Wednesday night, Herm Edwards was three minutes away from dining at Plaza III in Kansas City, one of the finest steakhouses in the country.
Thursday afternoon, Herm Edwards was back at the food court in Roosevelt Field Mall.
Of course, that is all depending on what reports you read, hear, see and/or believe.
There's speculation aplenty in New York and Kansas City about what will happen to the Jets' head coach. Plenty of unnamed sources saying this and team officials saying that.
Edwards could be the next coach of the Chiefs or return to the Jets and the remaining two years of his contract at $2 million per. The generally accepted belief is that Edwards will leave the problem-infested Jets for the offense-rich Chiefs.
But let's dance the "What If" dance, if only for a few minutes. What if Edwards stays with the Jets?
Here's a crazy scenario based on one source who I will gladly name: my warped, in-need-of-professional-analysis brain. It requires four things:
1) Edwards to remain with the Jets.
2) Bold personnel decisions.
3) Go-for-broke mentality in 2006.
4) Complete disregard for the salary cap issues already plaguing the team.
My lunatic proposal goes like this:
1) Edwards tells the Jets he'll coach in 2006 then talk contract afterward.
Why? If this plan works, he's a genius. If not, at least he tried, and then he won't have cap concerns to worry about because he can go somewhere else then.
2) Trade Justin McCareins and a third-round draft pick to Green Bay for Brett Favre.
Why? Great arm still. Plenty of experience. Warrior mentality. New scenery could revive him. Plus, the Packers need healthy receivers, have Aaron Rodgers waiting to take over at quarterback and already have the No. 5 draft pick to address defense and running back needs. Then there's Chad Pennington and that pesky twice-operated-on throwing shoulder of his. No guarantees he'll make it back. But he asked for competition. Favre qualifies.
3) Sign wide receiver Terrell Owens after Philadelphia releases him.
Why? Malcontent, sure. Crazy talent, oh yeah! He and Laveraneus Coles would make for a great 1-2 punch. Edwards could handle T.O., especially under this one-and-done proposal.
4) Use two of first three draft picks on offensive linemen.
Why? It's just that glaring a need. D'Brickashaw Ferguson of Virginia is huge, athletic and local. He'd make for a nice complement on the left side along with guard Pete Kendall and center Kevin Mawae and could be available with the No. 4 pick.
5) Keep Curtis Martin.
Why? He may not be the 125-yards-per-game running back any more, but under my scenario, that's not necessary. Use Martin in conjunction with Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston, with the idea that the trio can total 150-160 yards per game.
6) Sign John Abraham to a multi-year deal.
Why? Since we're playing one-and-done Florida Marlins style, no sense in making the team's best pass rusher more unhappy. Someone has to roll out of bed and sack the quarterback.
7) Teach Doug Jolley how to block defenders and catch passes.
Why? He doesn't seem to recall how to do those types of things. Of course, this is a must regardless of direction the team takes.
It's a seven-step plan toward the Super Bowl. It's also an act of lunacy. But just imagine how many No. 4 Favre jerseys the team will sell.