Manish Speaks

[peekskill68]

Fascinating article.   It actually seems to fit the narrative floating around that Macc's system of building barriers between his scouts and the coaching staff was a key point of friction.  It also seems to support the notion that CJ is in over his head and was slow to realize that Macc's way of doing things was going to cause problems with a hands-on alpha like Gase.  Other interesting tidbit (if true):  CJ held on to Macc in January because he wasn't confident he could lead a search to replace both a GM and a HC effectively...

_____________________________________________________________________

Behind the scenes of the final straw in the Jets rift between Adam Gase and Mike Maccagnan

By Manish Mehta

| New York Daily News |

May 17, 2019 | 12:55 PM

Where’s the camera?

Adam Gase’s frustration was palpable.

He had spent months grumbling about decisions, non-decisions and just about everything else on One Jets Drive. People around him brushed it off as “Adam being Adam,” but there was an underlying uneasiness that wasn’t going to disappear until one massive change was made.

The draft was the final straw for CEO Christopher Johnson, who had reservations about retaining Mike Maccagnan after the season before he finally fired the general manager and lieutenant Brian Heimerdinger this week.

Along the way, Gase seized an opportunity to gain control with a savvy play in the strangest sort of passive-aggressive power struggle that included petulance, back-door bad-mouthing and obliviousness.

Johnson took the heat in the wake of the firings, looking like a lost, indecisive soul.

“He sees the good in everybody,” a current Jets employee said of Johnson in the wake of the acting owner’s unorthodox moves. “He just doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

The signs were all there in the run-up to – and during – the draft. Gase was understandably angry at the whole damn process. (More on that later.)

So Gase strategically distanced himself by first locating the war room camera. He had a seat next to Johnson that would have been in the view of the camera.

“He literally took his seat and moved it (out of camera view),” said a current team employee that was in the war room. “That was extreme.”

Gase wanted to wash his hands of the draft before it even began, according to sources. Eyewitnesses told the Daily News that he was oddly detached for all three days. This was a Maccagnan Production through and through. Gase stayed out of the way, rarely giving input on trade possibilities or prospects when the Jets were on the clock. There was no point that Gase ever fought for or objected to any of Maccagnan’s picks.

The sentiment among people in the room: This was awkward.

Johnson, meanwhile, had viewed his two years in charge through an idyllic prism. He had good intentions and a glass-half-full mindset. Truth be told, he wanted Maccagnan to succeed even if he had serious concerns about his general manager’s communication deficiencies at the end of the season.

Some of the brain trust, including owner Woody Johnson, would have signed off on firing Maccagnan in January if that’s what Christopher wanted.

But Christopher Johnson was concerned about his ability to lead both a general manager and coaching search alone. The support staff in the building, frankly, wasn’t qualified. Johnson liked Maccagnan on a personal level and felt comfortable that the GM and his top lieutenant would be the best people in-house to lead a coaching search.

Johnson kept Maccagnan and Heimerdinger, and kept his fingers crossed that it would all work in the end with a new head coach.

People in the organization truly believe that Johnson wants the Jets to succeed, but there’s a strong sentiment among those that I’ve spoken to in the past 48 hours that he simply doesn’t have the experience, football savvy and support structure right now to make sound choices.

Sources agree with moving on from Maccagnan, but some vehemently objected with the timing of the decision.

“It didn’t make sense,” one team source said.

People on One Jets Drive believe that Johnson means well, but they have little confidence that they can actually trust his decision-making to reverse the perception of the Jets as a laughingstock.

Jets employees aren’t alone. Seventy-two percent of the more than 10,000 people who participated in an online Daily News Poll this week do not trust that Johnson knows what he’s doing.

The run-up to the draft should have been an eye opener for him. Gase’s frustration was understandable.

The dynamic between Maccagnan and Gase during the team’s pre-draft meetings was odd. Gase badly wanted to share his opinions on what types of players he was looking for in his system during these organizational discussions, but remained quiet, according to sources. Maccagnan didn’t ask the coach to share his evaluations during those sessions.

The reason? The general manager didn’t want Gase to adversely influence his scouts’ evaluations, according to sources.

It was a curious approach that understandably angered Gase, who simply wanted to provide more information and depth on player prototypes that made sense for his schemes so that he would be on the same page with the guys who had spent the past year or so studying college players.

“It pissed Adam off,” a team source said. “Mike didn’t want him to speak up too much. It’s a weird philosophy.”

