Joe Douglas' first big chance to rebuild Jets is finally here - New York Post

Thirty miles east of Jets headquarters and two hours before their rookie general manager, Joe Douglas, stood at the lectern inside the media interview room to conduct his season wrap-up press conference, his Giants counterpart was being peppered, skewered and grilled by reporters.

Unlike Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, who controversially survived the Monday firing of head coach Pat Shurmur, Douglas didn’t have a lot to answer for on Tuesday, because he hasn’t been around long enough to do anything really wrong.

Not yet, anyway.

Unlike Gettleman’s press conference, during which he faced a barrage of questions about the questionable personnel moves he has made that resulted in a 4-12 season and the firing of the head coach, Douglas’ 23-minute session was rather mellow.

It didn’t include any of the pithy one-liners, headline-magnet proclamations or banter with reporters on which Gettleman seems to thrive.

Unlike the bombastic, cocksure Gettleman, who sometimes speaks like he had a part in inventing the NFL, Douglas is much more humble.

Douglas is a mystery for Jets fans. All season, he has been the quiet man in the corner at visiting press boxes watching his new team, presumably assessing what he has and how to fix it.

A former New York Times sportswriting colleague, Gerald Eskenazi, who was a mentor when I first arrived on the Jets beat for The Post in the early 90s, always used to say: “You can learn a lot by observing.’’

Well, no one has spent more time observing the Jets for the past six months than Douglas.

He was hired in early June, after free agency and the draft, so he hasn’t been in position to make a lot of franchise-altering moves yet.

Douglas whiffed on the training-camp signing of retired center Ryan Kalil. He didn’t handle the kicking situation well, which played a part in losing the season opener to the Bills.

But his acquisition of tight end Ryan Griffin right before camp and his trade for guard Alex Lewis were pluses, as was his claim of former Patriots receiver Braxton Berrios, who finished second in the league in punt return average.

Now, however, comes the big stuff.

Now, Douglas has free agency and the draft ahead of him. He has the chance to sculpt this team into what he wants it to be. And for the sake of Jets fans, hopefully that will be a winner, considering the nine long years fans have watched and waited since the most recent playoff berth.

Now we find out about Douglas and his philosophies. How committed is he to keeping the top talent that’s already on the roster? How aggressive will he be in free agency, with somewhere between $60 million and $80 million to spend?

Among the in-house decisions Douglas must make include locking up safety Jamal Adams with a contract extension, retaining running back Le’Veon Bell — unless someone blows him away with an offer of a first- or second-round pick — and re-signing receiver Robby Anderson, but not for the silly $13 million or $14 million-per-year he reportedly is seeking.

After that, Douglas must — and will — fix the broken offensive line, which needs at least three new starters in 2020.

“The line of scrimmage is always going to be a priority here,’’ said Douglas, a former college offensive lineman. “There’s a lot of work to do. We’ve got 20-plus UFA and RFAs [actually 24 free agents], eight draft picks, with four in the top 80. So, a lot of work, a lot of detail and preparations that are going to go into the coming months to execute our plan.

“What is our plan? The plan is to create the best culture in sports. You see that in every great team.’’

It all sounds the part from behind a lectern and no game to be played for nearly nine months, but a playoff berth in 2020 would be a good start.

“Right after the trade deadline, we were 1-6 and we were getting ready to be 1-7, and one of the messages I had to the team and everybody was we as an organization need to handle adversity better,’’ Douglas said. “I feel like the backstretch of the season, we did that. This team faced a lot of adversity.

“There was every opportunity to roll over and no one did. Going 6-2, that’s not luck. The hope — I won’t even say hope, because hope is not a strategy — the plan moving forward is [the finish to the 2019 season] is a launchpad for us.’’

Where that takes the Jets with Douglas’ stamp on them will have a lot to say about the tenor of his season-wrapping press conference a year from now.

