More fallout from Colts, Jet hiring, Stitzer interview

• The enormity of the Colts' loss is still hitting home. This team started 13-0, one of only four teams in the history of the league to do so, and the only one to lose before the championship game. I am surprised that there is not more talk about Manning and Dungy not being able to win the big games. After all, mumblings existed in the past about this, and this has to go down as one of the all time disappointing results for a team heading into the postseason. I am guessing these two guys are just so liked and respected that they are getting a mulligan. Personally, I am not a big Manning fan, and have his 3-6 postseason record to point to. But after a day of digestion, I think the coaching staff of Indianapolis is getting an undeserved free pass on this. They had the best team in the league, and they came in just completely unprepared, were outcoached in game preparation and showed no ability to make successful adjustments during the game. Cowher and his crew just obliterated this coaching match-up. There is no other way to look at it. I am guessing my Father-in-law uttered a few expletives about Dungy and his coaching abilities, and in my opinion he is justified.
• You think there were any punches thrown between Manning and the "liquored up" kicked Van Der Jagt after the most accurate kicker in history missed the 46 yarder to tie the game by about 46 yards? If so, do you think all the lineman just sat around and giggled as a quarterback and kicker started brawling?
• The NFL came out and said that their officials messed up the Polamalu interception or lack thereof. I have two questions surrounding this. First, would they have admitted to this had the Colts came back and won? I doubt it, since that play would have clearly determined the outcome of the game, which makes their admission empty and meaningless. Second, why did they not recognize all the other horrible calls (NE pass interference, the delay of game on Chicago that was not called and led to an interception, etc.)? They would be better off after the seasno saying their officiating is not up to par, and they are hiring full time officials for these roles starting immediately. Any current official that wants to keep their job will have to resign from any other jobs they hold. Then they can make this an occupation instaead of a hobby.
• Nobody is noticing, and probably it is not yet warranted, but my friend Quin Snyder is doing an excellent job this year at Missouri, rewarding a school for really going out on a limb to keep him on board when the easy move would have been to fire him before last season. After starting the year with a couple bad losses at Sam Houston St and at Davidson (who is tough, especially at home), they are now 10-5, 3-1 in the Big 12. While the Big 12 is not great this year, they have beaten Kansas, Oklahoma St and Oklahoma in Norman. I would love to see him maintain the mommentum and sneak back into the NCAAs this year. Go Mizzou!
• The Jets hired the youngest Head Coach in the league yesterday in 35 year old Eric Mangini. This was a great hire from my seat, as they did not go after a retread with a proven track record for medicrity for rather went for the upside that a young, high flyer like Mangini brings to the table. In addition, they make a division rival weaker by taking away the Patriots Defensive Coordinator, and in the process pissed off Beilcheck, who reportedly advised Mangini not to take the job. For my interview with Stitzer on this subject, keep reading as it is shown below....
• For those of you who watched the first four episides of '24' over the past two nights, I think you will agree that the show is off to a flying start as usual. Who would have thought that Rudy, after leaving Notre Dame, would put on 100 pounds and become a counter terrorist agent that helped aviod a disaster last night?!?!
• Where is the Sports Guy's article on what happened to his beloved Patsies?

Now, here is the transcript from my interview of Mr. Andrew B. Stitzer regarding the hire of Eric Mangini by the New York Jets. As you know, Mr. Stitzer is one of the tope Jet fans in the country, and can tell you the score and story from any Jet game since 1980 (just ask him), even 1993, Week 5, when the Birds came from down 21-0 to beat the Jets 35-30...

Dils: What do you think of the Jets hiring Eric Mangini as their Head Coach?
Stitzer: Think it is a great hire. This is an organization that has had their last 4 head coaches leave on their own. Parcells (who stepped down to kick in the clause in Bellichick's contract that made him HC so NE could not hire him; Bellichick, who resigned the next day; Al "Wayne" Groh, who quit to go back to his alma mater @ UVA; and Herm, who from what I understand had been orchestrating his move to KC since September. The organization needed to clearly demonstrate that the guy they brought in was someone who had tremendous upside, has experience in winning Super Bowls, and does not come in as a someone dumped by another organization. And to boot, we weaken a division rival by taking their DC. On a side note, I think it was selfish and childish of BB to try and talk Mangini out of taking the job (which he did by all accounts). So the soap opera between these 2 organizations continues.

