By Tom Rock
Here’s how nutso things get when Eric Mangini gives out the slightest bit of information. At his press conference today, he said that Brad Smith is a “bona fide” quarterback since he is listed there on the unofficial depth chart (he’s also listed at WR, so that distinction is far from formal). Anyway, Wednesdays are usually thick with TV crews along with the usual paper reporters, so there was a large crowd around Smith’s locker. As Smith held court, DE Shaun Ellis tried to sneak through the pack to get out of his locker, which is next to Smith’s.
That’s what we have now. On a day Ellis is named a defensive captain, he’s overshadowed by a kid who was given a meaningless distinction that was such a foregone conclusion that even he wasn’t aware of a change in status.
The team looked happy in practice. Eric Barton and Kerry Rhodes managed to squeeze some dancing in between agility drills. There were lots of smiles and laughing, lots of friendly shoves. There was even a slight adjustment to the music: When the punting team took over in practice, the speakers slammed out Men at Work’s “I Come from the Land Down Under” in honor, no doubt, of special teams captain Ben Graham.
Comments (6)
Tom, I am rnjoying your blog more and more, please give us more info, for instance. You state that Ellis was named Defensive Captain, who for the Offense, and for Special Teams?
The Blog is a great way to slide in information that doesn't or can't make the paper, don't underestimate your readers.
I read your column, Tom, on Curtis Martin. I can't say definitively that you were involved, but every writer in NY wrote off Curtis the last two seasons and now a column about how great he was and that there was NEVER doubt at running back until this season really makes me mad. It shows how hypocritcal people are. I felt like I was the only one who still support Curtis when EVERYONE else said he getting old, he's lost a step, Curtis is done. Now those people are acting like they've always backed Curtis and they miss him. What a joke!
Great to hear the team is happy. Sounds like morale is up. It doesn't appear at all that the horses take issue with the coach. The Jets will be a work in progress, no doubt about that But for the first time, in a long time (i.e., since Parcells) I feel we are in capable hands. Please keep the blog going. Thanks.
Yves:
Why do you feel the Jets are in capable hands? Eric Mangini was a defensive back coach and coordinator for one year. Given Bill Belichik's nature, Eric Mangini's contribution as coordinator was probably very limited. Think about it, what other team wanted to hire Mangini this year? There were nine openings and I don't remember Mangini even being considered for another job.
He brings in a 3-4 defense that basically neutralizes Robertson (a 4th pick) and Vilma (the best defensive player) because that's what Belichik does.
His offensive coordinator has less experience than he does.
Given this, the fact Curtis Martin is out, the fact Chad Pennington can't throw deep, what cause is there for optimism?
I hear a lot how Mangini runs long practices. What does that accomplish? Many have pointed out the soft December schedule. Odds are they will have nothing left by then.
3 and 13.
In his only year as a defensive coordinator, Mangini, who called every defensive play, produced the worst defensive performance by the Patriots since before Parcells. Tom Brady masked the horrendous coaching job by Mangini as the Patriots DC last year.
A few Patriot defensive facts to chew on:
26th in total defense
31st in pass defense
31st in defensive turnovers
5th most penalized defensive unit in the NFL.
Mangini's war with the media has successfully masked how unqualified he is for the position given to him by his best friend in the world, Mike Tannenbaum.
Bob Jenson:
Let's not forget the injuries to the Pats Defense last year. Tough to defend against the pass with all those DBs out with injuries.