Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter
The Jets are scheduled to introduce their new general manager, Joe Douglas, to the media on Tuesday afternoon. Here are 10 questions we'd like to see Douglas answer:
1. What is your current assessment of the roster you are inheriting?
While Douglas may not go into specific players or position groups, it's important to get some sense of how far away he feels the team is from being a contender. Mike Maccagnan expressed confidence in the team a few months ago, but - having inherited it rather than built it himself - Douglas might be more willing to be honest about some of the weaknesses.
2. How will you avoid or resolve potential conflicts on player personnel matters?
The hope is that pairing Douglas with Adam Gase finally gives the Jets leadership that is singing from the same hymn sheet. However, conflicts are inevitable and after what just went down with the Maccagnan-Gase "rift", fans need to be reassured that the decision-making process and management structure will yield results.
3. Will you be prioritizing the offensive line as you build this roster?
The last two general managers are viewed by many as having neglected the offensive line to some extent. Furthermore, when Gase was in Miami, he reportedly butted heads with the general manager over the importance of interior line personnel and didn't want to allocate too many resources to the position. Fans, on the other hand, will want to know if Douglas will seek to improve the current depth, especially at center.
4. What role, if any, will analytics provide in your approach to building this team?
Rumors suggest Douglas and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman were at odds as to the importance of analytics. When Woody Johnson hired Maccagnan, he said he was impressed with Maccagnan's expertise in both analytics and intangibles, but Douglas seems less interested in the former. With the Giants having been widely ridiculed for their aversion to analytics, it would be good to hear the Jets will still use them, even if only in support of more traditional methods.
5. What will you be looking for as you fill out your own scouting and player personnel staff?
Reports are already flying as to who Douglas might hire to work under him, with Todd McShay and Phil Savage being two rumored names. Could he also seek to bring some former colleagues with him, as he did when he left Baltimore in the past?
6. What do you consider having control of the 53 to entail?
Douglas will apparently have the final call as to who makes the roster - albeit, one would hope, with plenty of input from his coaches. However, should "control of the 53" also enable Douglas some say in which players should be active and who should be getting playing time? Past Jets teams have made the mistake of leaving players who needed development time on the bench while giving reps to players who weren't necessarily part of the longer-term future.
7. Having worked with Gase in the past, what views do you share in terms of how to build a team?
Further insight about Douglas' approach and how he and Gase will work together can be gleaned from Douglas' response to this question. We have a sense of what Gase is seeking to create on offense because he's likely using the Peyton Manning Broncos as a blueprint but, overall, they need to be on the same page.
8. What impresses you about Gase as a head coach?
This is a loaded question, because while it gives Douglas an opportunity to praise his new cohort, it could also give us clues as to what Douglas would be looking for in the event Gase doesn't succeed in New York and the time comes to replace him.
9. Are you prepared for the media in New York?
It will be interesting to see how bullish and direct Douglas is prepared to be with the media, especially since the past two general managers have been somewhat circumspect and kept their cards close to their chest, especially in times of adversity. A display of confidence from Douglas might galvanize the fan base and earn some early respect from the media.
10. Will you trade Le'Veon Bell?
And finally ... Gase laughed off this question last month, but Douglas' response could offer insight into his views on positional value with regard to the running back position. Philadelphia was an organization that could have signed Bell themselves this offseason but opted to stay out of the race. They also opted to trade away Jay Ajayi rather than extend him to a big money deal. Then again, the Eagles did use a second-rounder on a running back this year.
