New York Jets Treat Their Season Ticket Holders To A Fun Night

Jul 28, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan talks with general manager John Idzik following training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday of last week the Jets went Broadway and rented out the Ziegfeld Theatre to review the offseason for a cross section of the season ticket holders. Owner Woody Johnson, General Manager John Idzik and Head Coach Rex Ryan addressed the crowd in a presentation that pulled back the curtain slightly as to the thought process that went into the moves of the 2014 offseason and where they see the pieces fitting together. Some Jets alumni were also in attendance interacting with the fans. I would have loved to be at this event as I was a season ticket holder two years ago but instead I will have to rely from reports on the events and the information the team released. All quotes from NewYorkJets.com 5/22/14 “12 Highlights of Jets Town Hall in Ziegfeld Theatre” by Randy Lange.

This is just one of many events the Jets have put together for the fans and season ticket holders. Jets House was a great event, held during Super Bowl weekend, that let fans and players interact in a small setting that allowed for conversation, not just autographs and pictures. They have had numerous season ticket holder conference calls, a few town halls as well as focus groups both to keep fans informed and listen to their feedback. The Jets are one of the more fan-friendly teams in the league in this regard.

This event was no different. John Idzik began the proceedings discussing free agents that returned and ones that were acquired. He said of Calvin Pace, “Calvin was free the last two years and he came back to us both times. He knows a good thing when he sees it.” Idzik said of Chris Johnson, “You may know we like to run the ball. Now we’ve got a little bit of thunder and a little bit of lightning.” The new right tackle Breno Giacomini went to dinner with the Jets brain trust and Idzik said  “When we went out to dinner, we asked him what kind of wine he’d like with dinner and he said he’d go with a sixpack of Bud. Breno plays like a sixpack of Bud. And he likes to finish plays.”

Idzik went on to speak of all 12 draft picks. On Prior, Idzik said, “Somehow I think you’re going to like Calvin Pryor and the way he plays the run.” Rex Ryan also added  “He reminds me of Jack Tatum — an enforcer back there.” Here’s a video of Tatum to remind you how good this Raider safety was:

Twitter member @theshiekh had a quote from Idzik on Jace Amaro:

John Idzik on @J_ACER22 “don’t doubt his physicality” @nyjets#NYJetsTownHall2014

—  (@TheSheikh) May 22, 2014

On Jalen Saunders and his perceived lack of size and physicality, Idzik said “Jalen’s size may scare you but he doesn’t play to his size. We have no qualms with Jalen.” Idzik was done at that point and then handed the floor over to Rex Ryan.

Ryan then let the crowd into the world of x’s and o’s as he diagramed an installation of a blitz package for them. This is an unbelievable treat and something a lot of people, myself included, would pay to see. The fans seemed to appreciate it, possibly because Ryan and Idzik were fans themselves who had fathers who were Jets coaches. “I think I connect with the fans for the simple fact that I was one of them,” Rex said. “It’s not just our team. It’s their team.”

Coach Rex Ryan teaching us some defensive plays .. @nyjets #NYJetsTownHall2014 pic.twitter.com/3rsQI39Vhl

—  (@TheSheikh) May 22, 2014