I thought this was an interesting read even though it's kinda after the fact, I mean this happened a couple a weeks ago right? Anyway, it was kinda ballsy foe Woody to call out Goodell and his "all of a sudden made up process of a coin flip" I like it, shows that at least he gives a half a shit...... http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2010/03/19/2010-03-19_finally_woody_shows_whos_boss.html New York Jets owner Woody Johnson shows who's Boss with temper tantrum Bob Raissman Friday, March 19th 2010, 4:00 AM Woody Johnson’s criticism of Roger Goodell shows that Jets owner has some George Steinbrenner in him. There he was, the owner of the Jets. On the back page of the Daily News. Monday. Tuesday. Wednesday. "Swamp Feud." "Woody Flips." "Super Bad." The headlines were inspired by Woody Johnson. Up until this story of an epic battle over who gets to play the first regular-season game at PSL Stadium, he came off as a Mr. Peepers type, a mild-mannered fellow who enjoys hanging outside Gang Green's locker room wearing his Jets cap. Would anyone have been surprised if Woody showed up wearing a custom-made Jets propeller beanie? Appearances can be deceiving (duh). Now when we see Woody, we won't be thinking wimpy. As a matter of fact, Mr. Woody Johnson has a lot of Mr. George Steinbrenner in him. Without going into the dungeon, where gnomes guard all past editions of this newspaper, it's safe to report that The Boss was probably the last owner to cop three straight back pages. Outside of the pub, the circumstances surrounding the secret coin toss, especially Johnson's verbal salvo at prematurely sainted commissioner Roger Goodell, could've been pulled from the Book of Steinbrenner. Yet, there's more, much more, to consider here - stuff that's bigger than any Woody-Boss comparison. Politically, Johnson would have better served his franchise if he didn't go to the wall, mouth blazing, on a matter so trivial. The fact that he did, and that an impetuous Johnson did it with passion, intensity and some deviousness, is telling. For if this episode is to be Johnson's coming-out party, and there are more from-the-gut opinions and outbursts in his future, then he's well on his way to breaking through this city's vanilla wall of dreary owners. With Steinbrenner's ill health removing him from the media loop and son Hal (brother Hankenstein as been effectively muzzled) a devotee of corporate-speak, the Yankees are left bluster-less. Jeff Wilpon? The last time his mouth made headlines was during the Omar Minaya/Adam Rubin fiasco. John Mara raised some eyebrows when he ripped his team following its pathetic 2009 season, but the Giants' co-owner prefers operating well outside the media spotlight. And for all the attention James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan has received for the pathetic state of the Knicks, and his loyalty to Rangers boss Glen Sather, he rarely says anything - except an occasional "no comment" - for public consumption. So, the door is wide open for Johnson to fill the void. Moves made inside his organization offer plenty of evidence he leans toward being a spit-stirrer. He clearly loves the splashy signing (Brett Favre, LaDainian Tomlinson). And look no further than to his coach. Johnson dumped a mummy, Eric Mangini, in favor of Rex Ryan, a man bringing new meaning to the word gasbag. Not once, not one time, after any of Ryan's outrageous pronouncements, which began flowing before the Jets even hit training camp, did Johnson try muzzling him. The organization did scold Ryan after he let his finger do the walking at that Jan.30 mixed martial arts event in Sunrise, Fla. While Johnson's comments about Goodell's Kremlin coin toss, "won" by the Giants, were not as salty as some of Ryan's rants, they were just as pointed. Johnson showed major stones here. Calling out Goodell, and the NFL, grabbed headlines, but also amounted to airing "family" business outside the family. Get it, Sonny? Before he opened his mouth, Johnson knew there would be retribution from the NFL, or as much retribution as you can lay on a billionaire. This makes Johnson's trips to the back page even sweeter. There also was some Machiavellian maneuvering. Knowing the Giants had already won Goodell's coin toss, which took place last Friday, the Jets posted a story Saturday on their Web site saying the NFL had made plans to hold a coin toss. Johnson runs the show. Either he came up with the idea of running this phony story or approved the scheme presented by one of the geniuses working for him. No matter, it shows just how ticked he was. And how irrational he can be. Hopefully it's a sign of things to come. Johnson is now trying to run jive, saying his comments about not having a "transparent" coin toss, with both teams on the scene, weren't directed at Goodell, but "the process." Yeah, sure. A mouthy owner flip-flopping? How shocking. It's in their DNA. They can't help themselves. Now that Johnson has broken the seal, seen his name in lights, he can't retreat. The nebish in Woody Johnson must be fully exorcised. The owner of the New York Jets must commit, with laser-like focus, to living up to his new title. Super Bad.
i have gained a new respect for woody these past couple of year. you can really tell that he cares about this team. i dont think it is just about the PSLs either.
