New York Jets general manager John Idzik is showing a fear of commitment.
The New York Times reported Wednesday that Idzik said he was in good spirits about the progress of the Jets as they enter their bye week with a 5-4 record.
"I wouldn't say it's a surprise to any of us in the building," Idzik said during a 22-minute interview session, his first time speaking with reporters in more than seven weeks. "We feel real good about our group and the way we've come together in a short period of time."
The Times added that Idzik was most complimentary of Ryan, the coach he inherited when he assumed control of the team in January.
Ryan's future with the Jets has been a hot topic since the arrival of Idzik. Ryan is under contract through 2014, but the Times surmised that Ryan is would either be fired or given a contract extension once the 2013 season ends.
"Rex has pulled it all together," Idzik said. "He's our leader."
Idzik, however, stopped short of affirming Ryan's long-term security with the franchise.
The Times asked whether Idzik felt comfortable enough working with Ryan to continue put the speculation about Ryan's future to rest by extending his contract, Idzik said that "we're living in the moment" but that "it's been a joy to work with Rex."
Before the season, Yahoo! Sports predicted that the Jets would have a 1-8 record to this point of the season, rather than the 5-4 mark they currently own with rookie quarterback Geno Smith. If the Jets make the playoffs - if they started tomorrow, the Jets would be in - then Ryan would be a candidate for Coach of the Year.
Idzik would be hard-pressed to let Ryan leave in that case.
Idzik told the newspaper that "there is always that hum in the background" for resolving the team's long-term issues, such as Ryan's future and Smith's viability as a franchise quarterback, but said that it was more important to handle matters day by day.
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