The days of googly eyes Adam Gase are long gone. In its place sat a stoic new head coach with an optimistic outlook for his new team as Robert Saleh met the media for the first time as Jets Head Coach.
Saleh spoke about communication, family, and dropped a phrase that will likely define his tenure here in New York: "All Gas, No Breaks." As Saleh explained, it means going beyond the X's and O's of the gameplan, but preparing mentally and physically for peak performance and attitude every single day. That will be the challenge he faces as he looks to turn the downtrodden Jets back into winners.
Saleh gave off a confident, genuine vibe. It is easy to see why the Jets were more than happy to give him the keys to the football team.
Of course Saleh's biggest challenge early on will be diagnosing the quarterback position. Sam Darnold is the incumbent coming off of two mediocre years under Adam Gase. Saleh will bring in Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator, and they will implement an offense that is similar to the one Darnold ran his first year in 2018.
Saleh said he believe in Darnold, feels there is a lot of untapped potential in the 23-year-old's right arm, and sees why he was the third overall pick just three years ago. That said, the Jets are rumored to be among the many teams that will try to throw their hat in the ring for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has made it known he wants out of Houston.
While Jets brass didn't address the rumors, obviously -- the prospect of a deal will swirl around the team until someone works out a deal with the Texans.
Other notes: Woody Johnson made his way back to New Jersey from the United Kingdom on Thursday. Johnson spent the past four years as Ambassador to the United Kingdom under now-former President Donald Trump. Johnson has not met Saleh according to the coach, but they will get acquainted soon.
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