With the Chargers choosing not to elevate director of player personnel Jimmy Raye to the position of G.M., the Jets are now considering San Diego’s second choice for the top job for the New York team that plays second fiddle to the Giants.
Per multiple reports, Raye is the latest name to be added to the G.M. search with the Jets.
Though Raye could indeed end up being the answer, the current perception in league circles is that the Jets are having a hard time filling the job. As one league source put it fairly bluntly, the Jets are “screwed.”
They initially were believed to be ready to hire 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble. But word on the street is that Gamble’s interview didn’t go well. And while that shouldn’t necessarily matter to a guy’s ability to find players, it’s the primary tool for screening candidates for these jobs. Also, the inability to interview well won’t go over well for a team that is blessed/cursed by so much media attention.
The Jets wanted Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell, who took the Jacksonville job. And before they could get themselves in position to get Colts director of player personnel Tom Telesco, he picked the Chargers.
In the end, the winner could be coach Rex Ryan. If the Jets can’t find someone to whom owner Woody Johnson feels confident turning over the keys to the car, Johnson could decide to hire a G.M. who wouldn’t be Ryan’s boss but his right-hand man.
Actually, that arrangement probably would work a lot better than having a G.M. who wants to hire his own coach and who is biding his time until a case can be made to fire Ryan.