http://www.nypost.com/seven/01032009/sports/jets/mangini_pal_atlas_takes_jabs_at_favre_147032.htm By BRIAN COSTELLO Last updated: 4:33 am January 3, 2009 Posted: 3:44 am January 3, 2009 Teddy Atlas is one Jet who won't be back next year. The famed boxing trainer and Jets New York Jets "special assistant" ripped the organization and quarterback Brett Favre yesterday. Atlas, a close friend of Eric Mangini, said the recently fired coach was doomed from the moment the Jets acquired Favre. "Mangini went into the season ready for a whole different approach, whether it was going to be Chad Pennington Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens Kellen Clemens (at quarterback), whoever won that battle," Atlas told The Post. "It was going to be a secure, protect the ball, intelligent approach. It was something he was comfortable with, something he believed in. The whole plan, the whole blueprint got thrown out the window when Favre came. He's the antithesis of that. He throws the ball all over the place." Mangini brought Atlas in to work with the Jets, giving them boxing training in the offseason and providing motivational talks during the season. Atlas appeared on 1050 ESPN Radio yesterday, and talked with The Post about the Jets' firing of Mangini. Atlas is listed in the Jets' media guide as "special assistant - boxing." Atlas said Jets owner Woody Johnson forced the trade upon Mangini. "He had no choice in the matter," Atlas said. "How you going to argue with a Hall of Fame guy coming in and the business part of it? (Mangini) did the best he could to adjust to it." The Jets traded a third-round pick to the Packers on Aug. 6 to get the 39-year-old quarterback. Atlas said Johnson saw Favre as a salesman for his controversial personal seat licenses in the team's new stadium. "You're paying a guy ($13) million, you're asking fans to buy PSLs, you've got a new facility, you've got money all over the place," Atlas said, "You bring this guy in and in your mind, you're looking at Mick Jagger. Now who's to say the owner doesn't start to meddle? It can disrupt a lot of things and it can explain some things that fans don't see." Besides Johnson, Atlas also criticized Favre, who threw nine interceptions in the final five games. Atlas said running back Thomas Jones spoke the truth this week when he criticized Favre. "I think Brett Favre basically is a selfish guy," Atlas said. "Brett Favre goes out there with his gray hair, his Wranglers and gets up when he gets hit. I understand why people like that. But there's another side. He's a selfish guy." Atlas said he saw the Jets lose their "fear of losing" down the stretch. "When you're a fighter and you're going into the fight, your fundamentals have to be there," Atlas said. "We always say, 'The jab leads the way.' If you took that analogy and put it in football (terms), the quarterback leads the way. If you lead it in a reckless way, bad things are going to happen. (Favre) was reckless." COMMENTS (10)
This is such a pathetic organization. I hope more people come out like this to show what how Favre and Woody are making a mockery of the Jets.
While him leaving won't hurt the team, I really can't disagree with anything he says about Favre. If something is wrong with your arm to the point where it is impacting your play, then you should at least go see a doctor about it. Favre, "ironman" that he is, thinks he can just suck it up and play. His thick-headedness hurt the Jets and I don't think it's crazy to call it selfish.
WHY WHY WHY didnt mangini bench him for the Seahawks game and give the ball to CLemens.. They were 3-13 and we lost to them. Clemens should have played more then just that game. After the Tenn. game Brett lost it, LOST IT ALL. I dont want that back.
If Teddy Atlas was the strength and conditioning coach for the 2008 JETS that explains it all. Wasnt he the guy in the comic where the guy kicked sand in his face........:rofl:
The fact Jones stopped running the ball hurt the Jets too. So did the fact the defense couldn't stop the run anymore. That also hurt. Oh and the pass defense couldn't stop anything all year. Were they all injured too? No? Then what was their problem and why wasn't the whole team at the Dr's office or on the bench? And we all know that Mangini never could coach shit so why wasn't he sitting home? You start to see how stupid and pathetic this all sounds I hope.
Actually he was the Guy who heard more shit from the players then most of the other coaches because he was a trainer and Im sure the players flet they could talk in front of him. So I am sure he heard alot.
None of the other positions on the team you mentioned actually have injuries that require surgery. If any other QB in the league had an arm injury, refused to see a doctor about it, and then went on to play poorly because of said injury they would be crucified. But I guess we should give Favre a pass. He's an ironman and he's playing the game way the way it should be played (which apparently is while in searing pain). I never said other facets of the team were perfect, but Favre actually has medical science pointing to the reason for his poor play. Does Jones, the run D, or pass D? And no, serious mental retardation on the part of Sutton does not count.
For the first time I got a tinge of pain for being so angry at mangini and wanting him gone, but then it went away when I thought about the defense
"It was going to be a secure, protect the ball, intelligent approach. It was something he was comfortable with, something he believed in. The whole plan, the whole blueprint got thrown out the window when Favre came." I believe that. If you look at Belichik, Parcells, they always take pride in taking care of the ball. They understand that TOs lead to losses. Mangini learned from these guys and brings the same philosophy. Isn't this what Woody wanted when he got Eric from NE? He wanted a guy like that. He got Mangini, even though he had just 1 year of coordinating experience. Then he forced Mangini to adjust to Farve, and when Eric finally got some years under his belt, he kicked him out as soon as season was over and went on vacation (which btw played a role in Cowher refusing to even talk to Jets). What a moron Woody is. Every report that surfaces from different sources, different people, confirms that Woody played a role in every step leading to this disaster we are in right now (no play-offs, no decent QB, reputable coaches not even willing to talk to the Jets, poor reputation). Some time ago Woody had the right idea of getting some of that Parcells/Belichik's success to the Jets. Just not enough brain to actually follow through with this idea. Now he just looks like a total fool, badly hurting this organization.
maybe Teddy Atlas could be the head coach. Then he could punch Favre in the face, when he throws an interception.
Why can't some of you understand that all this noise indicates that there was a problem with Favre in the locker room?
