Mike Tannenbaum knows there is a lot expected of him and his team this season. But the Jets general manager also knows the expectations of others, including his team’s rabid and eternally frustrated fans, have nothing on the expectations he places on himself.
Which is all well and good, but Jets fans want to know if Tannenbaum is doing enough. They see the 0-2 start to the preseason and an offense that has yet to score a touchdown. They see a quarterback controversy on the horizon with Tim Tebow brought in to nudge Mark Sanchez. They see right offensive tackle Wayne Hunter treat the opponents’ path to the quarterback like an E-ZPass lane. They see a roster that currently has all the depth of an Adam Sandler movie.
In short, Jets fans see anything but progress.
“Look, nobody puts more pressure on themselves than me,” Tannenbaum said in a recent interview with the Associated Press. “I have the best job in America and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I really just worry about things that I can control. I’m trying to put us in the best possible position to have a good year.”
Tannenbaum, who has shown himself to be aggressive since being named GM in 2006, said he is far from finished shaping the roster and said he expects Labor Day weekend will be “a mini-draft for us” as teams make their final cuts and players become available.
“Looking at last year, we didn’t get the job done, and that starts with me,” he said. “I think, specifically, the depth wasn’t good enough and the chemistry wasn’t good enough. We tried to address both those things.”
Tannenbaum said he stands by the decision to bring in Tebow, an idea first given voice as he and coach Rex Ryan sat in an airport and sipped milkshakes. See what too much sugar can do?
At the time, it had become apparent Peyton Manning was headed to Denver and the Broncos would make Tebow available. Tannenbaum and Ryan spoke to owner Woody Johnson and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.
“We felt unanimously that [Tebow] could help us win football games,” Tannenbaum said. “That’s why we got him. … Our plan hasn’t wavered. Not all of the cards are going to be turned over in June, July and August. They’re going to be turned over during the regular season, and I feel better about that trade every day.’’
The 43-year-old Tannenbaum, who said he is the “most competitive guy’’ inside the Jets’ Florham Park training facility, laughs at the notion he isn’t doing enough to improve the team.
“If we get improved quarterback play with our defense, I think we have a chance to have a really, really special season and accomplish a lot of goals.” he said. “Obviously, we have to go out there and prove it. It starts with Rex and I, and we’re really excited about this team doing what we think it can accomplish.”