Jets football blog

The return of Mangenius

Eric Mangini's three-year run as Jets coach ended with a midnight phone call from GM Mike Tannenbaum hours after the great collapse of 2008 ended. He gets his first shot at revenge Sunday when the Jets travel to Cleveland.

Mangini was more appreciative for the opportunity than bitter about getting fired when I spoke to him Tuesday for an interview that will air Tuesday night on "This Week In Football," on the YES network.

"For me, personally, it's special to play the Jets," Mangini said from the Browns offices in Berea, Ohio. "Just like last week it was special to play New England because I was able to take so much from both of those organizations. And in New York, they gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach. (News)

Mangini named Browns coach

Eric Mangini was not out of work for long.

The former Jets coach agreed to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns yesterday, nine days after the Jets fired him.

Mangini, 37, wowed Browns owner Randy Lerner when he interviewed with him on Dec. 30, one day after the Jets dumped him. Continue

Eric Mangini's end with the Jets began with Brett Favre's arrival

On the surface, Eric Mangini's downfall began five weeks ago, when the Jets started a late-season meltdown with an ugly loss to the Broncos. In reality, it started much earlier, with the blockbuster trade for Brett Favre in August.

Although he publicly supported the acquisition of the future Hall of Fame quarterback, Mangini wasn't the driving force behind the acquisition, according to two people familiar with the team's thinking. Even though he expressed concerns at the time, the people said, Mangini welcomed Favre, adjusted the entire offense and tried to make it work. Continue

Mangenius out, Cowher in?

Thank you Woody. SNY is reporting Jets coach Eric Mangini has been fired. The Jets have called a 10 a.m. press conference with team owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum. Let the Cowher watch or Parcells watch begin.

Penn' can author end of Mangini era

Attention all of you Jets fans who want Eric Mangini cleaning out his office Monday morning. There's one thing you need to do this Sunday: Cheer for Chad.

That's right. Go to your closet Sunday morning, dig through the sweaters and dress shirts and find that old green jersey with the No. 10 peeling off, throw it on over your sweatshirt and when you get to the Meadowlands root like hell for Chad Pennington.

This may sound like sacrilege. Rooting for Miami in East Rutherford is like the auto workers cheering for Wall Street brokers right now. But if you're truly tired of seeing Mangini's blank, gum-chomping stare on the sideline, the chant this week must be "C-H-A-D - Chad, Chad, Chad." Continue

Jets gotta win or it's time to deep-six Eric

At the end, the critical end, it turns out the Brett Favre they thought they were getting was not the one they had flying the jet. At 8-3, he was still the Hall of Fame icon. Once the calendar turned to December, he was just another 39-year-old quarterback.

In these kinds of crises, it is up to the head coach to grab control of the controls and overcome the turbulence. Instead, Eric Mangini is bracing for a crash.Judgment Day is Sunday.

 It comes Sunday with none other than the exiled Chad Pennington in the house. Mangini won't like what he hears out of the stands. If he can't make a stand and beat Pennington in a game that is very much his personal Super Bowl and very much Pennington's as well, he has to go. If his Jets show up the way Tom Coughlin's Giants did against the Panthers, he can stay, whether he makes the playoffs or not. Continue

Mangini tells Keller rookie period is over

 Eric Mangini pulled aside rookie tight end Dustin Keller on Monday for a chat, one in which the coach said "a lot of things" were discussed.

Mangini wouldn't specifically discuss those things, but he gave a general idea.

"The rookie period is over," Mangini said. "We've graduated. Their season is basically done in college football. You're a Jet, you've been here a long time, and at this point, that rookie stuff is over. When you play a significant amount, you have to perform at a consistent level."

Keller has had an outstanding first season, though he struggled in Sunday's loss in San Francisco. He dropped what would have been a first-down reception on theJets' initial drive, a short pass into the right flat on third-and-2 from the 49ers' 38-yard line. Continue

Jets becoming too much like meek Mangini

During Eric Mangini's first year as Jets coach, some of the players nicknamed him "The Penguin."

The moniker was given because of his body shape and the way he waddles when he walks. It also fits Mangini's public persona - serene, non-confrontational and never hot, just like the bird.

Problem is, the Jets have begun to adapt that same persona, playing with the same lack of emotion Mangini shows in his weekly press conferences. Girl Scout troops show more fire than the Jets did in defeats to the Broncos and the 49ers, and the blame lies with Mangini.

The coach preaches the same flat-line approach week after week that's taken out of Coachspeak 101, "Never get too high, never get too low. Treat every game the same - win or lose." Continue

Mangini's plan to bring his best out west

The Jets flew to San Francisco on Friday for today's game with the 49ers. The first two trips out west resulted in losses in San Diego and Oakland, leaving the Jets wondering what they can do to reverse their luck.

"It takes more effort than traveling to Buffalo to play a football game," guard Alan Faneca said. "You have to stay on top of what your body is telling you; what actual time it is."

How much of an effect the long flight and time-zone difference have is up for debate. Some players said they feel it. Others say it's all in your head.

"If you're going out there just for business or whatever, you're going to have jet lag," linebacker Calvin Pace said. "Now imagine getting out and having to do some physical activity. It's really tough." Continue

Mangini: Favre must pick his spots

Coach Eric Mangini doesn't want to take away Brett Favre's gambling mentality; he just wants his Hall of Fame gunslinger to dial back on some of his more risky passes. Mangini and Favre yesterday addressed Favre's recent rash of interceptions - seven in the past three games - and came away with their own takes on the subject.

Mangini, speaking about the weekly Tuesday chew-the-fat session he had with Favre this week, used a blackjack gambling analogy when discussing Favre's chance-taking style. "You just stress (that) you don't hit on 20," Mangini said. "Sometimes it's OK to stay and see what the dealer has." Continue