NY Newsday: Speculation persists despite Herm's denials

tk13 · 01-02-2006, 08:33 PM

http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/foot...orts-headlines

Speculation persists despite what Herm says

BY KEN BERGER
STAFF WRITER

January 3, 2006

Herman Edwards made his most emphatic statement yet about his intention to return to coach the Jets in 2006, but his words did little to quell speculation about his future.

"I'm happy to be the coach here and I'm going to be the coach here," Edwards said in his season-ending news conference, less than 24 hours after the Jets beat the Bills, 30-26, to finish 4-12 -- the worst record in Edwards' five seasons as coach.

But a person with knowledge of the team's situation said yesterday that as many as four teams, including the Chiefs, are expected to contact the Jets to ask permission to interview Edwards.

Dick Vermeil, who retired as Kansas City's coach, and Chiefs president Carl Peterson will hold their season-ending news conference today. It is believed that the Chiefs are delaying any inquiries about coaches who are under contract until after that, out of respect for Vermeil.

In addition, two people with knowledge of the Chiefs' situation said the organization is reluctant to pay draft-pick compensation for a coach after giving up a second- and third-round pick for Vermeil. It is possible that their initial offer to the Jets for Edwards would be to absorb the final two years on his contract, and draft-pick negotiations could flow from there.

A Jets spokesman said no team had asked the Jets for permission to interview Edwards as of last night. Edwards and general manager Terry Bradway will address the media for the final time this season Thursday. Edwards' agent, Gary O'Hagan of IMG, said, "I have no comment" and hung up the phone when reached yesterday.

Six jobs already are open: Kansas City, New Orleans, Houston, Green Bay, Minnesota and St. Louis. Decisions are pending in Detroit and Oakland. Any interest in Edwards could force Jets owner Woody Johnson to consider extending Edwards' contract for the second time in two years.

Most players left for the offseason believing that Edwards will return, but the uncertainty was palpable.

"He gave us his word saying he wasn't going anywhere," defensive end Shaun Ellis said, referring to a speech Edwards made to the team in October. "But when a person gives you an opportunity, you've got to take a serious look at it."

01-02-2006, 08:33 PM	Topic Starter
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1472500	NY Newsday: Speculation persists despite Herm's denials http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/foot...orts-headlines Speculation persists despite what Herm says BY KEN BERGER STAFF WRITER January 3, 2006 Herman Edwards made his most emphatic statement yet about his intention to return to coach the Jets in 2006, but his words did little to quell speculation about his future. "I'm happy to be the coach here and I'm going to be the coach here," Edwards said in his season-ending news conference, less than 24 hours after the Jets beat the Bills, 30-26, to finish 4-12 -- the worst record in Edwards' five seasons as coach. But a person with knowledge of the team's situation said yesterday that as many as four teams, including the Chiefs, are expected to contact the Jets to ask permission to interview Edwards. Dick Vermeil, who retired as Kansas City's coach, and Chiefs president Carl Peterson will hold their season-ending news conference today. It is believed that the Chiefs are delaying any inquiries about coaches who are under contract until after that, out of respect for Vermeil. In addition, two people with knowledge of the Chiefs' situation said the organization is reluctant to pay draft-pick compensation for a coach after giving up a second- and third-round pick for Vermeil. It is possible that their initial offer to the Jets for Edwards would be to absorb the final two years on his contract, and draft-pick negotiations could flow from there. A Jets spokesman said no team had asked the Jets for permission to interview Edwards as of last night. Edwards and general manager Terry Bradway will address the media for the final time this season Thursday. Edwards' agent, Gary O'Hagan of IMG, said, "I have no comment" and hung up the phone when reached yesterday. Six jobs already are open: Kansas City, New Orleans, Houston, Green Bay, Minnesota and St. Louis. Decisions are pending in Detroit and Oakland. Any interest in Edwards could force Jets owner Woody Johnson to consider extending Edwards' contract for the second time in two years. Most players left for the offseason believing that Edwards will return, but the uncertainty was palpable. "He gave us his word saying he wasn't going anywhere," defensive end Shaun Ellis said, referring to a speech Edwards made to the team in October. "But when a person gives you an opportunity, you've got to take a serious look at it."
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