This was in todays Newark Star Ledger. Hope you enjoy it. :wink: Mangold likes center of action Friday, May 12, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff Being perceived as the heir apparent to six-time Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae suits Jets rookie first-round pick Nick Mangold just fine. While at Ohio State, Mangold emerged from the considerable shadows of two current NFL starting centers. Following Mawae is just the latest, albeit greatest, challenge for Mangold. As a Buckeye, Mangold stepped in for an injured Alex Stepanovich in the second game of his sophomore season and played so well that Stepanovich was moved to guard when he returned. Stepanovich has started the past two seasons at center for the Arizona Cardinals. In 2002, Stepanovich followed All-American LeCharles Bentley as Ohio State's starting center. Bentley, winner of the Rimington Award as the nation's best center as a senior, is a two-time Pro Bowler. This off-season he signed a six-year, $36 million free-agent contract with the Browns that included a $12 million signing bonus. He's regarded as one of the premier centers in the NFL. Mangold, the second of the Jets' two first-round picks and the 29th overall pick, was drafted higher than Stepanovich (fourth round) and Bentley (second round). A second-team All-American and three-year starter, Mangold was considered the best center in the draft. "I think it's a great thing to have that type of pressure," Mangold said of following Mawae, who was released and signed by the Titans this off-season. "Going to Ohio State, I had to fill the shoes of some great centers. So I'm looking forward to the opportunity." Mangold will be among roughly 42 rookies/first-year players expected to participate in the Jets' rookie minicamp, which begins today at Hofstra and runs through Sunday. All 10 of the club's draft picks, including left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was taken fourth overall, are expected to attend. The camp marks the first of any kind for first-year head coach Eric Mangini, the former Patriots defensive coordinator who has brought a distinct New England flavor to the Jets. The starting job at center is apparently Mangold's to lose. Before the draft, the Jets signed former Bills center Trey Teague, but he is now likely an insurance policy in case Mangold struggles early. Teague, who can also play left tackle, provides the Jets with depth along their revamped offensive line. At Ohio State, Mangold, 6-4 and 300 pounds, did it all. Although not overpowering, he was explosive enough to play the power game, and quick and athletic enough to play in space, something Mawae did so well. Mangold can also play guard. Perhaps most important, Mangold can think on his feet and is a technician. Last season the co-captain made all the line calls. According to his coaches, he graded 84.3 percent in blocking consistency, allowed no sacks and was charged with only one quarterback pressure. The Buckeyes averaged 422.3 yards of total offense per game. "I think my best asset is the intelligence that I bring to the game," said Mangold, who grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and went to Ohio State with Jets kick Mike Nugent. "I was taught real early in college that I had to learn everything there is to know in football, and I tried to do that." Mangini describes Mangold as "incredibly smart as a center." The Jets also like Mangold's leadership qualities. In something of a surprise, Mangold was shut out in the postseason awards. He was beaten out by University of Minnesota center Greg Eslinger for first-team All-Big Ten honors and the Rimington Trophy. Eslinger wasn't drafted until the sixth round (198th overall) by the Broncos. "At first I was real disappointed, but I've gotten past it," Mangold said of the snub. "Now it's just kind of one of those things you look back and say, 'I wish that would've happened,' but now you've got new stuff." It's the "new stuff" that Ohio State offensive line coach Jim Bollman is sure Mangold can handle. "He has outstanding knowledge of the game," Bollman said. "He transfers all of his knowledge from the (chalk) board to the field. He can really do a great job making sure that things are operating in a correct fashion in pressure situations. He played in a lot of tough games at OSU and I know he'll do a good job helping the Jets." Note: Two former Rutgers players, G Sam Segond and FB Ishmael Medley, have been invited to camp. Camp info What: Jets rookie camp, expected to include all 10 draft picks, rookie free agents and several other first-year players. When: Today through Sunday. There will be two practices today and tomorrow. Sunday's schedule is TBA. Where: Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. With rain expected, workouts are expected to be held in the practice bubble.
Thanks, it was a good read. I never knew Eslinger dropped to the 6th. From what I heard he was a mid 3rd round pick and some people considered him the 2nd best center. No need to worry though as we got the best center.
I'm starting to wonder if the Jets should let Mangold play Right Guard next season to get his feet on the ground. That would give them from left to right - Ferguson, Kendall, Teague, Mangold and Jones. They'd have Brandon Moore available in case of an injury and a ton of flexibility with Mangold able to slide to Center and Teague to Tackle. I really think the Jet's offensive line next year would be better with Teague playing and Moore as a backup.
I think it's entirely possible that this is the situation that ends up playing out. People can speculate that Mawae was cut because he was trying to create problems in the lockerroom, or that he had increasing injury problems... but I think he was cut for the simple fact that for all of his great blocks and pulls and Pro Bowl appearances and accollades, he lacked an ordinate amount of versatility as an offensive lineman. It bothers me to say that because I think he was a great Jet and great leader for the team, as well as one of my all-time favorite players. He doesn't fit a mold of flexibility and willingness to continue learning as a professional. He seemed uncharacteristically silent during the 'big change' to zone blocking last offseason, and then there was him being on record about disliking snapping in the shotgun formation.. We need players that can be depended on to act well under pressure, in any situation (THAT is how you win championships, on top of fundamentally sound play), and I think these guys have learned under Parcells and Belichick that there's no better way to build a clutch player than to constantly take him out of his comfort zone. But you have to have players capable of doing so successfully.
I knew Mangold was an incredible player, but I didn't realize he beat out Alex Stepanovich in his sophmore year. And now...Stepanovich is has started for the Cardinals at Center for the past two years. Mangold is going to be a great center, coming from a great program. Belicheck has used LSU and Florida recently Mangini maybe Ohio State? Hell of a program to get players from...
It's an interesting idea, although I'm not sure I'd like that as it might stun Mangold's growth. There is a big difference between playing guard and center, and the fact is, mangold is much better suited to be playing center.
That's one of the Belichik fundamental precepts: flexibility, particularly with star caliber players. I think you might be right. The Jets may not have wanted to have an inflexible star player causing issues with everybody else in terms of following Mangini's lead. It's also true that Mawae was losing a step before the injury and was having trouble with the inside power blocking that a zone blocking scheme forces on the center when he winds up with a guard's normal assignment due to a shift by the defense.
