Breer On Douglas Hiring

[KRL]

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/06/10/houston-texans-brian-gaine-nick-caserio-cam-newton-panthers-joe-douglas-jets

 

I said this when the Jets fired Mike Maccagnan, and I’ll say it again now. For all the pain the Jets went through to get here—the bad press, the outsized contract for a first-time GM, the awkward offseason, all of it—there’s a better-than-good chance that hiring Joe Douglas will be worth it.

That’s because Douglas is among the most respected scouts, at any level, in all of football, and one of the few who you really never hear anything negative about. To try and illustrate that, I hit up the last two guys he worked for to get their feedback on Sunday.

“Joe is so prepared for this opportunity,” Eagles EVP of football operations Howie Roseman said, via text. “He’s been with three great organizations and contributed to [Super Bowl]-winning rosters. He knows what it looks like on and off the field. He’ll take some from everywhere and put his own spin on it. He’s a great listener but also passionate about what he believes in.”

“Start with being an excellent evaluator—not just good at accurately grading players, but also painting a picture of the player to everyone in the room,” texted Bears GM Ryan Pace. “Joe is great with the coaches. Great listening to everyone’s opinions and being respectful as you go through the process of establishing final grades on players.

“His personality and disposition is unique in that he’s very likable, yet he’s not afraid to stand his ground and strongly convey what he believes in. … Throw in high-end work ethic and you have someone that’s going to be successful in the GM position for the Jets.”

With that established, a few leftovers from the process during the last few weeks in Florham Park, N.J. …

• We mentioned it before, but one of Douglas’s greatest strengths comes with his Rolodex. Connected in the scouting community like Chris Ballard was going to Indianapolis two years ago, Douglas should be able to build a robust department. The first two names I’d keep an eye on are the two rising stars he poached from Baltimore upon getting to Philly: director of player personnel Andy Weidl and director of college scouting Ian Cunningham. Maybe Roseman lets him take one of the two. Among the other names that have been out there as possibilities to join Douglas in Jersey are Chicago’s Champ Kelly (who interviewed for the Jets’ job) and ESPN’s Todd McShay.

• One name that’s an important one going forward: Hymie Elhai. The SVP of business affairs and general counsel has been more active in football operations of late, and is one of three now (joining Douglas and Adam Gase) reporting directly to ownership. How Elhai fits into the overall framework figures to be one element to watch going forward—he was right there with Gase and owner Christopher Johnson in the interview process, which is a pretty clear indication of where he stands in the organization.

• The Jets were prepared for Douglas to turn them down. The team was talking contract figures with Seattle director of player personnel Scott Fitterer’s camp as they were negotiating with Douglas, which was smart business. Fitterer impressed them enough to where they were comfortable with the idea of hiring him. In the end, they got their first choice, and certainly Gase’s first choice.

• I’d consider the six years on Douglas’s deal vital, mainly because of the lingering unknown of how secure the new GM would be when Woody Johnson returns from the UK, which could happen as soon as next year. It’s also interesting that Douglas’s deal goes two years past the four-year deal Gase signed in January.

• Don’t weep for the Eagles. Howie Roseman’s stocked his staff well, and ex-Browns exec Andrew Berry was hired in part because Philly knew it would probably lose Douglas sooner rather than later. The challenge for Roseman now will be deciding who to let go with Douglas to New York, particularly when a couple of those guys have deals expiring after this season (meaning they could just walk after next year’s draft).

• My belief is that Sam Darnold’s presence was a significant draw for the candidates involved, mitigating some of the pratfalls that were on the display the last few months. So interestingly enough, the trade that Maccagnan and VP of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger made in March 2018, their most impactful move in four years there, wound up being a catalyst to finding the right people to replace them.

And ultimately, I’d say between Douglas and the guys he’ll likely bring with him, the Jets have done just that. All’s well that ends well, I guess.

[zonajetfan]

Good insight here from Breer. Nothing we haven't heard before about the hire and Douglas. As Breer stated, an underrated part of the Douglas hire is the respect he carries in the football community. He will be able to hopefully parlay that into positive (for the Jets) transactions in the future. His staff will be a key thing to keep an eye on as well and a leader is only as strong as the people they surround themselves with. Thank you for posting KRL.