Dils: Was he your first choice for the job?
Stitzer: Based on all the candidates that were being interviewed, Mangini was my first choice, with the 3 JETS incumbent coordinators 2nd through 4th. The Vitts, Hasletts, etc...were way down on my list. Would have also liked Kirk Ferentz of Iowa, but he pulled his name out of all NFL openings early last week.

Dils:What are his strengths and weaknesses?
Stitzer: Strengths are his association with Bellichick: how to game plan; how to breakdown film and go after another team's offense, especially the QB; he learned how to make in-game adjustments. We are not sure if he has any weaknesses, but obviously his youth, and his lack of HC experience at any level. Also, we do not know how he will react to a negative situation. Going from a DC on Super Bowl winners and playoff teams is a huge different than being an HC of a team that went 4-12. Bellichick did not handle many of aspects of his job well at all in Cleveland, and he inherited team that did not have the salary cap problems that Mangini's team will. Potential weakness is how he handles the brutal NY media.

Dils: Do they have the quality they need in the General Manager’s position to win in this league?
Stitzer: Based on his track record so far, I would say no. But, hopefully Bradway has learned on the job well for 5 years, and maybe the signing of Mangini will lead to better things. It is hard to hold Bradway accountable for the injury problems in 2005. However, it is the GM's responsibility to make sure there is ample depth on the roster, and it was clear there was not as guys went down. If Bradway has learned from his mistakes over the past 5 years, then he does have the skills to provide the talent Mangini needs to make the Green & White an elite team.

Dils: What do you see as the Jets record next year with Mangini in place?
Stitzer: Tough questions my friend, as the only thing we know for sure is the schedule. 8-8 is my call.

Dils: How will the key players react to this hiring, especially Pennington and key free agents that you want back?
Stitzer: I think the Vets will welcome him. Word is starting to creep out that many vets were starting to turned off by Herm's "positive spin Kool-aid approach." Chad is a very intelligent guy, a Rhodes scholar, and he still commands a lot of respect in the locker room, despite his injuries - remember, he played with a busted wing in 2004 and he did not have to. How Mangini handles Chad will go a long way to telling us how the Vets will react to EM. In other words, the Vets will be very disappointed if Chad is not given a chance to prove he is healthy and win his job back. The other leader who commands the utmost respect in the locker room is Curtis. He played hurt all season (thanks to the POS Zach Thomas' cheap shot) because his backup Derrick Blaylock went down. Curtis has said that he is all for reducing his role, re-working his contract, and coming back. How EM/Bradway handles this will be key. As for the Free Agents, there is now talk that Law may take a huge pay cut to stay because of his close ties to EM. Key FA is Abraham. I have heard that the NE folks do not think as highly of him as rest of league does. I would look for him to be traded for draft picks OR franchised again - he will not get a long-term deal.

Dils: What will his staff look like? Who do you think the Coordinators and Special Teams Coach will be next year?
Stitzer: Staff will be completely over-hauled, which to be honest, I am not completely thrilled about, but I guess it is to expected with an HC change, and a change from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 scheme. Mike Heimerdinger is all but out the door to replace Gary Kubiak as Denver's OC (he was Denver receiver's coach in the early 90s) and is very close to Shanahan. Mike Westhoff will probably follow Herm to KC, he is one of the top ST coaches in the league, and we would be wise to retain him. Donnie Henderson is a 4-3 guy; EM is a 3-4 guy. Look for Rob Ryan (son of buddy) to leave Oakland and join his old pal Mangini as the JETS DC (the only time the JETS won a Super Bowl a Ryan was an AC - Buddy was the Linebackers coach of the 1968 JETS, so may that is a good omen). I am hearing that Mike Sheppard, NO's OC will be brought in to run the offense - might that mean Aaron Brooks is the vet QB signed as insurance for Chad - yeesh, I hope not.

Dils: If they made a 40 Year Old Virgin, Part II, would you agree to do a cameo?
Stitzer: Absolutely not. As you know Brian, I like to fly under the radar, and would never want to subject my family to any unnecessary publicity. You also know I was not thrilled that my name was used, and I could have pursued legal channels to obtain financial rewards, but that is not my style either.