By Tom Rock
I’ll have what Laveranues Coles is having.
The wide receiver’s good mood continues to sit like a vase of flowers in the locker room, brightening everyone’s day. Today he was downright giddy, yukking it up with Shaun Ellis, trying to fend off the big defensive lineman with a chair like a lion tamer, and trading fun jabs with reporters. He’s quickly becoming a favorite for reporters, one of the few live wires. He stays within the Mangini script when talking (most of the time) but he is also able to let his personality come through. No doubt a few catches and a touchdown or two on Sunday will keep Laveranues’ buzz going.
The defense seems to be having more fun at practice than the offense. I guess that’s to be expected. Defensive guys are typically looser and more creative while the offense is entrenched in playbooks and gameplans.
All of the guys listed as questionable for Sunday’s game practiced. Trey Teague is still not practicing.
Mangini gushed over newly acquired DL Bobby Hamilton, and was quick to point out that he is one of the few players older than he is. By a few days, but that’s older. Hamilton laughed that off and said he doesn’t want to hear about how old he is because next thing to come is the story that he’s lost a step and he’s not as quick as he was, and then, poof, he’s retired.
Mike Tannenbaum’s show debuts on SNY today. I’m curious to see what he has to say. I’m curious to see if he has anything to say. He’s been a largely inaccessible GM so far, popping into the media room just once during the preseason. I’m told the guys on the Giants beat can’t get Ernie Accorsi to stop calling them. Yet another difference between green and blue.
Whatever credibility I gained in the press room here with the Jets by earning a point in the Writers Cup golf tournament a few weeks ago is shot. I finished dead last in the pick the roster pool. How was I supposed to know that the Jets would keep more than five offensive linemen? I thought those guys were supposed to be tough and play hurt. The unofficial winner – which is actually more official than the Jets’ unofficial depth chart – is Randy Lange of the Bergen Record. Congrats, Randy!
Comments (8)
I had been under the impression L Coles was a malcontent under Mangini? Good to hear otherwise.
Tom -- becoming a big fan of your blog. You also have some new fans here at jetsinsider.com. That's not easy to do with Jet fans ;-)
Feel free to stop by and talk Jets or just lurk on the boards.
I second the statements made by both Jack and Tim above.
Are you going to tell us at some point what you expect from our Jets this year? Perhaps you could tell us how you would determine "progress" beyond wins & losses.
Grant it, it's no O'Brian/Walker combo, or Namath/Maynard, but Pennington/Coles is the best thing we've had for a long time...since Yo' Vinny to 'Yo' Toss Me The Damn Ball!' back in '98.
I hope the good times in the locker room spill over to good times on the field. Coles deserves it. Under-rated, under-utilized...he's a strong weapon to be feared. Now, on the other side of the line is another story. I hope one of the J's comes of age as a receiving threat. Cotchery has the speed and great hands, but not sure about the strength, Justin... we'll, when he wants to play, he's awesome.
Hopefully I can still wear my Chrebet Jersey past the first 5 minutes of the game... not like last year's opening day disaster.
This game will be a blow out
55-6 Titans
Jets will pull Chad at 30-0
Mangini will be red faced by half time.
Ramsey will set in and be the qb Gibbs thought he would be.
Running backs by committee will have 3-4 lost fumbles
JMO
I think Mark's an optimist.
Tom, I'm also glad to see your blog catching on. I think Cimini only got a lot of comments early because Jet fans generally hate him. Keep it loose -like the defense- yours is the best of the beat blogs. Try not to get too professional.
Seems like only yesterday you were covering high school wrestling...
Oh, and Bob Jensen is Herm's girlfriend. Take what he says with a grain or two of salt and shot of tequila.
Just kidding about Mark, too. I think it's gonna be a tough year, but I like Mangini to keep 'em competitive.
Mark
You are a moron
JMO
I was right - Mark is a moron FACT