John Idzik - Pro Football Rumors

Coach Notes: Jets, Trestman, Coughlin

December 6th, 2014 at 11:56am CST by Ben Levine

Jets coach Rex Ryan intended to talk to the media on Friday about this team’s matchup with the Vikings. Instead, he addressed rumors that he had considered firing offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

“I would deny that, 100 percent I’ll deny that, that I’m looking to fire Marty or anybody,” Ryan said (via Brian Costello of the New York Post). “You know we challenge each other all the time. … I don’t know where it’s coming from. So to me I think it’s a complete bogus deal. So, I’m not saying it wasn’t said by somebody, but it certainly wasn’t said by me or thought by me.”

Let’s take a look at some more rumblings out of the NFL front offices, including whispers about coaches potentially on the hot seat…

There has been plenty of finger-pointing in New York regarding the issues surrounding the Jets, and Ryan, Mornhinweg and general manager John Idzik have faced their fair share of criticism. Bart Hubbach of the New York Post believes one member of the organization has unfairly gone unscathed: owner Woody Johnson.
While the Bears‘ season certainly hasn’t gone as planned, it doesn’t look like the team will endure any drastic changes. John Mullin of CSNChicago.com appeared on ProFootballTalk Live and stated his belief that head coach Marc Trestman is safe (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com), noting that firing the coach would be an admission of failure by general manager Phil Emery.
Meanwhile, Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times believes the Bears need to make major changes. However, based on the team’s moves in previous years, the team will be apprehensive about making any drastic moves.
Dan Graziano is unsure what the Giants will do with head coach Tom Coughlin, but he believes there’s a chance that the team could be grooming offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo for the role.

AFC East Links: McDaniels, Bills, Idzik

December 3rd, 2014 at 4:34pm CST by Luke Adams

While the 9-3 Patriots look headed toward another division title, Bill Belichick‘s team doesn’t have the AFC East locked up quite yet. Having already lost to Miami earlier this season, the Pats will face the 7-5 Dolphins again later this month, following a Week 14 matchup with the Chargers in San Diego. A Pats loss this weekend, combined with a Dolphins win over the Ravens, could suddenly make Week 15’s showdown vs. the Fins awfully interesting for a New England team currently holding onto the top seed in the AFC.

As we look forward to this weekend’s action, let’s round up the latest out of the AFC East…

There have been whispers that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is under consideration for the University of Florida head coaching job, but the possibility of McDaniels heading to the Gators – or another high-profile NCAA team – doesn’t look very plausible at this point, says Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
While most of their waiver claims have been under-the-radar moves, GM Doug Whaley and the Bills have added multiple intriguing contributors via the waiver process, writes Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. Skurski points to punt returner Marcus Thigpen and tight end MarQueis Gray as two waiver additions who played well during the team’s win over the Browns last Sunday.
As the 2014 season winds down, Jets general manager John Idzik may point to the team’s cap flexibility and plan for sustainable success as he attempts to keep his job, but owner Woody Johnson should recognize that many of the club’s shortcomings are Idzik’s doing, argues Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

Poll: Best Head Coaching Candidates

November 14th, 2014 at 11:02pm CST by Rob DiRe

Colts‘ offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and Browns‘ offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan have accomplished plenty on their offenses this season, with each team currently leading its current division through nine games. Those performances could lead to big paydays as head coaches next season.

They are not the only coordinators being rumored for head coaching jobs. Giants‘ offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo has been talked about as a possible successor for Tom Coughlin. Broncos‘ offensive coordinator Adam Gase could follow the path of his predecessor, Mike McCoy, who jumped from a record-setting Peyton Manning-led offense to the top job for the Chargers.

The defending champion Seahawks have taken a step back from last season, but the market may not have cooled on both of their coordinators. Both offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn have both been talked about as head coaching candidates, with particular interest coming from the Jets if general manager John Idzik is retained in New York and head coach Rex Ryan is fired.

Todd Bowles has helped put together a great defense in Arizona, as the Cardinals have gone 8-1 despite injuries on the defense. Lions‘ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin could be in a similar position, as his team is currently leading it’s division based on the strength of the defense.