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Guide to healthy New Year in 2020: These small changes are better than big resolutions - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jean Chen Smith Special to Cincinnati Enquirer

Published 11:53 AM EST Dec 31, 2019

Saying goodbye to another year means welcoming new opportunities to improve our health and wellness, incorporating better habits and routines in the year ahead. Forgo the big resolutions in exchange for a list of small changes that can add up to making a positive impact on your life. Here’s your guide to refresh and renew in 2020.

1. Get outside

Going outdoors might seem like the last thing you want to do when the temperature plummets, however, one reason to head out is that natural sunlight increases the release of serotonin, which is known as the happy hormone. Bundle up with the appropriate clothing and have no need to fear the elements. 

2. Cook more at home

Instead of eating another meal out, think about stocking your pantry with healthy, vibrant vegetables and whole foods and cooking at home. With "The Gut Friendly Cookbook," you can make delicious, satisfying and simple dishes that support your digestive health.  With over 100 recipes and ideas on how to make easy swaps, author Alana Scott addresses those who might struggle with IBS, celiac disease or multiple food allergies.  amazon.com.

3. Get more sleep

Create a sanctuary where you sleep by eliminating tech devices and any work-related items in your sleep space. Your bedroom should be a place that feels calm and relaxing to signal your mind and body it’s time to rest and renew. Invest in the TRUBlanket LUX, a 60”x80” weighted blanket set in 15 or 20 pounds, with a breathable cooling inner 400 thread count cotton blanket. Infused with real glass beads, TRUBlanket makes you feel like you are getting a full-body hug. The warm and cozy, cocoon-like feel can help with sleep issues, restless leg syndrome, muscle aches, autism and more.  trulitebedding.com.

4. Make exercise enjoyable

Instead of dragging your feet through each workout, hoping it will end soon, find exercises that challenge and invigorate. Whether it is signing up for a gym membership or buying passes at a studio, commit to a set plan of days to work out. If you have enough space in your garage or basement, think about creating a home gym. A workout space within your house doesn’t need to be expensive – you don’t need to get fancy equipment. Invest in key props that you will use in your exercise regimen such as dumbbells, weights, yoga mats and some resistance bands.

5. Spend time with family and friends

With everyone’s busy schedules and hectic lives, it might seem time is a scarce commodity, but be sure to spend time with family and friends. Take your accrued vacation days instead of letting them go to waste. The more time you take to do the things you enjoy and be with the people you love will benefit your health in the long run.  Ultimately, it will allow you to be more productive at work, creating a balance.

6. Healthy snacks on the go

If you are like most Americans, you might have limited time to sit down for a proper meal. During busy days, whether at the office or during travel, make sure to have healthy meal options on hand to avoid cracking and binging on fast food. Patagonia Provisions offers an array of responsibly sourced seafood such as wild sockeye and pink salmon along with mackerel and mussels. These are excellent sources of protein and can be paired with crackers and cheese or placed over salad greens for an easy lunch or dinner. patagoniaprovisions.com.

TaDah! Falafel Wraps are high-quality, East Mediterranean cuisine in four flavors that can be easily heated up whether you are looking for a full meal or snack. Made with a blend of chickpeas, fresh herbs and aromatic spices, everything is hand-rolled with a soft whole-wheat tortilla. The company also offers Falafel Poppers, which are bite-sized treats stuffed with hummus. tadahfoods.com.

7. Save money on your coffee fix

With Steeped Coffee, you can now make gourmet coffee at home in minutes. What sets Steeped Coffee apart is it’s a proprietary brewing method that does not require machines or brewing equipment, much like tea. The coffee comes in single-serve bags that are nitro-sealed to ensure absolute freshness. 

All it takes to brew a perfect cup is hot water and a few minutes, and at the end of the day, there are no wasteful plastic pods accumulating in waterways or landfills. So, skip the line at Starbucks and put that dough into, perhaps, a vacation fund?  steepedcoffee.com.

8. Take care of your skin

Babe and Body’s Shower Yoga was designed with mothers in mind. It is a Zen inspiring muscle and joint relief scrub that combines the powers of Dead Sea salt and magnesium while infusing the soothing scents of lemon and lavender. This new line of products is formulated with all-natural, soothing ingredients that address every stage of motherhood. babeandbody.com.

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