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A lot of people are wondering if Woody Johnson (and perhaps his money manager Ira Akselrad) were involved in the Jets’ decision to release David Harris and Eric Decker.
Yes, I think they were.
When Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan kept saying the other day these were “organizational decisions” that was them showing a little ankle that other people were involved.
They certainly weren’t talking about Tom in the Jets’ kitchen (who makes the best soup).
But while I normally think it’s bad for the Jets when Woody and Ira get involved in football decisions, because they aren’t player personnel gurus. But in this case, their involvement isn’t the end of the world.
If you are going to spend good money on players, it’s important to evaluate the return on investment.
And if you really look at these two players, and their salaries closely, the potential return on investment doesn’t look ideal.
I hate beating up on David Harris because he’s such a good guy, but he just doesn’t run very well at this stage of the game. No question he can still stop the run, but in space, he can be exposed.
And honestly, Harris and his camp probably have a right to be pissed at the Jets for the timing of his release, but they should also be thankful for that last contract, which was very generous, perhaps a little too generous, for a linebacker his age.
But like I’ve said many times, the salary reduction should have been broached in March not June. Harris speed issue were a problem last year. They didn’t just creep up in June.
So from a return on investment standpoint, $6.5 million a little too steep for a two-down linebacker who labors in space.
As for Decker, as we mentioned yesterday, two major surgeries, $7.25 million, 30-years-old. That isn’t a great equation. If I owed the team, I’m not sure I would want to take the risk on that player, and have him get hurt early in the year, and be on the hook for that salary.
As far as Woody getting involved in things like the Brett Favre and Tim Tebow trades, that was really bad for the Jets. That was PT Barnum stuff to sell tickets. As for Johnson, going to Mark Sanchez’s workout, and falling in love with the USC QB. That is bad news for the Jets. He’s not a scout.
But for Johnson to talk to his football people about return on investment issues, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
People continue to write the Jets are tanking.
Several writers are quoting unnamed executives or agents ripping the Jets plan.
I’m not going to do that. I’m there watching practice. I don’t need clowns who aren’t around the team telling how bad they are going to be.
I’m not going to make predictions, especially at this early date.
But I don’t see a team out there devoid of talent. The defensive line is loaded, the rookie first round safety looks like a future star. Austin Seferian-Jenkins looks like Jimmy Graham out there.
To me, if Josh McCown is the quarterback, this Jets will be competitive. He looks like a good game-manager out there – spreading the ball around.
If the Jets go with one of their young quarterbacks, all bets are off . . .
June 8, 2017
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