Content available exclusively for subscribers
The Jets-Joe Namath rift continues. So what should the Jets do? I actually think there is one man who can fix this situation, and it’s not the coach or owner. Brian Costello had a suggestion – give him a position with the club . . .
Costello wrote a column on Friday about Joe Namath’s rift with the New York Jets.
In the column he suggested the following –
“The war between the Jets and Namath has to end,” wrote Costello. “The team should hire Namath in some sort of advisory role. I’m not saying he should be picking the players, but have him around to offer advice. Maybe if the Jets start asking him his opinion, he’ll stop offering it to ESPN.”
Wouldn’t that be a bribe?
Basically.
I just don’t think that is a good way to do business.
And the economy is so bad right now, so if they gave Namath money for a figurehead role, would it force them to cut something else, a position of some kind?
The solution to this problem is simple. John Idzik needs to call Namath, or meet with him in-person, and have a man-to-man chat.
It has to be Idzik, not Woody Johnson or Rex Ryan.
Why?
First off with Johnson. I just don’t think the owner and Namath will ever be on the same page. It’s just a poor relationship. Some people just don’t jibe. That is the case with Namath and Johnson.
And plus, Namath has repeatedly trashed the owner over the PSL’s, and they aren’t going anywhere, so that issue isn’t disappearing.
Also, Namath accused Johnson of surrounding himself with bad people.
“You have to start with Woody Johnson and ownership and the people he believes in and trusts. It’s downright scary,” Namath told ESPN New York.
And quite honestly, whether you like Johnson or not, I’m sure you could understand him not wanting to talk to Namath, with comments like that?
As for Ryan, forget about that.
Namath has already made it clear, over-and-over again, that he thinks Rex is full of it.
Time and time again, he’s ripped Ryan, accusing him of embellishing the talent on his team. He also said this to Rich Cimini, when asked if the coach will give us some clarity about the Mike Goodson situation in his press conference.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll get a good answer there,” Namath said, sarcastically.
I agree with Namath on that one. It’s very, very hard to get a straight answer out of Ryan anymore. There is so much shucking and jiving, it’s getting hard to take.
Ryan desperately needs media training, but that is another story.
So if Namath thinks Ryan blows smoke, he’s not the guy to make peace between the legend and his former club.
It has to be Idzik.
The two basically have a clean slate, aside from some criticism about the Mike Goodson signing, but that isn’t a deal breaker.
And Idzik is a very calm, diplomatic man.
He also was a ball boy for the team in Namath’s last year as Jet (1976). Idzik’s father was an assistant coach with that team. This is a heck of an ice-breaker – having fun with that topic.
I think Idzik can get this done.
And then after Idzik has a pow-wow with him, the two can keep in touch, talk every few months. Keep Joe in the loop.
I really think this will work. Idzik is very likeable and genuine. I think he can smooth over this Namath mess.
But there is no way the Jets should “bribe” Namath with a figure-head job to keep him quiet.
That is wrong on so many levels.
June 2, 2103
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Monday