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks KRL!!

I love the article because it highlights the Truth that despite what many argue organizations win championships.  

You have to have organizational integrity in key positions to win consistently in the NFL and to get a chance to compete regularly for the SB.  

Finally thanks to Chris Johnson the Jets are giving themselves a chance to be “organizationally competitive” which means they will have a better chance of being successful on the field.  

IMO that is how pivotal the hiring of Joe Douglas can be for the Jets, he makes them organizationally competitive and this great article just reinforces that belief.  

[section314]

1 hour ago, zonajetfan said:

Good insight here from Breer. Nothing we haven't heard before about the hire and Douglas. As Breer stated, an underrated part of the Douglas hire is the respect he carries in the football community. He will be able to hopefully parlay that into positive (for the Jets) transactions in the future. His staff will be a key thing to keep an eye on as well and a leader is only as strong as the people they surround themselves with. Thank you for posting KRL.

It's been decades, probably going back to the late Dick Steinberg days, when you could say this about a Jets GM. Now we have a seat at the adult table.

[TuscanyTile2]

1 hour ago, KRL said:

One name that’s an important one going forward: Hymie Elhai. The SVP of business affairs and general counsel has been more active in football operations of late, and is one of three now (joining Douglas and Adam Gase) reporting directly to ownership. How Elhai fits into the overall framework figures to be one element to watch going forward—he was right there with Gase and owner Christopher Johnson in the interview process, which is a pretty clear indication of where he stands in the organization.

 

This is interesting.

[Jetster]

"• My belief is that Sam Darnold’s presence was a significant draw for the candidates involved, mitigating some of the pratfalls that were on the display the last few months. So interestingly enough, the trade that Maccagnan and VP of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger made in March 2018, their most impactful move in four years there, wound up being a catalyst to finding the right people to replace them.

 And ultimately, I’d say between Douglas and the guys he’ll likely bring with him, the Jets have done just that. All’s well that ends well, I guess." 

*** This quote above from Breer is exactly what I've been saying all along. If the NY Giants took Sam Darnold & the Jets ended up with Sequan Barkley, though he's a great RB, this Jets organization would have C level coaching & GMs interested in this job. The Giants passing on Darnold while Eli was deteriorating will be our moment of change similar to Mo Lewis taking out Drew Bledsoe in New England. It will be etched in the memory & passed on through to the next generation of New York Giants fans for years. In fact, passing on Darnold will create the next generation of NY Jet fans in the tri state area.

[rangerous]

15 minutes ago, section314 said:

It's been decades, probably going back to the late Dick Steinberg days, when you could say this about a Jets GM. Now we have a seat at the adult table.

pretty true.  steinberg was a great gm with the patsies.  too bad his life was cut short and he didn't have enough time to work the same magic with the jets.

[slats]

It's better to be lucky than good. 

Matt Rhule may've been the Jets first choice for head coach, but as a college guy with little or no NFL connections, it's probably safe to say that the Jets wouldn't've been able to attract Douglas here. Who knows where the team would be? Probably with Maccagnan still in the big chair. 

Before the team even plays a preseason down, the Gase hire already feels like a pivotal moment in team history. The Jets have a top tier front office and coaching staff for the first time since Parcells. And even then, Parcells was no great GM, and his protege, Tannenbaum, wasn't either. 

It's weird. I actually have expectations for this team. 

[derp]

The organization often seems like a circus, and that starts at the top. While I know that means Woody and Chris, I don’t think that anyone they’ve fired actually deserved to stay. They just haven’t hired the right people and have handled things poorly from there.

I do genuinely believe that the circus is part of why they can’t hire the right people and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The organization never gets the right candidate because the best candidates want no part of the Jets.

I thought it way earlier in the off-season - Darnold put the organization in a unique situation where there appears to be a franchise QB in place on a rookie deal.

Kudos to ownership for realizing a change was needed at GM and this was an opportunity to get a quality candidate in here and for stepping up and paying to get him. Paying someone a lot and them earning it beats paying two people at once.

