Seahawks coach Pete Carroll can at least be given credit for standing against the tide.
While the stormy seas of the New York Jets could swamp General Manager John Idzik, Carroll threw his former co-worker a rope this week, defending his work and character.
Via Gary Myers of the New York Daily News, Carroll called Idzik’s recent dive-on-the-grenade press conference “gallant.”
“I don’t know how a guy can be stronger,” Carroll said. “He did it to protect his team, the club and the fans. I thought it was awesome. You got a great G.M. You got a guy who is strong and tough and will obviously stand up and tell you exactly what is going on and take the heat and deal with it in an upfront manner.
“Just exactly what New Yorkers, I would think, would love. I don’t think he’s the one to blame. It takes time to get this thing done.”
It’s fair to say that New Yorkers do no love Idzik right now, with the team a rudderless 2-8, without a quarterback and questions looming about the futures of both coach Rex Ryan and Idzik.
Much of the blame has fallen on Idzik, with the suggestion that he’s simply a caps-and-contract guy, without the personnel pedigree to turn the Jets around.
“He was part of the responsibility doing what we did to put this team together,” Carroll said, referencing the three years Idzik was part of the Seahawks front office. “We thought the world of him and he will do a great job.”
It might not matter much as it pertains to his current job, but least Idzik has a good reference for his resume if he’s looking for another soon.