Around the AFC East, Part III - New York Jets

NY Landing Strip: SB Nation's New York Jets blog

Now under center: Jetfighter from SB Nation's New York Jets blog, NY Landing Strip, SB Nation's newest and final addition to the AFC East roll.

tommasse: What do you think of Eric Mangini's first season, and how are the Mangini Jets different from the Herman Edwards Jets?

Jetfighter: I think that Mangini's first season can be considered successful. When you think about coming into a position as a rookie head coach with no experience, no true running back, an oft-injured quarterback, and virtually no offensive line, the expectations are very low.  Factor in a whole new coaching staff and a new 3-4 defensive scheme and it's a recipe for disaster.  Thankfully though, the schedule was very easy on the Jets, something they cannot say about the upcoming season.

Mangini's Jets are different from the Herman Edwards Jets in a variety of ways.  Right off the bat Mangini hired his own crew, the people he wanted to help run the ship.  Herm came into the position and it was mostly Terry Bradway who was picking the staff.  Mangini has a very complex system, and is always thinking outside the box.  Herm had a very basic system, and based on his defensive background, allowed the offense to suffer.

A perfect example is the off-season.  Mangini is blasting music out of the speakers in mini-camp doing complex plays that most other coaches do in training camp, practicing outside the bubble in hurricane conditions, and being rough on them.  "Club Herm Ed" was a players coach and every season besides 1 the Jets started off the season like they never practiced before.

Update [2007-6-15 17:32:16 by tommasse]:
My last 2 cents today. There's no doubt Mangini's first season was successful. The Jets made the playoffs, and few people expected that. But, like Belichick learned from Parcells (another discussion), Mangini learned from Belichick. The installation of the 3-4 made a huge difference. It goes to show what impact a good system, properly managed and executed, can make.

Parcells, Belichick, Mangini. No one will accuse them of being players' coaches, like Edwards, Pete Carroll, Nick Saban - a.k.a college coaches. Now it's a matter of landing the right personnel, and Mangini and co. are off to a good start. In a couple years, we'll be looking at the AFC East as a powerhouse division again. In a couple years. For now, Mangini, entering his second year, has the second longest tenure of the AFC East coaches.

Now it's your turn. Step up to the Pulpit and say your piece. And if you have a question you want me to ask next week, email me, and I'll pose the best queries to our friends at Buffalo Rumblings, The Phinsider and NY Landing Strip.