Hopefully this is the beginning of some stability for the organization.

[Mavericknyc1980]

This is a step in the right direction........If everything works out we will be apart of the ELITE.

[Jethead]

1 hour ago, Jetster said:

"• My belief is that Sam Darnold’s presence was a significant draw for the candidates involved, mitigating some of the pratfalls that were on the display the last few months. So interestingly enough, the trade that Maccagnan and VP of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger made in March 2018, their most impactful move in four years there, wound up being a catalyst to finding the right people to replace them.

 And ultimately, I’d say between Douglas and the guys he’ll likely bring with him, the Jets have done just that. All’s well that ends well, I guess." 

*** This quote above from Breer is exactly what I've been saying all along. If the NY Giants took Sam Darnold & the Jets ended up with Sequan Barkley, though he's a great RB, this Jets organization would have C level coaching & GMs interested in this job. The Giants passing on Darnold while Eli was deteriorating will be our moment of change similar to Mo Lewis taking out Drew Bledsoe in New England. It will be etched in the memory & passed on through to the next generation of New York Giants fans for years. In fact, passing on Darnold will create the next generation of NY Jet fans in the tri state area.

"From your lips...."

[Jet Nut]

3 hours ago, KRL said:

For all the pain the Jets went through to get here—the bad press, the outsized contract for a first-time GM, the awkward offseason, all of it

When did we hear all of this about KC when the went a similar route firing Dorsey?  Dorsey was also fired after FA and the draft.  And Dorsey was a well respected GM, who seemingly didnt earn his firing.  Where were all the AReid is taking control, AReid stabbed Dorsey in the back talk, all unlike what went on with Macc.

How about all the snickering about the dysfunctional Texans?  They not only did the same exact thing as the Jets, they fired their GM after the Jets finished their GM search, pretty much ensuring that they would get to choose from our leftovers.  And they did their strange firing only one season into their GMs regime, after a pretty successful season.

Im still waiting for all the panel discussions about how dysfunctional the Texans are.  How stupid it was to fire a GM after allowing him to resign their FAs, sign any outside FA and run the draft. 

 

[Jethead]

Having a QB changes everything. Sam has already had a successful career, lol. Imagine if he becomes what we all think he can!

[Adoni Beast]

It can’t be understated how big of a hire this is. It’s the first time since Parcells where a GM or HC hire of ours was someone everyone wanted and respected. The comparisons to Ballard are vitally important (connections to bring in a top front office) and relate back to what Pauline tweeted, “this team needs a complete overhaul top to bottom.” Douglas will rebuild the front office and out qualified people in charge. People will want to work here, for Douglas.

This is the biggest hire we’ve had in a long time. I love that his contract extends further than Gase’s (who I’m optimistic about, but definitely not as fully sold on).

[sourceworx]

1 hour ago, slats said:

It's better to be lucky than good. 

Matt Rhule may've been the Jets first choice for head coach, but as a college guy with little or no NFL connections, it's probably safe to say that the Jets wouldn't've been able to attract Douglas here. Who knows where the team would be? Probably with Maccagnan still in the big chair. 

Before the team even plays a preseason down, the Gase hire already feels like a pivotal moment in team history. The Jets have a top tier front office and coaching staff for the first time since Parcells. And even then, Parcells was no great GM, and his protege, Tannenbaum, wasn't either. 

It's weird. I actually have expectations for this team. 

It'll never come out, but I wonder if CJ came to the realization that Mac and Heimerdinger had to go during the search for a head coach. With the leaks to Manish that lead to his hit pieces against the candidates who were perceived to be Mac and Heimerdinger's biggest threats, CJ saw that they were looking out for themselves instead of finding the best coach for the Jets.

At that point it was too late to fire them right away. They were well into the search for a coach, and too close to the start of free agency (and too far into the scouting process for the draft) to start over in the front office.

So the plan was to get rid of them after the draft, and lean on Gase (who is well-connected throughout the league) to help find a new GM.

[slats]

22 minutes ago, sourceworx said:

It'll never come out, but I wonder if CJ came to the realization that Mac and Heimerdinger had to go during the search for a head coach. With the leaks to Manish that lead to his hit pieces against the candidates who were perceived to be Mac and Heimerdinger's biggest threats, CJ likely saw that they were looking out for themselves instead of finding the best coach for the Jets.

