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C Nick Mangold (All American, B1G Champion, National Champion, 7x Pro-bowler)

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5/12

Mangold likes center of action


Friday, May 12, 2006BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
Being perceived as the heir apparent to six-time Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae suits Jets rookie first-round pick Nick Mangold just fine. While at Ohio State, Mangold emerged from the considerable shadows of two current NFL starting centers. Following Mawae is just the latest, albeit greatest, challenge for Mangold.
As a Buckeye, Mangold stepped in for an injured Alex Stepanovich in the second game of his sophomore season and played so well that Stepanovich was moved to guard when he returned. Stepanovich has started the past two seasons at center for the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2002, Stepanovich followed All-American LeCharles Bentley as Ohio State's starting center. Bentley, winner of the Rimington Award as the nation's best center as a senior, is a two-time Pro Bowler. This off-season he signed a six-year, $36 million free-agent contract with the Browns that included a $12 million signing bonus. He's regarded as one of the premier centers in the NFL.
Mangold, the second of the Jets' two first-round picks and the 29th overall pick, was drafted higher than Stepanovich (fourth round) and Bentley (second round). A second-team All-American and three-year starter, Mangold was considered the best center in the draft.
"I think it's a great thing to have that type of pressure," Mangold said of following Mawae, who was released and signed by the Titans this off-season. "Going to Ohio State, I had to fill the shoes of some great centers. So I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
Mangold will be among roughly 42 rookies/first-year players expected to participate in the Jets' rookie minicamp, which begins today at Hofstra and runs through Sunday. All 10 of the club's draft picks, including left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was taken fourth overall, are expected to attend.
The camp marks the first of any kind for first-year head coach Eric Mangini, the former Patriots defensive coordinator who has brought a distinct New England flavor to the Jets.
The starting job at center is apparently Mangold's to lose. Before the draft, the Jets signed former Bills center Trey Teague, but he is now likely an insurance policy in case Mangold struggles early. Teague, who can also play left tackle, provides the Jets with depth along their revamped offensive line.
At Ohio State, Mangold, 6-4 and 300 pounds, did it all. Although not overpowering, he was explosive enough to play the power game, and quick and athletic enough to play in space, something Mawae did so well. Mangold can also play guard.
Perhaps most important, Mangold can think on his feet and is a technician. Last season the co-captain made all the line calls. According to his coaches, he graded 84.3 percent in blocking consistency, allowed no sacks and was charged with only one quarterback pressure. The Buckeyes averaged 422.3 yards of total offense per game.

"I think my best asset is the intelligence that I bring to the game," said Mangold, who grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and went to Ohio State with Jets kick Mike Nugent. "I was taught real early in college that I had to learn everything there is to know in football, and I tried to do that."
Mangini describes Mangold as "incredibly smart as a center." The Jets also like Mangold's leadership qualities.
In something of a surprise, Mangold was shut out in the postseason awards. He was beaten out by University of Minnesota center Greg Eslinger for first-team All-Big Ten honors and the Rimington Trophy. Eslinger wasn't drafted until the sixth round (198th overall) by the Broncos.
"At first I was real disappointed, but I've gotten past it," Mangold said of the snub. "Now it's just kind of one of those things you look back and say, 'I wish that would've happened,' but now you've got new stuff."
It's the "new stuff" that Ohio State offensive line coach Jim Bollman is sure Mangold can handle.
"He has outstanding knowledge of the game," Bollman said. "He transfers all of his knowledge from the (chalk) board to the field. He can really do a great job making sure that things are operating in a correct fashion in pressure situations. He played in a lot of tough games at OSU and I know he'll do a good job helping the Jets."
 
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link with picture of Big Smilin Nick

Class Begins for the Rookies
Published: May 12, 2006

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Still wet behind the ears, the New York Jets rookie class took part in their first professional practice on a rain-soaked Friday morning. While all of the rookies seem to fall under the category of young, athletic and eager, none of them seem to be expressing the same thoughts and emotions of their first trip to the big show.

The majority of the latest Jets have a familiar idea of how to quickly settle into their latest gig, which happens to be the NFL. For some, the publicity and pressure is much like their college days, where stadiums were filled to the brim with season ticket holders and millions of dollars of support. For others, it’s a considerable transition from their alma maters, some just a few thousand students deep, meaning, the professional taste will take longer to swallow.

