Is Braylon Edwards a Game Changer for Mike Tannenbaum?

Oct. 8, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum walks on the sidelines before the game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tannenbaum is a man under fire. Why shouldn’t he be? He had a 2012 draft that many had a lot of questions about. The jury is still out there on the 2012 draft class, but there certainly is no argument that other defensive rookies have out performed Quinton Coples, see Chandler Jones as an example. Stephen Hill certainly hasn’t set the world on fire either. This roster certainly leaves a lot to be desired, doesn’t it? How long did we cry for a running back to be added? WE STILL ARE! Yet, we don’t see one. Cedric Benson and Ryan Grant could have BOTH been Jets, but neither of them are.

What about the wide receivers? That has been a revolving door. Jason Hill coming in and out as much as Billy Martin in the 70s and 80s with the Yankees is the best example. It’s also been a group that, aside from Jeremy Kerley, wouldn’t make a whole lot of NFL practice squads. But yet, we have been forced into battle with this group. Jets fans have begged, pleaded, and begged some more for weapons, but the parade of no-names continues. That is, until now.

Braylon Edwards was, and is, a fan favorite with us. He is clearly a guy that had great chemistry with the incumbent quarterback, Mark Sanchez. Many have been calling for his return since the beginning of the 2012 season, some even during this past off-season. Now, it has happened. Braylon is back, and the Jets fan base, for the most part, thrilled. My question is, is the move a game changer for Mike Tannenbaum? Could he have saved his job with this move?

Many may not want to hear this, but I think the answer may just be yes.

Take a look at the guy that would be making the move to remove Mike Tannenbaum, if that is the move to be made. Woody Johnson. There is a lot that can be said about this guy, but one thing undeniable is that he is short-sighted, especially recently. He likes to make big, splashy, short term moves when the Jets come up short. 2008, after the Jets didn’t make the playoffs, he brought in Brett Favre. He caused a big stir, bringing “Broadway Brett” to town. Was this a move for the long term? Of course not. Whether he was going to make a move to the Vikings or not, which we all knew he was going to do, he wasn’t the future. Even if he wasn’t using us, which he was, he certainly wasn’t the long term answer. But it was a quick fix. That is a sign of being short-sighted.

December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) runs back to the locker room before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Tebow. Many of you are not going to be happy to hear me say this, but this was another example of being short-sighted. This is not an indictment of Tim’s abilities by any stretch. My point is this, whether you are a fan of Tim’s or you are not, he wasn’t brought here as a long term solution at quarterback, that isn’t Woody’s way. When the Jets don’t make the playoffs, Woody makes a short term splash. This time, it was Tim Tebow. More evidence that Woody is short-sighted.

Now bring it back to Mike Tannenbaum. He likes to talk a lot about giving the fans a winner, because that is what they deserve. But he hasn’t done that. We have been calling for change to this roster, and there have not been a lot of moves, as we outlined earlier. The defense has, at times, been as slow as it was last year, and the offense is not screaming with weapons. Therefore, the head of Mike Tannenbaum has been there for the taking.

But this week, that all changed. Mike Tannenbaum, despite being indirectly called an “idiot” by this player, claimed and was awarded Braylon Edwards. The Mike Tannenbaum bashing has stopped, at least for now. He brought in a wide receiver that has a great chance to make a contribution now. The Jets had a void at wide receiver, and took steps to fill it by the signing. It is not that they have permanently fixed the roster, but they made a good step in that direction.

Wood Johnson is a short-sighted guy, evidenced by the recent past. Long term, Mike Tannenbaum really hasn’t done a lot to keep his job going forward. But short term, he has. He made a move that has resonated with the fan base, and may be a successful one at the same time. In determining whether or not to bring this guy back, Woody Johnson will take this into account. Will this type of move take Woody’s short-sighted eyes away from the overall job, and make them focus on the recent move?

The answer to that, may unfortunately be yes.