At that point it was too late to fire them right away. They were well into the search for a coach, and too close to the start of free agency (and too far into the scouting process for the draft) to start over in the front office.

So the plan was to get rid of them after the draft, and lean on Gase (who is well-connected throughout the league) to help find a new GM.

Something obviously happened. I think if Chris Johnson had more confidence in his ability to make the hires that he would've fired Mac when he fired Bowles. Instead, he used Mac to help him hire the head coach. Which is frustrating, but understandable. 

One word that came out in describing Mac once he was fired was, "indecisive." I suspect that might be code for, "we had a reasonable offer for the #3 pick, but Mac couldn't pull the trigger." Given the way Gase completely checked out during the draft, that might've been the last straw. I don't know if Gase pulled off a coup, or if CJ just fell for his alpha personality and way of doing things, and recognized the stark contrast to his laid back GM. Either way, it seems pretty clear in hindsight that Gase had a candidate in mind either before or after CJ decided to make the move. 

[Skeptable]

1 hour ago, derp said:

The organization often seems like a circus, and that starts at the top. While I know that means Woody and Chris, I don’t think that anyone they’ve fired actually deserved to stay. They just haven’t hired the right people and have handled things poorly from there.

I do genuinely believe that the circus is part of why they can’t hire the right people and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. The organization never gets the right candidate because the best candidates want no part of the Jets.

I thought it way earlier in the off-season - Darnold put the organization in a unique situation where there appears to be a franchise QB in place on a rookie deal.

Kudos to ownership for realizing a change was needed at GM and this was an opportunity to get a quality candidate in here and for stepping up and paying to get him. Paying someone a lot and them earning it beats paying two people at once.

Hopefully this is the beginning of some stability for the organization.

The circus is something that the media falls back on because it generates easy clicks for a franchise that has struggled and has created and fed the media circus in the past... I personally don't think anything Chris Johnson has done in the past 6 months warrants the name but only time will tell. 

[SAM SAM HE'S OUR MAN]

Good ; the coach and GM are now linked . If this pairing fails , we can kick out the hole kit and kaboodle . 

[varjet]

The Johnsons basically paid Mac off by extending him after he drafted Darnold. 

Most GMs who draft good QBs high get fired.  They were drafting high because they were bad GMs. Once the team has a good QB, other potential GMs become interested.  Drafting a Qb high is like the kiss of death.  Maybe that is why Mac passed on Mahomes and Watson. 

[Bruce Harper]

Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora 10s

New Jets GM Joe Douglas expected to formally request permission to speak with Ravens exec Chad Alexander today. Would be very surprised if Ravens blocked his path

[Green DNA]

4 hours ago, section314 said:

It's been decades, probably going back to the late Dick Steinberg days, when you could say this about a Jets GM. Now we have a seat at the adult table.

Do you mean the Dick Steinberg that selected Blair Thomas over future Hall of Famers Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau with the second pick in the 1990 draft, then got outmaneuvered for Brett Favre the following year?  I'm hoping for better than that with Douglas.

[derp]

1 hour ago, Skeptable said:

The circus is something that the media falls back on because it generates easy clicks for a franchise that has struggled and has created and fed the media circus in the past... I personally don't think anything Chris Johnson has done in the past 6 months warrants the name but only time will tell. 

I respectfully disagree. Holding onto Mike Maccagnan, reducing your pool of potential head coaches because you're forcing him on them, letting him spend a ton of money in FA, and then letting him run a draft with the #3 pick only to realize he's not a good GM and should be let go was circus-like. And the revolving door of GM's and HC's and reporting relationships doesn't help.

I do think they made the right decision but at the wrong time and they certainly could pay for that.

[section314]

3 minutes ago, Green DNA said:

Do you mean the Dick Steinberg that selected Blair Thomas over future Hall of Famers Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau with the second pick in the 1990 draft, then got outmaneuvered for Brett Favre the following year?  I'm hoping for better than that with Douglas.

