Plane circles Jets’ practice with banner urging team to fire GM Idzik

  • Associated Press
  • Wednesday, November 5, 2014 4:42pm
  • SportsSports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Frustrated Jets fans have taken to the air to vent.

Literally.

A plane with a banner urging the team to fire John Idzik circled several times above the practice field for about 20 minutes Wednesday as the players went through drills while New York’s embattled general manager watched.

The banner — in red, 5-foot uppercase letters — read “FIRE JOHN IDZIK” as it flapped behind the small plane. The plane arrived minutes after the media got to practice as Jets players began stretching.

“That was a first,” quarterback Michael Vick said after practice. “I think that was a bit extreme. That money that was spent on that jet fuel could have been given to some type of charity. Believe me, there are people out here in the world that need it.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

As it buzzed above, it appeared many players tried to ignore the plane after taking a quick glance — as Idzik stood on the sideline. Owner Woody Johnson was also attending practice, and was seen speaking with Idzik and Ryan at one point.

“Trust me, I get it,” Ryan said after the 1-8 Jets practiced. “I know our fans are really frustrated. There’s no doubt about it. Obviously, we’re very frustrated. Everybody is. We want to win. I personally don’t think it’s appropriate. We’re working our butts off — John, everybody — to find a way to win.”

The plane stopped circling shortly before the 30-minute period in which the media is allowed to attend practice.

“It’s annoying,” Vick said. “You see that and you’re out there trying to practice and put everything into practice and all of your efforts and then you see something that becomes a distraction.

“Then, there’s a whole bunch of negative thoughts that start going through your head and everybody’s attention is up in the sky as opposed to the practice field.”

Vick added that his teammates did a good job of maintaining their focus.

“I just think some of this is a little over the top,” Ryan said.

Ashley Chalmers, owner of Jersey Shore Aerial Advertising, told The Associated Press that his company flew the banner over the facility under a subcontract from another company and it cost a “frustrated fan” — identified only as a female — less than $1,000.

Chalmers’ company often flies banners with either corporate advertising or personal messages — “Will You Marry Me?” — over sporting events and beaches, but it was the first time it had one fly over the Jets’ practice facility.

“I saw the team down there and, to be honest, I kind of felt bad for them because they’re having such a bad year,” said Chalmers, who piloted the plane out of Central Jersey Airport. “I didn’t realize how big this would become and I’m kind of stunned.”

Chalmers added that there’s “absolutely a chance” the banner will fly again Sunday over MetLife Stadium for the Jets’ game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’s not the first highly publicized measure disgruntled fans have taken. The website FireJohnIdzik.com raised more than $10,000 last week to buy billboard space to further its cause.

“I’m upset because, and I understand the billboard thing and all of that stuff out there, and then this,” Ryan said, “even though I recognize the fans are in pain and we all want to win, but to place it on one person, I don’t think it’s fair.”

Ryan said the banner “maybe a little” crossed the line, in his opinion, but added that the fans have the right to do whatever they want. The coach added that Idzik is “tough,” when asked about the GM’s reaction.

“It wasn’t something he was overly upset with,” Ryan said. “I’m sure he wasn’t pleased with it.”

Neither Idzik nor Johnson was available for comment.

Idzik, in his second season as the Jets’ GM, has been highly criticized as the team is off to a terrible start that includes eight straight losses. He gave a state-of-the-team address last week, in which he opened with a 19-minute statement that included Idzik taking responsibility for the Jets’ situation, but he also rambled at times without definitively stating how the team would turn things around.

That drew the ire of many Jets fans who have flooded sports talk shows and websites with their disappointment with how Idzik has handled things.

Among their gripes are the lack of depth at cornerback, failed draft picks — only five of the 12 from last May are on the active roster — and the failure of Geno Smith to prove himself as a franchise-type quarterback.

The Jets are also hoping to not lose a franchise-record ninth straight game when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday

Ryan has been on the hot seat all season, his sixth with the team, but there’s also growing sentiment among fans that Idzik should also be fired with the Jets likely to miss the postseason for the fourth straight year.

“It’s just like kick a man while he’s down, all right, we understand that,” Vick said. “People do that. Some people want to see other people suffer. I think at the end of the day, we all have a job to do, we are all professionals, and some things don’t go right.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Edmonds-Woodway's Alex Plumis wards off Monroe's Cody Duncan during a 3A State second-round game on May 23, 2025 at Mercer Island High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys soccer stuns Monroe with shootout win at State

The No. 11 Warriors won penalties 4-3 after a thrilling 2-2 game.

Stanwood sophomore Olivia Dahl strikes out to end the game, a 5-4 loss to Garfield in the 3A State Softball quarterfinals in Lacey, Washington on May 23, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Stanwood softball shocked in 3A state quarterfinal

The top-seed Spartans fall 5-4 to No. 8 Garfield after allowing three runs in the sixth.

The Jackson High School softball team celebrates after defeating Skyline in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament at Columbia Playfields in Richland, Wash. on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Peacocke / Jackson H.S. Athletics)
State prep softball roundup for May 23

Jackson, Snohomish advance to state semifinals.

Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Stanwood sophomore Addi Anderson (second from right) and the Stanwood infielders -- sophomore Jemma Lopez, senior Rubi Lopez, junior Taylor Almanza and senior Reagan Ryan -- gather in the circle between at-bats during the Spartans' 3-0 win against Roosevelt in the 3A State Softball Round of 16 in Lacey, Washington on May 23, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Stanwood softball reaches first state quarterfinal since 2010

Addi Anderson notches 13 strikeouts in 3-0 win against Roosevelt.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 11-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 11-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

The Jackson High School softball team celebrates after defeating Skyline in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament at Columbia Playfields in Richland, Wash. on Friday, May 23, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Peacocke / Jackson H.S. Athletics)
Prep softball roundup for Friday, May 23

Jackson, Lake Stevens among first-round winners at state.

Shorewood senior Matthew Bereket (right) lunges in to challenge a kick from Central Kitsap freshman Eli Daniels during the Stormrays' 1-0 win in the 3A Boys Soccer State Round of 16 in Shoreline, Washington on May 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer exorcises playoff demons against Central Kitsap

The top-seeded Stormrays overcome two years of upsets to beat Cougars 1-0 in 3A second round.

The Jackson girls golf team poses with the state championship trophy and sign on the 18th green of Eagle's Pride Golf Course after winning the WIAA 4A State Championship in DuPont, Washington on May 21, 2025. Pictured left to right: Coach Jerome Gotz, freshman Karen Shin, sophomore Kayla Kim, senior Paige Swander, senior Lindsay Catli, sophomore Chanyoung Park and junior Christine Oh. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Jackson girls golf wins first state title

The Timberwolves turn one-shot lead on back nine into 14-stroke victory for 4A crown.

Kamiak’s Tristan Kim putts during the 4A District 1 Boys Golf Championship at Legion Memorial Golf Course on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Kamiak Flip’ powers Knights boys golf to top-five state finish

Kamiak leverages a strong second round to win hardware as Tristen Kim finishes third individually.

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Nick Emmanwori is embracing Kam Chancellor comparisons

Will the Seahawks use him the same way?

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a game-tying basket against the New York Knicks as time expires in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (Al Bello / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Tyrese Haliburton channels Reggie Miller, Pacers stun Knicks

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton put both of his… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.