Woody Johnson Is The Problem

[Namath12]

To see why any poor organization stinks, look at the top. To me, Johnson is similar to James Dolan, Pres. of the Knicks. Both were born into great wealth and act as if they are responsible for that wealth, rather than having been born with a silver spoon.

Woody may well be a terrific person in his personal life; I have no idea. However, he is an absolute disaster as owner of the Jets. He reminds me of the non-athlete type that becomes manager of a high school football team so that he gets to hang with the cool kids. The term jock-sniffer might be used here.

Some examples:
1. Parcells quit when Woody was about to become the owner. Why? My understanding is that there was something about Woody that Parcells didn't like.
2. The decision to build the new stadium paired with the Giants, perpetuating our little brother status. Yes, I know that the original move was caused by Leon Hess, who was also a poor owner. That just adds to my basic premise.
3. Some of you may not remember that Woody attended the main workout that Mark Sanchez had for Jets scouts. I remember reading in the papers that Woody was "smitten" with Sanchez. Why was Woody even at the damn workout, rather than leaving these matters to his football people?
4. Hiring the bean counter, Idzik, as GM.
5. Panicking when Seattle won their playoff game, making Dan Quinn available. This led to hiring Bowles BEFORE Mac. Then Mac supposedly got to see if he was comfortable with T.B. What was Mac going to say: "I don't want Bowles, so I'm not taking the job?"
6. The present structure where Mac and Bowles are equals where both report to WHOM??? Good old Woody. Does any other team in the league have this corporate structure?
7. I could give you 10 other examples. The biggest problem is that we don't get to fire the owner.

 

[Mainejet]

This is such a crock of shit. Woody has tried every means necessary to improve this team. Just because his latest attempt might very well be his worst attempt does not make him the problem. I have no problem saying, "I support Woody 100%"........

 

[jets82]

I will say this, moving into Metlife (half and half) with the Giants was a horrible idea. It did keep the little brother stigma going, and it won't change until we win an SB or two. Would have been the same if we would have built our own stadium but it would have taken the blow away some at least. No excuse for it either IMHO, there is tons of room in the NY area. Didn't have to be in the Manhattan. Long Island would have been perfect. Even upstate NY would have worked. The Jets fans are already traveling from the five boroughs, NJ, Conn, RI, Phila, Boston etc-etc to East Rutherford so what's the difference with traveling to LI or upstate, NY?

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Yeah, Woody's the problem.


Oh boy.....

 

[Namath12]

This is such a crock of shit. Woody has tried every means necessary to improve this team. Just because his latest attempt might very well be his worst attempt does not make him the problem. I have no problem saying, "I support Woody 100%"........

Your reply is a crock of shit. How about if you try to rebut any of the evidence that I provided, rather than responding with profanity unaccompanied by any evidence to back up your opinion? I'm challenging you Mainejet. Let's see if we can have a rational and intelligent debate as fellow Jets fans. Exactly which of my points do you disagree with and why? What is your evidence that Woody has tried by any means necessary to improve the team? Have his attempts worked or do you want to give him a medal for "trying?"
Or. do you prefer to reply with "Don't fucking tell me what to do?" That's what I've seen from you several times on this forum. But I'm betting that you're better than that.

 

[gmf1369]

To see why any poor organization stinks, look at the top. To me, Johnson is similar to James Dolan, Pres. of the Knicks. Both were born into great wealth and act as if they are responsible for that wealth, rather than having been born with a silver spoon.

Woody may well be a terrific person in his personal life; I have no idea. However, he is an absolute disaster as owner of the Jets. He reminds me of the non-athlete type that becomes manager of a high school football team so that he gets to hang with the cool kids. The term jock-sniffer might be used here.

Some examples:
1. Parcells quit when Woody was about to become the owner. Why? My understanding is that there was something about Woody that Parcells didn't like.
2. The decision to build the new stadium paired with the Giants, perpetuating our little brother status. Yes, I know that the original move was caused by Leon Hess, who was also a poor owner. That just adds to my basic premise.
3. Some of you may not remember that Woody attended the main workout that Mark Sanchez had for Jets scouts. I remember reading in the papers that Woody was "smitten" with Sanchez. Why was Woody even at the damn workout, rather than leaving these matters to his football people?
4. Hiring the bean counter, Idzik, as GM.
5. Panicking when Seattle won their playoff game, making Dan Quinn available. This led to hiring Bowles BEFORE Mac. Then Mac supposedly got to see if he was comfortable with T.B. What was Mac going to say: "I don't want Bowles, so I'm not taking the job?"
6. The present structure where Mac and Bowles are equals where both report to WHOM??? Good old Woody. Does any other team in the league have this corporate structure?
7. I could give you 10 other examples. The biggest problem is that we don't get to fire the owner.

