By Ken Berger
OK, you can stop killing me for my month-long absence from the blog. There has been nothing -- literally nothing -- going on in Jets land, and even a beat writer has to take some time off now and then.
What's important is that training camp is here, so let me do my best to paint you a picture of what went on today. Imagine a 6-foot-6, 312-pound man, who hours earlier had signed a contract that guarantees him upwards of $18-$20 million, literally running away from reporters and autograph seekers outside the Hofstra dorm.
"That's your first-round pick," one scribe said to Derrick Blaylock as D'Brickashaw Ferguson scurried across four lanes of traffic to avoid having to stop for interviews.
Times sure have changed for reporters chronicling Jets training camp. I predict we will have a serious confrontation soon.
At about 12:30 yesterday -- less than two hours after reporters arrived at the dorm where players stay during camp -- a member of the Jets' media relations department arrived to inform us that we had to leave. The order, which was neither obeyed nor enforced, apparently came from team's security department.
We left eventually, but that was owed more to the lack of available interview subjects than this threat from the team we were trying to cover. I swear, Vic Ziegel of the Daily News was so bored I thought he was going to weep.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that Coach Mangini ran an end-around on reporters by getting almost all the players into the dorm before the media arrived this morning. By the time the beat scribes arrived to provide you with information, insight, and opinion from the players, the players already were on the field a half-mile away for Mangini's mandatory conditioning test.
The news of the day clearly was Curtis Martin being placed on the physically unable to perform list. My prediction is that this is not as ominous as it sounds. What's the point of Martin, at 33, enduring two-a-days while coming off right knee surgery? If he were allowed, I believe Curtis would tell us not to worry. Even though he probably can't run as fast as D'Brickashaw Ferguson at the moment.
Feel free to drop me a line to let me know what you're most curious about as two-a-days open tomorrow.
Comments (9)
I'm really curious to hear about Chad Pennington. When camp opens tomorrow I would like to know a little detail on how he looks and his status because I know it has been hush hush lately with the Jets organization...
which running back is going to be takin the reps with the first team offense?
You made me read Cimini's blog... is that what you want? =)
At long last!!! Glad to see you back in action.
Let us know what defensive fronts do you see most!
Welcome back, Ken.
I had to laugh, simultaneously reading your blog & Cimini's.
Not only are the columns the same... so are the blogs... reporting on D'brick et al, heading for the hills ;)
My interest, at the outset of the new regime, would be if the players seem to be tuned in to Mangini... are they focused... etc?
I realize the easy story, is the continued contrasts between Mangini, and the former coach, but I'm more interested in how they're responding to Mangini.
For me, it would be refreshing, especially in your columns, if you focused on the present... and left the reminiscing to your colleagues.
Have a great season, Ken!
This team is more secret than a Husbands weekly trip to Hooters.
Is it Mangini's master plan not to let us know what is going on? if so at the moment he is doing a hell of a job.
With training camp there are some factors i would like a look out for, Leon Washington, i know his senior year was below Par (You think?) but i think the guy has talent and can do some damage.
Pennington Situation, whats going on with him, is he fit, is he throwing, is he running as fast as Ray King to a Burger joint?
I was starting to worry the Jets organization had up and re-located the lack of anything interesting happening.
Great to have it back.
Ken, have you ever been bitten on the hand by Mark Cannizzaro while reaching for the salt shaker at the press table? And, was D'Brickashaw wearing a helmet when he ran across the street, or was he "pulling a Roethlisberger" without the bike? Thanks.
Didn't take long for Mangini to go hide in a spider hole. Taking on the media, especially in New York, is a battle that can't be won.. See Chad Pennington and his 'Its a proveldge to be a New York Jet beat writer'. Bellichek and Parcells have the credentials to get away with this sort of behavior, but Mangini needs all the help he can get, including the support of the local media. Amateurish, boorish, non-productive and a signature move by a front office in over their heads.
Anonymous,
If Mangini wins, he can urinate on the media at will. I seem to remember a certain Bill Parcells, even as a young, non-established coach, chewing up staff writers. You obviously have an axe to grind with the Mangini-Tannenbaum hiring and are really going out of your way to justify your baseless position. In three years, if the team is in the same state of decline that Herm and Bradway led them on, then you can stand up and crow. Until then, your lame "spider hole" crack just reaffirms that you are an "a**shole," Jensen.
@Soulman - LOL... can't imagine why you'd think that was Bob ;)