Jets head coach Robert Saleh met the media for the first time today. There was a lot for Jets fans to get excited about. Here are some notable takeaways from the event.
The Jets’ reporting structure is changing.
For most of the past six years, the organizational structure has been a focal point of Jets fans. The general manager and head coach reported directly to the team. This caused a lot of frustration in the fanbase.
The truth is that a structure like this is not uncommon in the NFL. Numerous successful franchises have adopted this model, but over the past few years it has become clear that it simply does not work for the Jets. For this type of structure to work, the owner must know his stuff, be involved and understand how he can make his head coach and general manager work together productively. That did not happen with the Jets.
Christopher Johnson, the team’s chief executive, said today that Saleh will report directly to Joe Douglas, general manager.
#Jets Christopher Johnson, CEO, says the organizational structure has changed.
Joe Douglas will report to Johnson. Robert Saleh will report to Douglas.
– Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) 21 January 2021
It took a lot of pain to get to this point, but the setup seems to work best for current Jets ownership.
Woody Johnson will be back soon.
This is no surprise, given the change in administrations and the public announcement that he has left his post as ambassador, but Christopher Johnson has confirmed that his brother Woody will return to the team after four years of absence.
Christopher Johnson says Woody Johnson is on his way back to the US from England, where he was the ambassador to the United Kingdom.
CJ says WJ will soon resume his duties as principal owner – but CJ will remain very involved in the day-to-day operations of the #Jets
– Dennis Waszak Jr. (@ DWAZ73) 21 January 2021
Only time will tell how it will work. The timing is a bit odd, as Christopher has just done the search. After a few mistakes, it feels for the first time that Chris gets the chance to run an NFL team so he might stay on board.
Saleh was not committed to Sam Darnold.
It would have been a big shock if Saleh had committed to detaining or getting rid of Sam Darnold. As expected, he said a few complimentary things, but he stopped guaranteeing that he would start next season for the Jets.
Saleh speaks glowingly of Darnold, saying there is a reason why the QB was in third place in 2018. He saw the talent as he planned against him.
The new #Jets coach says, however, it is premature to declare Darnold the first QB for 2021. Many things need to be decided upon.
– Dennis Waszak Jr. (@ DWAZ73) 21 January 2021
If you were looking for a definitive answer, you would probably be disappointed. The Jets are probably not even 100% sure in the direction they want to go.
Saleh indicated that he was going to be very process-oriented.
Many of these introductory presses have one slogan that determines the philosophy of a new coach. Saleh has she.
He’s not just talking about his defense being relentless. Saleh associated the mantra with everything done to prepare for games from exercise to rehabilitation injuries. It was pretty refreshing to hear a coach publicly understand that wins and losses as much as anything are the result of the way the team prepares.
Saleh delegates his defensive duties.
The new head coach has made it clear that he is not going to be a glorified defense coordinator.
Jets HC Robert Saleh says he will not perform the duties of defense. The new Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich will name plays.
– Eric Allen (@eallenjets) 21 January 2021
I do not know that it would necessarily have been a negative outcome for Saleh to play, but I am happy with this decision. It is one early sign that he understands the difference between the work he has just had and the one he has just accepted.
Saleh comes off as the anti-Adam Gase when it comes to building relationships with his players.
You can see some of the comments he made.
Jets HC Robert Saleh:
I believe coaches and players are together in this thing. I believe that the investment you make in players should be equal to your children.
If you have investments on both sides, it becomes personal.
– Eric Allen (@eallenjets) 21 January 2021
“There is a level of respect for how things are done when people try to do things together” – Robert Saleh #Jets
He said he does not take the idea of ’coaches coaches, players play’. Say everyone is in this “together”
– Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) 21 January 2021
If you’ve been following Adam Gase’s career with the Dolphins and the Jets, you’ve probably noticed that two things happen each time.
First, a high profile player would go to a new team and talk about how bad his relationship with Gase was. Then Gase expressed surprise at this and said he thinks his relationship with the player is good.
It painted the picture of a coach who had no idea how to relate to or motivate his players. Talented artist after talented artist left his team under serious circumstances.
There is a theory in the NFL that you hire the opposite of the man you fire. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s not like that. In this case, it makes sense, because Gase was really bad with this part of the job, and Saleh would be really good with it.