The Jets lost one candidate for their vacant general manager job yesterday.
Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell picked the Jaguars over the Jets, even after flying to New Jersey yesterday for a second interview, according to a source. Caldwell was the first candidate known to get a second interview with the team, making him appear to be the front-runner for the job.
Instead of the Jets, though, he signed on with the dismal Jaguars. A league source said it was known Caldwell preferred the Jaguars and used the Jets for leverage.
That leaves 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble, Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross and Jets assistant GM Scott Cohen as the only known candidates. Dolphins assistant GM Brian Gaine was expected to get an interview because of his scouting background and history as a former scout with the Jets. He could be added to the list.
CBS Sports reported Cohen was gaining some momentum for the job. That would make sense from a continuity standpoint. He knows the roster well and is familiar with coach Rex Ryan. But it would be a tough sell to an angry fan base to have Mike Tannenbaum’s lieutenant take over.
Jets owner Woody Johnson did not get into many specifics of the GM search yesterday. He confirmed one of the job requirements is retaining Ryan for the 2013 season. Ryan will also be part of the process in hiring the GM.
“The relationship between the GM and head coach is also critical,” Johnson said. “That’s why Rex is part of this, and he’ll get to know the general manager.”
Johnson praised the work of headhunter Jed Hughes in assembling the list of candidates so far.
“We’re looking at somebody that can guide us to the next level of success and really change the dynamic in a way that yields more consistent success in the field,” Johnson said. “The people we’re talking to are exceptionally good. I’m very encouraged by what I’m seeing right now.”
Ryan said he is not concerned about clashing with the new GM, who might have more of a long-term vision than Ryan, who will be coaching for his job in 2013.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll have the same exact agenda that the general manager will have — we want to win,” Ryan said. “I don’t know who the general manager is, but I promise you he wants to win as bad as I do.”