As Woody Johnson and his consultants interview candidates to be the next Jets GM and coach, they should remember one simple truth: QBs win games -- and Super Bowls.
The most important questions they can ask -- and would be crazy not to ask -- any contender for either position: What would you do at quarterback? Do you think Geno Smith can be successful as an NFL starter, and, if so, how will you get him there? And, more likely, if not, who should Gang Green bring in, and why… and how do you plan to get him?
It doesn’t matter if they’re interviewing prospective GMs -- none of whom seem to want to work for the Jets, as evidenced by four candidates declining to speak with Johnson in recent days -- or coaches. Both need to be able to answer these questions effectively. And when it comes to the coaching side, it doesn’t matter if you’re a so-called offensive or defensive guy.
Either way, you need to have a plan at QB, and some concrete ideas on who the team’s starter should be in 2015, whether he’s acquired via trade, free agency or the draft -- or whether Smith deserves more time after playing the best game of his two-year career in the season finale.
What’s Doug Marrone’s plan? Trying to coax Kyle Orton out of retirement once again? No wonder Marrone’s interview left Johnson cold, according to local reports.
The Jets have spoken with Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn in recent days, and will talk to Cardinals DC Todd Bowles tomorrow (along with Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich).
Both Quinn and Bowles have very impressive resumes on the defensive side of the ball, and, while I think Johnson is doing the team a disservice by not considering coaches without NFL experience, it does seem that the owner would be lucky to land either of these two.
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Despite one of the best defenses in football, Bowles saw his team bounced from the playoffs last weekend because it was left with Ryan Lindley under center. Quinn, meanwhile, is at the helm of a unit that’s playing as well as any I’ve ever seen, surrendering less than 40 points over the past six games.
But make no mistake, if Seattle repeats as Super Bowl champ, it will be because of Russell Wilson above all else. The Jets could’ve gotten Wilson with a second round pick in the 2012 Draft, but chose WR Stephen Hill instead. Not shockingly, that was two GMs ago.