I was referring to the respect aspect. Steinberg was a very highly regarded GM when we got him. He built a roster that got the Pats to the Super Bowl. Sounds like Douglas has a similar reputation in league circles. That’s what I was referring to. Guys like Bradway, Tanny, Idzik and Macc couldn’t hold Steinberg’ s clipboard.

[UntouchableCrew]

I don't know if I can remember the last time the Jets made a move that was so universally approved and respected. I'd assume the Parcells hire but I was a kid then.

[Bruce Harper]

2 minutes ago, UntouchableCrew said:

I don't know if I can remember the last time the Jets made a move that was so universally approved and respected. I'd assume the Parcells hire but I was a kid then.

It was amazing how fast Parcells turned things around.  Unfortunately, he left things a bit of a mess when he left.

[Skeptable]

23 minutes ago, derp said:

I respectfully disagree. Holding onto Mike Maccagnan, reducing your pool of potential head coaches because you're forcing him on them, letting him spend a ton of money in FA, and then letting him run a draft with the #3 pick only to realize he's not a good GM and should be let go was circus-like. And the revolving door of GM's and HC's and reporting relationships doesn't help.

I do think they made the right decision but at the wrong time and they certainly could pay for that.

Ok, I understand your opinion... Mac was fired after the draft... Happens, its not the first franchise to do it... and not even the only one to do it this year. I understand that it isn't among the norm... but even when the Jets do it the 'right' way the results have been poor... I'll take CJ coming diagnosing the issues and problems and solving them no matter the timing over waiting another full season to do it when it is deemed acceptable.  

And as for spending money and drafting, CJ thought it might work out... It didn't and CJ made the decision to move on, I respect him for not letting it linger and destroy the season.

[Jets Voice of Reason]

3 hours ago, slats said:

It's better to be lucky than good. 

Matt Rhule may've been the Jets first choice for head coach, but as a college guy with little or no NFL connections, it's probably safe to say that the Jets wouldn't've been able to attract Douglas here. Who knows where the team would be? Probably with Maccagnan still in the big chair. 

Before the team even plays a preseason down, the Gase hire already feels like a pivotal moment in team history. The Jets have a top tier front office and coaching staff for the first time since Parcells. And even then, Parcells was no great GM, and his protege, Tannenbaum, wasn't either. 

It's weird. I actually have expectations for this team. 

I criticize a lot about what this team has done, and I think deservedly so given all the screw-ups, but this is the first time in a while where I feel there is actually an effort to learn from past mistakes. Who knows if Joe Douglas is gonna work out, but I'm happy with the process they took this time around and am pleasantly surprised that they didn't just cheap out at the last minute. Nail the scouting staff next.

Also, shoutout to Todd Bowles for having such an incompetent coaching staff underneath him that it actually made CJ understand "holy **** it's really bad having assistant coaches who are not qualified" for the job.

 

 

 

 

[Sperm Edwards]

1 hour ago, varjet said:

The Johnsons basically paid Mac off by extending him after he drafted Darnold. 

Most GMs who draft good QBs high get fired.  They were drafting high because they were bad GMs. Once the team has a good QB, other potential GMs become interested.  Drafting a Qb high is like the kiss of death.  Maybe that is why Mac passed on Mahomes and Watson. 

They extended Macc before Darnold was drafted.

Never heard this one before, where most GMs who draft good QBs high then get fired. 

[FidelioJet]

3 hours ago, slats said:

It's better to be lucky than good. 

Matt Rhule may've been the Jets first choice for head coach, but as a college guy with little or no NFL connections, it's probably safe to say that the Jets wouldn't've been able to attract Douglas here. Who knows where the team would be? Probably with Maccagnan still in the big chair. 

Before the team even plays a preseason down, the Gase hire already feels like a pivotal moment in team history. The Jets have a top tier front office and coaching staff for the first time since Parcells. And even then, Parcells was no great GM, and his protege, Tannenbaum, wasn't either. 

It's weird. I actually have expectations for this team. 

How is Adam Gase a top tier coach?

Look,  I am VERY happy with the Douglas hire and think Chris got this one right.  Moving on from Mac was the right and frankly brave thing to do - knowing he would get ripped for him.

