In N.Y., Manish Mehta cites a source as saying that despite the Jets signing coach Rex Ryan to a contract extension, the team can "effectively opt out of the contract after the 2015 season because any salary Ryan is owed beyond that is not fully guaranteed -- if at all." Ryan's deal is "incentivized for playoff success, so if he fails to deliver, the Jets have a financially friendly escape hatch." It was a "master stroke" by GM John Idzik and Owner Woody Johnson, who "created a short-term, performance-based path for their head coach" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/17).
OHIO CLOUD COVER: In Cleveland, Terry Pluto wrote the "one problem" with Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III's letter to season ticket holders is that it "came from Owner Jimmy Haslam and the Browns." Pluto: "Almost everything they say is met by most fans with skepticism or downright derision." The Browns "can't win the public relations game because they have lost so many games on the field." Haslam "lost a lot of credibility with the fan base when his Pilot/Flying J company was raided by the FBI" last April. The team then finished the '13 season with a 4-12 record, followed by "the quick firing" of coach Rob Chudzinski (CLEVELAND.com, 1/16).
PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA? In Ft. Lauderdale, Omar Kelly writes of the Dolphins' GM search, "Problem is, because a handful of qualified individuals turned down the opportunity to interview for the position there is this perception the job is neither desirable, nor a good opportunity." While the candidates' "disinterest does create some questions," each of them "had their reasons to stay where they are." Kelly: "Just because one qualified candidate -- or four -- shoots you down, doesn't mean the right person isn't out their looking for you" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/17).
