Mangini has a lot to live up to Adam Schein FOXSports.com, Updated 47 minutes ago The weather forecast for Day 1 of Jets camp on Friday called for clouds and showers. Much to Eric Mangini's delight, the Jets coach received his first victory of the 2007 campaign: a hot, sunny, humid training camp day built for true football work. The joke among the gaggle of media gathered in Long Island, New York was that "Man-genius" now had access to Mother Nature. Hey, if you could get the 2006 Jets to the playoffs, anything was possible. After ably, and relatively stunningly, guiding the Jets to the playoffs in his first year as a head coach, there are big expectations for Mangini's second season on the sideline. Amid practice sessions filled with intensity, rap music (to increase focus simulating game-like noise) and classical music (to stimulate the brain, seriously), optimism was flowing from the players we chatted with. But already, Mangini has to deal with more issues than he did all of last summer. The big story Pete Kendall isn't happy. And that might be the understatement of the year. After running almost exclusively with the second team during the morning practice, the guard let loose. Talking to the news media in the hot sun, venom was spewing from Kendall's chowder-thick Boston accent. Kendall was irate that he was in the rookie dormitory. Mangini addressed the issue in his press conference, saying that he wasn't into conspiracy theories or grassy knolls and it was a mistake. But then again, you didn't see Chad Pennington or Jon Vilma rooming with the neophytes. Kendall stressed again, with proverbial steam coming out of his ears, that he wanted to be released. But he did show up for the afternoon practice and ran with the second team. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum told us that there was nothing new to report on the Kendall situation and he's under contract. Additionally, first-round pick Darrelle Revis is a camp no-show despite both the pick in front of him (Adam Carriker) and behind him (Lawrence Timmons) being in camp. Tannenbaum says negotiations are ongoing. But nobody was pleased that the player they traded up for in round 1 was missing valuable time. Quarterback focus You saw it in the morning practice and Mangini later confirmed it: Brad Smith is now a quarterback. The second-year player was a special teams ace and budding receiver last year, one who picked up big gains on reverses. Mangini says Smith is competing with Kellen Clemens and Marques Tuiasosopo for the backup job, which likely could spell doom for the latter on cut down day. Every player we talked to was thrilled Mangini named Chad Pennington as the starter in February. That's a big deal for a coach who wants his players to battle so intensely that he doesn't believe in a depth chart. Pennington looked good in both sessions. As always, his health is paramount to the Jets' success and he must play in 16 games for the second consecutive season. Offensive nuggets Thomas Jones was all smiles discussing his new team. Tannenbaum tells us that the team was attracted to the running back's strength, speed, hands, work ethic, team-oriented attitude and clutch play when the general manager made the heist for the former Bear earlier this off-season. Jones says that his love of the game and the big moment contributed to his incredible success in crunch time last year. Second-year center Nick Mangold chatted with us for a while and couldn't talk enough about the potential impact of Jones. Mangold was outstanding last year. The center mentioned how much Kendall helped him last year. While Mangini, when pressed, said that he liked guard Adrian Clarke's upside and likes the fact he played with Mangold at Ohio State, the Jets can't afford to let a player of Kendall's caliber go. We also spent a lot of time with Laverneous Coles. The receiver prides himself on being considered one of the toughest receivers in the game. Coles couldn't say enough good things about his rapport with Pennington. And given an opportunity to stress just how lethal a combo Coles and emerging star Jerricho Cotchery are, Coles took the time out to discuss the importance of Justin McCareins (who should stick with the club) and tight end Chris Baker. Brian Schottenheimer did a phenomenal job in his first go of it as a play caller. His no-huddle and "bubble huddle" put great pressure on the defense. And he'll have even more versatility with Jones in the mix. Defensive nuggets Tannenbaum brought in a slew of extra defensive linemen to help the Jets both stop the run and get to the quarterback, areas where the Jets were spotty in last year. Plus, as Tannenbaum mentions, these linemen give the staff flexibility. David Bowens is most intriguing because of his propensity for pressure and his position coach in Miami, Dan Quinn, just joined the Jets. Tannenbaum really likes the motor of Kenyon Coleman, who was recommended by Bill Parcells. Former first rounders Andre Wadsworth and Michael Haynes are trying to stick. Shaun Ellis needs to be a bit most consistent this year. And there are those who wonder if Dewayne Robertson is a true nose tackle in the 3-4. Jonathan Vilma is more acclimated with the 3-4 defense, though he remains a better fit in the 4-3. Vilma is still a great ball player. Eventually, he'll be joined on the inside by David Harris. Tannenbaum made a fantastic trade to pilfer the Michigan stud in round 2. Several teams had a first round grade on Harris. I think he's going to be a star. The cornerback position will be beefed up when Revis opts to show up. Kerry Rhodes is a self proclaimed "Mangini guy" and is one of the best all-around safeties in football and deserved the Pro Bowl last year. He said it "Eric Mangini saved my career." ? Bryan Thomas. Expect an ever bigger season from the Roosevelt Colvin clone. He also said it "That just doubled my TiVo ratings." ? Mike Tannenbaum, upon finding out that my co-host Jim Miller tapes his outstanding weekly television show on SportsNet New York. Final thoughts Mangini runs a tight camp. It added great structure and collective savvy to the Jets last year. Tannenbaum has been brilliant as general manager and he really improved the team at running back and on defense this off-season. And the general manager did a great job signing Cotchey and Thomas to deals before the market exploded this off-season. Tannenbaum really gets it. Now, did the Jets close the gap on New England? No. Will they once again be in the mix for the playoffs? Absolutely. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7072050?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=5
Thanks for the post... But DAMN, Adam should be ashamed of those so-called "Defensive Nuggets"...absolutely nothing there that could not have been written a month before camp started. Given that he is so close to the Jets (on JetsNation, etc.) I would have hoped he would give us at least something based on his OBSERVATION of day one at camp. Again, my criticism is of Schein, not you DB
I like the positive quotes (aside from Kendall) in regards to the coaching regime. This bodes well for the future. Am alone in thinking the way the kendall situation is being handled is a mistake. While is the latter stage of his career the oline is not strong enough to let a player of his caliber go.
