10 Answers From Mike Maccagnan

F

flgreen

Guest
10 Answers from Mike Maccagnan
Posted 49 minutes ago

Randy Lange
Senior Reporter, newyorkjets.com
@rlangejets
Jets GM Responds to Questions About Ryan Fitzpatrick, Muhammad Wilkerson, the Draft & His 2015 Team

Mike-Maccagnan-Press-and-Interview_18-article.jpg


Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan sat with the team's beat reporters early this afternoon for a half-hour debriefing following the Jets' season coming to a close at Buffalo with a 10-6 record.
He demurred on giving himself a grade for his first season in the GM's office as well as providing specifics on several player personnel questions. But he did expand on some points about the Jets, their quarterbacks, their defense and their future heading toward Season No. 2 for both himself and head coach Todd Bowles. Here are excerpts from his answers to 10 questions from reporters:

On if he wants to bring potential free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick back as QB.
..
"We’d like very much to get him back, based on how he played this year. But I don’t really want to get into the speculation aspect of it. I would simply leave it at we’ll see how this thing works out."




On how he sees Geno Smith's and Bryce Petty's futures with the Jets...
"Bryce has made a lot of progress and we're kind of excited to have another offseason with him. ... I would say with Geno, he's under contract, we like the progress he's made and how he even handled the situation in the summer. Right now, I would say going forward we're going to see how Geno and Bryce progress with the offseason and go from there, and that's assuming we're able to re-sign Ryan."

On if he will target quarterback or any other position in the draft...
"It’s such an important position that I think every NFL team probably goes into the draft, with maybe a few exceptions of people who have really well established quarterbacks, of always looking at that position as a position of interest. We’ll be no different than them. I don’t want to sit there and say, 'With the 20th pick we're going to be targeting a quarterback.' Two things. One is you don’t want to tell the 31 other teams what you’re going to do. But I also think that’s kind of a flawed approach to a certain degree."

On if he thinks he got a good return on the investment to bring Darrelle Revis back to the Jets...
"I think so overall. ... I think Darrelle is a very good corner. As Todd said, sometimes they have good games and bad games and it comes with that position, the style of defense we play, too, but I’m very happy we have Darrelle back in the organization, not only from his ability as a player, but also from what he kind of brought to the team. ... There are a lot of areas where you can look at stats and we actually got better at, which I felt was a positive thing. So from my standpoint, I know it was a very aggressive move on our part for what we did, but I’m very happy with the results from it."


On if he wants to sign DE Muhammad Wilkerson to a long-term deal…
"Needless to say, Muhammad played very well this year. I think with him, and all of our players that we had on the team last year, we’re going to try to figure out ways to keep as many of them as we can. But I don’t want to go too far down that road because, like I said, it’s early. In a perfect world, we’d keep everybody on the roster, but we have to see how this thing unfolds. ... At the end of the day, yes, we would very much like to have Muhammad back in the organization. Now how we manage to do that, time will tell."

On if the franchise tag is something he would consider using this year…
"It’s at the discretion of every team to use, I think to kind of hold things together and to protect things. Absolutely we would consider using the franchise tag. I know it always pertains back to Mo [Wilkerson] and not to get too far ahead of ourselves, it’s one of those things, for the most part, if we get to that point, we’ll do what’s in the best interest of the team."

On if Wilkerson would be one of the players he would consider using the franchise tag on…
"We would, potentially, yes. It’s not a big secret or anything like that."

New York Jets ✔ @nyjets
Maccagnan: "Absolutely we will consider using a franchise tag." Says Wilkerson is one of the players that could be considered.
1:19 PM - 14 Jan 2016

On if it is financially possible to keep the defensive line together with Damon Harrison and Wilkerson being free agents…
"Hypothetically or philosophically, it’s not impossible. Those are determinations we’re going to work out ourselves with our team going forward. Quite frankly, you can do many different things in terms of how you manage your money with the salary cap."

On assessing last year's draft class after one season in the NFL...
"The guys we took we're excited about. Leonard [Williams], obviously, I thought played very well and has a very bright future. Devin [Smith] got hurt, which is unfortunate and he was doing better before he got hurt. ... [Lorenzo] Mauldin showed some things as a pass rusher and we think he has a bright upside. ... Bryce unfortunately didn't play, but we liked working with him as a potential prospect. Both [Jarvis] Harrison and [Deon] Simon, those guys will have the biggest jump after their first offseason where we'll really know what they can do. ... I think at the end of the day I'm a bit of a perfectionist, like a lot of people in my business ... but for the most part we liked the guys we took."

