Players' jobs on the line, too

Players' jobs on the line, too
December 23
New York Post columnist George Willis
"When the question came up about whether the Jets will be playing to save coach Eric Mangini's job Sunday against the Dolphins, fullback Tony Richardson probably spoke for just about everyone on his beleaguered team.

"You play for your own job," he said yesterday, adding, "We're not worried about whose job is on the line or this or that, because ultimately you have no control over that anyway."

There will be plenty of discussion this week about whether Mangini's continued employment as the Jet head coach should hinge on the outcome of Sunday's Meadowlands showdown.

It would be hard to justify his return if the Jets, once 8-3 and conjuring talk of reaching the Super Bowl, complete their stunning collapse by losing to Chad Pennington and the hated Fish. It would mean a 9-7 season and no playoff berth and lots of questions about Mangini's leadership in this, the third year of his four-year contract.

But the players are at risk, too, and if clinging to a playoff berth isn't motivation enough, maybe a threat to their own employment is.

You could start with quarterback Brett Favre, who has looked every bit of his 39 years in losing three of the last four games. He threw two interceptions in the Jets' ghastly 13-3 loss to the Seahawks in Seattle, giving him six interceptions over the last four games against only one touchdown pass. At a time when Favre is supposed to be energizing his team, he looks as deflated as anyone wearing green.

The high-priced offensive line that was supposed to provide him winter protection allowed four sacks at Seattle, and the Jets' pass rush was embarrassing, failing to collect a sack against a patchwork Seahawk offensive line that featured all backups and practice-squad players.

The Jets had time to contemplate their woeful play over the last month during a long plane flight back from Seattle that included extended hours on the tarmac before takeoff because of snowy weather. The 6 a.m. arrival in New Jersey wasn't the dawn of a new beginning but a revelation the nightmare continues.

If they fail this Sunday, not only are Mangini and Favre probably gone, but a host of underachieving players are as well, as the Jets will look to rebuild from this disaster.

Save Mangini? The Jets should be more worried about saving themselves. "
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