I have new found faith in CJ, love the Douglas hire...but this idea that all of a sudden Gase has become a good HC is just silly.

[Mavericknyc1980]

This is the most proud I have been of being a Jets fan since, the 10/11 season.

[Adoni Beast]

21 minutes ago, Bruce Harper said:

It was amazing how fast Parcells turned things around.  Unfortunately, he left things a bit of a mess when he left.

He was hired to win as soon as possible. Hess knew he had little time left. He did what he was hired to do. He almost won us one, and would have if not for a few flukey plays and turn overs.

He also almost left us with arguably the greatest coach in the sport. If BB was a man of his word, or had any balls to talk to Tuna about not overstepping, BB would still be our coach.

[nyjunc]

38 minutes ago, Bruce Harper said:

It was amazing how fast Parcells turned things around.  Unfortunately, he left things a bit of a mess when he left.

He walked into the perfect situation.  An extremely talented team that had inept coaching (not unlike what's happening now but we don't have quite as much talent) and was stuck with a losing culture.  Parcells is an all time great HC, he was just a terrible GM type.

14 minutes ago, Adoni Beast said:

He was hired to win as soon as possible. Hess knew he had little time left. He did what he was hired to do. He almost won us one, and would have if not for a few flukey plays and turn overs.

He also almost left us with arguably the greatest coach in the sport. If BB was a man of his word, or had any balls to talk to Tuna about not overstepping, BB would still be our coach.

Parcells cost us BB by not being up front with him and unless BB drafted Brady it's more likely he would have been fired within 3 years if he stayed here.

[Green DNA]

1 hour ago, section314 said:

I was referring to the respect aspect. Steinberg was a very highly regarded GM when we got him. He built a roster that got the Pats to the Super Bowl. Sounds like Douglas has a similar reputation in league circles. That’s what I was referring to. Guys like Bradway, Tanny, Idzik and Macc couldn’t hold Steinberg’ s clipboard.

He was respected and came highly touted, but was a miserable failure.  The Jets never had a winning record and appeared in one playoff game (off an 8-8 season) during his tenure.  I'd say he fits in well with the sorry bunch you listed.

[nyjunc]

1 hour ago, section314 said:

I was referring to the respect aspect. Steinberg was a very highly regarded GM when we got him. He built a roster that got the Pats to the Super Bowl. Sounds like Douglas has a similar reputation in league circles. That’s what I was referring to. Guys like Bradway, Tanny, Idzik and Macc couldn’t hold Steinberg’ s clipboard.

Dick Steinberg 1990-1994(5 seasons): 32-48, 1 playoff app(8-8), zero playoff wins, zero winning seasons

Bradway 2001-2005(5 seasons): 39-41, 3 playoff apps, 2 playoff wins, 1 division title.

Tannenbaum 2006-2012(7 seasons): 57-55, 3 playoff apps, 4 playoff wins, 2 trips to conf title game, drafted lock Hall of famer (which will be first since John Riggins).

 

But yeah, those guys couldn't hold Steinberg's clipboard?

[slats]

49 minutes ago, FidelioJet said:

How is Adam Gase a top tier coach?

Look,  I am VERY happy with the Douglas hire and think Chris got this one right.  Moving on from Mac was the right and frankly brave thing to do - knowing he would get ripped for him.

I have new found faith in CJ, love the Douglas hire...but this idea that all of a sudden Gase has become a good HC is just silly.

Whatever your opinion is about Gase, and you've been very clear about it, the man is well respected in league circles. He was Sean McVay before Sean McVay. The difference might be that McVay has Goff, while Gase had Tannehill, Cutler, and Moore. You like the Douglas hire? Cool! Me too! You do realize that there's no way the New York Jets attract Joe Douglas here without Adam Gase in place, right? If the Jets hire Rhule, their alleged first choice, this team has a first time NFL head coach and Mike Maccagnan as GM. I like this better. 

We'll see how Gase does here with Darnold. I'm pretty excited about it. But when I said top tier coaching staff, I meant the trifecta of Gase, Williams, and Boyer. I feel very good about this staff. Good brains at the top of all three units.