Rich Cimini of ESPN has written that he believes that New York Jets GM Mike Maccagnan deserves another shot. Here we discuss why we disagree with him.
The New York Jets are headed towards major changes once the season ends. It has become a forgone conclusion that “Black Monday” will spell the end of the coaching tenure of Todd Bowles. After two straight five win seasons and a 2018 likely to end with four wins, it makes sense.
Mike Maccagnan has been the larger source of debate in recent weeks. Will he stay or will he go? You could likely bring together a group of 100 fans and get 100 different answers to why he should stay or why he should go.
The sentiment that seems to be coming from the organization based on various reports is that Maccagnan will stick around for another season and be part of the search for a head coach. Is that the right move?
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My friend Rich Cimini from ESPN weighed in on this topic early yesterday morning. He believes that although he hasn’t been great he deserves another shot.
Take a look at his article as he has been doing it a long time and always has been one of the best reads on the Jets beat.
However, on this one I disagree with my learned friend. To me it is absolutely time for Maccagnan to go and he doesn’t deserve one more shot.
Rich talks about the selection of Darnold and how his predecessors have not been able to solve the QB problem.
This is true, but that is one move in a slew of others that have not been good.
Not to give it all away, but he mentions a group of young players that have played better of late:
"In recent weeks, other young players have displayed promise — namely wide receiver Robby Anderson, running back Elijah McGuire, rookie tight end Chris Herndon and linebacker Jordan Jenkins."
Sure, these guys have been better. Chris Herndon may even be one of the few Maccagnan gems out of the middle rounds. Robby Anderson has been far better of late, running better routes.
Do the other two jump off the page? Not really. Are they solid players? Sure. But do they strike anyone as dominant forces that build a foundation for a title? I doubt it.
And now for the coup d’etat. Take a look at some percentages regarding Maccagnan’s draft record from Over the Cap (via the NY Daily News):
"Only 33 percent of Maccagnan’s second-rounders are on an NFL roster. The league average for second-rounders from 2015-18: 92 percent.Only 50 percent of his third-rounders are on any active roster. The league average: 84 percent.Only 50 percent of his fourth-rounders are on any active roster. The league average: 82 percent.Only 50 percent of his fifth-rounders are on any active roster. The league average: 75 percent.The Jets did, however, exceed the league averages with their sixth- and seventh-rounders."
That should tell everyone all they need to know about Mike Maccagnan’s performance over the last four years. His drafts have not been mediocre, they have been bad. There it is in black and white.
And with all of that cap space he had heading into the 2018 season, what did he spend it on? Spencer Long, Isaiah Crowell and Trumaine Johnson.
That was the best he could do?
Despite finding Sam Darnold, this resume does not entitle Mike Maccagnan to spend the Jets cap space once again, nor does it entitle him to make the draft picks?
These are the important years to build around Darnold. Do you trust Maccagnan to do it? Me neither.