New GM Idzik has plenty of challenges with Jets

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. - AP Sports Writer
    2013-01-24 14:39

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) - John Idzik's first day at the New York Jets' facility was filled with lots of handshakes, plenty of questions - and not many answers.

The new general manager isn't ready for any of that yet. So, decisions on the futures of key players such as Darrelle Revis, Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow will have to wait a bit.

``I'm literally hours into the building,'' Idzik said Thursday at his introductory news conference. ``That, we're going to save for our evaluation process.''

The 52-year-old Idzik, Seattle's ex-vice president of football administration, was formally introduced as the replacement for the fired Mike Tannenbaum after being hired last Friday. With owner Woody Johnson, team president Neil Glat and coach Rex Ryan sitting in the front row, Idzik didn't delve into specifics but rather spoke about his broad vision for the franchise he is now charged with resuscitating.

``It will be based on a collaborative effort,'' said Idzik, wearing an appropriate green and black checkered tie. ``It will be inclusive, well thought out and well researched. And, it will be the power of `we.'''

After traveling from Seattle to Mobile, Ala., where he attended Senior Bowl workouts with Ryan and several other members of the Jets' staff, and finally to New Jersey, Idzik joked that he didn't know what day or time it was anymore. It has been that kind of whirlwind week for Idzik, who still managed to sneak in a congratulatory message to his parents celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

``We'll explore every measure to bring in talent and continue to compete,'' Idzik said. ``The draft will be very important to us. That will be a lifeline for us, year in and year out. We'll use free agency and we'll be very thoughtful, do our research and be judicious in free agency. We'll use trades, we'll use waiver claims, work from our practice roster and have numerous tryouts throughout the year in search of guys who play like a Jet.''

Idzik, hired last Friday after a two-week search by the Jets that included 10 candidates, had been with the Seahawks the past six seasons after previously working in the front offices of Tampa Bay and Arizona. His primary strengths include managing salaries and the salary cap, but he has also worked in player personnel - a combination that attracted the Jets.

His first order of business will be to review the current roster and decide what moves to make - or not make. Calling it a ``very, very important day'' for the team, Johnson said Idzik has ``the requisite'' to help rebuild the team into a perennial playoff contender.

Idzik, who will have the final say on all personnel decisions, will face immediate challenges. Such as whether to keep Sanchez, due $8.25 million in guarantees next season; Sanchez would cost the Jets a $17.1 million cap hit if they cut him, And what to do with Tebow, who is not expected back after one disappointing and unproductive season.

``We just need to take our time and evaluate Mark, along with everyone else,'' Idzik said.

Sanchez struggled mightily in 2012, and will be working with his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons as Marty Mornhinweg replaced the fired Tony Sparano. Ryan confirmed Sanchez is talking with former quarterback Jeff Garcia to help him pick up Mornhinweg's offense.

Neither Idzik nor Johnson would answer questions about a report the owner will explore trading Revis, who is recovering from a serious knee injury.

``I would never say anything about a trade or contract,'' Johnson said, neither confirming nor denying the report was true.

Revis, who has held out of training camp twice and nearly did again before last season, has a contract that voids after the 2013 season. The Jets also can't use the franchise or transition tag on him - they agreed to that clause in the current deal. So there's some concern the team won't be able to re-sign Revis and would prefer to get something back for him rather than lose him as a free agent next winter.

``I think it's way premature to say anything specific,'' Idzik said.

Ryan has often called Revis the best defensive player in the NFL.

``I'm not going into any of those specifics right now,'' Ryan said of Revis' long-term future with the team. ``Let's let the process run its course.''

An angry Revis took to Twitter on Thursday afternoon, saying he was ``speechless'' about the trade rumors but was ``more upset for the jet nation for having to go through this!!!'' The cornerback also added: ``I guess we'll see how this plays out.''

New York is also about $19 million over the salary cap, which could appear daunting for a new general manager.

``I never saw the salary cap situation here as a hindrance,'' said Idzik, adding that he's confident the Jets can have ``fruitful'' offseason. ``It's something you research, pore through and evaluate.''

At the team's season-ending news conference, Johnson defended retaining Ryan, and said potential GM candidates would have to be willing to work with the coach. Having a coach already in place for an incoming GM was considered a possible drawback by some.

``I look forward to working with Rex Ryan,'' Idzik said. ``That, to me, was a plus.''

The Jets have also been perceived by many fans and media as having a circuslike atmosphere because of the headlines the franchise seems to constantly make off the field: trading for Tebow, Ryan's tattoo of his wife in a Sanchez jersey to name just a few.

``There seems to be a lot of misperceptions,'' Idzik said. ``I don't sense dysfunction or anything like that.''

Idzik, a native of Detroit, graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth in 1982 and played wide receiver for the Big Green. He and wife Carol have a daughter and two sons, including Bradley, a sophomore wide receiver at Wake Forest. Idzik's father John was the Jets' offensive coordinator from 1976-79.

``Football,'' Idzik said, ``is at the root of who I am.''

---

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Zach ErtzMay 24 11:42a

Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz, the team's second-round draft pick, is unable to participate in organized team activities because of NFL rules until he graduates from college at Stanford.