Add to the mix the possibility of Jon Gruden or Bill Cowher returning to the sidelines, or even the possibility of a college coach like David Shaw of Stanford jumping to the NFL, and teams will have a number of options should they decide to pursue a new coach in 2015. That list does not include the head coaches that will lose their jobs at the end of the season, a number of them will hit the open market with impressive records of success. That list could include Ryan, Mike Smith, and Jim Harbaugh, among others.

Jets Notes: Smith, Idzik, Ryan

November 8th, 2014 at 9:47am CST by Ben Levine

Jets quarterback Geno Smith has been recovering from a shoulder injury, and it looks like the backup quarterback will be suited up for his game against the Steelers this weekend. As Smith prepared to get back on the field, the former starter addressed a handful of topics yesterday, including fans’ criticism of general manager John Idzik and his own performance in 2014 (via Jane McManus of ESPN.com)…

“You can’t really put blame on any one person or any one player. It’s a collective effort…No one’s more frustrated than I am or the guys in this locker room.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the the Big Apple…

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini guesses that if Rex Ryan is ultimately relieved of his duties, Idzik would likely reach out to former Jets coach and current Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Cimini also mentions some of the popular candidates (Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher, Jim Harbaugh) as well as Stanford coach David Shaw. Later, Cimini notes that owner Woody Johnson has never hired an “offensive-minded” head coach.
The Jets are struggling with their depth at cornerback, and Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News says the team’s matchup against the Steelers this weekend will bring focus to Idzik’s decision to let Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis go.
Ryan opened up to the media on Friday, admitting that he is a bit jealous of his former assistant’s success with their new clubs. “It’s unfortunate a lot of guys got it going pretty good − except me,” said Ryan (via Abramson).

Jets Links: Smith, Ryan, Idzik

November 5th, 2014 at 7:53pm CST by Rob DiRe

Quarterback Geno Smith is getting closer to healthy after suffering a shoulder injury before being benched in the loss to the Bills two games ago, reports Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com. Smith will need to be available in case he gets an opportunity to return to the field for the Jets and show something positive before the end of the season, in what will amount to an audition for every team in the league. The Jets will likely have a chance to select a passer high in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Here are some other links around the Jets’ organization:

Head coach Rex Ryan is confident in the offense and their ability to move the ball, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. With recent addition Percy Harvin joining Eric Decker and Michael Vick, the offense looks very different than years past. “Right now, I feel good about where we are,” said Ryan. “I just think, ‘Man, I’m not so sure I’d want to defend against this offense.'”
As Jets’ fans continue their campaign against general manager John Idzik, Ryan has come to the defense of the embattled executive, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). “I personally don’t think it’s appropriate,” said Ryan. “I don’t understand how it can be on one man.”
Ryan can defend Idzik all he wants, but despite what happens these last seven games in 2014 he will most likely be fired, and deservedly so, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Fitzgerald points to Ryan’s poor record against playoff teams and mediocre teams – while the Jets have feasted on the worst teams in the league – as one reason the team needs to move on. He also points out Ryan’s propensity for getting blown out as another reason to see him leave.

Jets Notes: Smith, Ryan, Idzik

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Although Geno Smith has now been benched twice this season and Michael Vick is currently the starter, Conor Orr of NFL.com writes that Smith is more likely to be the long-term solution at quarterback.

He notes that his colleague Ian Rapoport reported the Jets could turn back to Smith as early as next week against the Steelers. While it may not be likely, there is still some hope within the organization that he could become the franchise quarterback.

Here are some other notes from around the spiraling Jets:

Coming out of West Virginia University, many scouts and executives who met with Smith felt that he lacked the ability to become the face of a franchise. His poise in the midst of adversity was questionable at the time, and after turning the ball over 37 times in his first 24 starts and being sent to the bench, those comments ring true, writes Adam Caplan of ESPN.
Jets’ general manager John Idzik’s job has come into question with the recent struggles, and Amy Trask of That Other Pregame Show on CBS asked why they made the hire at the time (via Twitter). Former Jets’ linebacker Bart Scott believed the reason the job was so hard to fill was because the new general manager knew he would have to inherit Rex Ryan.
Jets’ fans have started a website FireJohnIdzik.com and have raised $10,000 to post a billboard near MetLife Stadium to push for their case, reports Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter).