I know a lot of people are probably going to kill me for this, but I happen to think that Woody has been an awesome owner. The whole PSL thing is garbage (this coming from a season ticket holder of 20 + years), but as far as personnel decisions and football decisions, I think Woody's done a great job. He spends money, he's allowed Tanny to get high profile free agents, trade up in the draft for more expensive rookies and he's seemingly done whatever it takes to put the best product on the field. Now, when people talk about the "big market, big spending" teams, the Jets are always in the conversation. That's a far cry from where we were when the Hess family ran this team. Just my humble opinion
I agree, it's often the passion of the owner, showing an interest and demanding the best of his team that displaces a "lazy attitude" on the team. Just look around, Jerry Jones as obnoxious as he is keeps the team competitive, and motivated. Just as do the Rooney's in Pittsburg, and Pat "whats his name" in Denver, and Gillete in N.E. to name a few.... maybe Sexy Rex, is influencing him........:up:
He's got a long way to go before he becomes Steinbrenner like, Steinbrenner has championship rings, Woody does not
He don't have the rings, but he's trying to move in that direction, remember there was a time George didn't have a ring either.....:up:
If I drew a smiley face and handlebar moustache on my thumb I would have an exact replica of Raissman. What an ugly fuck........ Oh and this article makes me have to take a dump.
its funny that even though woody has completely fucked his entire fanbase directly in the ass with a burlap condom people still say he is doing a good job. sure his people are building a pretty good team but half of the fans cant afford to go see that team. real great job woodrow.
Woody is a businessman who cares about protecting the bottom line. I'm thinking any press is good press in his eyes. But ,at least, he cares.
After being a Jets fan for so long and not seeing a championship come.. I could really care less the way they try to get it down now. Atleast now everytime I read the paper I laugh instead of feel shitty.
A couple of things come to mind but I don't get a Steinbrenner vibe from Woody. Maybe Rex's attitude is contagious, as long as you haven't been drinking before you go into Rex mode it should be okay. The death of his daughter may have changed his entire outlook on life. Hopefully it doesn't destroy him but he wouldn't be the first parent to be very different prior to and after the death of a child.
He is doing a good job. Since Johnson took over the team has been a consistent playoff contender for the first time in the history of the franchise. And he's grown the value of the franchise tremendously, which is good news for anyone who's actually associated with the team. From a fan's perspective the PSL stuff pisses me off, but Johnson doesn't owe us jack. Except to put an entertaining product on the field, which he does with regularity.
All owners should strive to be like Steinbrenner. Investing in your team and demanding success is a legit way to run a franchise.
So Woody needs to get suspended from the NFL and then actual football people can build a team that Woody can take credit for when he comes back.
I'm gonna get flamed to oblivion but here it comes.. Woody is becoming Steinbrenneresque in the way he manages the team, because they treat it as a business. Neither are scared to sign off big paychecks for feature players, sans 1 gigantic difference -- salary cap. Big players fill the seats [PSLs], sell jerseys, and attract fans. The Jets are in a fortunate position where the owner and team are in a position to sign some big ticket players due to our geographical location, fanbase, and money.. but we're limited by a cap that all teams abide by. The Yankees, year-in and year-out make a BPA board for free agents and sign 60% of the players in the top 5 of that board. They have the ability to outprice their competitors and thus, have the highest payroll in baseball. In essence the point I'm trying to make is this: lets say there are two teams in competition for 1 player, first case will be football: Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars both need a QB and Drew Brees is a free agent (hypothetical). While the chances are greater that Brees goes to Dallas due to their exposure, money, bargaining power, etc... the Jaguars have a good chance of landing Brees if they play their cards right. Now in baseball, if Albert Pujols is on the market and there is a bidding war between the Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, there is a 95% chance the Yankees come away with Pujols because they'll offer twice what Pittsburgh offers.* *Queue Yankees fans
First off Steinbrenner is the fucking man. And Woody never really speaks, Why? Because he was pissed about the coin flip thing, I would have been too.
"oh he's so great!" gimmie a break, the guy is just trying to sell tickets and doesn't care is he wins it all. Cromartie, Tomlinson? Great PR moves, pathetic football moves. SOJ