1. Parcells didn't quit because of Woody

Spoiler

On the afternoon of Monday, Jan. 3, 2000, Bill Parcells announced his resignation from the Jets to the public, becoming the first head coach in franchise history to step down with a winning record: 30–20.

He informed reporters that his defensive coordinator, Bill Belichick (whose contract from three years earlier ensured that he would take over whenever Parcells decided to leave), was empowered to make all football decisions,

while Parcells himself would stay on as a confidant and consultant. And although the contract language lacked preciseness regarding ultimate authority, Parcells, still technically director of football operations at a $2.4 million salary, vowed not to overshadow Belichick. Big Bill insisted that the Patriots’ interest in hiring Little Bill -- they had sent a fax requesting permission to interview him -- was no factor in the development, although it certainly seemed to accelerate matters.

Meanwhile, Belichick appeared to embrace his new duties, scheduling his first “family meeting” with director of player contracts Mike Tannenbaum and discussing preparations for free agency with director of pro personnel Scott Pioli.

Late that afternoon, president Steve Gutman and Parcells sat in on Belichick’s meeting with the head trainer to discuss injured players.

A couple of hours later, at roughly 6 p.m., Parcells was in the coaches’ locker room when Belichick walked in and asked Big Bill to revisit New England’s interview request.

Startled by the query, Parcells reminded Belichick of his apparent eagerness only a day earlier to finally take over. Belichick countered that uncertainty about the Jets’ changing ownership -- the estate of longtime owner Leon Hess, who had died the previous spring, was weighing competing bids from Johnson & Johnson heir Woody Johnson and Cablevision founder Charles Dolan -- was giving him second thoughts.

The remarks angered Parcells, who warned Belichick that the club wouldn’t allow him to interview with the Patriots or any other team.

2. Like you said Woody was not at fault about Hess moving the Jets in with the Giants... The problem was the contract that the Mara family drew up, it hindered any chance of Woody moving the Jets into their own stadium for a few years...

3. Woody may of attended the private workout of Mark Sanchez but it was Rex Ryan that was drooling to draft this kid... It was Tannebaum who sold the house to move up to get him...

4. Can not find fault against this one...

5. Woody did not panick in hiring Maccagnan nor Bowles:

Spoiler

Charlie Casserly was at the forefront of the hiring of General Manager Mike Maccagnan because he knew him personally from their time together in Washington... Casserly and Ron Wolf were hired by Woody to help find the right people to run the team...

Maccagnan was presented with two options for head coach: Todd Bowles and Dan Quinn...

Tuesday January 13 2015, he was the first hire that day... Roughly three hours later Maccagnan made it official by hiring Todd Bowles as the head coach... Maccagnan chose Bowles because of his philosophy and laid back demeanor...

6. The structure you are suggesting is incorrect... With Maccagnan being hired first then allowing him to choose between the two options of Quinn and Bowles, Maccagnan chose Bowles to be the head coach... So Bowles reports to Maccagnan and Maccagnan reports to President Neil Glat who runs the organization...

Woody Johnson is now and always will be a trust fund baby - glorified Jets fan that will pretend to run the team... If anyone talks to him it will be the President or the General Manager...

7. The biggest problem is NOT the owner, it is actually all the 3rd person entities over the years telling Woody how to do everything because he knew nothing on running an NFL team...

 

[Namath12]

gmf.

I stand corrected on "Little Bill" being the one who didn't want to stick around with the new owner. I don't think it changes my point.
3. The fact that Rex and Tanny also had the hots for Sanchez does not absolve Woody for being part of the process.
5. Too tired to research this now, but I stand by numbers 5 and 6. The choice was not between Bowles and Quinn because Quinn was not yet available. The choice was between an available Bowles or the *possibility* of getting Quinn, but also the possibility of losing both Bowles and Quinn if the Jets waited until the Seahawks were eliminated. With regard to #6, I am positive that at the press conference introducing Bowles and Mac that Woody said both report to him. Several of the beat reporters commented on the pitflalls of that structure then and recently.
7. In my opinion, your own reply actually agrees with my point.

As an extra point, who hired the people that many of you are now denigrating on a daily basis? Who has the final say about everything that goes on with the team? Who allowed a situation where the previous GM and coach were not fired in the same year? Who hired a GM (Idzik) on the basis that he accept a coach who was already in place? I bet that none of you run your businesses that way.

 

[Greentilldeath]

gmf.

I stand corrected on "Little Bill" being the one who didn't want to stick around with the new owner. I don't think it changes my point.
3. The fact that Rex and Tanny also had the hots for Sanchez does not absolve Woody for being part of the process.
5. Too tired to research this now, but I stand by numbers 5 and 6. The choice was not between Bowles and Quinn because Quinn was not yet available. The choice was between an available Bowles or the *possibility* of getting Quinn, but also the possibility of losing both Bowles and Quinn if the Jets waited until the Seahawks were eliminated. With regard to #6, I am positive that at the press conference introducing Bowles and Mac that Woody said both report to him. Several of the beat reporters commented on the pitflalls of that structure then and recently.
7. In my opinion, your own reply actually agrees with my point.

