Jets’ chief coach Robert Saleh first met the media today. There was a lot for Jets fans to be excited about. Here are some of the main conclusions of the event.
The Jets’ reporting structure is changing.
For much of the past six years, the organizational structure has been the focus of jet fans. The team had the general manager and head trainer reporting directly to the owner. This caused a lot of frustration in the fan base.
The truth is that such a structure is not uncommon in the NFL. Several successful franchises have adopted this model, but it has become clear in recent years that it just doesn’t work for Jets. For this type of structure to work, the owner needs to know what he is doing, be engaged and understand how to make his trainer and general manager work together productively. This did not happen with the Jets.
The team’s CEO, Christopher Johnson, said today that Saleh will report directly to general manager Joe Douglas.
#Jets CEO Christopher Johnson says the organizational structure has changed.
Joe Douglas will report to Johnson. Robert Saleh will report to Douglas.
– Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 21, 2021
It took a lot of work to get to this point, but it looks like the setup that works best for current Jets owners.
Woody Johnson will be back soon.
It is no surprise, given the change in management and the public announcement that he has left his post as ambassador, but Christopher Johnson confirmed that his brother Woody is returning to the team after a four-year absence.
Christopher Johnson says that Woody Johnson is returning from England to the United States, where he was ambassador to the United Kingdom.
CJ says that WJ will resume his duties as principal owner soon – but CJ will remain very involved in day-to-day operations for the #Jets
– Dennis Waszak Jr. (@ DWAZ73) January 21, 2021
Only time will tell how it will work. The timing is a little strange, considering that Christopher just conducted the search. After several missteps, for the first time it looks like Chris is starting to learn how to lead an NFL team, so maybe staying on board is a benefit.
Saleh was evasive with Sam Darnold.
It would have been quite a shock if Saleh had committed himself to keeping Sam Darnold or getting rid of him. As expected, he said some complimentary things, but did not guarantee that he will be starting for the Jets next season.
Saleh speaks enthusiastically of Darnold, says there is a reason why QB was the third choice in the draft in 2018. He saw the talent while planning a game against him.
The new #Jets The coach says it is premature, however, to declare Darnold as the QB holder for 2021. Many things need to be decided.
– Dennis Waszak Jr. (@ DWAZ73) January 21, 2021
If you were looking for a definitive answer, you would probably be disappointed. The Jets are probably not 100% sure of the direction they want to take at this point.
Saleh indicated that he will be very process-oriented.
Many of these introductory aides have a slogan that defines a new coach’s philosophy. Saleh had his.
He’s not just talking about his defense being relentless. Saleh related this mantra to everything that is done to prepare for games, from training to injury rehabilitation. It was very refreshing to hear a coach publicly understand that wins and losses are, above all, a product of the way the team prepares itself.
Saleh is delegating his defensive functions.
The new coach has made it clear that he will not be a glorified defensive coordinator.
Jets HC Robert Saleh says he will not take on defense duties. New Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich will draw moves.
– Eric Allen (@eallenjets) January 21, 2021
I don’t know if it would necessarily be negative for Saleh to accept the game call, but I am satisfied with this decision. It is one of the first signs that he understands the difference between the job he just had and the one he just took.
Saleh looks like the anti-Adam Gase when it comes to building relationships with his players.
You can see some of the comments he made.
HC Robert Saleh Jets:
I believe that coaches and players are in this together. I believe that the investment you make in players has to be equivalent to what you have to put in your children.
When you have investments from both sides, it becomes personal.
– Eric Allen (@eallenjets) January 21, 2021
“There is a level of respect in how things get done when people try to do things together” – Robert Saleh #Jets
He said he doesn’t like “coaches, coaches, players play”. It says that everyone is in this “together”
– Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 21, 2021
If you’ve followed Adam Gase’s career with both the Dolphins and the Jets, you’ve probably noticed two things going on continuously.
First, a high-level player would go to a new team and talk about how bad his relationship with Gase was. So Gase would express surprise at this and say that he thought his relationship with the player was good.
This painted the image of a coach who had no idea how to relate or motivate his players. Talented artist after talented artist left his team in adverse conditions.
There is a theory in the NFL that you hire the opposite of the guy you fire. Sometimes it works. Sometimes no. In that case, it makes sense because Gase was very bad at that part of the job and Saleh would be very good at that.