“It’s been very different, especially coming from a smaller school - I’m still adjusting,” said Pierre Lee, a defensive back from Virginia State, as the media horde was focused elsewhere. “The coaches have been getting us acclimated to the conditions that we are going to face, and it’s been very helpful, they’ve been doing a very good job. It makes it easier for me to focus on getting out on the field and doing my job.”

Listen to Coach Mangini's Friday Press Conference, presented by Geico

Listen to Coach Mangini's Saturday Press Conference, presented by Geico

When speaking of transition, perhaps no rookie faces a larger one than Brad Smith, who holds numerous Missouri and NCAA records as a quarterback. He came to camp knowing that he will most likely be about 10-20 yards wide of his usual comfort zone under center. Although he goes from taking snaps to running routes, this marvelous playmaker’s mindset remains the same regardless of position.

“I was like, just get the ball; I wanted that ball in my hands,” said Smith about his first time lining up as a wide receiver. “It’s a little bit of an adjustment – I don’t think it will happen over night but I always give the best I can.”

Since the players arrived, they have been served a healthy portion of Jets football. There isn’t much time to take in the excitement or nervousness of the situation. To say the least, football is the task, and nothing, even their own emotions, will be able to distract these young men.

“You don’t really have the opportunity to fathom what’s going on,” said DonTrell Moore, a running back from New Mexico. “There’s a lot of stuff happening, a lot of people talking and every little bit is important. You got to go and absorb and apply. I haven’t had an opportunity to do anything but study and sleep.”

For the big names – and bodies that come with them – the hurdle into the pro ranks has been less of a jump and more of a long, slow, stride. Center Nick Mangold, the 29th overall selection in April’s draft, says he is “cheating the system.”

“I’m still in school, physically taking classes,” said the Ohio State product who was the Jets second 1st round selection. “To me, I’m still a college player which makes it more weird being in the Jets locker room – I don’t know how to describe it. It’s weird sitting in class and looking around and a lot of these people are looking for jobs and I already have a job.”

While many are traveling home and deciding what arrangement of flowers to pick up for Mother’s Day this Sunday, Mangold has some other important plans. On top of his four inch thick playbook, there will be some other studying going on throughout the next few days.

“I need to fly back on Sunday for Monday morning classes,” said Mangold. “I have a 9:30 physics lecture and four business classes, and a midterm, too. I’m going to graduate in three weeks and then move back here.”

Although Therese Mangold – Nick’s mother - may have wanted to see more of her son on her special day, there is a future present that Nick will be proud to provide.

“I’m graduating in four years, which I know will make my mom happy,” he said.
 
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Jets | Mangold gets some work at guard
Sat, 20 May 2006 10:57:57 -0700

Rich Cimini, writing for the Sporting News, reports New York Jets C Nick Mangold is expected to challenge C Trey Teague. Mangold also took snaps at guard with the team and he could push OG Brandon Moore for a starting role.
 
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jetslede06182006.jpg


JETS COULD FIND 'GOLD AT CENTER

By DAN MARTIN

June 18, 2006 -- Pete Kendall started as a rookie with the Seahawks 11 years ago, so he has an idea of what Nick Mangold and D'Brickashaw Ferguson are going through now with the Jets.
"As overwhelming as it might be, it's the best way to learn," Kendall said. "The greatest teacher is experience, so you're better off getting out there, even if you're not sure you're ready."

That's good news for Mangold, who could be thrust into the starting center's spot because of free agent Trey Teague's ankle injury. The rookie out of Ohio State had been considered as a potential starter at guard, but may shift over. If that's the case, he knows he has a lot of work ahead of him.

"It is intimidating," the 300-pounder said yesterday on the final day of this early mini-camp at Hofstra. The team returns on July 28. "The playbook is so massive."

He said that he is trying not to think about how he will be utilized when the season comes.

"I've got too much other stuff to worry about," said Mangold, who was the Jets' second first-round pick this year, after Ferguson. "If I mess up out here, then nothing else matters and I won't be out there at all."

If Mangold winds up as the starting center, he knows who he will be surrounded by.

