He identified his mantra as “Just gasoline, no brakes” and, for a franchise that has often been a broken green and white jalopy stranded on a road to hell, Robert Saleh appears as the right driver on the right time.
Rejoice, Jets fans:
Robert Saleh is, with no intention of disrespect, the anti-Adam Gase.
The Jets didn’t hire Saleh to train Sam Darnold – or Deshaun Watson, or Justin Fields, or Zach Wilson, or whoever the 2021 Jets quarterback has yet to be determined – and take him to an elite level. He was hired to train the entire team.
Co-owner Christopher Johnson emphasized the entire word when he said:
“Robert has shown through his journey here that he is a leader, someone who will involve the entire team and partner with [general manager] Joe [Douglas] to continue building the culture of a winning organization. “
Robert Saleh is a passionate man with a plan and a vision for a franchise that desperately needs an identity, professionalism and a winning culture.
He is a man who values authenticity, responsibility and humility.
He was hired because he is a leader of men.
He was hired to build relationships and connect with players in a way that Gase never did or could.
There is a reason why 49ers players swore they would run through a wall for him.
“There is an investment that will be made in each other,” said Saleh, “coaches for players, players for coaches, organization for all, and there is an investment that will be paid back … everything we do will be designed to win championships in the future. “
Every new coach aspires to win championships. Some approach, others don’t when introduced, and Saleh will soon learn that Jets fans will sell their souls for just one championship, the first since Super Bowl III, so let’s hit the plural pause button.
Todd Bowles moved the Super Bowl trophy from the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center’s front lobby to the players’ lobby. His mantra – One Team, One Goal – was shown everywhere. He never made it to the playoffs in his four years.
Gase? He mumbled behind the scenes about Le’Veon Bell’s high-priced subscription. He shined the obstacles for Mike Maccagnan, the GM who was instrumental in hiring him, prompting Johnson to wait until after the free agency and the draft to fire him and hire Douglas as a GM.
“Everyone is communicating, there is collaboration, there is a feeling that everyone is supported and there is a sense of family,” said Saleh.
Gase seemed to put all his eggs in Darnold’s basket, largely because the Jets had invested so much in their young franchise quarterback.
For Saleh, everyone will be Darnold. Or Watson. Or Fields. Or Wilson.
“I believe that the investment that the coaches put in the players should be equivalent to the investment that you put in their children,” said Saleh.
The man knows – his seventh child is due in April.
“You need to invest everything you have in your heart and soul in these players,” said Saleh, “because they are counting on you to help them do their best so they can showcase their skills on Sunday. … When it becomes personal, it becomes very, very special. … When people invest in each other, you connect on a personal level, and when that personal connection is made, you feel it is a responsibility not to disappoint that person. “
Saleh was not hired to give his defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, the kind of defense authority that Gase gave Gregg Williams, blessed be his heart Cover Zero. Saleh will be the CEO of the Jets with Ulbrich as the defensive player on match day and Mike LaFleur as the defensive player. Just as Joe Judge is the CEO of the Giants, with Jason Garrett as the offensive player and Pat Graham as the defensive player.
“This is an organization that has to work with arms crossed and together,” said Saleh.
He is the right man to fly the Jets and get them out of misery, even though he recognizes that the flight will take time during the reconstruction process.
“You cannot hide from the past,” said Saleh.
He just doesn’t look back.
“I promise you will love what you will see,” said Saleh.
Dearborn, Michigan, is the cohesive community where Saleh learned about unity. He is the first Muslim head coach in the NFL and must be proud. In this world, it also forces you to feel comfortable in your skin.
“In times of adversity, his true character will always be revealed,” Saleh said.
He made comparisons with one of his mentors, Pete Carroll, the NFL coaches’ Dale Carnegie. But Saleh will own you.
“To answer your question about who I’m going to be – I’m going to be like me,” said Saleh.
The anti-Gase.
Rejoice, Jets fans.