Aggression Is The Name Of The Game For Maccagnan

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During his tenure as the general manager of the New York Jets, John Idzik was criticized for being unable to improve the team’s roster. And because of this Jets owner Woody Johnson was left no choice but to fire Idzik after just two years on the job. Two month’s ago Johnson would replace Idzik as Jets general manager by hiring Mike Maccagnan. Prior to joining the Jets, Maccagnan worked in the college scouting department of the Houston Texans. This was a position that Maccagnan had held with the Texans since 2000. The Jets are Maccagnan’s first shot at the general manager rodeo in the National Football League and it didn’t take him that long to do that exact opposite of what his predecessor did in Florham Park, New Jersey.

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Mike Maccagnan

According to multiple media outlets, the Jets have a deal in place to acquire wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears. Terms of the deal have the Bears receiving a fifth-round pick as Marshall still needs to pass a physical with the Jets, but you have to give credit to Maccagnan in attempting to bring talent to New York. In setting up a deal to acquire Marshall, Maccagnan has done more in two months with the Jets than what Idzik did in two years to improve the team’s roster.

At 30-years of age, Marshall is a five-time Pro Bowl selection who is coming off of a season that saw him suffer two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. But at 6’4″, 230 lbs., Marshall is still one of the biggest and most physical wide receivers that is currently in the National Football League. Marshall has also ascended from the shadows that were once hindering his pro career.

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Brandon Marhsall

Marhsall has had a history of run-ins with law enforcement while also being diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder. But Marshall has become extremely proactive in addressing his previous issues along with becoming a spokesperson for the disease. Last year Marshall became a regular on Showtime’s “Inside The NFL” which is recorded in New York City. Each week Marshall would fly to New York on the Bears off day to record the session. But new Bears general manager Ryan Pace was not a fan of that and you have to wonder if that was part of the reason that Marshall was sent packing.

As for the Jets, they still have plenty of issues that need to be addressed. Unlike Idzik, Maccagnan was able to hire his own head coach as he brought in Todd Bowles. Bowles is a likable guy that will have the respect and admiration of everyone within the Jets organization. As of right now Geno Smith appears to be the Jets starting quarterback, but with free agency set to begin in the NFL this month and the draft scheduled for next month, it would not surprise me to see Maccagnan make another move to acquire a quarterback. There are not too many viable options available in this year’s version of the NFL Draft and Maccagnan has already shown that he isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on a deal.

Maccagnan came along at the right time for the Jets. This is an organization in the Jets that needs structure, stability, and someone to get the fan base excited. The Jets are coming off of a 4-12 season and in the current NFL it doesn’t take that much for a team to have a quick turnaround. The biggest problems for the Jets are that they are still looking for the next Joe Namath to walk through the door while they also allow the New York media to put too much pressure on players as soon as they put on the green and white uniform on. Maccagnan could improve the Jets while also drafting and developing talent which would ensure long-term success and he has wasted absolutely no time in rolling up his sleeves and getting to work. In recent years the Jets did make trades to acquire wide receivers. It didn’t fully work out for the Jets when they acquired the likes of Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, but the effort was there to improve the team under former general manager Mike Tannenbaum. The jury is still out on Maccagnan, but he is off on the right foot.

 

 

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By | 2015-03-08T11:04:25+00:00 March 8th, 2015|Categories: National Football League|Tags: , , |0 Comments

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