"Rookie camp was totally different," Mangold said. "Now, I've got Chad Pennington behind me and Curtis Martin. I'm completely out of my comfort zone. You look around and you almost don't know if you belong."

Head coach Eric Mangini said both rookies are "progressing."

"They are extremely mature, but they are rookies," Mangini said.

The way things look now, the Jets could well need Mangold to play as though he belongs quickly. Kendall has liked what he's seen out of his two new linemates.

"They are talented kids," Kendall said. "I'll help them as much as they and the coaches want me to. But there's no better way of becoming a player than being on the field, in games, picking things up that way. You don't become a football player just watching."

*


K Mike Nugent struggled on Friday, but recovered yesterday. "I'm much more comfortable this year," said Nugent, who nailed several kicks of over 40 yards. "But I still have to prove myself. "You can't afford to slip up in this league." . . .

[email protected]
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http://www.nypost.com/sports/jets/jets_could_find__gold_at_center_jets_dan_martin.htm
 
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6/23/06


Ferguson and Mangold likely on line to start


D'Brickashaw Ferguson already had experienced the fun parts of being a first-round pick: the glitzy suits and bright lights of draft day, the glowing testimonials and charming anecdotes about the origin of his unusual name.

This past week, the Freeport product experienced three days of the less-glamorous aspects of his new job: the grueling two-a-day practices and the head-spinning speed of the NFL game when a rookie is dropped into his first minicamp.

It was definitely a learning experience," Ferguson said. "There were areas I didn't expect, areas I was surprised by, but I'm glad I at least have a taste of what is coming in about a month."

That's when the Jets next convene for the start of training camp July 28. It'll be no surprise to have Ferguson penciled into the starting offensive line when those workouts begin; that's the reason the Jets selected him with the No. 4 pick. But with Trey Teague's apparent broken ankle, Ferguson probably won't be the only rookie among the revamped front five. Center Nick Mangold, also drafted in the first round by the Jets this spring, likely will begin his first NFL camp at the top of the depth chart.

"I like their progress, both guys are working as hard as they can, but at the end of the day, they're rookies," Jets coach Eric Mangini said.

Read between Mangini's lines, and both have a lot to improve upon.

For Ferguson, that includes a better understanding of the playbook with schemes to decipher, techniques to master and philosophies to buy into.

Ferguson called it doing "more than just what is written." Ferguson said there were times during the three-day minicamp when he would look around and notice who else was on the field. "A lot of times you think about the different talent and skill levels of the players you're going against," he said. "In college, the most anyone's going to be is a four-year starter, but here you've got guys who are seven-year starters. You can learn a lot."

One resource will be veteran lineman Pete Kendall, who also is absorbing new data and studying the tweaks and twists that come with a new offensive coordinator. Kendall said he'll help Ferguson and Mangold as much as he is asked to, and his insight could go beyond X's and O's.

Kendall started as a rookie with the Seattle Seahawks in 1996, so he knows how it feels to jump from the college game directly to the NFL trenches.

"To me, I'd rather just go and play," Kendall said. "As overwhelming as it may seem at times, the only way to really learn is experience. You don't fully learn this game until you play it."

For the rookies, the learning began here.

Notes & quotes: Mangini has adopted an old Jets motto originated by Weeb Ewbank: "Green and Growing" ... Former NFL players Roman Phifer and Ray Lucas and Olympic decathlete Dan O'Brien spoke to the players about their experiences and imparted a bit of inspiration Friday night ... After missing several field-goal attempts Friday, Mike Nugent was steadier yesterday. He kicked a 55-yarder and was 6-for-7 from beyond 40 yards ... For the second day in a row, QB Chad Pennington looked his sharpest during the two-minute drill.
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I do believe I will have to watch more Jets' games... I feel bad for Trey but dang, what an opportunity for Nick. Show 'em what you got!!!

On a separate girlie note, what a great pic of Nick a few posts back in his Jets' uniform. He is such a cutie... he sure looks great in green, not near as good as in scarlet and gray, but still a cutie.
 
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Was just listening to colin Cowheard and they had a Jets beat writer on spanning the globe. He said that Nick signed late last night and will be the starter heading into game 1. Congrats to nick on what should be the start to a great career.
 
