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The Jets' GM vacancy: Pros and cons
January, 7, 2015
JAN 7
11:00
AM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPN.com
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Attractive job or dead-end job?
Let's just say it's a better job than it was two years ago. Here's a look at the positives and negatives to the New York Jets' general-manager vacancy:
REASONS TO COVET IT
1. Money to burn: Thanks to John Idzik's frugal spending, the Jets will have more than $40 million in salary-cap room. They have only one mega-contract on the horizon (Muhammad Wilkerson) and no big quarterback contract to worry about. Wait, it gets better: They have to spend money. To comply with the 89-percent rule in the collective bargaining agreement, the Jets have to spend close to the 2015 cap. The situation is a lot better than 2013, when they were $30 million over the cap upon Idzik's arrival.
2. Pick-6: No, we're not talking about one of Geno Smith's passes. The Jets own the sixth pick in the draft, the reward for the pain and suffering of a 4-12 season. It's a pretty good building block, especially if they can draft Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.
3. Low expectations: The expression that applies here is, "No place to go but up." After the Idzik debacle, the new GM will be deemed an upgrade as soon as he signs on the dotted line. The fan base is desperate for hope, and the GM can provide it as long as he demonstrates personnel acumen and a take-charge personality.
4. Gotham: Hey, it's New York. Who doesn't want the challenge of working in the No. 1 media market? Deliver a championship, and you'll be remembered forever.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
1. Who's the boss? There's uncertainty with regard to the power structure. Owner Woody Johnson hasn't revealed, at least not publicly, how he's planning to set up his organization. Will the GM have full authority over the draft, the 53-man roster and the coach? Or will it be one of those watered-down GM jobs? This could be a major issue for some candidates.
2. Who's the quarterback? Smith's encouraging finish notwithstanding, the Jets don't have a clear-cut starter. What's more, the draft is weak and there are no solid answers in free agency. Nothing weighs down a franchise more than quarterback instability.
3. No middle class: Questionable drafting from 2008 to 2012 has created a void in the roster -- a dearth of players that should be in the prime years of their career. They have a handful of promising third- and fourth-year players, but it falls off a cliff after that. It will take time to fix that.
4. The B & B Factor: As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are around, you're playing for second place in the AFC East.
January, 7, 2015
JAN 7
11:00
AM ET
By Rich Cimini | ESPN.com
00COMMENTS0EMAILPRINT
Attractive job or dead-end job?
Let's just say it's a better job than it was two years ago. Here's a look at the positives and negatives to the New York Jets' general-manager vacancy:
REASONS TO COVET IT
1. Money to burn: Thanks to John Idzik's frugal spending, the Jets will have more than $40 million in salary-cap room. They have only one mega-contract on the horizon (Muhammad Wilkerson) and no big quarterback contract to worry about. Wait, it gets better: They have to spend money. To comply with the 89-percent rule in the collective bargaining agreement, the Jets have to spend close to the 2015 cap. The situation is a lot better than 2013, when they were $30 million over the cap upon Idzik's arrival.
2. Pick-6: No, we're not talking about one of Geno Smith's passes. The Jets own the sixth pick in the draft, the reward for the pain and suffering of a 4-12 season. It's a pretty good building block, especially if they can draft Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.
3. Low expectations: The expression that applies here is, "No place to go but up." After the Idzik debacle, the new GM will be deemed an upgrade as soon as he signs on the dotted line. The fan base is desperate for hope, and the GM can provide it as long as he demonstrates personnel acumen and a take-charge personality.
4. Gotham: Hey, it's New York. Who doesn't want the challenge of working in the No. 1 media market? Deliver a championship, and you'll be remembered forever.
REASONS TO STAY AWAY
1. Who's the boss? There's uncertainty with regard to the power structure. Owner Woody Johnson hasn't revealed, at least not publicly, how he's planning to set up his organization. Will the GM have full authority over the draft, the 53-man roster and the coach? Or will it be one of those watered-down GM jobs? This could be a major issue for some candidates.
2. Who's the quarterback? Smith's encouraging finish notwithstanding, the Jets don't have a clear-cut starter. What's more, the draft is weak and there are no solid answers in free agency. Nothing weighs down a franchise more than quarterback instability.
3. No middle class: Questionable drafting from 2008 to 2012 has created a void in the roster -- a dearth of players that should be in the prime years of their career. They have a handful of promising third- and fourth-year players, but it falls off a cliff after that. It will take time to fix that.
4. The B & B Factor: As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are around, you're playing for second place in the AFC East.
