F.Chowds Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—Jacoby Ford remembers everything about the day the courtship began: The pickup from the airport. The shower of compliments. The steak dinner. And, of course, the invitation to head somewhere more private for a physical exam. As far as manners go, the New York Jets are gentlemen when it comes to wooing free agents. In the technology-savvy National Football League, where players now study Xs and Os on iPads rather than in playbooks, the Jets still employ an old-fashioned way of pursuing players during the off-season: They ply them with steak and booze. The Jets were frisky suitors in the past three months, winning over quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Johnson, right tackle Breno Giacomini and two receivers, Eric Decker and Ford. Coaches lavished the apples of their eyes with praise, and wined and dined at least three of the players in New Jersey's finest restaurants. They would consummate the relationship by inviting them back to the team's swanky training facility to take a physical and sign a contract. According to Ford, a 26-year-old receiver and kick returner who spent his first four season with the Oakland Raiders, the Jets even picked him up. He said that in late March or early April, the Jets flew him to Newark International Airport, where a Chevrolet Suburban was waiting for him. It whisked him to the Jets facility, where he got a tour and spoke with general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan in Idzik's office. The Jets leaders told Ford, one of the NFL's fastest players, that he would fit in perfectly with the team. Ford and Ryan talked about Clemson, the receiver's alma mater, where Ryan's son currently plays football. Ford then met the team's offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg, and its special-teams coordinator, Thomas McGaughey. Then Mornwinheg, along with another Jets staffer, took Ford out to a nearby steakhouse for dinner. The three talked some football, but the dinner conversation was more of a get-to-know-you session. "Do you have a family? Do you have a girlfriend?" Ford recalled being asked, as he enjoyed his eight-ounce filet mignon and side of asparagus. After dinner, the receiver said, he retreated to the hotel room the Jets had booked for him. The next morning, he took the physical, signed the contract and flew home to Florida. Just as corporations recruit potential hires over dinner, so do football teams. And why not? Professional sports franchises are wise to pull out all the stops to vet and seduce multi-million-dollar investments. They aren't necessarily essential, though; Vick said he didn't have dinner with team officials during his five-hour visit. Giacomini said it was the terms of his contract and his comfort with the team that led him to choose the Jets. "It's all about business at the end of the day," he said. Still, he said, "it's good to get to know the coaches in case you do sign." Giacomini, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in February, said the Jets' two offensive-line coaches, Mike Devlin and Ron Heller, and another staffer took him to a bring-your-own-booze Italian restaurant in Morristown, N.J. There, they asked the right tackle what he wanted to wash his chicken parmesan down with. He said a six-pack of Bud Light . He and his dining companions talked about their families and hunting as Giacomini easily drained the half-dozen bottles. "It was my first time meeting the coaches, so I didn't want to ask for a 30-rack right away," he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raffyD Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 FLORHAM PARK, N.J.—Jacoby Ford remembers everything about the day the courtship began: The pickup from the airport. The shower of compliments. The steak dinner. And, of course, the invitation to head somewhere more private for a physical exam. As far as manners go, the New York Jets are gentlemen when it comes to wooing free agents. In the technology-savvy National Football League, where players now study Xs and Os on iPads rather than in playbooks, the Jets still employ an old-fashioned way of pursuing players during the off-season: They ply them with steak and booze. The Jets were frisky suitors in the past three months, winning over quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Johnson, right tackle Breno Giacomini and two receivers, Eric Decker and Ford. Coaches lavished the apples of their eyes with praise, and wined and dined at least three of the players in New Jersey's finest restaurants. They would consummate the relationship by inviting them back to the team's swanky training facility to take a physical and sign a contract. According to Ford, a 26-year-old receiver and kick returner who spent his first four season with the Oakland Raiders, the Jets even picked him up. He said that in late March or early April, the Jets flew him to Newark International Airport, where a Chevrolet Suburban was waiting for him. It whisked him to the Jets facility, where he got a tour and spoke with general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan in Idzik's office. The Jets leaders told Ford, one of the NFL's fastest players, that he would fit in perfectly with the team. Ford and Ryan talked about Clemson, the receiver's alma mater, where Ryan's son currently plays football. Ford then met the team's offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg, and its special-teams coordinator, Thomas McGaughey. Then Mornwinheg, along with another Jets staffer, took Ford out to a nearby steakhouse for dinner. The three talked some football, but the dinner conversation was more of a get-to-know-you session. "Do you have a family? Do you have a girlfriend?" Ford recalled being asked, as he enjoyed his eight-ounce filet mignon and side of asparagus. After dinner, the receiver said, he retreated to the hotel room the Jets had booked for him. The next morning, he took the physical, signed the contract and flew home to Florida. Just as corporations recruit potential hires over dinner, so do football teams. And why not? Professional sports franchises are wise to pull out all the stops to vet and seduce multi-million-dollar investments. They aren't necessarily essential, though; Vick said he didn't have dinner with team officials during his five-hour visit. Giacomini said it was the terms of his contract and his comfort with the team that led him to choose the Jets. "It's all about business at the end of the day," he said. Still, he said, "it's good to get to know the coaches in case you do sign." Giacomini, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in February, said the Jets' two offensive-line coaches, Mike Devlin and Ron Heller, and another staffer took him to a bring-your-own-booze Italian restaurant in Morristown, N.J. There, they asked the right tackle what he wanted to wash his chicken parmesan down with. He said a six-pack of Bud Light . He and his dining companions talked about their families and hunting as Giacomini easily drained the half-dozen bottles. "It was my first time meeting the coaches, so I didn't want to ask for a 30-rack right away," he said. Sounds like a guy I'd like to tailgate with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I swear to God I read the thread title as "How the Jets cure potential talent". