January 5, 2009 Contrary to an earlier media report, Brian Schottenheimer is not the leading candidate to replace Eric Mangini as the head coach of the Jets, according to Scout.com.
Our View:It is true that Schottenheimer is a candidate, but it is too early for the Jets to pick a favorite.
January 4, 2009 Brett Favre is leaning towards retirement, according to ESPN.
Our View:After last offseason, who knows how many times we'll go back and forth with this story this year, but it might be easier for him to let go since he's not nearly as attached to the Jets as he was to the Packers. We'll let you know the next time he changes his mind or officially retires. And if he finds an option other than playing again or retiring, we'll let you know that too. It's hard to put much past him at this point.
January 1, 2009 Jets owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum have privately intimated that they wouldn't necessarily have an issue if Brett Favre decides to retire even though their public pronouncements have said otherwise, according to The Star Ledger.
Our View:The report is anonymous (our favorite kind), but there are quotes even though there is no name attached. Favre is a media magnet, always has been, so expect about 28 more reports about what may or may not be happening before we get an definitive statement on whether or not he will return in 2009.
January 1, 2009 The Jets will check in with since fired coach Mike Shanahan to see if he might be interested in joining the Jets, according to The Star Ledger.
Our View:The Jets are basically kicking the tires on every viable candidate, and Shanahan is at the top of their, and pretty much every other NFL teams, wish list.
January 1, 2009 Newsday reports that an unnamed Jets player was critical of Brett Favre recently. "There was a lot of resentment in the room about him," the source said. "He never socialized with us, never went to dinner with anyone." He accused the quarterback of being "distant" and unwilling to integrate himself with the team after he was acquired. He apparently spent most of training camp and the preseason in a specially designated office rather than the locker room.
Our View:This latest announcement comes on the heels of Thomas Jones' interview where he blamed turnovers for the Jets late season collapse. Favre will reportedly take until the end of February to make a decision on his future, but it seems that his teammates are not so eager to see him return. He has at least one more year left on his contract.
