Home > The Way We Hear It > NFL Lead Stories Storm brewing ? - Favre, Jets not as natural a marriage as it appears By Matt Sohn Aug. 18, 2008 Eric Mangini was in a bind. Through minicamp, OTAs and into training camp, the Jets? head coach bore witness to one quarterbacking blunder after another. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens were alternating reps with the first team, and each was equally ineffective at the controls. Mangini stood by his passers when speaking publicly, but there was little doubt about what he was thinking: ?If we don?t get better at quarterback, all of our offseason acquisitions could be for naught.? Or, more probably, ?If we don?t get better at quarterback, I can kiss my chances of coaching this team next season goodbye.? After disposing of all the good vibes from his inaugural season in the Big Apple with a disastrous 2007 campaign, Mangini, along with GM Mike Tannenbaum, raided the free-agent pool of many of its big-name draws, throwing exorbitant dollars to talented but questionable veterans for the purpose of winning in ?08. Even with owner Woody Johnson?s vote of confidence, they both knew that their jobs might depend on it.By sending a conditional fourth-round draft pick to Green Bay for Brett Favre, the final, and most critical, piece of their restoration project appeared to be cemented.But is it really? For as much as the Favre acquisition looks good on paper, it comes attached with a host of red flags that could spoil all the fun. It?s still in the honeymoon phase between Favre and the team, and all the good feelings only got sweeter after Favre?s impressive showing in his first preseason action ? he completed 5-of-6 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Redskins. But Mangini must make sure this grace period ? in fairness, Favre is throwing just as much love Mangini?s way ? doesn?t extend too much longer, or he?ll risk alienating the other players. Considering Mangini is two years younger than the legendary quarterback, this may be easier conceptualized than practiced, especially considering Favre was consistently afforded special privileges in Green Bay.Should the other 52 players witness what they see as a double standard, it could get ugly. Mangini?s vise-like control of his team caused unrest in the locker room a season ago, and giving preferential treatment to a newcomer might not be tolerated from a host of the Jets? vets.As it was, numerous players, most notably WR Laveranues Coles, were ticked that Pennington, one of the clubhouse leaders, was given his walking papers in favor of Favre. Mangini has worked on restoring the respect from those who soured on him ? scaling back the number and duration of training-camp practices was particularly well received ? but he could undo any progress he?s made if Favre is treated like royalty.From an X?s and O?s perspective, there?s not much contention that the three-time league MVP is a considerable upgrade over the previous options. Favre?s rocket arm opens up Brian Schottenheimer?s offense, and he?ll be able to fit the ball into windows neither of the initial challengers for the job could have. The Jets were painfully predictable on offense a season ago, with much of the blame being rightfully placed at the quarterbacks? feet (Pennington and Clemens). But there was a reason why the more controlled Pennington was considered a slight favorite over the stronger-armed but more mistake-prone Clemens ? he didn?t make many dumb decisions. Those close to the Packers contend that for all of Favre?s greatness, he was notoriously slow in adjusting to new wrinkles in the playbook, opting instead to operate instinctually. With less than a month to learn the intricacies of the Jets? offense before Week One, the offensive attack may not be quite as diversified in the season?s early going as most imagine.While Favre and the club?s other key veteran additions has Jets Nation currently at a fever pitch, the question many in the league are asking is whether this team has a long-range vision, or whether everything that?s been done is merely a quick fix. It?s no certainty that Favre will play out the final two years of his contract, and the team spent so much in free agency that they might run into salary-cap gridlock a season from now if yet another facelift is needed. Right now, it?s all roses for the Jets and their newest face of the franchise. But given the explosive dynamic of all parties involved, it could all change in a New York minute. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...8/wwhi2308.htm ___________________________________________
In other news, the sky's blue. "If's", conjecture, and the blatantly obvious......Was that guy on a deadline to just write SOMETHING? I'm sure he could've been a bit more creative. :shit:
Problem is that Pennington USED to make great decisions,but with his limited capacites, defences have adjusted and he can no longer succeed in the NFL. Look how many blunders he made last year before he was benched. I'll take Favre's blunders any day of the week..at least it will be fun to watch.
I was thinking the same thing myself. What a speculatory piece of shit article, waste of time read. For arguments sake, Mangini cannot shun Favre if he disagrees with him, Favre, at this stage, is Mangini's job security.
