The fall of Marrone in the Jet HC search: Cimini is bitter

Sunday notes: The curious candidacy of Doug Marrone

By Rich Cimini



A look at what's going on around and inside the New York Jets:



1. The Marrone mystery: Something smells fishy with the entire Doug Marrone candidacy. In less than four days, he went from a strong candidate to the forgotten man -- and two people familiar with Woody Johnson believe the owner got cold feet because of some negative press surrounding Marrone. One person said Johnson reacts to the whims of the public, adding, "He listens to whoever has his ear last." If Johnson is skittish because of the possbility his final choice wouldn't be universally applauded, shame on him. That would be no way to run a franchise.



Only Johnson truly knows the answer, but consider the evidence:



Doug Marrone

How, in less than four days, did Doug Marrone go from a strong candidate to the forgotten man with the Jets?

Marrone walked away from a four-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a two-year extension that was on the table. He reportedly had concerns about front-office uncertainty, but you don't leave that kind of money unless you're optimistic about another job. Johnson told the New York Daily News that Marrone's opt-out was "pretty good news." Johnson called him the next day to formally express interest. The owner already had scheduled an interview trip to Seattle, but he wanted to meet Marrone as soon as he got back -- and they did. Marrone also has an ally in team consultant Charley Casserly. Then came a couple of unflattering articles, the equivalent of a "Fire John Idzik" banner flying over practice. You can bet Johnson noticed.



The Jets aren't commenting on the search, but they'd probably say Johnson always intended to meet with every candidate on his list and that, if Marrone's candidacy is fading, it's probably because others were better in the interviews. That's what you want to believe if you're a Jets' fan. You don't even want to think about the alternative.



2. Woody's call: Johnson is heavily involved in the coach and GM searches -- and that's a good thing. Hey, it's his team. It also sounds like he'll be the driving force behind the final decisions. Once again, it's his team and he can do what he wants, but I think the GM should have the opportunity to sit down with the coach and decide whether he's a fit. That's how the Chicago Bears did it; they entrusted new GM Ryan Pace with the power to hire and fire the coach. It sounds like the Jets will have a different power structure, giving equal power to the coach and GM.



3. The greening of the AFC East: Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum took a high-level management position with the Miami Dolphins, and now we find out former Jets coach Rex Ryan is drawing serious interest from the Buffalo Bills. He reportedly had a second interview with the Bills Saturday night in Florida. I don't think Ryan will end up in Buffalo, but imagine if he did. There would be a significant Jets feel to the division, especially if you count Bill Belidick at the New England Patriots. What next, Eric Mangini and Herm Edwards landing jobs in the AFC East?



4. Our coaching crystal ball: Predicting the outcomes of the six head-coaching vacancies: Jets -- Dan Quinn; Bills -- Frank Reich; Atlanta Falcons -- Ryan; Chicago Bears -- Todd Bowles; San Franciso 49ers -- Adam Gase; Oakland Raiders -- Jack Del Rio.



5. Capped out: In recent years, teams seemed willing to hire cap specialists as their general manager, as opposed to executives with personnel backgrounds. In 2013, the Jets went in that direction, hiring John Idzik. Obviously, that didn't work out too well. This offseason, the candidates across the league are football guys, not capologists. Said one former general manager: "Idzik ruined it for all cap guys." Well, maybe not everbody; there's Tannenbaum, although he's not the Dolphins' GM.



6. That's Amari: There will be intense speculation over the next few months on whether the Jets will draft a quarterback -- i.e. Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, if he declares. It's still early, but Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper deserves to be in the conversation. One NFC scout said of Cooper, "I think he's better than (former Alabama receiver) Julio Jones. His athletic skills are a little better and he has more flexibility than Julio."



7. Wake up, Jets fans: Instead of beer and burgers, it might be coffee and bagels when the Jets face the Miami Dolphins in London on Oct. 4, Week 4 of the 2015 season. In New York, the game will be played at 9:30 a.m. ET, the NFL announced Saturday.

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