Gase shared his thoughts on players to Maccagnan in smaller meetings, but the notion that scouts, by and large, were kept in the dark about how the head coach felt about draft prospects should have ticked him off.

Maccagnan, who had the same philosophy with Todd Bowles, was bent on not having the scouts swayed by the head coach. It was a counterproductive approach that only served to alienate Gase, who expressed his frustrations in myriad ways to many people in league circles.

Gase, already unhappy with some of Maccagnan and Johnson’s decisions in free agency (the Le’Veon Bell acquisition was driven by ownership), had strategically detached himself from the draft by the time the Jets were on the clock with the third pick.

Johnson was witness to the odd draft proceedings, but tried to keep an optimistic outlook on this arrangement. In fact, he privately told people on One Jets Drive that rumors of Maccagnan’s impending ouster were simply untrue. The GM was oblivious to his firing… until he was fired.

Gase had a small window to seize control. If the Jets were in the playoff conversation in 2019, he’d be tied to a general manager that he quickly learned was not a good fit for him. If the Jets stunk up the joint this season, he’d lose the juice that he has with the owner right now.

Gase’s annoyance and irritation over certain issues were warranted. He felt his voice carried little weight on certain important matters. So, he did what he felt he had to do.

He strategically ingratiated himself with Johnson, who was looking for a strong communicator on the football side of the organization.

Was it right? Does it matter if it wasn’t?

The bottom-line reality: Gase won the offseason.

He will effectively hand pick the next general manager (with Johnson’s approval). How will this impact the rest of the football operations on One Jets Drive? Will there be much more upheaval?

“I don’t think he wants to screw a lot of people over,” one Jets employee said of Gase. “Because he feels like he already kind of did that.”

 

 

[JetsFanatic]

Manish is in over his head

[peekskill68]

3 minutes ago, JetsFanatic said:

Manish is in over his head

Too much of this rings true to believe that, especially when many of us (me included) has felt he's been Macc's mouthpiece for a long time...

[Dcat]

fascinating

[Mike135]

So billionaire owners don't know football.

I'm shocked.

Stop reading this crap.

[Jet Life]

The guy who said Tony was 100% wrong about the rift is now giving us all the details? I'll look elsewhere 

[SayNoToDMC]

I can't wait till this guy is competing with 14 year olds to be a "featured columnist" on bleacher report 5 years from now. 

[Augustiniak]

1 minute ago, peekskill68 said:

Too much of this rings true to believe that, especially when many of us (me included) has felt he's been Macc's mouthpiece for a long time...

how else would he find out that gase moved his chair?  

[T0mShane]

So hard rn

[Warfish]

1 minute ago, Dcat said:

fascinating

[Scott Dierking]

Hmmmmm, I don't have the bandwidth, the internal expertise is such that I can't rely on help in making a football decision and I am just plain stumped.

I find myself constantly trying to become "friends" with those I employ.

I really don't have the acumen or experience to make these types of decisions.

If only there were a way to invent some type of position, let's even call it an executive level position that would do my bidding and be an expert on football matters to help advise and guide me.

If only.

 

[KRL]

This is cute BUT he never had the initial story to begin with.  In fact he said

it was 200% false so why should I believe this now?  Hopefully we get Douglas

as GM and all this is never remembered

[peekskill68]

Just now, Mike135 said:

So billionaire owners don't know football.

I'm shocked.

Stop reading this crap.

Is that what you took from this?  If it's true, the insight into the dynamic between Macc and Gase is eye opening...

[Mogglez]

 

Manish writes the cutest fan-fics.

"HoW iT nEaRlY hApPeNeD fOuR mOnThS aGo".

[Jetsplayer21]

Manish looked like a complete idiot saying the reports Mac is on the way out is 200% wrong, but someone on the inside gave him a lot of insight. Someone in the draft room about moving out of camera view answers a lot of questions. Many of us believed he wasn’t there. Well he ironically he really wasn’t there, in the sense Mac blocked him from communicating with scouts even type of players he sought for his scheme.. What the hell did Mac ever do to deserve that power? Sounds like bowles also was kept in the dark, but he was not about to complain as mac loves D. You gotta love D if you 100% bpa guy.. 

 this article was by far best one yet. If woody was here mac is fired in Jan. But little Johnson was scared to search for a new gm and HC in his first months of controller. That is understandable.. 

 

Now I give credit for pushing Mac in the dumpster.. We all should agree this should have happened In Jan, but better late then never. We will go into this season with a better HC, OC, DC, and gm. Not that the bar was set high

[Mike135]

Just now, peekskill68 said:

Is that what you took from this?  If it's true, the insight into the dynamic between Macc and Gase is eye opening...

