Coach Rex Ryan said last week he wants the New York Jets to take on more of his personality -- not less -- but that isn't likely to extend to the team's search for a new general manager.
NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Tuesday that Ryan was nowhere to be seen during the Jets' first round of interviews with candidates, according to sources apprised of the process. Breer was told meetings were run by Jets owner Woody Johnson, team president Neil Glat and consultant Jed Hughes.
The Jets declined comment on Ryan's absence. As Breer points out, it's not surprising Ryan would be omitted from the initial meetings. If Johnson is serious about finding the best man for the job, he's wise to create a forum where candidates can speak freely on the state of a team that dipped to 6-10 last season.
Johnson has made it clear that whoever takes the front-office gig will roll with Ryan at coach for 2013. Ryan's status beyond next season is undetermined. It's an awkward dynamic that hints at a possible overhaul next season. Predictably, GM types haven't exactly flocked to Gotham to chat.
Ryan's presence aside, Mike Tannenbaum's replacement inherits many of the problems from last season: tangled issues at the quarterback position, a ho-hum offensive roster and a franchise seemingly married to endless dramatics.
Not a job for the faint of heart, but someone, somewhere is going to accept it. (We hope.)
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.