“Both sides got what they wanted, but the bigger question is: Why does this keep happening?
“How did it get to this point, and why do the Jets have relationship problems with high-profile players.”
The answers to these questions are simple.
The Jets need to stop overpaying for free agents, who are just signing with New York for the money, and who don’t really dig being Jets.
It’s like the young model dating the old rich guy. She’s not that into him, but she’s into his money. Those relationships generally end up not working out, just like buying the love of free agents with profligate contracts.
The elite franchises generally stay away from this stuff — elite franchises like the Baltimore Ravens.
Jets GM Joe Douglas worked for the Ravens from 2000-2015 under one of the best GM’s in NFL history in Ozzie Newsome. Douglas has two Super Bowl rings from his time working under “The Wizard of Oz.”
He also worked under one of the great NFL owners, Steve Bisciotti, who has turned the Ravens into a model franchise, from A to Z.
And it’s time for the Jets to throw Douglas the car keys and let him “Raven-ize” the Jets. Tweak the corporate structure, make Douglas the football czar, and say, “Joe, turn us into Baltimore North.”
This story is from the November 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.
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This story is from the November 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FIRST DOWN- A lot of potential, but a lot to learn
There is a lyric in an old song by the rock group Chicago that sums up where Zach Wilson is right now:
IN HIS OWN WORDS WITH DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JEFF ULBRICH - Ulbrich breaks down Jets' defensive personnel
(Marcus Maye) can do it all. I would feel comfortable with him (at free or strong safety). He’s a guy that, to me, he can play deep, he can play the half field, he can play the middle third, he can do that and you feel comfortable with it. I think he’s got range, speed and athleticism. I think he’s got ball skills and instincts to be a deep safety. But I think he’s got enough size and girth and want-to and courage to play in the box. It’ll be fun to utilize all the things that he does. He can cover tight ends; he can cover some of the wide receivers in this league.
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Saleh calls Wilson ‘relentless' as a worker
QUESTION SESSION WITH QB ZACH WILSON
Jets hope initiatives will increase winning edge
Aside from adding as many good players as possible to help the Jets improve, coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas are trying to turn over every stone to find extra ways to give their team a winning edge, and two examples of this were announced over the course of the offseason, with the additions of a game management coach (Matt Burke) and the installation of an Athletic Care and Performance Department. Let’s take a closer look at these two moves and how they might help the Jets:
Dan's Spring Camp Diary
This time of year for learning, experimenting, not stats
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Tom Brady might be wrong about this one.
SAFETIES
Justin Simmons, Broncos 6-2 • 202 pounds • 27 years old
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Trent Williams, 49ers 6-5 • 320 pounds • 32 years old
LINEBACKERS
Lavonte David, Buccaneers 6-0 • 226 pounds • 26 years old
