New York Jets: The Irony of the John Idzik General Manager Situation

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik watches practice before the game with the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

John Idzik has been under more fire than any general manager in recent memory. The typical reaction when a football team bottoms out is to blame the head coach. Don’t get me wrong, many do want Rex Ryan to go, and he likely will as well. But I have never seen this type of venom shot at a general manager before.

When you look at the situation, it is quite ironic. If we look at the recent history for the Jets, this John Idzik situation is quite ironic. Let me show you what I mean.

Dec 2, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum (left) and head coach Rex Ryan before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tannenbaum was the general manager prior to John Idzik, serving in the role beginning in 2006. Despite all of the mistakes he made, Tannebaum had quite a few draft successes.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets center

Nick Mangold

(74) wears an NYPD cap during the coin toss before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Mangold was one of two players selected by Tannenbaum in the first round of 2006. D’Brickashaw Ferguson was the other, and we all know the impact that both of these players have made. They have been fixtures on the Jets ever since.

We may want to burn the man in effigy now, but at one time, Darrelle Revis was our greatest asset since Curtis Martin. Before he was moved to Tampa Bay in return for draft picks, Darrelle Revis was the toast of New York, and chosen by Mike Tannenbaum in the first round of the 2007 draft.

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker

David Harris

(52) against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

David Harris was chosen in the second round of that 2007 draft. There isn’t much to say about this guy. He just crossed over the 1,000 tackle mark. Harris has been a fixture among the Jets linebackers since he was drafted in 2007.

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker

Demario Davis

(56) against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Even in his final draft, Mike Tannenbaum achieved some success. Demario Davis was chosen in the third round, and he will lead the defense in the mode of Bart Scott for years to come.

We haven’t even talked about Muhammad Wilkerson. Clearly, Mike Tannenbaum could draft players.

Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

Mark Sanchez

(6) calls plays against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

Santonio Holmes

(10) watches from the sidelines during the first quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won 18-17. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The problem was the inability to manage the salary cap. Mike Tannenbaum gave out contracts that weren’t fiscally responsible, the greatest examples being these two guys. Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes were given contracts that handicapped the team severely.

In walked John Idzik. Idzik was successfully able to get the Jets out from under the salary cap problems. He was able to leave the Jets last season with a major salary cap SURPLUS, a feat that we thought was impossible.

John Idzik was called “the ninja” earlier in his tenure with the Jets.

Aug 7, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Headshot of New York Jets cornerback

Dee Milliner

(27) during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The problem is that John Idzik is not quite as good with the draft. He talks about the draft being the way to “sustainable success”. You have to be able to choose good players, though. Idzik may have forgotten that part.