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A reporter who covers the Jets was talking on the Cowherd show, ESPN Radio, and (while mostly talking about the QB situation and recent signing of the 4th pick in the Draft, OT D'Brick) said that Nick signed a contract late last night.

Didn't say much else (concerning Mangold) other than both 1st round O-Line picks are penciled in to start this year.

Congrats NM! :osu:

EDIT

Damn fast typers... :wink:
 
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Jets Sign Mangold, Clemens

POSTED: 5:00 pm EDT July 27, 2006
Hempstead, NY -- (Sports Network) - The New York Jets agreed to terms with the club's last two unsigned draft picks on Thursday, signing both center Nick Mangold, the team's second first-round pick, and quarterback Kellen Clemens, the club's second-round selection.Taken with the 29th overall pick, Mangold was a three-year starter at Ohio State, serving as an offensive co-captain in his senior season that ended with a Fiesta Bowl victory. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Mangold was a finalist for both the Outland Trophy, given to the nation's top offensive lineman, and the Rimington Trophy, given to the top center. The Jets originally acquired the pick in a three-team trade that shipped defensive end John Abraham to Atlanta. Mangold is expected to fill the void of departed All-Pro center Kevin Mawae, who signed with Tennessee in the offseason. Clemens recorded 7,555 passing yards at the University of Oregon, ranking third-all time in the school's history. The 6-2, 223-pound Clemens tossed 61 touchdowns and 24 picks with a completion percentage of 61 percent.
 
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Serving as middle man

LG Kendall playing between rookies Ferguson, Mangold

BY KEN BERGER
Newsday Staff Writer

July 31, 2006

When Pete Kendall was asked what it's like to have a rookie playing next to him on the Jets' revamped offensive line, he pounced on the punch line as though it were a fumble.

"Could you be more specific?" Kendall asked yesterday, still wearing his pads after practicing in blazing heat. "Which side?" Kendall, the left guard, will be sandwiched between the Jets' two first-round picks, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold.




How quickly the Jets become a functioning offense in coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's first season hinges, of course, on who will be playing quarterback. But as the Jets learned in such painful ways last year, the success, not to mention health, of the quarterback will be directly related to the line's performance. "It's clearly not where we would like it to be at this point," Kendall said.

The graybeard in the offensive line meetings now, Kendall already is seeing his leadership role expand in the absence of center Kevin Mawae. Ferguson, picked fourth overall, is still feeling his way. Mangold, the 29th pick, is adjusting to every aspect of NFL training camp while also wrestling with the mental calisthenics of calling the blocking schemes before every snap.

Kendall, fresh off a season in which he had to make the pre-snap calls as Mawae's replacement when the center got hurt, is speaking up as needed.

"It's not that defined to me yet - 'Pete, shut your mouth,' or 'Pete, make every call,' " Kendall said. "We're all sort of leaving it to Nick. And if I feel like I need to chime in on a particular play, or if this is kind of a funky look that's beyond the fundamentals right now or beyond the basics, then I will. But he's quite capable. He's a sharp kid."

Kendall hasn't been part of a center-tackle combination this inexperienced since his second year in the league with Seattle. Mawae, the center, was in his third year. Walter Jones, the left tackle, was a rookie. "That seemed to work out pretty well," Kendall said.

Kendall likes Ferguson's long arms and fluid lateral movement. He likes Mangold's willingness to ask questions.

"To have a solid rock that you can hold on to, as in Pete, it helps out a ton," Mangold said.

Kendall, 33, will have as big a role in grooming the future cornerstones of the Jets' line as any coach will this season. "These kids are talented kids," he said. "If all I have to do is say a word to get them going in the right direction, then we'll be fine."

Notes & quotes: Rookie TE Jason Pociask has missed the first three days with a shoulder injury, coach Eric Mangini said ... S Erik Coleman has been out with an undisclosed illness ... Mangini praised WR Jerricho Cotchery as "the most outstanding player in our offseason program. He has great potential." ... Mangini also is pleased with NT Sione Pouha, who lost 30 pounds by swearing off fast food and weighs about 300. Pouha was helped off the field with an injured right leg during the evening practice, but the injury doesn't appear to be serious.
 
