The holiday season doesn't bring good tidings for everybody. Just ask those head coaches who are spending the New Year cleaning out their offices.Seeing as how the whole Bill Cowher-to-the-Jets rumor train has seen more ups and downs than the first six years of my college transcript, it's kind of nice to know that not only was Scoop dead wrong, but that Cowher will not be teasing us with the possibility of joining the Jets organization any longer.
At least according to the New York Post, who says that Cowher is out, and there's a good possibility that the sticking point was Brett Favre at quarterback.
After reaching out to Coach Cowher's representatives, we were informed tonight that he is not a candidate for the position," Jet spokesman Bruce Speight said in an e-mail.The idea that Cowher would leave his cushy studio job for long hours as a highly scrutinized coach seemed far-fetched enough, especially after Mort's report, but I suppose at this point, we'll never really know if Favre actually forced Cowher away from the Jets job.
While the Jets hoped to woo Cowher with a boatload of money, the marriage appeared to be unlikely from the outset. Sources close to Cowher said he did not want to have Favre as his quarterback, and that he also wanted to bring in people he was familiar with to handle personnel.
But if it is true, my God, people in charge of football teams: do the smart thing and just don't let this guy near your company. Look at what he did to Green Bay, scope out the Jets in 2008 and then glance at Chad Pennington's success in Miami. If Aaron Rodgers had led the Packers to more than six wins, even Deanna would be begging him to call it off.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-31-2008 @ 2:26PM
obo said...
Favre might've been a problem, but I think wanting "to bring in people he was familiar with to handle personnel" was much larger. Favre is a one, maybe two-year problem at most, especially considering his newest injury; not being able to pick significant parts of his staff is _much_ more important in the long run.
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12-31-2008 @ 2:44PM
Adam said...
Favre seems to want to be a quarterback and a coach.
Whatever it is, he should retire. I think everyone is sick of him already. Favre turned from a beloved player to a whiny celebrity.
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1-01-2009 @ 12:03PM
keith c caple said...
didn't our friend from denver, j elway promise us that when he won a supper bowl, he would quit? what in the h--l is bret waiting for? you have to step aside and let someone else put it in the books. you've done well farve, let the younger qb's do their job, win or lose.
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12-31-2008 @ 3:52PM
Juannieboy said...
Now we get to enjoy the entire "will he retire or continue to play" soap opera for several more weeks! Can't wait to see it as the lead story on ESPN every day...........Curse you Brett Farve!
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12-31-2008 @ 4:05PM
jvsiii3 said...
It does seem like he thinks he's a player/coach. Ala Reggie Dunlop (Paul Newman in Slap Shot).
For the Love of God Woody. DO NOT LET THIS MAN CONTROL YOUR TEAM. There are too many great coaches out there to choose from.
Originally I agreed about Mangini, but now I'm starting to question this move if they did not have a plan ready to implement. IF it comes out that this is all being done to appease Farve then we are making a major mistake. Woody can't be that flat out stupid. Leon Hess didn't want to pay anyone, that's why we toiled in the doldrums for decades. Now we are finally willing to make a splash in free agency, results should happen immediately.
No matter who you hire, if all theses free agents (and I know we'll do it again in the offseason) don't get us deep into the playoffs the Tannenbaum needs to go as well. Let's see whether he really is just a salary cap guy or not.
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1-01-2009 @ 5:07AM
Dave said...
Why all this fuss over Brett Favre!? Chad Pennington is a good QB, but he was way over his head trying to lead a talent-challenged team in NY. Sure, he's done a great job in Miami, but the Dolphins have a lot more talent around him to help shoulder the load.
Rodgers had a better team this year than Brett did last year, but he couldn't match the Win/Loss record Farve had. Now all you Jet fans and critics alike are in an uproar because Farve threw a few picks. He's done that his entire career, but only now are you people criticizing him.
Brett's last pick wasn't his fault! He read the defense and saw a blown coverage; it was his receiver who was asleep at the wheel. The ball carommed off his shoulder pads because he wasn't paying attention.
(I was a college and pro catcher. You people have no idea how many runs scored in my career because I threw the ball into left field when the third baseman was asleep when I gunned a throw down to third base. However, all the box scores said error on the catcher because I threw the ball away.)
How many of Brett Favre's picks do you people think bounced off a receiver's shoulder pads or chest that should have been caught. Favre got the pick, but it was clearly his receiver's fault!!!