AFC East Links: Patriots, Idzik, Orton

October 30th, 2014 at 5:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Linebacker Jonathan Casillas was acquired by the Patriots earlier this week, and the 27-year-old is doing everything in his power to play this weekend. It isn’t easy switching teams midseason, and the six-year veteran realizes that he has a lot of catching up to do (via Lee Schechter of ESPNBoston.com):

“I feel like I’m cramming for a final in college,” Casillas said. “I’m happy to be here and blessed to have this opportunity to play for a great organization.

“This is my fourth [defensive] coordinator in four years since Gregg [Williams], so five [defensive] coordinators in five years, and that’s the tough part — learning all of these different defensive schemes — not really transitioning city to city because a city is a city. I can get acclimated to my surrounding place. My job learning the Xs and Os about what I’m going to do every day and the verbiage and the communication, that’s the difficult part.”

Casillas was also asked how he felt being traded from the last-place Buccaneers to the place-first Patriots:

“Do I really have to answer that question?”

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC East…

Recently released linebacker Deontae Skinner has cleared waivers and is expected to re-sign with the Patriots, tweets the Boston Globe’s Shalise Manza Young. The rookie was released by New England yesterday following the signing of Alan Branch.
ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss reacts to the Patriots handling of the trade deadline, writing that Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck could have helped, but the price was likely too high. Reiss notes that he never bought into the Vincent Jackson/Doug Martin rumors.
Jets supporters seemingly haven’t been too thrilled with the work of general manager John Idzik, and some fans have created a website called firejohnidzik.com (via John Healy of the New York Daily News).
Mike Rodak of ESPN.com examines the Bills options for handling Kyle Orton‘s contract should the quarterback lead the team to the playoffs. The veteran currently has $5.4MM base salary for next season (with a $7MM cap hit), but he has the opportunity to void his contract immediately following the Super Bowl. If Orton decides to stick around, Rodak believes the team’s two options are to either extend him to a long-term contract or offer him a more lucrative, one-year deal.

Jets Notes: Smith, Idzik, Ballard, Revis

October 29th, 2014 at 8:53am CST by Zachary Links

Geno Smith‘s former teammate and current FOX broadcaster Brady Quinn came to his defense in a chat with Chris Strauss of USA Today. While Smith has struggled mightily, Quinn pointed to the lack of consistency in his receiving corps and the media’s focus on the quarterback competition training camp as factors that have held him back. Something tells me that most Jets fans aren’t quite as sympathetic. More on Gang Green…

Smith says he can “without a doubt” be a franchise quarterback in the NFL, but in a sit down with SNY earlier this week, Jets GM John Idzik wasn’t quite as confident, Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday writes. “I don’t know that. Don’t know that. That’s still to be determined. You don’t want to try to answer that question too prematurely, especially when you’re dealing with a younger quarterback in Geno,” Idzik said of Smith, whom the organization drafted 39th overall in 2013.
If the Jets are in the market for a GM, they might look into Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard, who will be the hottest GM candidate after the season, two sources tell Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. Ballard was a candidate at Tampa Bay last offseason but bowed out because coach Lovie Smith would have had final say over him in personnel matters. Myers, meanwhile, thinks former Jets exec and current Falcons assistant GM Scott Pioli would be a strong fit for Gang Green.
Myers also hears from a source that Jets owner Woody Johnson began his interviews with GM candidates by saying that cornerback Darrelle Revis had to go. If a candidate disagreed and made a point that it might be in the Jets’ best interest to keep their best player, even if he was coming off ACL surgery with contract issues ahead, “Woody didn’t want to hear it,” the source said. Idzik, who traded Revis to the Bucs three months into his tenure, likely agreed with Johnson during the interview.
Idzik may have talked his way out of town with his bizarre press conference earlier this week, writes Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News.