As an extra point, who hired the people that many of you are now denigrating on a daily basis? Who has the final say about everything that goes on with the team? Who allowed a situation where the previous GM and coach were not fired in the same year? Who hired a GM (Idzik) on the basis that he accept a coach who was already in place? I bet that none of you run your businesses that way.

This is an interesting topic..... and one that is not specific to the Jets per say. All teams that disappoint have this conversation among the fan base. Oakland fans have bitched about Mark Davis forever, Ram fans hate Kronkie, Cincy fans bitch about the owners, Viking fans bitch about the Wilfs, Bear fans bitch about how cheap the McCaskies are etc etc. Mistakes happen, but all in all, I don't think Woody is the worst owner out there. Look at the Jags and Shad Khan. Woody and Khan are a lot alike. Khan spends a boatload of cash this offseason in FA, and the team stinks. Woody dropped a lot of cash two years ago.... and the team stinks. Woody and Khan are just trying to do what they feel is necessary to produce a winning product. And I cant fault either for that........ I'm old enough to remember Georgia Frontierrie (widow of Carrol Rosenbloom) when she owned the Rams. She never gave a shit about that team...... No.... Woody isn't the best owner out there.....but he certainly is far from the worst

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Fans got angry with Gailey. Then that got old.

So they got mad at Bowles. But that wasn't enough.

Ah ha! Maccagnan is the culprit! No, there has to be another reason....

It's Woody Johnson. We've officially reached the point of not being able to blame anyone else. We've topped out.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next target to be Obama or Trump. :global (23):

 

[butterscotch]

This is such a crock of shit. Woody has tried every means necessary to improve this team. Just because his latest attempt might very well be his worst attempt does not make him the problem. I have no problem saying, "I support Woody 100%"........

winners win & losers lose...losers love to be in the company of other losers.

Fitz Woody & Marshall stink.

Namath 12 your bullets may not be all right but the target is.

Woody sucks I have been saying this for years

 

[butterscotch]

Fans got angry with Gailey. Then that got old.

So they got mad at Bowles. But that wasn't enough.

Ah ha! Maccagnan is the culprit! No, there has to be another reason....

It's Woody Johnson. We've officially reached the point of not being able to blame anyone else. We've topped out.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next target to be Obama or Trump. :global (23):

Be real it is firemen ED. When he came all things went down hill. Like the goat to the cubs :global (23):

 

[butterscotch]

This is an interesting topic..... and one that is not specific to the Jets per say. All teams that disappoint have this conversation among the fan base. Oakland fans have bitched about Mark Davis forever, Ram fans hate Kronkie, Cincy fans bitch about the owners, Viking fans bitch about the Wilfs, Bear fans bitch about how cheap the McCaskies are etc etc. Mistakes happen, but all in all, I don't think Woody is the worst owner out there. Look at the Jags and Shad Khan. Woody and Khan are a lot alike. Khan spends a boatload of cash this offseason in FA, and the team stinks. Woody dropped a lot of cash two years ago.... and the team stinks. Woody and Khan are just trying to do what they feel is necessary to produce a winning product. And I cant fault either for that........ I'm old enough to remember Georgia Frontierrie (widow of Carrol Rosenbloom) when she owned the Rams. She never gave a shit about that team...... No.... Woody isn't the best owner out there.....but he certainly is far from the worst

You are right in that he may not be the worst but we need one of the top ten.....he is not that good....or near it.

I did not jump on this wagon today I am the wagon

 

[lounap23]

Fans got angry with Gailey. Then that got old.

So they got mad at Bowles. But that wasn't enough.

Ah ha! Maccagnan is the culprit! No, there has to be another reason....

It's Woody Johnson. We've officially reached the point of not being able to blame anyone else. We've topped out.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next target to be Obama or Trump. :global (23):

Well Obama is still President so #thanksObama lol:global (23):

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Be real it is firemen ED. When he came all things went down hill. Like the goat to the cubs :global (23):

Fireman Ed! Yes, thank you!

That bum was secretly lobbying Woody Johnson to make the Stephen Hill pick.

 

[butterscotch]

Fireman Ed! Yes, thank you!

That bum was secretly lobbying Woody Johnson to make the Stephen Hill pick.

You see I said men not man.......woody had a whole army of them lol

 

[Namath12]

Fans got angry with Gailey. Then that got old.

So they got mad at Bowles. But that wasn't enough.

Ah ha! Maccagnan is the culprit! No, there has to be another reason....

It's Woody Johnson. We've officially reached the point of not being able to blame anyone else. We've topped out.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next target to be Obama or Trump. :global (23):

I'm seriously curious as to whom you think is responsible for this mess.

