Eric tells Brett to cut down on the ints- Cimini

Eric Mangini tells Brett Favre to cut down interceptions
By RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER



Sabo/News

Brett Favre is feeling the heat as interceptions mount, prompting a talking-to from coach Eric Mangini.

Considering Eric Mangini's understated coaching style, it's probably a safe bet he didn't deliver a "stop-throwing-interceptions" rant Tuesday in his weekly office chat with Brett Favre. But they did discuss the problem, and Mangini, using a blackjack analogy, let his gambling quarterback know he shouldn't go for broke on every pass. "You talk through it. You just stress, don't hit on 20, you know what I mean?" Mangini said Wednesday. "Like, sometimes, it's OK to stay and see what the dealer has."

When the line was relayed to Favre, he laughed. "Believe it or not, I'm not a gambler," he said, obviously referring to card games. "I know it sounds crazy."

JETS ESCAPE WITH LATE TD
Yeah, it does, because on the field, Favre's legendary career has been defined by high-risk, high-reward throws. He already has 15 touchdown passes, equaling the team total from last season, but he could throw the Jets out of contention if he doesn't reduce the interceptions.

Favre, who has a six-game interception streak, is tied with the 49ers' J.T. O'Sullivan for the league lead - 11. Against the Bills (5-2), whom the Jets face Sunday in Orchard Park, every mistake will be magnified because Trent Edwards (only three interceptions) is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. He's the anti-Favre.

Mangini realizes he's not going to change Favre, but the coach expressed more candor than usual when discussing the turnover problem. It wasn't chiding, but there seemed to be a little more urgency in Mangini's voice. He wants Favre to understand calculated risk. "Brett has to know when to throw it away, just get rid of it," Mangini said. "If the ball has a chance to be intercepted, you better do what you have to do to make sure that it doesn't. And if it does, you'd better become a defensive player and make the tackle."

PHOTO GALLERY: JOE'S LEADING LADIES
In Sunday's ugly win over the Chiefs, Favre's third interception was returned 91 yards for a touchdown by Brandon Flowers. In an attempt to remedy the problem, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer apparently has agreed to scale back certain packages. That would appease the players, some of whom have privately groused about the play-calling. There's a feeling in the locker room that the coaching staff, which prides itself on being able to reinvent the offense each week based on the opponent, needs to simplify its approach.

Favre said he wants plays "that in crunch time, I can lean on." Makes sense, considering his third-down struggles. Six of his 11 interceptions have come on third down. "Sometimes having a lot of really good plays is all fine and dandy, but having two or three you feel comfortable with is way more important," Favre said on a conference call with the Buffalo media.

Schottenheimer took a lot of heat for his pass-heavy game plan against the Chiefs, who were surrendering 205 yards per game on the ground. He put the ball in Favre's hands, and the outcome was nearly disastrous. Unfazed by his interceptions, he orchestrated the 41st fourth-quarter comeback of his career.

PHOTO GALLERY: SUPER BOWL SHOCKER
"Believe me, I'm well aware of what is expected of me, how important it is to take care of the ball," Favre said.

Mangini, perhaps trying to protect his quarterback and his coordinator, said he told the entire team that the pass protection must improve. Favre has absorbed some bone-rattling hits in the last three games, fueling speculation about his health.

Edwards, too, has been hit hard in recent weeks, but he hasn't thrown many interceptions. Asked how the Buffalo coaches and fans would react if he had seven in a three-game span, an obvious reference to Favre, Edwards stammered.

"Ooooh...oooh...wow," he said. "Where I'm at in my career, I'm pretty sure it would be a bad thing."

It's never good, but it helps to be Brett Favre.

BAKER BACK: TE Chris Baker, a pregame scratch Sunday because of a hip injury, practiced. He's expected to play Sunday against the Bills. Mangini said the Jets explored the tight-end market, an indication that backup Bubba Franks (hip) could be sidelined for a lengthy period. Rookie Dustin Keller could have a bigger role. ... LB David Harris (pulled groin) didn't practice and is unlikely to play. His injury is considered week-to-week, according to a source.... S Eric Smith didn't practice because of a head injury, but it's not his third concussion in four weeks, Mangini said. Smith was removed from Sunday's game after a glancing blow to his helmet. ...To replace RB Jesse Chatman (injured reserve), the Jets signed RB Marcus Mason from the Ravens' practice squad. Mason, playing for the Redskins, rushed for a league-high 317yards in the preseason....RT Damien Woody was excused from practice for a personal reason.... Bills DE Aaron Schobel, their best pass rusher, has a foot injury and probably won't play. WR Josh Reed (ankle) and RG Brad Butler (knee) also are expected to miss the game.
__________________