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1. A new vibe at One Jets Drive: Unlike their rivals to the northeast, the New York Jets have been dealing with deflation issues for some time, so to speak -- four straight years out of the playoffs. Rex Ryan's act got stale, and it was time for a change. GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles, introduced Wednesday to the media, came across as sincere, blue-collar types, sans the Ryan bravado. They will bring a fresh approach. Will it be the right approach? No one knows for sure. They're rookies, after all. New doesn't guarantee better. None of the day one pleasantries will matter if they don't find a quarterback.
Jersey boys Mike Maccagnan, left, and Todd Bowles, right, are tasked with solving the Jets' quarterback problem.2. BFFs? Not yet: I have milk in my refrigerator that is older than the Maccagnan-Bowles relationship. They've known each other for only a week, so it's impossible to say if they will be compatible over the long term. The early signs are positive, but how will they handle adversity? What happens when there's a disagreement in the draft room? Clearly, they're learning each other on the fly. This type of arranged marriage is unusual in the NFL. Owner Woody Johnson tried it in 2013, pairing Ryan with John Idzik. It backfired because they had different agendas. At least Maccagnan and Bowles are starting out together.
3. Rex's presence: The news conference took place beneath a giant slogan painted across the top of a high wall in the team auditorium: "Play Like a Jet!" It's a Ryan-ism, one he quoted many times during his six-year tenure. I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson hires painters to handle some touch-up work before the next team meeting.
4. Different kind of coach: One comment from Johnson that jumped out was his take on Bowles' coaching style, his "ability to be above just a defensive coordinator … and be able to take a 30,000-foot look at offense, defense, special teams." This is a departure from Ryan, who immersed himself in the defense. Bowles said he won't call the defensive plays and will take more than a cursory interest in the offense. This is good. This will create a "one-team" perception, not an offense/defense split.
5. About the offense: Bowles didn't provide any specifics on his plans for the offense, except to say he believes he hired the right coordinator in Chan Gailey. Bowles spewed coaching platitudes, saying he wants "good balance. … We want to be tough. We don't want to be pushed around. We want to be explosive. We want to be all of those things." That's what they all say. It would've been nice to hear thoughts on the current personnel and how they might be used based on their knowledge of the players.
6. Taking a pass on Geno: Both men were noncommittal on Geno Smith. Bowles said Smith was "a great college quarterback," which is akin to telling Bowles, "You were a great secondary coach." That's ancient history; it doesn't matter anymore. It seems fairly obvious that Bowles and Maccagnan aren't in love with Smith, and why would they be? He's only 11-18 as a starter. Later, in an interview with ESPN New York 98.7, Maccagnan said he's intrigued by Smith's potential. He also said, "I don't know exactly what Geno will become for us, per se." Translation: Don't get too comfortable in the No. 1 chair, Geno.
7. Jersey Boys: If you like wrapping your arms around a homecoming story, this is a good one. Maccagnan grew up in Hightstown (Exit 8 on the New Jersey Turnpike), about 36 miles from Bowles' hometown, Elizabeth (Exit 13). Bowles' high school used to conduct a preseason camp at Maccagnan's alma mater, the Peddie School. Maccagnan, 47, four years younger than Bowles, suspects he probably watched his future head coach on a practice field in the late 1970s. New Jersey has produced some great coaches. Do the names Lombardi and Parcells ring a bell? The Jets will sign up for anything close to that.
1. A new vibe at One Jets Drive: Unlike their rivals to the northeast, the New York Jets have been dealing with deflation issues for some time, so to speak -- four straight years out of the playoffs. Rex Ryan's act got stale, and it was time for a change. GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles, introduced Wednesday to the media, came across as sincere, blue-collar types, sans the Ryan bravado. They will bring a fresh approach. Will it be the right approach? No one knows for sure. They're rookies, after all. New doesn't guarantee better. None of the day one pleasantries will matter if they don't find a quarterback.
Jersey boys Mike Maccagnan, left, and Todd Bowles, right, are tasked with solving the Jets' quarterback problem.2. BFFs? Not yet: I have milk in my refrigerator that is older than the Maccagnan-Bowles relationship. They've known each other for only a week, so it's impossible to say if they will be compatible over the long term. The early signs are positive, but how will they handle adversity? What happens when there's a disagreement in the draft room? Clearly, they're learning each other on the fly. This type of arranged marriage is unusual in the NFL. Owner Woody Johnson tried it in 2013, pairing Ryan with John Idzik. It backfired because they had different agendas. At least Maccagnan and Bowles are starting out together.
3. Rex's presence: The news conference took place beneath a giant slogan painted across the top of a high wall in the team auditorium: "Play Like a Jet!" It's a Ryan-ism, one he quoted many times during his six-year tenure. I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson hires painters to handle some touch-up work before the next team meeting.
4. Different kind of coach: One comment from Johnson that jumped out was his take on Bowles' coaching style, his "ability to be above just a defensive coordinator … and be able to take a 30,000-foot look at offense, defense, special teams." This is a departure from Ryan, who immersed himself in the defense. Bowles said he won't call the defensive plays and will take more than a cursory interest in the offense. This is good. This will create a "one-team" perception, not an offense/defense split.
5. About the offense: Bowles didn't provide any specifics on his plans for the offense, except to say he believes he hired the right coordinator in Chan Gailey. Bowles spewed coaching platitudes, saying he wants "good balance. … We want to be tough. We don't want to be pushed around. We want to be explosive. We want to be all of those things." That's what they all say. It would've been nice to hear thoughts on the current personnel and how they might be used based on their knowledge of the players.
6. Taking a pass on Geno: Both men were noncommittal on Geno Smith. Bowles said Smith was "a great college quarterback," which is akin to telling Bowles, "You were a great secondary coach." That's ancient history; it doesn't matter anymore. It seems fairly obvious that Bowles and Maccagnan aren't in love with Smith, and why would they be? He's only 11-18 as a starter. Later, in an interview with ESPN New York 98.7, Maccagnan said he's intrigued by Smith's potential. He also said, "I don't know exactly what Geno will become for us, per se." Translation: Don't get too comfortable in the No. 1 chair, Geno.
7. Jersey Boys: If you like wrapping your arms around a homecoming story, this is a good one. Maccagnan grew up in Hightstown (Exit 8 on the New Jersey Turnpike), about 36 miles from Bowles' hometown, Elizabeth (Exit 13). Bowles' high school used to conduct a preseason camp at Maccagnan's alma mater, the Peddie School. Maccagnan, 47, four years younger than Bowles, suspects he probably watched his future head coach on a practice field in the late 1970s. New Jersey has produced some great coaches. Do the names Lombardi and Parcells ring a bell? The Jets will sign up for anything close to that.
