Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum helped Jets owner Woody Johnson make the hires of new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. Now, Mougey and Glenn should take a page from Tannenbaum’s playbook.
Back in 2009, Tannenbaum capitalized on former coach Eric Mangini’s familiarity with the Jets roster and made two trades with Mangini, who was then the Browns coach. Mangini’s affinity for certain players lowered the draft pick compensation the Jets were asked to give up first in a trade to move from No. 17 to No. 5 in the NFL draft to select quarterback Mark Sanchez, then in October 2009 to acquire wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
The Jets now have not one but two former head coaches from last season who are with other teams. Robert Saleh is now the 49ers defensive coordinator, and Jeff Ulbrich, who served as the interim coach for 12 games, is the defensive coordinator for the Falcons.
Could Mougey use players from the Jets defense whom Saleh and/or Ulbrich have an affinity for to get something in return at a lesser draft capital cost?