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Posted on Tue, Aug. 01, 2006email thisprint thisreprint or license this
Mangold's sister following in his footsteps
ANDREA ADELSON
Associated Press
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - When Jets center Nick Mangold started playing football in third grade, he developed his own little fan club.

Baby sister Holley idolized him. She got dragged to watch him practice and play in games. She used to play a little game with Nick at home, too. Nick would get down on his knees and then tell Holley and their other sister, Kelley, to tackle him.

Holley loved every second of it. She loved the hitting and tackling. Then she thought, "I want to play football, too." It hardly mattered that she was a little girl, and wanted to play offensive line - practically unheard of for women getting involved in such a physical, violent game.

Their dad, Vern, was also against the idea. He admits, "I was old school. I didn't think girls should play football." Finally, mom Therese convinced Vern to let Holley play. She started in second grade and has followed in the same footsteps as her big brother, going into her junior year at Archbishop Alter High in Kettering, Ohio, with a chance to start at guard on the varsity team.

"I'd like to say I did it all on my own, but I was a little girl, he was my big brother. I saw he played football, I saw it was fun," Holley said Tuesday in a telephone interview. "So I said, 'Yeah, I'll play.'"

Holley, 16 and going into her junior year, played offensive and defensive line on her junior varsity team the last two years. When she makes it onto the field this year, she will become the first girl in Ohio high school history to take a snap from scrimmage in a varsity game.

Sure, there have been female kickers who have gotten into games, but watching a 5-foot-9, 300-pound girl play offensive line is a different story. Holley said she never considered kicking, and offered apologizes to Jets starter Mike Nugent when asked why she decided to become a lineman.

"When anybody talks about being a kicker or anything like that, no offense to Nugent, but I've always thought kickers were not really part of it," she said. "They are a big part of the game but they don't get that rush of being out there. That's what I love about football, that's what kept me playing is being able to hit, and being able to run into somebody."

The 6-4, 300-pound Nick Mangold also starred at Alter, then went 80 miles down the road to Ohio State, where his stellar play allowed him to be taken No. 29 overall in the draft in April. He is penciled in to start for the Jets, replacing perennial Pro Bowl selection Kevin Mawae.

Though they have much in common, Nick rarely discusses football with anyone in his family. When he decides to say something to Holley about the game, it is only to give her tips or criticism.

"I stay out of it because I don't want it to be something like, 'Hey that's Nick Mangold's sister, fill in the blank,'" Nick Mangold said. "I let her do her own thing and let her make the mistakes and I'll be there. Unfortunately I don't get to see the games, but if I get back and see something, I'll tell her, 'You need to get over there, you need to get in better condition. As an older brother, I need to dig on her a little bit."

Nick is six years older than Holley, and he looms large over her because he blazed the football trail first. But because Holley has been playing since she was young, she has the respect of her teammates, coaches and opponents and has been completely accepted.

When her team plays an opponent from outside the area that tries to attack her because they think her spot on the line is weak, they quickly are proven wrong. Vern recalled the last time it happened, against a team from Cincinnati her freshman year.

"Like a lot of rock-headed coaches, they tried to run the ball at her twice in a row. They got stonewalled," Vern said. "They didn't run that way anymore. She makes believers out of folks. Holley just enjoys that cold rush when you smack into somebody. It's hard for me to say about my little buttercup, but it's true."

She even has attended Ohio State football camps since eighth grade, winning the Best Offensive Lineman Award several times. "It was an eye opener for a lot of guys," she said.

Holley does more than play football. She also throws the discus and shot put, and set the AAU girls record for squat lifting at 525 pounds, breaking the old mark of 470. When asked about whether he could top that, Nick said, "I can always beat her. It's the big brother syndrome."

Good genes run in the family. Vern played right guard in high school, and Therese was captain of her swim team in college. Kelley is on a swimming scholarship at Agnes Scott College starting in the fall. The youngest child, 7-year-old Maggey, plays basketball and does gymnastics.

But it appears only Nick and Holley were the only siblings to catch the football bug.

"I have a lot of people come up to me and ask since I play football am I a feminist?" Holley said. "No, not at all. I don't think, 'I am woman hear me roar.' It was simply because football is one of the greatest sports there is and if I can keep doing it like my brother, that would be amazing."
Click to expand...

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/football/nfl/cleveland_browns/15174023.htm
 
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