The New York Jets are coming off of one of the most disappointing season for the franchise in recent memory, but a number of new changes has shown the team is working to move in the right direction.
The Jets brought in John Idzik to be the new general manager after firing Mike Tannenbaum and ESPN.com says that Marty Mornhinweg is in line to be the new offensive coordinator, in place of the fired Tony Sparano.
The addition of Mornhinweg, who was offensive coordinator with the Eagles last season, has fueled speculation that the Jets will look ot bring in Michael Vick as quarterback. According to ESPN.com, the addition could happen, but it is unlikely since the two did not get along in Philadelphia, said sources who spoke to the website.
The Eagles have a chance to release Vick with no major financial penalty in February, but it is likely the Jets do not have the salary cap space to sign him anyway. Vick had a rough season with the Eagles and only played in 11 games due to injuries, including a concussion.
The new general manager Idzik is known as a "cap-hawk" and is very knowledgeable with the business side of things, which could help if they want to sign Vick, but with Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow still on the roster that move likely won't happen. Sanchez has a high salary cap hit in his contract if he is cut, but there is a chance the Jets will try to trade him after throwing 18 interceptions this season.
According to ESPN, other options for the Jets could be former Seattle backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson, who was in Seattle with Idzik and spent the 2012 season in Buffalo.
Mornhinweg has experience working with quarterbacks and cold help the Jets improve with Sanchez or even Tebow if they decide to go with him. Some other options for the Jets could be a trade with the San Franciso 49ers for quarterback Alex Smith or with the Seattle Seahawks for backup Matt Flynn.
The Jets interviewed a number of candidates for the open coordinator job, including former Baltimore Ravens coordinator Cam Cameron and former Cleveland Browns coach Pat Shurmur, as well as New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi and Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, who was hired by the Indianapolis Colts for the same position.
Mornhinweg had been with the Eagles for 10 seasons and had a great deal of success with quarterback Donovan McNabb for many of those years, ranking in the top 10 five different years during that span.
The Jets were ranked 30th in total offense this year behind Sanchez and backup Greg McElroy and had trouble playing consistently in the redzone. The team also lost wide receiver Santonio Holmes to a season-ending foot injury and could not successfully run the "ground and pound" style favored by head coach Rex Ryan.
The Eagles lost 11 of the last 12 games of the season, winning 23-21 against Tampa Bay on Dec. 9 for the lone victory during that span. The Eagles dealt with mediocre play and injuries all season, including to Vick, who threw for 2,362 yards and 12 touchdowns with 10 interceptions in 10 games played.
LeSean McCoy dealt with a concussion and DeSean Jackson was forced to go on injured reserve after suffering a rib injury. The Eagles started 3-1 this season, but lost the following eight games in a row, including a 31-6 defeat against the Washington Redskins. Vick suffered a concussion during the streak and was benched for rookie Nick Foles.
Idzik helped turn around the Seattle Seahawks and will try to do the same with a Jets team that went just 6-10 in 2012.
"I am honored and extremely excited to be joining the New York Jets," said Idzik to ESPN.com. "I am eager to get started building on the foundation that is already in place."
The team interviewed a number of candidates, including former Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell, who took the GM job with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
