E-Boland & Gang Green

By Tom Rock

It should be a good game when the Erics play the Bills this Sunday. At least that’s the perception. Mangini shot down the idea that him going against Prof. Belichick is anything more than just hype, insisting that players will determine the outcome of this game. “I’ve seen us both play football,” Mangini said of his fellow Wesleyan product. “It’s not pretty.”

The difference between Bill and Eric is growing more and more apparent. While they started out as near photocopies of each other, Mangini has slowly developed his own style and confidence. He lets the public see his sense of humor more than Uncle Bill does. But, as a football coach, he is still a Belichick disciple with all the rules, regulations and standards that accompany it.

Someone asked Belichick on today’s conference call if he had advised Eric when the Jets came calling last winter, and while he didn’t say anything quotable (go figure!), it sounded like he was a little upset that his protégé bolted to a divisional rival. Mangini and Belichick worked well together and had a lot of professional respect for one another, but I’m starting to get the feeling that they may not have been exactly “friends.” Had Charlie Weis gotten the Buffalo job, all four coaches in the division could be Belichick-ians, or Belichick himself. That would have been, well, I don't know if interesting is the right word. It would have been unique, certainly.

As for the Deion Branch situation, neither Mangini nor Belichick would discuss any of the particulars regarding the grievance filed against the Jets. Both coaches gave the line “It’s just business.” Isn’t that what they say in the Mafia right before they pull the trigger?

Pete Kendall, Kerry Rhodes and Tim Dwight all practiced today (or at least participated in the sliver of practice to which we have access). The Jets injury report should be out this afternoon. It’ll be interesting to see who stands where.

Had a chat with Norm Katnik today. He filled in for Pete Kendall when the vet left the game with his hamstring. He was like the Moonlight Graham of the NFL in that last year he played in one game, but the play he was in for was negated by a penalty so it didn't count as an official snap. His career line entereing this season was one game, zero plays. So he was understandably excited about his playing time on Sunday.

Thanks, Jeff I., for the good comment.