Report: Jets Lining Up Longtime NFL Executive Casserly As A Consultant
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Is total regime change on the horizon? It's starting to look like it.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets are prepared to bring in some outside expertise in the form of former NFL executive Charley Casserly. He would serve as a consultant in the event that owner Woody Johnson decides to make wholesale changes following what has been a very disappointing season.
The Jets (3-12) conclude the regular season on Sunday in Miami.
There has been speculation for weeks that head coach Rex Ryan will be fired after the season. The Jets have missed the playoffs four straight seasons after making it to the AFC Championship game in each of Ryan's first two seasons.
The more intriguing scenario revolves around second-year general manager John Idzik, who has received a lot of blame for the Jets' dismal 2014 season. Many believe Idzik basically set up Ryan to fail after failing to address several positions during free agency, despite having plenty of salary-cap space. He has also been taken to task for apparently striking out repeatedly during what was, by all accounts, a very talented and deep draft.
On the other hand, there are some who see Idzik as deserving of another chance because Ryan was forced upon him by Johnson. Reports last week had Idzik and Johnson in the early stages of looking for a new coach.
A long criticism of the Jets has been their inability to put "football guys" in the front office, as their last two GMs, Mike Tannenbaum and Idzik, were labeled as salary-cap gurus instead of talent evaluators.
Currently an analyst for the NFL Network, Casserly was the general manager of the Washington Redskins from 1989-99 -- winning the Super Bowl following the 1991 season -- and senior VP and eventually GM of the Houston Texans from 2000-06.
While with the Redskins, Casserly was often lauded for finding players later in drafts, names like converted quarterback Brian Mitchell, running back Stephen Davis, wide receiver Keenan McArdell and tight end Frank Wychek. All of those players went on to have very good careers.
During his stint with the Texans, Casserly drafted wide receiver Andre Johnson, linebacker DeMeco Ryans, defensive end Mario Williams and tight end Owen Daniels, all of whom eventually made the Pro Bowl.
So Casserly should have a pretty good idea of what the Jets need and who to hire in the front office to turn the flailing franchise around.
As for who the next head coach will be, the Jets reportedly are interested in the San Francisco 49ers' Jim Harbaugh, who many believe will be let go after the season. However, there's quite a list of potential suitors lining up to try to woo Harbaugh, including his alma mater, the University of Michigan.
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