Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum held a wrap-up conference call with reporters this afternoon, and he was very optimistic when discussing the future of the franchise.
Manish Mehta of the Daily News has the recap online for those who missed it.
Tannenbaum noted the strong foundation the Jets have built, having reached the AFC Championship Game each of the past two seasons.
“We always talk about sustainable success,” Tannenbaum said. “In my mind, if you look at the last few years, I think the foundation is there. There’s going to be turnover in a free agent system in any sport.”
At the same time, the Jets have been forced to take the Wild Card route both years, playing three road games without a single home playoff game yet in the Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez era.
“We want to be more consistent,” he said. “Especially from Day 1… We need to start more consistently and stay there and play a complete 16-game season. Obviously we have great competition. The bar’s pretty high in our division. For us to get to where we want to go, we have to win more regular-season games. Hopefully, win the division.”
Winning the division guarantees at least one home playoff game, and in a tough AFC East, it might just mean a top 2 seed. The number 1 overall seed gets a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, while the 2nd seed gets the bye and a home game as well.
Tannenbaum confirmed that the Tennessee Titans have not asked for permission to interview Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, one day after the Titans parted ways with coach Jeff Fisher. It’s likely that Schottenheimer will return as Jets OC next year.
He also insisted that linebacker David Harris remains a top priority for the team. Harris’s contract is up, and he is the only member of the “core four” of D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold and Harris that did not get a long-term deal with the team before the season.
Harris is likely to get a long-term deal, but Mike Tannenbaum did not rule out the possibility of using the franchise tag on him, either. “I wouldn’t eliminate either option,” he said.
On running back LaDainian Tomlinson: “As of right now, he’s under contract and yes, we expect him back,” Tannenbaum said. “These things could change, but we do expect him back. He did good things for us…. I expect him to contribute for another year.”
On cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who is also an impending fre agent: “By and large, he had a good year for us on the field. It wasn’t perfect, but he played well. I was glad he was a Jet. He did everything that we asked of him. I thought he got better…. Based on his entire body of work and his year with us, he’s a guy we would like to keep.”
On disappointing defensive lineman Vernon Gholston, who was a bust after being drafted 6th overall in the 2008 draft under Eric Mangini: “We’ll see if there’s anything else to try… He’s been given his fair share of opportunities and it could be time to move on… Obviously, we’re not ready to say that yet… Vernon’s a guy we’re going to take a long look at.”
He also indicated the team would take a long look at veteran defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries. “It’ll be very intriguing what he can do over 16-gm season,” he said, but he also indicated the team cannot bring him back without restructuring his contract, something the team has not yet approached him about.
He was noncommittal about veteran fullback Tony Richardson and right tackle Damien Woody. They’ve had long careers and have been a big part of the team the past two years, but the team may choose to go younger in 2011.
On linebacker Jason Taylor, he expressed interest in bringing him back, but he didn’t exactly guarantee that a spot will be available for him either.
“We expect him back,” Tannenbaum said. “Once we get closer to the season…. Things could always change.”
The Jets have a lot of potential roster changes going into 2011, but their coaching staff will remain intact, as will their core players. They have a strong foundation, and I firmly trust Mike Tannenbaum to assemble a hell of a roster going into 2011.
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