New Pace at Jets? Camp: It?s Full Speed Ahead By KAREN CROUSE Published: July 29, 2006 HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., July 28 ? A few minutes into the Jets? first practice of training camp, linebacker Victor Hobson flattened the rookie receiver Phil Silva during a tackling drill. The hit reverberated in the stands on the other side of the practice field, the fans? collective shriek of surprise certifying that a different era was under way. Last season, under Coach Herman Edwards, the Jets were more clubby than cutthroat. Their training-camp practices were exercises in pacing by veterans who were secure in their roles and sanguine about their prospects for success. But an injury-plagued 4-12 season shook the organization from its complacency and set off a chain reaction of personnel changes that began with the affable, accessible Edwards, who was allowed to leave for Kansas City. His replacement, Eric Mangini, is cut from different cloth. The 35-year-old Mangini, whose only head coaching experience before he was hired in January was with a semi-pro team in Australia, is more burlap than satin. He is not afraid to rub veterans the wrong way. In the spring, Mangini was asked if he felt he had to prove himself to the older players, many of whom are about his age. He smirked and said, ?I think they have to prove themselves to me.? That is Mangini?s mind-set and it was made clear Friday when the first day of practice opened with the veteran receiver Justin McCareins riding a stationary bike. The 27-year-old McCareins, who was slowed by nagging injuries last season but did not miss a start, was placed on the physically unable to perform list after he failed to meet the conditioning standards. ?I?m not going to put anybody on the field that can?t pass the criteria to get on the field because it?s not safe for them and it?s not what we expect,? Mangini said. He added: ?As I told the players, they need to figure out a way to make the team, they need to figure out a way to help us win, and they need to compete every day. That?s what I?m looking for from every player across the board.? When it comes to players, Mangini is collar blind. Blue collar, white collar, Mangini does not care. He is not afraid to plug stars into unglamorous places. Toward the end of a muggy morning practice that stretched nearly two and a half hours, Laveranues Coles, who led the Jets in receptions last season with 73, found himself in a special-teams drill. It was something Edwards never asked of him, presumably because he did not want to increase the risk of injury to his prized receiver. Earlier in the practice, Coles had sent a shiver through the fans after slipping on the turf while running a route. He pulled up, holding his bent right leg aloft. He hopped back to the huddle on his left leg and, after a brief examination by a trainer, continued without complaint. At the end of the practice, he ran full speed down the field and missed by one step getting under a long touchdown throw from Patrick Ramsey. Quarterback Chad Pennington, the incumbent starter who is coming off his second shoulder surgery in as many seasons, had thrown to Coles on the play in which Coles slipped. Pennington?s pass was intercepted by safety Kerry Rhodes. It was one of two picks that Pennington threw in the morning session. He rebounded with a long touchdown pass to Jerricho Cotchery. In training camp last year, as Pennington was recovering from his first shoulder surgery, Edwards said he was holding the starting position for him. Mangini has not been so magnanimous, making it clear that the starter?s job is anybody?s to win. Asked if he had a timetable for naming a starter at quarterback, Mangini said, ?As soon as someone distinguishes himself, that?s the date.? Pennington?s competition includes Ramsey, a castoff from the Washington Redskins, Brooks Bollinger, who started nine games last year after Pennington was injured, and the rookie Kellen Clemens, a second-round draft pick. ?I?m not going to lie about it,? Pennington said. ?It is a little bit different because you?re not the starter or named the starter yet.? Things have changed for the veteran running back Curtis Martin, too. Last season he sustained an injury to his right knee during the second week of the season but stubbornly remained in the lineup for 10 more games. He agreed to season-ending surgery in December only after his reduced effectiveness became too obvious to ignore. When Martin, 33, was placed on the physically unable to perform list Thursday, it sent a strong message to the rank and file. Martin, however esteemed, was no longer dictating his status. ?I?m pretty sure it wasn?t his choice,? said Cedric Houston, a second-year running back. ?Curtis is a tough guy. If we had a game Sunday, he?d play in it and be fine.? When humidity and humility collide, it is amazing how uncomfortable it can get. ?There?s no messing around,? Pennington said, adding: ?Training camp has definitely begun. The dog days of summer are here, for sure.?
good read hwismer...nice post. Nice to see the change of attitude. Im at a point now that if it works...great..if it doesnt..great. After 5 years of ass kissing...a couple of slaps in the face is the correct medicine as far as Im concerned.
My favorite part of the article is Mangini saying the players have to prove themselves to him. People need to realize this is a job, not much unlike any other job. It doesn't matter if your boss is 60, or 25, he/she is your boss. Your boss may find it a good idea to build some rapport, but if they don't that's their choice, you still need to work, or they have every right to can your ass. Who knows if this new era is "the one." However, this is a much more welcome change from the previous regime's Camp Happy Love atmosphere!
