By Tom Rock
What’s in a name? Eric Mangini spoke today about being called Penguin by the players (though not to his face). “It’s developing a life of its own,” he said, pointing out the serendipity of recent pop-culture penguin references. He said someone sent him the tap-dancing penguin from the new movie “Happy Feet” and he’s had several books, movies and stuffed animals sent to him and turn up in his life. There’s even a new self-help book about succeeding in business that uses the penguin as a symbol of success. “They’re an impressive bird,” Mangini said of the ubiquitous presence of the feathered image. “I think it’s hilarious.”
But when he was asked about another nickname – Manginius – he turned flush and began stammering. It’s clear he prefers to be called Penguin rather than Manginius.
As many of you posters have pointed out – and thank you for your comments – I wrote a story this week about the gap between Mangini and the players, the idea of which was to point out that while Belichick is a successful jerk a coach doesn’t need to be a jerk to be successful. Mangini and the players may not be a huggy-kissy bunch just yet, but they are bridging the gap over a chasm that was dangerously wide a few weeks ago. To that point, Mangini is starting to bend a little himself. He let the players practice in shells on Wednesday, the first time he did so this season. As long as the tempo and intensity remain the same as a full-contact practice, Mangini said he would start to sprinkle in those shell days as the season goes along. For a football coach, giving players a day in shells is the equivalent of sending a dozen roses to your wife. It keeps you in good graces and helps erase a lot of the recent rough patches.
Comments (9)
Sorry, newbie here... what are shells?
Sorry, Aaron, I should have made that clear. Basically soft shoulder pads with sweats and shorts rather than the padded pants. It means less full-contact and more comfort for the players.
Sounds nice... but for a team like the Bears, shouldn't they be practicing "harder" rather than "softer"?
Jets will be in with 9 wins IF the four wins are the remaining AFC games. That would force KC and JAX to have 10 wins to win the wild card race but looking at their schedules that is very unlikely. But if the Jets lose one AFC game they will need 2 more NFC wins for 10. By the way the Jets easiest games? The four AFC games!
I doubt that Mangini's decision to let them practice in shells was based on the desire to narrow any chasms as much as it was on common sense. Obviously, a little less wear and tear during practice in the second half of the season makes for fresher bodies come gameday. Or, maybe he just figures that they earned it. If Mangini is to be consistently successful for any length of time, placating players is not going to be a priority. I think that he has pretty much demonstrated that a few ruffled feathers are inevitable and not a factor in his decision making.
Rock, what happened to Berger? Tell Berger to get a blog. You're doing a good job by the way. Hey, about a blog on what goes on in that press room all the time. I bet Cannizarro farts alot.
-Doe
I don't think there was a likable gap between the players and Mangini.A new coach must establish himself. He's the boss and they needed to see this.Its a alpha male world in Pro football, you know that Tom. Players will always respect a coach that works as hard EM.
regarding the tie breakers if the jets tie JAX the number of AFC wins is irrelevant, JAX wins the tie breaker based on head to head win vs. JETs.
Mangini's greatest success so far has been his methodical approach and getting the players to buy into the one play, one game at a time philosophy. Preparation, preparation and more preparation, combined with some talent, will produce unlimited results. If they continue to have success, which I believe they will, there won't be any rift between the players and Mangini. They're all just getting to know each other and as long as they progress, everyone will get along just fine. It helps when you have veteran leaders like Pennington, Kendall, Ellis and Vilma too. One play at a time fellas.