Jets GM Proves he is the Tanny That Never Sleeps

June 14, 2012; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum speak during minicamp at the Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

Mike Tannenbaum is a very active GM. He fires a lot of arrows, some land some don’t. He has landed some great arrows like Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis. Even the great ones miss once in a while, see Vernon Gholston and Vladimir Ducasse.

Whether you like his style or not, there is one thing you must admit.

Mike Tannenbaum fits right in with the city that never sleeps, because he is the Tanny that never sleeps.

His addressing of the right tackle situation is a prime example.

Camp is ready to open, just a few days from now officially. One big issue that most Jets fans felt that Tannenbaum didn’t solve this offseason is right tackle. OK, not just right tackle, Wayne Hunter. Most Jets fans are feeling sick at the fact that Wayne Hunter may be at right tackle come week one.

And really, Tannenbaum didn’t do a lot for it prior to Monday.

Yes, they did draft Robert T Griffin out of Baylor, but he is more of a guard than tackle. They also acquired veteran tackle Stephon Heyer. He has some starting experience and will have his hat in the ring, but he has only started a full year once (2009), and has been a backup tackle for most of the balance of his career.

Austin Howard is another tackle in camp, and a lot of people think he could win the job. Many are high on him, including our good buddy Jake Steinberg(@Steiny31). He is still an unknown, though. We don’t know what he has got until he shows us.

A lot of Jets fans, frankly, were not thrilled with the tackle situation going into training camp.

But that didn’t stop Mike Tannenbaum.

Fast forward to this past Monday, and a report comes out that they are interested in Vernon Carey. 30 years old, and a career starting tackle. I know I was excited to read that.

Turn the page and we will talk about the move that actually was made.

Late Monday afternoon, we find out that the Jets have traded for Jeff Otah from the Panthers. Better yet, they made the trade and all they gave up was a conditional 7th round draft pick. Talk about a low risk move.

Jeff Otah is a talented football player. He is a former first round draft pick,spent his first two years in the league as a starting tackle. Pretty good deal for a seventh round pick.

His last two years, however, are what made him expendable. Due to injury, he only played 4 games over the last two years.

The point? Mike Tannenbaum didn’t leave us hanging out to dry, Jets fans. He traded for a former first round pick at tackle. And gave up nothing.

Because he truly is the Tanny that never sleeps.