Jets Notes: Smith, Vick, Ryan, Harvin

October 27th, 2014 at 8:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets’ ineptitude reminds Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com of the Rich Kotite days. Cimini writes that baseball has the Mendoza line and every bad NFL season has the “Kotite” line – a point where you cross over from a try-hard, hard-luck loser to a team drowning in its own awfulness. Here’s more on Gang Green…

The Jets’ only choice is to bench sophomore Geno Smith and roll with free agent pickup Michael Vick, opines Steve Serby of the New York Post. Vick isn’t going to be the Jets savior, but he does give Gang Green their best chance to win. The veteran lost two fumbles and threw an interception under duress, but he still gave the Jets offense some life with his improvisational running.
The feeling in the Jets organization is that the only way Geno Smith starts vs the Chiefs next week is if coach Rex Ryan is pressured to do so by GM John Idzik, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. One has to imagine that Ryan feels both pressure to win but also pressure to appease Idzik, who will at least have some say in whether he returns next season.
Hank Gola of the Daily News wonders how Percy Harvin will fit in with the Jets going forward based on his unspectacular debut against the Bills. There’s question as to whether Harvin can still be a deep threat in Gola’s mind since speed alone doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get open. Harvin didn’t create a whole lot of seperation on Sunday, which was a disatrous showing for the Jets in all facets of the game.

Jets Notes: Percy Harvin, John Idzik

October 17th, 2014 at 7:53pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Jets have pulled off the biggest trade of the 2014 season, grabbing Percy Harvin from the Seahawks for a conditional draft pick. The deal is unlikely to be topped as the trade deadline is fast approaching at only 11 days away. We already looked at a variety of opinions from the Seahawks’ perspective, and below are a few Jets’ notes in the aftermath of the Harvin trade.

A number of pundits have immediately reacted to the trade favorably for Seattle, but have viewed the move as a sign of desperation for the Jets. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com notes that the move is out of character for general manager John Idzik, and that the 1-6 Jets are unlikely to recover whether or not Harvin contributes.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk feels like the trade is a “Hail Mary” for the Jets, and his colleague Michael David Smith agrees that the destination for Harvin does not make much sense.
Joe Banner, who formerly held the positions of President of the Eagles and CEO of the Browns, agreed that the deal was a reach for the Jets (via Twitter). “This looks to me like an act of desperation by the Jets, as opposed to a step in a well thought out plan,” writes Banner. “Hard to understand this one.”
In Alex Marvez’ piece for Fox Sports, he also praises the Seahawks for cutting bait while using the word “desperation” to describe the Jets’ motives.
Not everyone agrees that the move was a desperate one, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com defends the trade for the Jets (via Twitter). Fitzgerald notes that the move sets them up for the future, where they will get a chance to see what Harvin can do without have to spend guaranteed money on another free agent receiver (via Twitter).
Due to the lack of guarantees in his contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes that the next nine games with the Jets will likely amount to a tryout for him, with $41.5MM left to be earned through 2018 (via Twitter).
Of the most positive reactions for the Jets, Dan Graziano of ESPN stands out (via Twitter). “Jets have tons of cap space, no weapons and are trying to develop a QB,” writes Graziano. “What’s not to like about the Harvin deal?”
In determining winners and losers from the immediate aftermath of the trade, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com lists a lot of Jets’ players and coaches on the winning side, with not a single Jet listed as a loser in the deal.
The Seahawks have already had their bye week, and with the Jets having already played Thursday, Harvin is racking up weeks off as Adam Schefter of ESPN points out (via Twitter). The Jets’ bye week comes the week of Sunday November 16th, which will serve as Harvin’s third week without a scheduled game this season.
The Jets have been known as a graveyard for fantasy football contributors, but the move could actually help Harvin in that aspect, writes Drew Loftis of the New York Post. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhingweg has failed to be creative with the offense so far this season, but Harvin was underutilized in Seattle.
Bob Glauber of Newsday has one big question following the Harvin trade. The question: why? He is left wondering what the reason for pulling the trigger on this deal at this time is for the Jets.
Glauber is not the only one to ask that question, as Mark Cannizzaro of Newsday asks a similar question: why now? Cannizzaro also compared the move by Idzik to Jets’ former general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who was known for being aggressive in seeking out trades.
Cimini also sees the similarites with Tannenbaum in this move, noting that Tannenbaum coveted Harvin during the 2009 draft (via Twitter). Reportedly he tried to trade up for him after already trading up for Mark Sanchez, but was unwilling to give up his 2010 first-round pick.