New York Jets ✔ @nyjets
Macc: "Our goal was to make ourselves a better team that can consistently compete for the playoffs...We're happy with the progress we made."


On how he evaluated the Jets as a team this season...
"We came up short in six games, but the one nice thing about our season was watching the team kind of come together in the locker room, and that’s some of the stuff, those intangible things, that are hard to judge and so I felt we made progress. I thought at the end of the season we came together as a team, we were doing some nice things, and statistically we did some good things and stuff like that. But I felt good that we maybe started to come closer to being a team that could go in there and compete for a playoff spot every year."
 
F

flgreen

Guest
The important question that no one asked is, Who's the girl to Macc's left? I've seen her in several pictures that included the scribes. Girls smoke'en
 
F

flgreen

Guest
Everything Jets' Mike Maccagnan said about Mo Wilkerson: franchise tag, contract, trade, leg



Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Print Email Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on January 14, 2016 at 2:32 PM, updated January 14, 2016 at 2:59 PM




During his season wrap-up press conference Thursday, Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan addressed several points about star defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.



Wilkerson just finished his fifth season, the best of his career, as he had 12 sacks. He is due to become a free agent in March, but the Jets could apply the franchise tag to him, which would let them control his rights for one more year.


.

All options are on the table, Maccagnan said Thursday.

He wants Wilkerson back, but he didn't guarantee it would happen. Maccagnan was mostly coy about Wilkerson's situation, because he said he didn't want to reveal too much about the Jets' plans to other organizations.

"Needless to say, Muhammad played very well this year," Maccagnan said. "In a perfect world, we'd keep everybody on the roster."


When pressed, Maccagnan spoke more definitively. He said he "absolutely" wants Wilkerson back, adding, "The simple answer is we would very much like to have Muhammad back in the organization. How we manage to do that, time will tell.

If the Jets apply the franchise tag to Wilkerson, that would pay him about $16 million for 2016 — essentially a one-year contract. There is also a July 15 deadline for players who receive the franchise tag. By that time, a team must determine if it will sign the player to a multi-year contract. The deadline could spur action.



Teams can apply the franchise tag any time between Feb. 16 and March 1. Are the Jets considering going that route with Wilkerson?

"Potentially, yeah," Maccagnan said. "I mean, it's not a big secret or anything."

The Jets' standout nose tackle, Damon Harrison, also is a pending free agent. Maccagnan said "it's not impossible" for the Jets to perhaps keep their entire defensive line together this offseason.

Wilkerson enters the offseason rehabbing a broken lower right leg bone. He sustained the injury in the Jan. 3 season-ending loss at Buffalo. Maccagnan doesn't expect the injury to impact Wilkerson in the long term. And Maccagnan said he doesn't believe the injury will affect his contract-related evaluation of Wilkerson.

"It's about a six-month rehab process," Maccagnan said, but that's not set in stone. "It's a significant injury, and there always can be setbacks that you can't anticipate. But that's kind of the timeframe."
 
F

flgreen

Guest
Jets to try to re-sign free agent Wilkerson despite his leg surgery
4:02 PM ET
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets expect Pro Bowl defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson to miss six months with a surgically repaired broken leg, but they still hope to re-sign to soon-to-be free agent, general manager Mike Maccagnan said Thursday.

"The simple answer is yes, we'd very much like to have Muhammad back in the organization," Maccagnan said at his season-ending sit-down with reporters.

Wilkerson fractured his right fibula in the season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills, and he underwent surgery a few days later. Until Thursday, the team hadn't revealed a timetable for his recovery.

The timing is terrible for Wilkerson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. But there is virtually no chance of him reaching the open market. Maccagnan strongly suggested that Wilkerson will receive the franchise tag if the Jets can't sign him to a long-term contract before the March 1 deadline.

Maccagnan said the injury will have a minimal impact on Wilkerson's contract situation.

"He should be ready for camp," he said, mentioning the possibility of the physically-unable-to-perform list for the start of training camp in late July.

The two sides tried to negotiate a long-term contract before the season, but they never got close to an agreement. Wilkerson played for $6.97 million, the amount of his fifth-year option. He recorded a career-high 12 sacks to earn his first Pro Bowl selection.