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWC611 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 It is nice to get some insight as to how teams commuinicate and woo free agents. But at the end of the day... food and liquor are two good ingredients to seal the deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 It is nice to get some insight as to how teams commuinicate and woo free agents. But at the end of the day... food and liquor are two good ingredients to seal the deal. Word on the street is Idzik made a large purchase of roofies in late February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWC611 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Word on the street is Idzik made a large purchase of roofies in late February. I wish he could have given some to a FA CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sourceworx Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 There, they asked the right tackle what he wanted to wash his chicken parmesan down with. He said a six-pack of Bud Light Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I wish he could have given some to a FA CB If McDougle or someone else takes to the role, we're better off. Time will tell on that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LWC611 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 If McDougle or someone else takes to the role, we're better off. Time will tell on that one. I do not disagree, but that is one big if.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I do not disagree, but that is one big if.... It's not that big of an if. Every decent, starting CB is not acquired via an $8-12M/year contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Cromartie was frankly terrible last year and Milliner at the start of the year really bad. Just going on that we should see improved play from Milliner progressing and a combo of experienced guys with McDougle a unknown X factor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Nothing says we care like BYOB Italian in Morristown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Jacoby Ford was such a wasted talent in Oakland. I really hope he's got something left and can stay on the field, he'd quietly be one of the best signings that nobody talked about at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 "You had me at chicken parm" Big life decisions according to Crusher and offensive linemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENBEAN Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Nothing says we care like BYOB Italian in Morristown. and talk about profiling eh? Why ya gotta bring Giacomini to the Italian restaurant? "Bring him to the Paisan place. That's what they eat John" I'm sure he would have liked Arthurs steakhouse too man. What? 300 lb Italian guys don't like steaks ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJets Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 At least they're all getting wined and dined before they get f*cked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 and talk about profiling eh? Why ya gotta bring Giacomini to the Italian restaurant? "Bring him to the Paisan place. That's what they eat John" I'm sure he would have liked Arthurs steakhouse too man. What? 300 lb Italian guys don't like steaks ? Giacomini is Brazilian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I swear to God I read the thread title as "How the Jets cure potential talent". Link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Link? http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/draft.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 and talk about profiling eh? Why ya gotta bring Giacomini to the Italian restaurant? "Bring him to the Paisan place. That's what they eat John" I'm sure he would have liked Arthurs steakhouse too man. What? 300 lb Italian guys don't like steaks ? Eww. And Giacomini isn't Italian. Profile much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundunit Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Nothing says we care like BYOB Italian in Morristown. Probably bring these guys to Pazzo Pazzo, they seem to support the Jets and will say anything we want them to say...jk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 keen's is for closers made/spent a lot of money there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freemanm Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I'm worried Giacomini is an alkie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/draft.htm LOL, nice one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
predator_05 Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Giacomini is Brazilian. Should have taken him to Ringside in Jersey City Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENBEAN Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Eww. And Giacomini isn't Italian. Profile much? LOL No Sh*t huh? So what are you saying? We can't get him a friggin Steak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENBEAN Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Giacomini is Brazilian. So we should have gotten him a wax then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Should have taken him to Ringside in Jersey City Ah yes. The 1&9, where you can catch a fight, get drunk, eat, and acquire herpes from a tranny hooker without having to go anywhere else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I'm worried Giacomini is an alkie Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32EBoozer Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 It's not that big of an if. Every decent, starting CB is not acquired via an $8-12M/year contract. One's that can have an immediate impact usually are. Hoping Patterson can stay healthy. If so, I think he will be a solid player, while allowing Walls and McDougal to continue to develop. Hopefully one, if not both, are ready to step into starting roles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 One's that can have an immediate impact usually are. Hoping Patterson can stay healthy. If so, I think he will be a solid player, while allowing Walls and McDougal to continue to develop. Hopefully one, if not both, are ready to step into starting roles. Risk either way. Take a player like DRC for example. He has the talent to be a top-tier CB, but he typically plays far below this level (which is why he's on his 4th team in 5 years; the lone exception being the year Philly traded for him and he