New GM trying to mend Jets’ rift with Mike Francesa
Could the hiring of new Jets GM Mike Maccagnan thaw the ice between Gang Green and WFAN host Mike Francesa?
The radio host has had a longstanding feud with the Jets, and owner Woody Johnson. Maccagnan — introduced as the new GM on Wednesday — had no idea about the beef between his bosses and Francesa when he went on the latter’s radio show Thursday and invited him out to the Jets’ Florham Park complex.
“If you’ve ever had a chance to come out here, the facility is…,’’ Maccagnan began in praise of the Jets’ financial wherewithal, before Francesa interrupted him.
“They don’t love me,” Francesa cut in.
“What?”
“I’m not one of their favorites. I’m sure you’ll find out,’’ Francesa said.
“You can come out here.’’
“My relationship with them … You’d better check with the owner first, before you make that claim. You might want to check with him, I’m just telling you. You might want to check with him,’’ Francesa said.
Maccagnan is a New Jersey native, but has spent most of his career working for the Redskins and Texans and was oblivious to the long-standing feud between Francesa and the organization. Francesa had been severely critical of the boisterous Rex Ryan and had an on-air interview spat with Darrelle Revis in 2011, which ended with the Jets cornerback hanging up on the host at the urging of a PR person on the line.
But the new regime got off to a good start, with both Maccagnan and new head coach Todd Bowles talking with the WFAN host on Thursday — a day after the team introduced them.
“Well, if I can get it cleared, maybe I can have you out here for lunch one day,’’ Maccagnan said, steering the interview.
“Maybe, but you might want to check with him first,’’ said Francesa, staying on topic. Or off-topic. “We’ve had a little bit of an antagonistic relationship.”
“Oh well, I’m sorry,’’ Maccagnan apologized. “I’m not aware of that.”
“Yeah, it is. But that’s OK,’’ Francesa said, before the interview veered back to the topic of the Jets’ cap room and ability to sign free agents.
“But anyway, in terms of the cap, we have a lot of cap space and we’ll be very active in free agency,’’ said Maccagnan. “Starting Monday, I’m going to go through the process of formulating the whole free agency process with our pro scouting (staff). We’ll be very active in free agency.
“As for whether we target a few high-priced free agents or wait around through the first big mass-signing type where the high-profile guys tend to go — spread our money around and acquire more players — we’re going to work out that philosophy once we’ve got our coaches in place.
“We’ll definitely be active in free agency. We have a lot of cap room. I’d qualify that by saying whether we’ll go for big-dollar guys or spread our money around, we still have yet to make that decision going forward.’’
