i wonder if he can go and get his name changed now? ill bet he wants to imagine everytime you look at your son you have to be reminded of this year
This is another aspect that makes EM such a tragic figure. He is the ultimate stoic except when he gives his heart, he gives it all. I truly do not think BF and he had a very close long-term relationship prior to his naming his son after him. He basically loved BF so much he brought him into his family. I'm sure he worked as hard as any man possibly could as the HC. His loyalty to the Jets was supreme to his past loyalty to BB. His control of his emotions is an enormous strength but can also be a weakness. He must learn to lead men. He is a man to be admired in a lot of ways and I hope he can grow from this experience. Right now I feel true sympathy for him. He burned some bridges but he was 100% here and will be 100% in his next place. I hope he can turn this thing into something good.
You've nailed it. When I enrolled in Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the Army during the Vietnam War, a long, long time ago, they discussed this at great length. Of course, leadership is the thing they stress. And while they tried to instill all those leadership qualities that are necessary to lead men (many of which Mangini exhibits), I do remember one time when one of the candidates asked, "Is it ever appropriate to lose your temper and swear?" "You bet," the instructor said, "but save it for when you really need to motivate your men and you'll be surprised at the results. When you get to Vietnam, you'll know when to use it, believe me." And he was right. There is a time and place for everything, even losing your temper. Mangini's problem is, he tries too hard to maintain control of himself, so much so that you can't tell when he wants you to do something and when HE REALLY FUCKING WANTS YOU TO GET OFF YOUR FUCKING ASS AND DO SOMETHING!
It's his wife who should really be upset. She's going to have to have sex with him AGAIN after he gets his next job. Maybe by that time he'll smarten up and stop naming his kids after co-employees. Either that, or name the kid Wrigley or Bazooka Joe, or some such thing that isn't likely to change any time soon.
Brett probably cost him his job even though he didn't do a great one. Brett put the nail in the coffin with his horrible INT's.
This was really well-phrased. It is exactly what I have been thinking and it gets to why I feel some disappointment for what happened to EM. Hope he lands on his feet and has success (just not against the Jets!). Thanks for this post!
