Rex Ryan and John Idzik are Made for Each Other

JJul 28, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (left) and general manager John Idzik talk following training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a lot of talk about the two guys pictured above, Rex Ryan and John Idzik. As the Jets season has begun to spiral out of control, John Idzik has been under fire for the handling of this roster. Has he set up Rex Ryan to fail by not providing him the talent he needs? Why is leaving the team $20+ million under the salary cap? As always when a team is losing, the questions are beginning to mount.

Rex Ryan is under fire as well. From the moment Idzik arrived, the questions have been frequent. How long will Idzik go with Rex before bringing in his own guy? After the trouncing this week at the hands of the Chargers, those questions too have increased. Is this the beginning of the end for Rex Ryan? Could he possibly be fired during the season? This is what happens with a losing team.

Social media was full of discussion regarding the next coach for the New York Jets. I was beginning to resign myself to the fact that Rex Ryan, whom you all know that I like, will take the fall and be out when the season ends, barring a miracle turnaround. But then I had an epiphany.

Rex isn’t going anywhere. Would you like to know why? Because Rex Ryan and John Idzik are actually made for each other.

They think in the exact same way. Read on and I will explain to you what I mean.

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan walks to the lockerroom after the Jets were shutout 31-0 against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

We talk about Rex Ryan first. Specially we talk about Rex Ryan and his defensive philosophy.

What is Rex Ryan’s defensive style? Blitz the house, as much as possible. He, like his Dad, run the exotic blitzes, as much as possible. Whether the Jets are in the ’46’ formation or not, the idea is to blitz enough players to have more blitzers than blockers to accommodate.

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It worked well in Rex’s first years here with the Jets, but as of late, not so much. Since the end of 2010, the defensive numbers have been worse and worse, and culminating with Sunday’s beat down.

The trouble is that the defense of Rex Ryan doesn’t work without talented corners. We know this. With Darrelle Revis and a healthy Antonio Cromartie, the defense was great. But what do we have now? Right now, we have Antonio Allen, and a growing Dee Milliner. That’s quite a big difference, and it has shown. But does Rex make a change? Show a lot of different looks? Nope.

The Jets continue to throw out the blitzes, see them get picked up, and then get beaten down the field. He runs the same defenses over and over again. After games, Rex continues to talk about the confidence he has in his guys, which is expected.

So the theory is, “Stay the course.” Will it get the coach fired? It could, but if you think about the John Idzik philosophy, you might feel a bit different.

Sep 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik reacts during the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Raiders 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Now to the John Idzik philosophy. “Sustainable success”. He wants to build the team through the draft, which you have all seen that I also agree with. The best teams in this league don’t base their success around quick fixes, they based it on good solid drafts. The Jets had 12 picks in this year’s NFL draft, which is a good thing.

But, you must have the ability to splice in SOME quick fixes. No, he could not forsee the injuries to Dexter McDougle and Dee Milliner. But, he knew that the position was not deep to begin with. He did very little. Right now, the defensive back position is worse than it was last year. Idzik has to be held accountable. It’s not on Rex that one of his safeties have had to play cornerback. There is no reason why Champ Bailey is unemployed. Even as a part-time player he is better than what we have seen.

What is John Idzik’s answer? He is happy with what he is done, and he is going to “Stay the course”. Does that sound familiar? It should.

Rex Ryan could be gone at the end of the year. But if you really look at it, there is a logic to the idea that he is going to be kept on. Rex Ryan and John Idzik think almost exactly the same.

That is not the recipe for a change. That is a match made in heaven, and one to last a long time.

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