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Joe Namath criticizes Jets GM John Idzik's salary cap strategy

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Speaking with reporters in Manhattan Tuesday, former Jets quarterback Joe Namath was critical of the way general manager John Idzik has handled the team's salary cap.

"I heard about this extra money that they have," Namath said, according to the New York Daily News. “I don’t know what they’re saving it for myself, looking at the talent they have out there right now."

"We’d like to have seen a better team out there, better personnel out there in some spots. Wide receiver, defensive backs," Namath added, according to NJ.com. "Injuries get in the way, you know, guys haven’t developed that they have picked."

The Jets have $24.3 million in salary cap space, according to the NFL Players Association. Offensive linemen D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold are the team's two highest-paid players. 

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Idzik is in his second season as the Jets' GM. The team finished 8-8 last year and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. 

Four of Idzik's 12 draft picks from 2014 are no longer on the team's roster. Two were released and two were signed off the practice squad to other teams' active rosters. 

Namath also addressed Geno Smith's apology for cursing at a fan after Sunday's game. 

"Emotions come out sometimes, man, and it’s immature," Namath said, according to the Daily News. "But our best teacher is experience. You don’t get the experience, you don’t learn the lesson, until you go through it."

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The Jets are 1-3 on the season, and riding a three-game losing streak. Since beating the Raiders at home in Week 1, New York has lost to the Packers, Bears and Lions. The Jets play the Chargers on the road in Week 5. Their first division game of the season is on a Thursday night in Week 7 against the Patriots in New England. 

- Dan Gartland