I see what you did there...

[JustInFudge]

Holy sh*t, Gase is a lunatic.  He's a legit crazy person.

I mean, Mac was absolutely awful.  Terrible in every sense of the word but did the Miami Dolphins add 1 single talented Football player to their roster that Gase didnt run off, bench or alienate? 

I kind of dont blame Mac for not wanting Gase's input.  He's a never satisfied a$$hole who would ultimately sign off for a player, turn on said player and point the finger at Mac for it.

Seems like Gase is the ultimate, fence sitter so when sh*t goes sour, he can quickly point the finger at someone else.  And now he's in charge.

Go Jets!!!

 

[Augustiniak]

Just now, Jetsplayer21 said:

Manish looked like a complete idiot saying the reports Mac is on the way out is 200% wrong, but someone on the inside gave him a lot of insight. Someone in the draft room about moving out of camera view answers a lot of questions. Many of us believed he wasn’t there. Well he ironically he really wasn’t there, in the sense Mac blocked him from communicating with scouts even type of players he sought for his scheme.. What the hell did Mac ever do to deserve that power? Sounds like bowles also was kept in the dark, but he was not about to complain as mac loves D. You gotta love D if you 100% bpa guy.. 

 this article was by far best one yet. If woody was here mac is fired in Jan. But little Johnson was scared to search for a new gm and HC in his first months of controller. That is understandable.. 

 

Now I give credit for pushing Mac in the dumpster.. We all should agree this should have happened In Jan, but better late then never. We will go into this season with a better HC, OC, DC, and gm. Not that the bar was set high

the more i read about everyone, the more it actually seemed that mccagnan and bowles were a good fit.  both were passive, liked defense and hated offense.

[Dcat]

3 minutes ago, Mogglez said:

Manish writes the cutest fan fics.

Manish should resign.  He's the world's worst reporter as you so clearly show us above.  We'd all be better off (and so would the NYDN) if Manish is sent packing.  

New thread: Fire Mehta!

[Jetsplayer21]

4 minutes ago, Augustiniak said:

how else would he find out that gase moved his chair?  

Exactly. Why do people in this org talk to such a sub par writer ? Does he prostitute his wife to them ?

[jetstream23]

What type of person....or what person specifically, would you bring in if you're CJ to be your advisor and sit between you and the GM?  Would this be a new President, a "Chief of Football Operations," etc.?

Does a respected guy who comes from football fit the bill?  Someone like a Parcells or Holmgren?  I think that might just make things worse, at least initially given Gase's personality.

[RoadFan]

Adam Gase is Little Finger, Tyrion, and Cersei rolled up into one.  

If he is also Daenerys (pre-meltdown), Jon Snow, and Sansa... we are going to have one hell of a football coach.

[GREENBEAN]

We're the best. lol

 I'm amazed at how creative we can be in the ways of sucktitude.  It's not bad enough that we just suck on the field since I was  little kid in the 80's, but we are infected with a disease from the top down.  What the hell purpose does Neil Glat have exactly? Why is he there?  

This can all be remedied if we get a legitimate GM, but one more vital piece would still be a stick in the spokes. CJ, and Woody for that matter, will have to turn over football operations to the GM. Until that happens we are just waiting for the axe to fall.  It's tough to be a Jets fan and this is one of the worst periods I can remember. This is just ugly and stupid. 

Interestingly we still have a lot of very valuable and competent pieces to our team and if we can get this front office piece taken care of already, we aren't as far away as we seem to be.  

[SR24]

Yep said it before and I’ll say it again. Gase made the best move to keep himself safe and give himself the best chance at success and anyone who blames him for that is a fool. He knew Mac couldn’t evaluate talent lol we played him twice a year for 3 years I bet he got here and realized it was way worse than he had thought. No reason to keep the weak around I’m glad we finally have someone who cares about winning in the ranks of the organization. Very excited to see what This season has in store. New Unis, we got the DC most of us wanted, Offense first HC and the most talented team we’ve had in a decade. It’s finally an exciting time to be a Jet fan 

[Apache 51]

2 minutes ago, SR24 said:

Yep said it before and I’ll say it again. Gase made the best move to keep himself safe and give himself the best chance at success and anyone who blames him for that is a fool. He knew Mac couldn’t evaluate talent lol we played him twice a year for 3 years I bet he got here and realized it was way worse than he had thought. No reason to keep the weak around I’m glad we finally have someone who cares about winning in the ranks of the organization. Very excited to see what This season has in store. New Unis, we got the DC most of us wanted, Offense first HC and the most talented team we’ve had in a decade. It’s finally an exciting time to be a Jet fan 

Uni's

[CurtMart]

So Macc didn’t want his scouts to adversely be affected by Gase’s input? What exactly did his scouts accomplish over the last 4 years? Who was Macc protecting? I’m glad he’s gone. 3 years too late but better late than never. 

