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Florham Park – The Jets’ new GM John Idzik was introduced to the New York media today. How did he do? Here are some first impressions . . .
Woody Johnson was asked a question by Manish Mehta about whether John Idzik is going to make changes in the personnel department.
“He’s been here how many hours?” Johnson answered.
The media wanted answers today, whether it was about staff changes, Darrelle Revis, or Mark Sanchez. But the new GM wasn’t prepared to get into great detail on these topics just yet.
Today was actually his first day in Florham Park because the job interviews didn’t take place here. One, I know was in Atlanta.
Idzik arrived at his new office for the first time today, and the media demanded answers, he wasn’t prepared to give in his opening press.
“He hasn’t seen a tape yet,” Rex Ryan said.
Why does Idzik need to give the media what they want on Revis today?
They think it’s an outrage that he didn’t come out and say, “He’s going to be here.”
First of all, he’s still rehabbing a knee. Let’s see what he looks like when he gets back on the field. Obviously, most guys come back fine from ACL tears. This isn’t 20 years ago, but let’s see what happens.
Secondly, you know Woody doesn’t want to be dragged through the mud again by Revis’ agent, Neil Schwartz and Mark Feinsod, who continually insulted the owner and the former GM, in the press, back in the 2010, attempting to get a new contract.
If they play that card again, the public humiliation card, Johnson will be ticked, and Idzik isn’t going to put up with it. Idzik is wired different than Mike Tannenbaum.
This is a very important off-season for the Jets, with a new GM, a new offensive coordinator, and the last thing they need is a protracted public battle with the Revis’ camp in the media. They don’t need that kind of distraction.
Odds are the Jets keep Revis. The Revis-Antonio Cromartie combo allows Rex to do what he likes to do on the defense, blitz a lot, since each cornerback is able to hold-up on an island.
But while Idzik is going to get criticized for not giving the media what they wanted on Revis, I came away very impressed with the new GM.
You can see he has the “it” factor, and he’s ready for this moment.
30 years ago he graduated from one of the nation’s finest schools, Dartmouth, with honors. I know that is a long time ago, but I’m just trying to illuminate his intelligence. This is a smart cat.
And in front of a large New York media contingent, he handled himself in a presidential fashion – very calm and stately. The moment wasn’t too big for him.
I remember when Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan were introduced, they were both nervous wrecks, and it showed.
I saw none of that from Idzik.
He got a ton of questions about being just a “cap guy,” and he and Woody shot that down.
“I came into the league as a scout,” Idzik reminded people.
“He does have the requisite football experience to make decisions on personnel,” Johnson said.
My gut from being around the guy in his press conference, and then getting a chance to meet him following that, is this guy was the right hire.
Don’t let the media impact your thoughts on him.
Some are going to rip him because he didn’t give the Revis’ answers they wanted.
“It’s John’s first day and [the Revis story] hits him on the head,” Ryan said.
Ignore the white noise.
It’s about time the media stops getting what they want, when they want it, around here.
This is about winning football games.
“I don’t want to win in the press, I want to win on the field,” the late Al Davis once said.
And you know what, there was no reason Idzik had to placate Revis today, and shoot down the rumor.
Idzik said repeatedly today that he needs to review every player on the roster.
And that includes Revis.
January 24, 2013
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