http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/11/mike_maccagnan_believes_todd_bowles_is_going_to_be.html
FLORHAM PARK — It's hard to find someone that doesn't deserve blame for the Jets' dismal 2016 season.
Is Todd Bowles' job with Jets on the line?
The offense? Bad. The defense? Bad. The roster? Bad.
And the coaching? That may be the biggest difference from last year's 10-6 campaign, and this season's 3-7 start. Between decision-making blunders, and accountability errors from his players, Todd Bowles has resembled little of the guy some nominated for Coach of the Year in 2015.
With the fan base calling for his head, at least one inside One Jets Drive still has faith Bowles can get the job done.
"I think Todd is going to be a very good coach in this league," general manager Mike Maccagnan said at his midseason press conference. "He's doing a good job right now."
Good job may be a bit of a relative term. It's hard to find much of anything good about the Jets this year.
None of that is a good look, and much of the blame falls on Bowles. Off the field, as first reported by NJ Advance Media, two of the team's best players — Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson — are routinely late to meetings.
"We need to do better," Maccagnan said. "We need to do things going forward that will make us successful.
"The record isn't where we want it to be. We're doing everything in our power to improve that. Whether it's playing, coaching, scouting.
If the Jets were to make a coaching change after this season, the decision wouldn't be Maccagnan's. The way the Jets management is set up, Maccagnan and Bowles are on equal grounds, and both report to owner Woody Johnson.
Maccagnan is not Bowles' boss, nor is Bowles Maccagnan's. Bowles handles things on the field, and Maccagnan the 53-man roster.
Still, the GM's vote of confidence will undoubtedly reach Johnson's ears.
"We're dealing with stuff this season," Maccagnan said. "We knew this going in. We knew when we started, with where we wanted to get to, we'd face adversity along the way. [Bowles] is very consistent and focused. I think he has a very good pulse on the team and the locker room."
A pulse is one thing, but fans and owners want wins. If coaches and general managers don't show they can get that quickly, changes are routinely made. Since he took over, Maccagnan has said he's building the Jets for long-term success.
Is he confident he and Bowles will be around when things develop?
"I know Woody is very committed to building an organization that has the ability to be long-term successful," Maccagnan said. "That's something we've always talked about."
