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New Jersey – There was a powerful quote from David Nelson the other day that really shed some light on what the thinking is in the building, despite the verbiage being espoused by some.
“For all of us, it’s Geno’s team,” Nelson said on CBS Sports Radio. “And from what we’ve been told and what we’ve been working toward, it’s Geno’s team, and Mike’s coming in to kind of (fill) a supporting role.”
To me, that is an illuminating quote.
A few things to break down here.
First of all, what did y’all think about this part of the quote – “From what we’ve been told.”
That one elicited a “wow” response in my mind.
They’ve been told? How were they told?
Believe me, when I get to Cortland, and at some point early in camp, I intend on asking Nelson – “You said you guys were told it’s Geno’s team. Who told you that, and how was it communicated?”
At One Jets Drive, the current GM constantly preaches competition. So if he truly believes in the concept, why would anyone, whether it was the head coach, an assistant coach or a front office official, tell players – “It’s Geno’s team and that is what we are working towards.”
That makes very little sense.
Roll the balls out on the field this summer, and may the best man win. Isn’t that how it should be?
Of course, at least if you want to be a successful football team.
I think one of the reasons Mike Vick lashed out a little bit this spring, in various interviews, was because the landscape wasn’t what he thought it would be.
People always say, “He knew what he signed up for.”
Yes and no.
Of course he knew he was coming in, at least initially, to be Smith’s backup.
But I think he was shocked at how much the playing field was being tipped in Smith’s direction, especially in a building where they talk about competition so much.
I’m going to be pretty blunt with what I’m about to say here, but it’s what I believe – I don’t think Vick thinks Smith is very good.
That I just my opinion reading the tea leaves, but it’s absolutely how I feel.
So Vick is going through the whole spring process, OTA’s, mini-camps and so forth, and burning up inside, probably thinking, “Are bleeping kidding me? I’m behind this guy?”
Look, if Geno goes out this summer, in the practices, and in the preseason games, and does a nice job, I have no issue if him being the starter.
But this “Geno’s team” stuff is a bit much at this stage of the game.
And like I said, I intend on finding out in training camp, once we have access, where this “from what we’ve been told,” stuff is coming from.
I will close with this.
It’s clear Idzik is a big Geno guy. He picked him, and desperately wants this to work out.
That is fine, but after three years outside the playoffs, the Jets need to win this year, and make the second season.
That is the most important thing, and it should trump everything else.
So there should be no agendas when it comes to player personnel decisions.
Play the best players.
That is always the best way to go, if you want to be successful.
July 18, 2014
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