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So how is the Rex Ryan and John Idzik marriage working so well? Some say it’s going well. What do we think. Let’s take closer look.
I think it’s way too early to tell.
Way too early.
There was a quote from an unnamed Jets official in a local paper saying, ““Rex has bought into Idzik. Whatever direction John came in with, Rex was more than eager to complement.”
Of course he’s bought into Idzik – what choice does he have?
Also, I thought the unnamed quotes are behind us.
But honestly, it’s hard to criticize the Jets for this unnamed quote.
Whoever said it, it’s clearly a point that the Jets’ brass would like.
Obviously, Woody Johnson, Neil Glat and Ira Axselrad (a very powerful member of the Jets hierarchy – very powerful – Woody’s right hand money man), want the Ryan-Idzik marriage to work.
When the three interviewed myriad candidates for the GM job, they wanted to find a qualified candidate who would be willing to work with Rex.
There are some GM candidates who didn’t want to sign up for this arrangement. A lot of GM candidates want to come in with their own coach.
Idzik was more than willing to give Rex a test drive.
How is working out so far?
They seem to be getting along.
“He’s been fantastic,” Idzik said. “He’s a joy to work with.”
But right now this is an arranged marriage.
They are still on their honeymoon.
Without the pressure of wins and losses, or questionable coaching decisions, it’s much easier to get along.
Rex has a two years left on a contract that pays him $3 million a year. There was no way that Woody was going to eat that deal.
Not in his economy.
And also, he paid off MIke Tannenbaum for the last two years of his contract (and now he’s paying off Tim Tebow), so how much money do you want him to eat?
So Idzik was willing to go a long and see if he could make this work.
It’s not like Idzik had a lot of other offers to be a GM. I’m not aware of any.
That doesn’t mean he will be a bad GM. He could turn out to be great. We shouldn’t judge a GM by his offers, but what type of job he does in the long run.
My point is that Idzik was willing to work under this scenario.
You have to think he will have his eye on Ken Whisenhunt (from his days in Arizona), and Seattle offensive coordinator Darren Bevell if this season goes badly. You know darn well he has a short list in his head.
During a recent radio interview, Idzik was asked if he would pick Rex as his coach if he had a choice, and he tap-danced in the answer.
We will see how it works out.
But to say it’s going great now is way premature.
This show is still in dress rehearsals.
Rex told Newsday last week that he think he’s a heckuva coach.
Now it’s time to see if Idzik agrees.
And not much going on in the spring is going to determine that.
June 18, 2013
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