THE HOT SEAT: Mangenius no more
Who: New York Jets coach Eric Mangini
When: Sunday vs. visiting Miami
Why: The Jets don’t look like the playoff team they were in Mangini’s first season. The Jets were expected to compete with the Patriots this season, and Mangini was enjoying his Mangenius nickname. After two games, Jets fans are still calling Mangini names, but they’re no longer flattering. Despite losses to defending playoff teams New England and Baltimore, the Jets can turn things around. They must beat Miami, which is not a good team. If the Jets blow a home game to the Dolphins to start 0-3, Mangini will be feeling the heat.
ROOKIE WATCH: Nelson big hitter
Who: Jacksonville Jaguars free safety Reggie Nelson
When: Sunday against the Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High
Why: Nelson, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2007 draft, is starting and will be patrolling against the Broncos’ dangerous crew of receivers. The Broncos brought him in for a predraft visit. Nelson, a Florida product, has a chance to become an excellent player if he can keep straight off the field. He is a good hitter and is often around the ball. Nelson made seven tackles against Atlanta last Sunday. The Jaguars’ defense shines, and this youngster should make the group even more dangerous.
AT ISSUE: Scared straight
What: The NFL spy game
Background:The NFL is on high alert for cheating in the aftermath of the New England Patriots stealing signs from the Jets’ sideline by use of videotape. There has been talk of such shenanigans for the past few seasons, and commissioner Roger Goodell warned teams not to steal signs. After getting proof of the Patriots’ guilt, Goodell came down hard by fining Patriots coach Bill Belichick and the team and docking them a draft pick, most likely a first-rounder.
Williamson’s take: Don’t expect to see other teams get busted for a similar violation soon. Teams may try to steal signs the old-fashioned way, by peering at the opposite sideline, using their own eyes. But don’t think teams will use the same technology that New England did. Goodell continues to show he means business, and if he has to nail another team, the penalty likely will be worse. There’s nothing teams value more than draft picks. So the loss of a potential first-rounder for New England is enough to scare teams straight.