was behind Asomugha and Samuel so he wasn't even starting). So he should have an immediate impact (a positive one) but there's no guarantee he will be. Plus the CB market nowadays is absurdly-priced IMO. We had as good of a duo as there's been when we had Revis+Cromartie, and in the end we still only go as far as the QB is going to take us. I like the idea of a 1-year rental while we try to find our own long-term guy via the draft (or through better value in FA if possible). This is what the team's done at RG/RT. I think it's what they're trying to do at WR, but our group was so barren that they had to take a shot on Decker. And it's also what they're doing at corner. When the market is ridiculous price-wise at a position, then it's better to draft guys (if you're able to). When you have positions that you can get solid or better production through FA, then have at it. Decker wasn't free, but he didn't break the bank. Same with seeking out veteran RBs as we have. The difference between rookie $ and good-enough veterans to get you a top-5 running game isn't that great. The difference between that at corner is gargantuan. Plus I think the relative hole at corner was amplified by a meh pair of safeties. Allen, ideally, will only continue to get better. But Landry is a high-end backup now. The better of the two will be in on most snaps, along with Pryor. I think improving the safety position - assuming Pryor is all that - will help more than just a little bit. As a group, we have plenty of talent at corner. Milliner is locked in as one starter. Wilson theoretically will be the slot guy again. And in any given game, the best guy (or best-suited for the opponent) will man up against the #2 corner. Also I'm less concerned about immediate impact than most because I'm not viewing this as a SB contender season either way. If we are it will be because we're going from crap QB play to above-average QB play. Average play should land us in the playoffs, but the likelihood is unless we get better than that, we'll get bounced with what we've got at corner or with a DRC type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 So we should have gotten him a wax then? lol Seriously, for all you know he requested Italian food. Even though he isn't Italian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32EBoozer Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Risk either way. Take a player like DRC for example. He has the talent to be a top-tier CB, but he typically plays far below this level (which is why he's on his 4th team in 5 years; the lone exception being the year Philly traded for him and he was behind Asomugha and Samuel so he wasn't even starting). So he should have an immediate impact (a positive one) but there's no guarantee he will be. Plus the CB market nowadays is absurdly-priced IMO. We had as good of a duo as there's been when we had Revis+Cromartie, and in the end we still only go as far as the QB is going to take us. I like the idea of a 1-year rental while we try to find our own long-term guy via the draft (or through better value in FA if possible). This is what the team's done at RG/RT. I think it's what they're trying to do at WR, but our group was so barren that they had to take a shot on Decker. And it's also what they're doing at corner. When the market is ridiculous price-wise at a position, then it's better to draft guys (if you're able to). When you have positions that you can get solid or better production through FA, then have at it. Decker wasn't free, but he didn't break the bank. Same with seeking out veteran RBs as we have. The difference between rookie $ and good-enough veterans to get you a top-5 running game isn't that great. The difference between that at corner is gargantuan. Plus I think the relative hole at corner was amplified by a meh pair of safeties. Allen, ideally, will only continue to get better. But Landry is a high-end backup now. The better of the two will be in on most snaps, along with Pryor. I think improving the safety position - assuming Pryor is all that - will help more than just a little bit. As a group, we have plenty of talent at corner. Milliner is locked in as one starter. Wilson theoretically will be the slot guy again. And in any given game, the best guy (or best-suited for the opponent) will man up against the #2 corner. Also I'm less concerned about immediate impact than most because I'm not viewing this as a SB contender season either way. If we are it will be because we're going from crap QB play to above-average QB play. Average play should land us in the playoffs, but the likelihood is unless we get better than that, we'll get bounced with what we've got at corner or with a DRC type. TLDR.... just kidding. Absolutely right about the QB play. Nothing translates into additional wins as quickly as an upgrade in a QB's performance. Geno decreases TO's by 30% and increases his TD's thrown by 30% (16 TD's vs. 15 INT's) & we are looking at an extra 3-4 wins from last year. I expect Geno to be near 20 TD's thrown this year. INT's are the biggest worry. If he can get them down to the low teens, and the RB's stay healthy, we will be in the top half of points scored. Expecting Decker, Hill and Kerley to get a nice thing going this year. Decker's professionalism will do wonders for these guys in game preparation As far as our Defense goes, if everyone stays healthy, top 5 "D" this year. As you say, the Safety position will be a BIG help, allowing Milliner and Patterson be aggressive at the LOS. Snacks, Sheldon, Davis and Coples having 1 more yr. under their belt, along with a healthy Barnes, = Hell Storm in the pocket! CB's will only need to have containment for 3 seconds in most cases. Our guys are talented enough to do this. Would have liked us to be more aggressive in FA, but after seeing how the draft turned out I'm relatively satisfied. I think we could have had gotten some better selections in the later rounds, but I'll trust our new scouting dept.Ready to strap up, double down, and root these guys on. Go Jets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENBEAN Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 lol Seriously, for all you know he requested Italian food. Even though he isn't Italian. Yeah, I'm now realizing the miriad possibilities other than the angry racism claims I made earlier. That's usually how it happens for me anyway so I'm pretty ok with all of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirlancemehlot Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I actually met Giacomini....I don't care what his lineage is, he's a Jersey Guido who'll smack you in the mout' if you mention his mudda'. How he wound up in Washington is a mystery. He should have been a bricklayer or longshoreman. Maybe a thumb breaker from Newark. Love this dude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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