Maccagnan was light-lipped with regard to the team's offseason plans, but he reiterated what coach Todd Bowles said at the end of the season: The Jets want to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started every game and set the team record for touchdown passes (31).

The general manager was less definitive on the future of backup quarterback Geno Smith, who is under contract for 2016. He said he wants to "see how Geno and Bryce [Petty] progress in the offseason and go from there, and that's assuming we're able to re-sign Ryan."

Maccagnan also said he'd like to re-sign nose tackle Damon Harrison, another pending free agent, but he hinted that salary-cap constraints could be a factor.

The Jets finished 10-6 under the new regime, headed by Maccagnan and Bowles, but they tarnished the season by blowing a playoff spot with the season-ending loss to the Bills. Maccagnan called it a "disappointing" finish but added: "We're happy with the progress we've made."
 
M

Mainejet

Guest
I agree with everything he had to say but more than ever I agree with the last part which was seeing the team chemistry develop (paraphrasing). I loved how Ryan Fitzpatrick and his very relaxed style of leadership was able to win over the players. But that never would have happened without the addition of Brandon Marshall. Personally, I think Fitz would still be an interception machine without Marshall. They were both instrumental in winning over the offense and even the defense to some degree.

What I didn't see, and here's why I believe our season ended in Buffalo, they didn't dominate teams like I thought they should have down the stretch.

This team was hot to say the least over the course of that 5 game winning streak. But they just never dominated teams like I thought they should have. It always left me doubting them. When they played the Cowboys I really thought the Jets would squash them like a bug. Instead they barely won and really didn't play all that well. I was pleasantly surprised by the victory over the Patsies, but the Patsies were as injury riddled as any team I have ever seen. So really it wasn't a good barometer of how the team was progressing.

Really, I think the key is for the Jets to add more weapons. The offense was actually lacking quite a bit this season. They still need in no logical order, OL, FB, QB, WR, TE. Every one of those spots I could see the Jets justifying drafting someone for. Fitz needs a complete compliment of weapons on this team to work with. This also serves us well as time goes on. Bryce Petty will soon enough get his chance and when he does he's going to need weapons.

I'm really hoping we can get a LB through FA and pretty much go 100% offense in the draft.
 
U

ucrenegade

Guest
I agree with everything he had to say but more than ever I agree with the last part which was seeing the team chemistry develop (paraphrasing). I loved how Ryan Fitzpatrick and his very relaxed style of leadership was able to win over the players. But that never would have happened without the addition of Brandon Marshall. Personally, I think Fitz would still be an interception machine without Marshall. They were both instrumental in winning over the offense and even the defense to some degree.

What I didn't see, and here's why I believe our season ended in Buffalo, they didn't dominate teams like I thought they should have down the stretch.

This team was hot to say the least over the course of that 5 game winning streak. But they just never dominated teams like I thought they should have. It always left me doubting them. When they played the Cowboys I really thought the Jets would squash them like a bug. Instead they barely won and really didn't play all that well. I was pleasantly surprised by the victory over the Patsies, but the Patsies were as injury riddled as any team I have ever seen. So really it wasn't a good barometer of how the team was progressing.

Really, I think the key is for the Jets to add more weapons. The offense was actually lacking quite a bit this season. They still need in no logical order, OL, FB, QB, WR, TE. Every one of those spots I could see the Jets justifying drafting someone for. Fitz needs a complete compliment of weapons on this team to work with. This also serves us well as time goes on. Bryce Petty will soon enough get his chance and when he does he's going to need weapons.

I'm really hoping we can get a LB through FA and pretty much go 100% offense in the draft.

The reason we can't dominate I believe is a lack of team speed we have more talent that alot of teams we played but the lack of overall speed killed us this season I believe.
 
U

ucrenegade

Guest
The first thing I notice is whenever a question is asked about the QB's even though geno was our "number 2" You will always hear bryce petty come out of mac's mouth first which is very telling to me, especially when he said I would say with Geno, he's under contract....................kind of making it sound like he is on the team under contract so i better say something decent about him.
 

Elias

The Invisible Man
Big Fish
Jet Fanatics
Jets Global
Agreed renegade. Very telling words. Seems like they will move on from him.

As for MJ - we dominated the Titans and that's it. I do think we should have blown other teams out too but a win is a win. I did feel like we played to our competitions level.
 

