Second plane flies over Jets practice with message to fire John Idzik
For the second time this season, a plane flew over the Jets' practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., calling for the firing of GM John Idzik, on Dec. 17, 2014. Credit: Newsday/Kimberley A. Martin
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Disgruntled Jets fans haven't given up trying to get rid of general manager John Idzik.
For the second time this season, a plane flew over practice, with Wednesday's banner reading: "Penalty Flag Day 12/21. FireJohnIdzik.com.''
The creators of the website, whose main mission is to see owner Woody Johnson hand Idzik a pink slip at season's end, plan to distribute 10,000 "penalty flags'' Sunday at MetLife Stadium for the Jets' home finale against the Patriots.
But the yellow and green towels don't take aim only at Idzik. Team president Neil Glat and longtime Jets executive Terry Bradway also are caught in the group's crosshairs.
The towels read: "Attention Woody . . . Clean house!''
In a statement, the website's creators said "Penalty Flag Day'' is a joint effort among them, the anonymous group of fans who commissioned the "Fire John Idzik'' plane above practice last month and sports bars in "the New York City Metro area.''
Rex Ryan likely is in his final weeks as Jets coach. He said last month he was dismayed by the shots taken at Idzik because "this isn't about one man falling short. We're 1-8 collectively.''
The Jets are 3-11 now, and there are sure to be major changes in the offseason. But Sheldon Richardson said Wednesday he's confident Johnson won't be taking cues from a subsection of frustrated fans.
The second-year defensive tackle said he didn't notice the latest flyover or the billboards commissioned by the FireJohnIdzik.com creators. Richardson shrugged off fans' attempts for attention.
"The past couple home games, there have been more opponents' fans than our fans. So it is what it is,'' he told Newsday. "They're not here to come cheer us on [against the Patriots], they're here to boo and throw penalty flags. It's OK. That doesn't bother me at all. I've got to make my plays regardless.''
Richardson, the lone bright spot in Idzik's two draft classes, said he's no stranger to negative feedback from fans. He vividly recalls being booed when his name was called at Radio City Music Hall during the 2013 NFL draft.
"I got booed when I got here -- a big boo,'' said Richardson, the 13th overall pick. "So like I said, it doesn't matter what people think. It's their opinion. It's up to you to prove them wrong.''
