it.
I always felt Rhodes got a raw deal, but he didn’t help himself. I was one of his biggest supporters, but I like the idea of having his salary off the books if it helps extend our real core guys. Pool is apparently a very similarly good cover safety, and there’s always the chance Sharper comes in for a discount.
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I am Jet fan..let’s just leave the team alone..let them build a strong team..whatever happens, at least they’re trying their best to form a strong side…
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you’re right sue! every team has a right to build a team that can compete well in the tournament. instead of criticizing the team, why not support them. after all, we’re all after for the good of the game.
I truly believe if this was Rex’s team we would have kept Thomas Jones and Jay Feely. They were both Rex Ryan guys and player that really helped him in year 1.
This is a team effort with each person adding their skills when needed in Rex, Tanny/scouting guys and Woody.