flgreen Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Heeere's Johnny: Idzik's time to shine March, 7, 2014 MAR 7 6:30 PM ET By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com John Idzik showed last year what he can do on a shoestring budget. Now, to use a variation of a Lou Carnesecca line, the New York Jets' general manager gets a chance to shop in Macy's window. The free-agency season is upon us, and the Jets have about $23 million in cap space, which will grow to more than $40 million if/when they dump Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Mark Sanchez. It's "go" time for Idzik, whose long-term plan -- presented to owner Woody Johnson when he was hired 14 months ago -- is predicated on stockpiling talent in 2014. Jets GM John Idzik will enter the free-agency period with money to burn; so, how will he spend it? The story last March was the "Rex-odus," five starters bolting the Jets. Now Idzik has roster flexibility, and we get to see how he attacks the team's weaknesses. A man with money doesn't always translate to success, as we've seen plenty of teams over the years spend money foolishly, wrecking their future cap. No championships are won in March. If they were, the Jets would have more Lombardi Trophies than the New England Patriots. People who know Idzik say he won't take a "shop-till-you-drop" mentality into free agency. They say he will spend, but won't forget his core principles. He won't give lucrative, long-term deals to players over 30 or those with injury concerns. He won't sell out to sign "the big star." He won't deviate from his "the-draft-is-our lifeline" philosophy. He won't pay top-dollar prices for middle-of-the-road players. Pardon me, but I'm skeptical of the last one, because most teams overpay in free agency. Do you think starting-caliber receivers will be beating down the Jets' door to play with Geno Smith and the 31st-ranked passing offense? Of course not; the Jets will have to pay to attract the top talent. Former longtime NFL GM Bill Polian, now an ESPN analyst, cautioned that free agency isn't a cure-all. "The best players are signed,” he said on a media conference call. “These (free agents) are essentially ‘B’ players whose agents are looking for ‘A’ money. That, in itself, is not the best of buys. You recognize that as a general manager.” Ideally, you want to use free agency to fill needs, allowing you to take a best-available-athlete approach in the draft. It's easy to preach that, but quite another to practice it. When the bidding starts and the money starts flying, it's easy to get sucked into the madness of free agency. Idzik is known for his deliberate approach; we're about the find out how deliberate. The "legal tampering period" begins at midnight; the signing period commences at 4 p.m. Tuesday. 1. Keeping their own: Unlike last year, the Jets are actually trying to retain some of their free agents-to-be, namely RT Austin Howard and TE Jeff Cumberland. They're deep into negotiations with both players. It wouldn't be a surprise if both re-up by Tuesday. They're interested in keeping LB Calvin Pace, 33, but they won't shower him with money because of his age. They told RG Willie Colon, almost 31, he's free to test the market. Once again, it's the age factor. Former second-round pick Vladimir Ducasse also is unlikely to return. In his case, it's not age, it's a talent thing. 2. Resolve the QB situation: If I were Idzik, I'd address this ASAP. How can you convince free-agent receivers to sign if you're selling the still-unproven Smith and a bunch of question marks at quarterback? They should make an immediate run at Michael Vick, with Josh McCown the No. 2 option. Vick isn't what he used to be, but he has more credibility than Smith at this point. If Idzik strikes out in free agency and the trade market, he might have to turn to Sanchez, whose cap charge ($13.1 million) and surgically repaired shoulder make him a less-than-ideal option. 3. Go wide: There are two ways to approach the wide-receiver search. Idzik can go long and invest significant money in Golden Tate, a solid No. 2 receiver, or he can go short and take a chance on Hakeem Nicks, who might be ammenable to a one-year deal. Nicks has No. 1 talent, but he hasn't played like a lead receiver since 2011. Obviously, there are other options as well, including Emmanuel Sanders. Stay away from Eric Decker; he'll cost too much and he's not a true No. 1. If the Jets can sign a No. 2, pairing him with Jeremy Kerley, Stephen Hill and David Nelson, they'd be in position to look for a No. 1 in a receiver-rich draft. 4. The big splurge: Even though the Jets have a ton of cap space, I can't see Idzik spending franchise-type money for one player -- unless he makes an exception for S Jairus Byrd. Even that would be a long shot. With the possibility of 12 draft choices (counting possible compensatory picks), Idzik can afford to be relatively patient, building for sustainable success and avoiding the quick fix. The goal should be to build around Smith, letting him grow with those around him. That was part of the problem for the previous regime. They put Sanchez in charge of a win-now team and, by the time Sanchez was ready to take the next step, the talent around him had eroded. They couldn't get it going at the same time. This is Idzik's chance to make that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 If my name were "John," and somebody said to me, "heeeeere's Johnny," I'd wreck them with an axe like they were Scatman Crothers, if only to teach them the dangers of being cliche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENBEAN Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 good article. I'm very excited to see what our new FO does with this years picks and cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewillie78 Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 For a Syracuse guy, GREAT article, Especially his "GET MIKE VICK NOW". Johnny, read this article very closely and get Mike. WOO HOO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetknowledge Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Great article, cumberland has a contract already so lets get austin back. And then i'm excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetfanincanada Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 If my name were "John," and somebody said to me, "heeeeere's Johnny," I'd wreck them with an axe like they were Scatman Crothers, if only to teach them the dangers of being cliche. Your a violent little hippie aren't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 tannenbaum is gone idzik is a value shopper, and will build patiently through the draft the suicide watch will be crazy around here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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