The latest NFL rumors are making it seem increasingly likely that the New York Jets will hire deposed Buffalo Bills head coach - and former Jets offensive line coach - Doug Marrone to be the new leader of their franchise.
The Jets are, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, expected to be the first team with a head coaching vacancy to name a new top guy and continue to interview general managers with ties to Marrone.
Marrone, who opted out of his contract with the Bills earlier in the week, met with Jets brass on Saturday.
"Jets owner Woody Johnson is prepared to have the process wrapped up by the end of this week and quite possibly much sooner, with top general manager candidate Mike Maccagnan of the Texans interviewing on Monday," writes LaCanfora.
"Maccagnan might have the closest ties of all to Marrone as the two men have become very close since their time together in the long defunct World League of American Football, with Maccagnan signing Marrone to be the quarterback of the London Monarchs back in 1991."
There is apparently quite a bit of excitement over the prospect of working together again between the two men. Not to mention, Maccagnan is very highly thought of by Jets consultant Charley Casserly, who hired him in Washington, then brought him along to Houston when he took over the Texans.
The Jets will interview Philadelphia Eagles personnel executive Rick Mueller today, another candidate for the GM position who has close ties to Marrone - the two spent four years working together with the New Orleans Saints.
Browns personnel man Billy Kuharich is another potential candidate with a Marrone connection - he was with the Saints when the team brought in Marrone as a quarterback.
Meanwhile, Brian Costello of the New York Post talked to a number of Marrone's former players around the league and found that he was almost universally viewed as a fantastic coach.
