New York Jets: Say No to Doug Marrone

Dec 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills coach

Doug Marrone

reacts against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets search for a general manager and a head coach is already in full swing. Interviews are being requested, scheduled and even occurring, if you follow the beat reporters and NFL insiders. Why the Jets are running concurrent searches for coach and general manager, I am not sure. To me that is a curious decision, one which I will debate in later posts, but that isn’t the point on this one.

By now, we all know that Doug Marrone has opted out of his contract with the Bills, free to join any team. There has been a lot of talk about Marrone interviewing with the Jets, which is fine. I have also heard, however, that all of a sudden, Marrone is a favorite to land the coaching job. The Jets hold him in “high esteem”, per one piece I read. There is a lot of Doug Marrone love out there right now. I don’t get it.

I have no problem with him being considered. I just don’t want to see him get the job. Frankly, I really don’t understand all of this love for Doug Marrone. The Jets should say no.

Jul 27, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

I understand that Marrone does have a New York Jets connection. For those of you that don’t know, Marrone was the offensive line coach for the Jets from 2002-2005, on the staff of Herman Edwards. He led offensive lines that blocked for four of Curtis Martin‘s 1,000 yard seasons with the Jets. The great Kevin Mawae stated on Twitter that he would play for Doug Marrone anytime.

There is no question that Doug Marrone does know football.

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone (L) talks to New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (R) prior to their game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Now we start with the arguments that I just don’t understand.

I have seen the argument that Doug Marrone out-coached Rex twice this season in beating the Jets. No offense to our team, but is that really an accomplishment? The Jets went 4-12. A great many teams beat the Jets in 2014. Is Doug Marrone beating the 2014 Jets twice really a resume builder, one that qualifies him to be the Jets next head coach?

Nov 29, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; A Syracuse Orange helmet is shown during the second half in a game between the Boston College Eagles and the Syracuse Orange at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Doug Marrone earned the attention from the NFL after spending four seasons as the head coach at Syracuse University. To his credit, he did win two Bowl games in four years. But, his overall record 25-25, with a record of 11-17 in his conference.

This is the coach that is being vaulted to the front of the line for the New York Jets?

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone on his sidelines during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Bills 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Doug Marrone gets a lot of credit for the job that he did in Buffalo over two years. Let’s talk about that for a minute. His record was a whopping 15-17! Sounds like the next great coach to me. Marrone for president!

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He had no quarterback in 2013, and his record was 6-10. So, in 2013, when Marrone and Rex Ryan had rookie quarterbacks, the Jets outperformed the Bills. In 2014, the Bills added a competent veteran quarterback in Kyle Orton. Like him or not, when he has been the starter for at least 12 games, other than his rookie year, he has protected the football. Entering 2014, Orton had thrown for 83 touchdowns versus 59 interceptions. He was efficient. Add Sammy Watkins to an already good running game and defensive front seven, you can understand why Marrone finished with a 9-7 record.

What Doug Marrone has proven is that if you actually have players, you can coach. Imagine if Rex had Mario Williams, C.J. Spiller, and Sammy Watkins. The Jets would have been a bit tougher to beat.

Stop with the Doug Marrone love. It makes no sense. The Jets can consider him if they like, but in the end, the Jets should just say no to Doug Marrone.

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