Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
1. The Maccagnan way: It doesn’t take long to figure out some of the differences between general manager Mike Maccagnan and his predecessor, John Idzik. One of them jumped out Saturday, when I asked Maccagnan if he’d have input into the quarterback decision. His response: “First and foremost, Todd [Bowles] makes the decision on the depth chart and who starts. [I want] to make that very clear.” Idzik always called it an organizational decision, saying he’d have significant say. It sent a bad message, creating the perception he was usurping the power of his head coach — and it did. The early read on Maccagnan is that he’s not power hungry and is willing to let the coaches coach.
New Jets head coach Todd Bowles doesn’t seem focused solely on defense, unlike his predecessor. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
2. Todd versus Rex: While on the subject of contrasting styles …
On Saturday, Bowles was reminded that Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick had no interceptions in the first three days of training camp. He smiled and said, “Don’t jinx me. Shhhh. Don’t say anything.” We all know how Rex Ryan would’ve responded. He would’ve said something like, “Yeah, the defense needs to start making some plays.” This isn’t a huge deal, but maybe it illustrates the way they see the game. Ryan sees the game through a defensive lens. Always has, always will. So far, Bowles is taking a wide-angle view. We’ll see if that changes as we move along.
3. The Sheldon story: You never have to worry about Sheldon Richardson on Sunday. He plays the game with a relentless, high-octane motor. Just bring him to the stadium and let him go. Obviously, it’s a different story when he’s away from the field, evidenced by his recent arrest and drug suspension. He was a high-maintenance player for the previous coaching staff as well, missing some meetings last season, according to sources. He’s on the verge of throwing a promising career in the toilet. He said the arrest was “a wake-up call,” but it’s hard to believe him. What, the first two substance-abuse violations weren’t wake-up calls?
4. Gruden high on Geno: Caught up with ESPN analyst Jon Gruden last week at an event in Manhattan. Gruden spoke highly of Geno Smith, saying he expects the Jets’ quarterback to make strides now that he has better talent around him.
“I do like Geno Smith,” Gruden said. “I think he’s been in a tough situation. He came out of West Virginia, a no-huddle offense. This was a real culture shock, I’m sure, becoming an NFL quarterback. He gets thrown in there as a starter on a team with not a lot of resources. I don’t remember them having Pro Bowl running backs or Pro Bowl receivers. Now they have a new offensive coordinator, so it’s been a challenge for him, but I’ve seen some progress. I’ve seen some quality play. I’ve also seen some inconsistent play – he has to eliminate the turnovers – but he’s experienced, he’s athletic, and he’s had some success. Not a lot of people know that, but I think they’ve got some resources now that will help him.”
5. Tuna comments on Jets’ big fish: One of the underrated aspects to Brandon Marshall’s game is his blocking, according to Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. He was the Miami Dolphins’ football czar when they traded for Marshall in 2010. Parcells told me last week that Marshall “is a lot like Keyshawn [Johnson], big and physical. Keyshawn always blocked very well, and Brandon blocks very well. I know a lot of people don’t care about that, but it’s very important.”
It could help the Jets. They don’t have any dangerous perimeter runners, but having good blockers on the perimeter could help the deficiency.
6. The curse of the second-round receiver: On Friday, rookie Devin Smith (No. 84 in your program) suffered broken ribs and a partially punctured lung. He’s out at least one month. On Saturday, former draft bust Stephen Hill (No. 84 in your old program) was carted off the Carolina Panthers’ practice field with a potentially serious leg injury. Hill had a rough week. Earlier, he was cited by North Carolina police for possessing drug paraphernalia.
It’s premature to draw any conclusions on Smith, but the Jets haven’t hit on too many second-rounders in recent years. Dare we mention Vladimir Ducasse? Maybe Geno Smith and Jace Amaro can alter the trend.
7. He was one of them: For a lot of players on the Jets, this is the first time they’re being coached by someone who played in the NFL. Bowles played eight years in the league, mostly with the Washington Redskins.
“It’s a different feeling,” center Nick Mangold said. “He understands what we’re going through because he went through it.”
The last former NFL player to coach the Jets was Herm Edwards. Believe it or not, they once had a 17-year stretch in which the coaching chair was filled by a former player: Walt Michaels (1977-1982), Joe Walton (1983-1989) and Bruce Coslet (1990-1993). It was interrupted by Pete Carroll (1994).
8. Tracking Mo: When the offseason program ended in mid-June, I didn’t think Muhammad Wilkerson would get a contract extension by the start of the regular season. Now I think there’s a chance. The Jets still have leverage in the form of the franchise tag, but their position is weakened somewhat by the Richardson escapades. Other 3-4 defensive ends in Wilkerson’s draft class have received new deals recently, notably Cameron Jordan, Cameron Heyward and Corey Liuget. The Jets, no doubt, are using these deals at the bargaining table, but Wilkerson is looking for more than $33 million in guarantees (see: Jordan) — and he deserves it.
Hey, if the Seattle Seahawks can get Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner locked up, why can’t the Jets do the same with Wilkerson?
9. Moving up: Jacqueline Davidson, promoted to director of football administration, becomes one of the highest-ranking female executives on teams in the league. There are approximately 40 women in vice-president positions and more than 100 in senior-administrative jobs, but not many are involved directly in the football side of the organization. Davidson, in her ninth season with the Jets, is well-respected among agents for her football knowledge and negotiating savvy.