Bigmoe

Happily Confused
The Mod Squad
Jet Fanatics
Jets Global
The important question that no one asked is, Who's the girl to Macc's left? I've seen her in several pictures that included the scribes. Girls smoke'en


That's Jeane' Coakley
The the Jets beat reporter on SNY
Was on the elevator at MetLife with her couple of years back


Sports Anchor/reporter at SportsNet New York
New York, New YorkSports
 
M

Mainejet

Guest
The reason we can't dominate I believe is a lack of team speed we have more talent that alot of teams we played but the lack of overall speed killed us this season I believe.

Well, I would certainly think that is part of it, but not all of it. Losing Devin Smith was definitely taking away the teams ability to stretch the field. However, Smith had horrible hands for the most part this season. What's the point in going to him if he's going to drop everything thrown his way? Also, Fitz is limited in his ability to go long. We can talk about various things all day, but here's how I see it:

1) The Jets were notoriously slow starters in 2015. This has been the case for a very long time now. Since about 2009 as I recall. There may be a few exceptions but for the most part the Jets offense takes about 1/3 of every single game it plays before it actually starts scoring. Knowing that it's a wonder they've actually been as successful as they have been over the last 7 or so years.

2) The Jets are still not built to come from behind. That was the case this season and really that's been the case since about 2009 as well. They have always done well running the ball for the most part, but the aerial assault has been lacking. Really, that's what we are talking about when we say "quick strike" ability. That's what it takes to come from behind. The Jets just haven't had that ability for a very very long time now.

3) In big games Touchdowns, NOT field goals. This is more in games against good teams but it is still valid. Whenever, the Jets played a good team like NE for example, they came away with Field Goals in the red zone and not touchdowns. The Jets as an overall team became a much better team in the red zone this season, but they still were not as effective as they needed to be when they played truly good teams. In the 1st Patsy game, 5 trips to the red zone and only two touchdowns. That's a 40% clip when the teams overall average was like 73%. Not good enough. In the 2nd game, I think they had 4 trips to the red zone and got two touchdowns. Once again a 50% clip that is well below their average.

4) Turnovers - As always this is a constant that has never gone away. But really this is extra important to the Jets. As they are a growing team, they must control turnovers. Good teams do not turn the ball over. The jets, although they got much better this season, it still isn't good enough. WHEN was the last time the Jets generated more turnovers than the Patsies when we played them? I can't even remember the last time. It's no wonder why they have dominated us over the last 4 seasons. The Jets in their losses had way too many turnovers and against a cupcake schedule like they had this season, not to mention (like you said) better talent, they should have managed to hold on to the ball much better than they did.

ALL of this IMO is what is keeping this team from taking the next step and becoming a perennial playoff participant and overall SB contender.
 
M

Mainejet

Guest
The first thing I notice is whenever a question is asked about the QB's even though geno was our "number 2" You will always hear bryce petty come out of mac's mouth first which is very telling to me, especially when he said I would say with Geno, he's under contract....................kind of making it sound like he is on the team under contract so i better say something decent about him.

That's exactly how I interpreted it as well. It almost seemed like it was a chore for Mac to say anything nice about Geno. Maybe it's just me?
 
F

flgreen

Guest
That's Jeane' Coakley
The the Jets beat reporter on SNY
Was on the elevator at MetLife with her couple of years back


Sports Anchor/reporter at SportsNet New York
New York, New YorkSports


Thanks, just curious.

That's not a good picture of her, but I saw another one a few weeks ago she was standing next to Fitz locker. Extremely pretty lady
 
M

Mainejet

Guest
The important question that no one asked is, Who's the girl to Macc's left? I've seen her in several pictures that included the scribes. Girls smoke'en

You don't watch SNY??? I think you should start. Jeane Coakley is gorgeous and I actually enjoy her knowledge of the Jets. She's not just a pretty face.

But it's others that will give it to you straight about the Jets. None of this fluff crap like you get from posters on this site. They talk about what is needed and they do not hold back. Not to mention, these people ought to know a little something about the team, their all ex-players and coaches. Ray Lucas, Chad Cascadden, and Mike Westhoff among others. Had Willie Colon and Leger Douzable on there a couple times that I can recall.

I have to think you are just forgetting seeing JC in the past while watching SNY? But if you haven't watched, you need to start. Take it from me, if you believe anything I say.
 
Top