[peekskill68]

1 minute ago, jetstream23 said:

What type of person....or what person specifically, would you bring in if you're CJ to be your advisor and sit between you and the GM?  Would this be a new President, a "Chief of Football Operations," etc.?

Does a respected guy who comes from football fit the bill?  Someone like a Parcells or Holmgren?  I think that might just make things worse, at least initially given Gase's personality.

Probably the only time in the past 20+ years where the Jets weren't considered Clown World was when Parcells/Weis/Beli ran the show...

[Scott Dierking]

EDIT-This is in response to Jetstream23 ask of what a Senior position looks like

 

Smart with a football background based in Pro Football Personnel organizational hierarchy.

Beholden only to the success of the on field product, based upon the whims of the ownership (this has to be metered, but you have to act on the owners behalf. I am sorry, here).

Someone that is diplomatic, but can be ruthless and able to make tough decisions. 

Has ideas, but develops a plan upon where the club currently resides in terms of on-field and off field talent. Has a 1 year, 3 year and 5 year plan of how the organization evolves.

Comes with a philosophy of leadership and communication. Develops clear and concise reporting structure.

Must be comfortable with the press, as this person becomes one of the leading press "go to" for updates and news related to the team and moves.

 

 

 

[jetsons]

manish… butthurt because he had ZERO clue mccags would be fired. 

[Augustiniak]

4 minutes ago, CurtMart said:

So Macc didn’t want his scouts to adversely be affected by Gase’s input? What exactly did his scouts accomplish over the last 4 years? Who was Macc protecting? I’m glad he’s gone. 3 years too late but better late than never. 

mccagnan views the draft independently from how the coach will use the player.  he drafts based on value, not need.  that's how a scout works.

[WestSideJohnny]

Heimerdingsh*te had more to do with than MM is free to say...cause he’s a literal dummy. Give CJ credit for acknowledging his own error and biting down on the 50 cal round clenched in his teeth. He now knows this. The HC & GM must partner. 

[jetstream23]

2 minutes ago, Scott Dierking said:

EDIT-This is in response to Jetstream23 ask of what a Senior position looks like

 

Smart with a football background based in Pro Football Personnel organizational hierarchy.

Beholden only to the success of the on field product, based upon the whims of the ownership (this has to be metered, but you have to act on the owners behalf. I am sorry, here).

Someone that is diplomatic, but can be ruthless and able to make tough decisions. 

Has ideas, but develops a plan upon where the club currently resides in terms of on-field and off field talent. Has a 1 year, 3 year and 5 year plan of how the organization evolves.

Comes with a philosophy of leadership and communication. Develops clear and concise reporting structure.

Must be comfortable with the press, as this person becomes one of the leading press "go to" for updates and news related to the team and moves.

 

Couldn't that be the GM itself?  I'm thinking higher level....someone that could sit next to Christopher Johnson and tell him things like, "This is a short-term trend, don't follow all the knuckleheads hiring first year college head coaches who all want to rely on 5-WR sets.  It will pass in 2-3 years."

[peekskill68]

2 minutes ago, jetsons said:

manish… butthurt because he had ZERO clue mccags would be fired. 

sounds like mccags had zero clue mccags would be fired too...

[Augustiniak]

Just now, peekskill68 said:

sounds like mccags had zero clue mccags would be fired too...

it's almost as if cj and gase had an agreement about what would happen after the draft, but given that mccagnan was there for the entire pre draft process they couldn't replace him and his entire team until after.  

[Scott Dierking]

Just now, jetstream23 said:

Couldn't that be the GM itself?  I'm thinking higher level....someone that could sit next to Christopher Johnson and tell him things like, "This is a short-term trend, don't follow all the knuckleheads hiring first year college head coaches who all want to rely on 5-WR sets.  It will pass in 2-3 years."

NO!!!!!!

The GM is the execution arm of the Senior level position. The Senior Level position creates the culture and blueprint for the GM. The GM then has to hit the trenches with his team to execute to that blueprint.