By Rich Cimini I sat down with GM Mike Tannenbaum yesterday for an interview in his office at the Jets' facility. I found him to be relaxed and confident about the state of the team. Obviously, Tannenbaum isn't known for making bold statements -- he's no Rex Ryan -- but he did touch on a few topics in our "state-of-the-union" chat. Here are some excerpts: Q: How do you feel about 4-4? A: There have been a lot of good things. We have a brand new quarterback and a brand new head coach -- two very important positions. Rex (Ryan) and Mark (Sanchez) are very similar. They're football junkies. They're here all the time. They really like football. They're team guys. They've brought a lot of energy. Obviously, we need to be much more consistent. One of the things that makes this game so fun and exciting is all the different ways you can win and, for us, all the different ways you can lose. As Coach (Bill) Parcells says, 'You are what your record says you are.' We've been, overall, average. But we have an opportunity to be better than average. Q: But after a 3-0 start, wouldn't it be disappointing not to make the playoffs? A: Sitting at 4-4, we have a long, long way to go. We'll see where we are at the end, but I really like the direction this program is heading. Q: But this isn't a rebuilding year. This is a win-now team, as Rex has stated many times. A: The way our team is built, we're trying to have sustainable success. We've acquired a number of good players, but it's for this year and beyond. I expect a vast majority of those players to be back in the future. Mr. (Woody) Johnson always talks about keeping the window open and not mortgaging the future. That's what we're trying to accomplish. Q: What are your impressions of Sanchez? A: What I've been encouraged by is, what Coach (Brian) Schottenheimer has asked him to work on, you've seen improvement -- the check downs, trying to eliminate the big error. Mark takes to coaching well. Time is on his side. Q: Is he where you thought he'd be after eight games? A: Just about where we thought. There will be bumps in the road. We said that, we knew that. And there will be some more. But with his work ethic and his passion, that will allow him to have a successful year and a successful career. I love the fact that, after he played poorly in the Monday night pre-season game in Baltimore, he got off the train and came right here and watched the tape. That's what successful players do. Mark's a perfectionist. That drive will serve him well. Q: What about Braylon Edwards? Would you do that trade again? A: What's been encouraging about Braylon is, I like the run-game production since he's been here. He's changed the way some of the defenses have to play us. That doesn't show up in the stat sheet, but I think he balances our offense really well. Getting Jerricho (Cotchery) back, I'm excited to see what we can do as a balanced offense. Q: I know you're not going to guarantee a playoff berth -- that's not your style -- but do you think this is a playoff-caliber team? A: Our expectations are high. It starts with Mr. Johnson and our fans. We have a great fan base and we owe them a product they can be proud of every year, and I'm really proud of the team we have. Q: What about Vernon Gholston? It's been 24 games, and he's still looking for his first sack. Now it looks like his playing time is diminishing. Do you regret that decision?> A: Looking at the first year-and-a-half, Vernon hasn't met the expectations of the sixth pick in the draft. To his credit, I think he'd tell you the same thing. With that said, he's a young player and we think he'll continue to improve. I know he's a work in progress, but all players develop at different rates. He needs to improve, but I'm glad he's here. Q: How do you handle the losing? You've had some gut-wrenching losses. Does it eat at you? A: Losing is hard. Coach Parcells used to say, 'There are two things in pro football: Winning and misery.' There's a lot of wisdom in that statement. The lows are lower than the highs are high, but you have to stay the course as someone out in front of the program. You have to look for steady improvement over the course of a season. You can't let one play or any one game beat you up, although from a human-nature standpoint, that would be easy to do. You try to take a bigger picture approach. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2009/11/a-q-a-with-mr-t.html#ixzz0WW4muvKM
If you want to read a retards comments, find the "Curbyourenthusiasm" commenter. He knows nothing. But to me its entertaining to read what old SOJFs think about what has gone on in Tanny's tenure.
yeah he is an uncapped year casualty. He'll open up the door for the growth of Jamaal Westerman. That undrafted kid plays opening day against the Texans and get a sack by himself. Gholston is now 24 games in. At least it could somewhat balance itself out. Westerman takes BTs place at OLB, and becomes the stud Gholston was drafted to be. Gladys problem is that its all mental. He has no balls what so ever. He has all the physical tools. Fucking sad.
This quote struck me the most from the whole article. I think that there's a lot of truth in that with being a Jets fan too!
Good insight from our fearless leader. I would have loved to see his expression when talking about VG. I did have a little trouble hearing him with Parcells c#@k in his mouth, though.