Favre is a leader and since the Jets need to draft a QB anyway, why are you people so concerned about whether he comes back or not. It should be business as usual for the Jets coaching staff. (It doesn't matter who they hire or fire.) If Favre returns, that's a bonus. If he doesn't what were you going to do, go out and draft a cornerback. I don't think so!!!
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1-01-2009 @ 11:07AM
Ron said...
Dave you are right on target. Dito...
1-01-2009 @ 10:05PM
david said...
Let's say Bill Cowher rather keep his cushy job on TV other than take a cool job with the Jets as coach, but your telling me Brett Farve is just a man and Bill C. is afraid, what a wennie after seeing what Bill C. did with the Steelers sheeeeeeeees give me a break Bill
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1-01-2009 @ 10:07PM
david said...
Chad's ok but a little ify I really have my doubts about Miami taking on the Ravens with Joe F. leading them? I could be wrong but I doubt it? I'd still go with Peyton as my QB.
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1-01-2009 @ 12:43PM
frank said...
All said and done , I loved watching Brett air it out . I was sick watching noodle-arm toss those 3 yd passes only to come up short . He did'nt break all those NFL records playin sceered . All while playing in 270 consecutive games . Noodle-arm went down 3 or 4 times in 9 yrs. . Reading between the lines , Coles cost us . He was'nt in tune w/ Favre from day one , but when things were going good he wanted the ball and jumped on the Favre bandwagon .
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1-01-2009 @ 12:50PM
dave said...
Favre is a cancer, and the Pack is lucky to be out of that yearly do I stay or do I go routine. For a DECADE Favre has threatened to retire, keeping the PACK in limbo. With the exception of 2007, he has been a horrible QB for 4 years. Green Bay lost this year due to Defensive issues, not their new QB. They have a future.
The Jets are the real losers. After watching this soap opera play out for 10 years, they took on a prima dona burned out QB, and flamed out down the stretch. If he comes back next year they have to play him or he will be a cancer; if he finally retires they have no one to turn to with experience.
Please retire, Favre, before you become the next Franco Harris.
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1-01-2009 @ 3:48PM
jvsiii3 said...
Are you guys drinking the Purple Kool Aid that Woody passes out before he throws the PSL pitch?
A few picks?!? He threw 9 picks and 2 TDs in the last 5 games.
That's more than a few.
They abandoned the play action by going to an empty backfield shotgun set after almost every first drive because that's the way he likes it.
He was pissed that he was "called out" on his interceptions.
They completely catered the offense to his style.
He is NOT a leader. He was distant and did not associate with his team mates.
He had his own office for Christ's sake. He was a Prima Donna.
You enjoyed watching him "Air it out?!"
Please. He threw 2 TDs to 9 INTs the last 5 games.
He averaged 6.7 yds per attempt. THAT's really "airing it out".
He had 10 fumbles. Lucky he only lost 2.
Check his stats compared to Pennington:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/stats/byposition?pos=QB&conference=NFL&year=season_2008&sort=43&timeframe=ToDate
Pennington had more talent around him?
Farve had 4 other Pro Bowlers (including reserves) on the offense.
Chad had Ronnie Brown.
Thomas Jones & Leon Washington had more rushing yards than Ronnie & Ricky.
YET Chad completely out played and out performed Brett in stats & wins.
Get your facts straight.
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1-01-2009 @ 5:55PM
daniel hill said...
Cowher is a bigger man than to say he's not coaching a team because of their QB. Thats rediculous. Only in New York. And whats with Thomas Jones radio comments, now that the season is over? Whiner in Chicago, whiner in New York. How many TD's did Jones have last year? 2. I saw a lot of shabby defense in New York, no problem there Jones? How about those corners who can't seem to locate the ball? What about the offensive line? Favre was never decked like that in Green Bay. Not even close. Hell, no wonder Favre didn't hang with the guys.
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1-01-2009 @ 7:26PM
anthony said...
mmmm " ya bill cowher to the cowboys thats what we need old school someone to get in there ..... when losing focus and maybe and vick later
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1-15-2009 @ 12:55AM
woodchuck said...
Well have you ever had a hard job that you felt you were out of place at I think the fun run out on brett he`s wore out .maybe he tried to hard .He wasn`t having fun any more.When he won the supper bowl the team was running on all all pistons not like the jet team this year open your heart to old number four.Thanks for the memories your devoted packer fan.Woodchuck
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