So maybe it’s not the worst idea to do what the Jets did this year under GM Joe Douglas — practice fiscal responsibility.
A writer from the New York Daily News keeps hammering the Jets for not spending more in free agency this year, and claims the reason they didn’t was related to cash-flow problems.
Maybe someone from a newspaper that was sold for $1 shouldn’t talk about cash-flow problems.
But do the Jets have money trouble? We have no idea. We have no access to their books. Surely all NFL teams have seen better financial years than 2020. Obviously NFL teams have had to refund a lot of ticket money due to no or limited fans in stadiums this year. The Jets will have no fans in attendance due to an edict from New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, a lifelong New England Patriots fan.
However, whether there are cash-flow issues or not, considering the profligate spending of the prior regime, perhaps it’s time to stop spending like drunken sailors. That group gave out some of the worst contracts, not just in Jets history, but NFL history.
The Jets released cornerback Trumaine Johnson this offseason, just two years into a five-year deal for $72 million, one the worst NFL contracts ever doled out. The Jets paid $34 million guaranteed for two years to a corner who played like a journeyman — when he actually played and was not injured or being suspended for being late. The former regime paid a cornerback, who runs like a safety, money like he was Deion Sanders in his prime.
This story is from the September 2020 edition of NY Jets Confidential.
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This story is from the September 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.
Dan's Minicamp Diary
Becton bombarded with weighty questions
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
AUDIBLES-Saleh doesn't cave on offseason work
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