JETS COULD FIND 'GOLD AT CENTER By DAN MARTIN June 18, 2006 -- Pete Kendall started as a rookie with the Seahawks 11 years ago, so he has an idea of what Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson are going through now with the Jets. "As overwhelming as it might be, it's the best way to learn," Kendall said. "The greatest teacher is experience, so you're better off getting out there, even if you're not sure you're ready." That's good news for Mangold, who could be thrust into the starting center's spot because of free agent Trey Teague's ankle injury. The rookie out of Ohio State had been considered as a potential starter at guard, but may shift over. If that's the case, he knows he has a lot of work ahead of him. "It is intimidating," the 300-pounder said yesterday on the final day of this early mini-camp at Hofstra. The team returns on July 28. "The playbook is so massive." He said that he is trying not to think about how he will be utilized when the season comes. "I've got too much other stuff to worry about," said Mangold, who was the Jets' second first-round pick this year, after Ferguson. "If I mess up out here, then nothing else matters and I won't be out there at all." If Mangold winds up as the starting center, he knows who he will be surrounded by. "Rookie camp was totally different," Mangold said. "Now, I've got Chad Pennington behind me and Curtis Martin. I'm completely out of my comfort zone. You look around and you almost don't know if you belong." Head coach Eric Mangini said both rookies are "progressing." "They are extremely mature, but they are rookies," Mangini said. The way things look now, the Jets could well need Mangold to play as though he belongs quickly. Kendall has liked what he's seen out of his two new linemates. "They are talented kids," Kendall said. "I'll help them as much as they and the coaches want me to. But there's no better way of becoming a player than being on the field, in games, picking things up that way. You don't become a football player just watching." * K Mike Nugent struggled on Friday, but recovered yesterday. "I'm much more comfortable this year," said Nugent, who nailed several kicks of over 40 yards. "But I still have to prove myself. "You can't afford to slip up in this league." . . .
He sounds very uncomfortable at this stage in my opinion. Unsure of himself, and worried about making the transition. At least that's what I read....
You don't say??... I'm just giving you my personal overall impression of that article. You don't have to like it or agree with it, it's just an opinion. Maybe Mangold will turn out great, who knows?? I will say this however, if that was a player Miami drafted, I wouldn't want to read about how uncomfortable / intimidated he is about possibly being forced into the starting position. I'd rather read something promising, like how he's jumping in head first / has a positive attitude, things along those lines. This article doesn't present much confidence for Jets fans in those regards....
I most certainly do!!... I bet you don't. Not after reading in the papers how uncomfortable / intimidated Jason Taylor and Zack Thomas were by the Jets for a certain span of years. :up: :rofl:
Mangold didn't say he was going to be a pussy, run into his room and hide under his covers. I didn't get the sense that he's not up to the challenge. He said it's intimidating, which is only the truth. Better to find out now if he can hack it in his first year than to treat him with kid gloves all summer, watch Teague go down in game 3 and then not have a suitable replacement. I'd rather have players who tell the truth than lie to the cops -- a la Marcus Vick.
Nah, youre more comfortable with your players quitting on your team, being forced to return, being caught with an illegal substance again, and then finally being exiled into Canada. Go Fins!
Rookie's are supposed to feel uncomfortable this time of year. This is how they stay humble and realize that they need to focus and be dedicated. I wanted Mangold to start over Teague regardless. The 2 are like night and day in terms of talent. Teague is an overachiever who commonly loses one on one battles..while Mangold has the talent to one day be a pro bowler. Let's get the growing pains out of the way this year and watch him develop into a great Center. You combine Mangold, Brick, and Jones and we have the makings of a SCARY O-line in terms of athleticism!
at least he's honest enough to say he's nervous. It is alot to absorb, but he has plenty of time to do it, and there isn't any other rookie I would want more then him in this situation. Still, Teague's Injury ruins the best case scenario IMO.
ragensen088 is just a Giants fan who is pissed off that his town of Perth Amboy has gone to the dogs.
This coming from the guy who defended that pansy Manuel Wright when he broke down in tears in the middle of training camp when Saban ripped him a new a-hole. What were your exact words again? Us Jets' fans were making too big a deal of it? You're lucky all those old threads were deleted.
i think it's better he's aware of his emotions and admitting them. you'd like to hear a guy say how he's ready, blah blah blah; but we all know that wouldn't be the truth. even if Mangold starts at C, he'll still be able to ease into the position - as far as reading the D goes - because, i assume, Kendall will initially call the line adjustements. cheers
So when I started a thread months ago asking you guys about which former starter would get canned if Mangold started at guard...you all said I was crazy, and that he would start at center. Looks to me that if Teague was healthy Mangold would be at guard learning the line calls and seeing NFL defenses for the first time. If Mangold starts at center, expect lots of growing pains.
