Jets GM John Idzik: Truly A Mad Scientist?

Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jets GM John Idzik has had a somewhat……..well……….. timid off-season, if you will.  If you ask, some people would tell you that it has only been “timid” in the eyes of the impatient, success starving and sometimes ignorant group of Jets fans and that’s seemingly OK if you take for it is, part of the process.  It’s a process that includes one GM that has decided to utilize and stand by a certain “method.”

Method: “a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline or art.”

Seems Idzik is mad, but if you look closely, like really closely, like “squinting your eyes while moving your head closer” closely, there seem to be a method to this madness.  John Idzik might seem mad, but not in the way that warrants concern, but in my opinion, in a way that warrants intrigue and eyebrow raising curiosity.   I’m not getting a “mad with power” feeling from him, as much as I’m getting a “mad with a firm and unmovable method” sentiment from him.  Seems Idzik is dead set on sticking with this “method” and I for one may not fully understand it, but I applaud it.  Without going into details, lets just say that the Jets previous GM, though he had some success as the Jets GM, didn’t really utilize a method of any kind.  Can we all agree on that?

For the most part, John Idzik, whether you agree or disagree with what he’s done thus far, has had his moves or  non-moves if you will, questioned, debated, tossed around, slandered and praised ad nauseum.  Methods aren’t perfect, they aren’t supposed to be.  They don’t always yield the results wanted and they are always up for debate from those that are for and against.  They are meant to maintain order, structure and stability to maintain long-term success for whatever you’re utilizing the method for.  It’s just the way it works, the way it will always work and John Idzik appears to be utilizing a method that is not only hard to decipher, but it has become a polarizing issue within JetNation, yet it’s one that when you step back and examine it logically, makes sense and provides a sense of hope for the Jets long-term success.  Here’s what Idzik has done the past two off seasons;

Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) celebrates after defeating the Miami Dolphins 20-7 at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

– Traded Darrelle Revis

– Drafted the top rated DT and DROY in the 2013 NFL Draft in Sheldon Richardson

– Drated the consensus top rated QB in Geno Smith

– Drafted the consensus top rated CB in Dee Milliner

– Traded for RB Chris Ivory.

– Signed Kellen Winslow

– Signed Ed Reed

– Signed David Nelson

– Released Mark Sanchez

– Signed the WR that led the league in deep passes (catches) last season in Eric Decker

– Signed FA RB Chris Johnson to a two-year, $8 mil deal

These are the notable moves made by Idzik in the past two seasons.  What do these moves tell you? Not much, aside from the fact that you have a GM that doesn’t like sitting idly twiddling his thumbs.  The method is not something that you can put your finger on.  It’s not something that you’ll see a pattern start to form within.  A method can’t be touched or seen, it’s almost like faith, you have to believe that its working even though you can’t put your hands on it.

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik walks off the field with the ball after the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Raiders 37-27 Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Building through the draft is a part of the method being used by John Idzik, but it’s a small part considering it takes more than a draft to put together a sustainable, successful NFL franchise.

I love most of the things John Idzik has done.  There are other moves I would’ve preferred for him to make that he didn’t and there are a few moves I would love for him to make in April’s draft, but I understand when on the outside looking in, my perspective may not align with the method Idzik is utilizing and that is something that is understandable.  The overall goal for John Idzik should be to win the Superbowl and maintain some level of consistent, long-term success.  The short-term goal for him should be to win the AFC East and the only way to do that is to responsibly and methodically put together a roster that can not only challenge the Patriots, but that can eventually surpass them.  This is the way to do it in my opinion, methodically, not irresponsibly by making rash decisions fueled primarily by pressure from the fans.

Both the high praise and bashing of John Idzik has been premature and anyone that can’t agree to that is an extremist no matter what side they stand on.  The method being utilized to turn this Jets franchise around takes time to build something that is worth it.  It takes time to do it right for the most part.  Yes, in the NFL things can and sometimes happen very quickly.  Successful franchises no longer need five seasons to get where they need to go, three at the max.  This method Idzik is using can’t be figured out and it’s not supposed to be, that’s something only he should know, but the fact that we see a method at work here should be somewhat comforting to Jets fans.

The moves that Idzik didn’t make are about as important to me as the ones that he did.  Case in point, I know and you know that the Jets need a playmaker at WR, but does John Idzik know this? Considering he had Tavon Austin at the top of his draft board last season and was ready to pounce on Jeremy Maclin this offseason, it’s safe to say he does.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Whether Idzik utilizes the “best player available approach” to the draft or not isn’t important, considering it brought the Jets the DROY and some solid prospects with great upside, I’d say if that’s the way he wants to go, have at it.

Method, using one calls for patience when trying to build something that is tough, sustainable and worth something.  We know it takes time, impatience is something we’re all guilty of, but know this; it takes about 13 hours to build a Toyota and 6 months to build a Rolls Royce.  Which one would you wait for?