 

[SackExchange]

Fans love to bash Woody, but a lot of the criticisms are unfounded. And to be honest, I think a good bit of the animosity goes back to three letters: P-S-L. Sure, many teams with new stadiums do it, but when your team does it, the owner is evil incarnate.

I don't blame him for the stadium situation. He explored an option for a new stadium for just the Jets, and it was politicized out of existence before groundbreaking. He then explored a situation where the Jets were partners, and not tenants, in a shared stadium. Had he actually built a new stadium for just the Jets, people would have bashed him for not pooling resources with the Giants.

Here is what I want out of an owner:

1. A willingness to spend to win.
2. A willingness to let the experts in the sport do their work.

He absolutely does #1. The Jets are no cheap team. And compared to a lot of owners, he very much does #2. Jerry Jones? Daniel Snyder? Davis in Oakland?

He can be critiqued for some things, such as what happened with the reporting structure. The new HC will have to be Mac's choice, and will have to report to Mac. But a lot of the other criticisms are unfair.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

I'm seriously curious as to whom you think is responsible for this mess.

Scroll down one post to Sackexchange's take. He sums it up pretty well.

This mess can be attributed to a lot of things. But ultimately it comes down to players and coaches. Yes, Idzik wasn't a very good evaluator of talent, and that set us back. But Macc hasn't done anything to warrant some of the criticism he's getting. Darron Lee looks like an emerging player. Jordan Jenkins is starting as a rookie, as well. Both look like they'll be starters for a while. Justin Burris is a guy that could be better in time, and Lac Edwards is the best punter we've had in a while. Macc also drafted two developmental QB's that nobody can definitively say are good or bad just yet. Lorenzo Mauldin is a starter, and Leonard Williams is one of the best draft picks of the last ten years.

Macc signed James Carpenter, our best offensive lineman. He also took a gamble on Clady when Brick suddenly retired. I thought it was a great move at the time, and so did just about everyone else. Obviously the gamble didn't work out. But it wasn't like Macc had a whole lot of choices. You can say, "why didn't he draft a LT in the first round?" but had he done that, this fan base would say "why did we ignore the LB position?" Fans want it both ways.

The point is, there's blame to go around for sure, but I don't see how anyone can bash Woody or throw Maccagnan into the fire after two seasons. Macc has done a good job. Obviously he still has a lot of work to do with this roster. And it starts with cutting the fat contracts that are underperforming. (There's no way Macc or anyone else could've predicted Revis rapid descension. You cannot blame him for that, either).

 

[Mainejet]

Your reply is a crock of shit. How about if you try to rebut any of the evidence that I provided, rather than responding with profanity unaccompanied by any evidence to back up your opinion? I'm challenging you Mainejet. Let's see if we can have a rational and intelligent debate as fellow Jets fans. Exactly which of my points do you disagree with and why? What is your evidence that Woody has tried by any means necessary to improve the team? Have his attempts worked or do you want to give him a medal for "trying?"
Or. do you prefer to reply with "Don't fucking tell me what to do?" That's what I've seen from you several times on this forum. But I'm betting that you're better than that.

I'm sorry but I can't into a debate with someone who is relying on hearsay.... EVERYTHING you have mentioned in your original post is purely based on speculation (on your own part and no one else I know of) or hearsay. There is absolutely nothing in your post that is based in any kind of fact.

What I can tell you is MUCH easier to believe is Woody has done the very best he could with what he had at his disposal. Do you HONESTLY think Woody bought the team with some sort of evil ulterior motive to do in the Jets? Bob Kraft SUCKED as an owner until he managed to hire Belichick. What was Woody supposed to do when Belichick was so hell bent on leaving? You do realize Belichick RESIGNED under his own free will when he had the Jets head coaching job in hand, right?

Since then he's tried to put great people in place, and he's always rewarded people who have been successful. Example, Woody decided not to go after Bill Cowher in 2009 because Cowher would have insisted on hiring his own front office. Woody had loyalty to Tanny and at that point he had done a nice job as GM of the team. He rewarded Rex Ryan with another contract after he had so much early success.

So I believe your whole post is just you attempting to point the dirty end of the stick at Woody, When in point of fact, you are actually just angry that the Jets suck and you are desperately looking for answers..........

 

[Namath12]

Of course I'm angry that the Jets suck. We certainly agree on that, right? What about the hiring of Idzik? That was a (sad) fact. And do you think it was a good idea not to fire him at the same time Rex was fired? (Obviously, I know that you didn't want Rex fired in the first place). My main point that I left out was that players,coaches and GMs have come and gone, but Hess and Woody have been the one common element throughout these decades of ineptitude. To me, that's not a coincidence. By the way, excellent point about Kraft getting lucky with Belichilk. Good point about Cowher also.