CJ noted this story on FoxSports from last week.
The Jets hired Kerry Locklin as their new defensive line coach, and they hired Matt Cavanaugh as their quarterbacks coach. The Jets also said they’re retaining Mike Devlin as an assistant offensive line/tight ends coach, and they hired John DeFilippo as Cavanaugh’s assistant with the quarterbacks.
In an ironic twist, DeFilippo is the son of Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo, who fired Eagles’ head coach Jeff Jagodzinski for interviewing for the Jets’ head-coaching job last month.
Once again, though, there is no official word. The Jets press release only mentioned the hiring of Locklin and keeping another coach.
It is just very odd. I guess the one thing is that the time between the departure whenever it becomes official and the hiring of a new OC will be a much smaller gap. There’s been plenty of time to figure it out.
Regardless of when it happens, I’ll remain skeptical that we’ll see our offense grow in any large way in 2009. Mainly because I remain convinced that play calling wasn’t our problem last season – but QB (and to some extent WR) execution.
Unless whomever the OC is can convince DW to take the risk on a rsFR I think we’re going to see the new OC have the same limitations at QB as we had in the past. Fans may counter that with “Cav was a terrible QB coach” and that may or may not be true – but either way we’re not going to see a dramatic change in that area right away.
I do think that given the chance at starter, Bostick may play above his 2007 level now the time has passed, and because I thought he was better this year than last in his limited time. But again, I wonder how much a new OC will matter in his instance for 2009.
Honestly, I’m more concerned with the DB situation than I was about our offense. If we don’t get that squared away fast we’ll have big problems on defense.
You may remember that back in 97, Cav was the 1st person that Pederson contacted (before Walt) but Cav wasn’t interested. And he may have accepted the Pitt OC position after he was let go by the Ravens due to his association with Wanny (and he was unemployed.) This all makes sense except for that fact the he interviewed for the head coaching job at Pitt before Wanny was hired …. but I beieve he is an NFL coach at heart.
As far as te DB situation, I think Thatcher can easily be replaced – he was out of position many times last year … and all of the others are back and more experienced. Also, from what I hear, Jared Holley is a real keeper.
My mom would be a better O-coordinator than Cav – and she’s fairly wacked and knows nothing about football (but I still love you mom). I appreciate all that he’s done for Pitt, but him moving on is best for everyone.
Jets just announced Cav’s hiring per Stan Savran on SportsBeat (who is at the Pete.)