Tramon WilliamsMay 24 10:52a

Green Bay Packers CB Tramon Williams' (shoulder) nerve damage in his shoulder has drastically healed due to a workout regimen that includes yoga and jump ropes.

Joseph MorganMay 24 10:32a

New Orleans Saints WR Joe Morgan said he'll have to work on his intermediate route running to win the No. 3 receiver spot. Six of his 10 receptions last [ More ]

Greg HardyMay 24 09:22a

Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy dropped 15 pounds in the offseason hoping to improve his speed rush. Hardy broke out with 11 sacks in 2012 after having seven combined in his first two years.

Mike WilliamsMay 24 08:42a

Free-agent WR Mike X. Williams (Seahawks) is attempting another comeback after signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Pierre GarconMay 24 08:22a

Updating previous reports, Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder, foot) underwent minor labrum surgery in January. He has recovered from the surgery and should be ready for training camp.

Danario AlexanderMay 24 01:15a

San Diego Chargers WR Danario Alexander looked fluid in making back-shoulder catches in practice Monday, May 20. He claims he's at full speed, a contrast to his injured May [ More ]

Joe McKnightMay 24 01:15a

New York Jets RB Chris Ivory impressed in practice Wednesday, May 22, and is lining up to be the feature back. Mike Goodson's legal troubles are jeopardizing his future [ More ]

Jared AllenMay 24 01:02a

Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (knee, shoulder), who's a free agent after this year, has 'absolutely no idea' where he'll wind up in 2014. 'Best-case scenario would have been [ More ]

Robert MeachemMay 24 01:02a

If San Diego Chargers WR Robert Meachem has a strong preseason, the club could see if there's an active trade market for him. His $6.875 million cap number, however, [ More ]

B. MeriweatherMay 23 10:02p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he expects FS Brandon Meriweather (knee) to be a full participant once training camp begins.

Pierre GarconMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said WR Pierre Garcon (foot) is about 90 percent recovered from his foot surgery and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

Fred DavisMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said TE Fred Davis (Achilles') is about 90 percent recovered from his Achilles' tendon injury and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

London FletcherMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he told LB London Fletcher (elbow, ankle) that he could sit out the rest of the organized team activities, but Fletcher told [ More ]

Brian OrakpoMay 23 09:42p

Washington Redskins LB Brian Orakpo (pectoral) and DT Chris Neild (knee) were able to fully participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Quentin GrovesMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns LB Jabaal Sheard said he believes he can be part of an impactful outside linebacker rotation with LB Barkevious Mingo, LB Paul Kruger and LB Quentin Groves [ More ]

Dion LewisMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said the team is giving CB Buster Skrine and S Johnson Bademosi reps as kick returners during organized team activities. Tabor said [ More ]

Sam BradfordMay 23 09:12p

St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford has been working on routes and throws with WRs Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey during offseason workouts.

Matt JohnsonMay 23 08:52p

Dallas Cowboys FS Matt Johnson said he believes he suffered hamstring injuries last season because he was using too much weight while doing squats in the weight room and [ More ]

Roy MillerMay 23 08:42p

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Roy Miller (knee) was limited to individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of knee tendonitis.

Tony MoeakiMay 23 07:22p

Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki (knee) is unlikely to be on the practice field until training camp in July. Moeaki has been watching from the sidelines during organized team activities this week.

DeSean JacksonMay 23 06:32p

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly confirmed that he prefers larger and taller players at most positions on his team, but he's in favor of protecting his smaller players [ More ]

Pierre GarconMay 23 04:32p

Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder) underwent minor labrum surgery in January but has fully recovered. He was held out of team drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, as a precaution.

Greg RomeusMay 23 03:43p

The New Orleans Saints have waived DE Greg Romeus.

Scott ChandlerMay 23 03:43p

Buffalo Bills TE Scott Chandler (knee) has been running well at offseason workouts and believes he could be ready for the start of training camp. Chandler has started running [ More ]

Brian UrlacherMay 23 03:32p

Retired LB Brian Urlacher said the Dallas Cowboys were one of the team's that intrigued him if he were to have signed with another team other than the Chicago [ More ]

Trent RichardsonMay 23 03:23p

Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said RB Trent Richardson (leg) will not participate in organized team activities next week and could sit out the team minicamp in early [ More ]

Stephen NicholasMay 23 03:12p

Atlanta Falcons LB Stephen Nicholas (hernia) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will not be able to participate in organized team activities next week because they are recovering from offseason [ More ]

Jon BeasonMay 23 03:02p

Carolina Panthers LB Jon Beason (knee, shoulder) was able to participate in individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Charles BrownMay 23 02:53p

New Orleans Saints OT Charles Brown (undisclosed) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of an undisclosed injury. Head coach Sean Payton would not specify [ More ]

Maurice HurtMay 23 02:52p

Washington Redskins OG Josh LeRibeus (groin) and OT Maurice Hurt (groin) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of groin injuries.

Keenan LewisMay 23 02:42p

New Orleans Saints CBs Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson worked with the first-team defense during organized team activities Thursday, May 23. Head coach Sean Payton said people should not [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group