After Sunday's 24-14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, when Shaun Hill became the latest quarterback to turn into Johnny Unitas against the Jets defense, Eric Mangini claimed that the failings weren't on the coaching staff.
"Compared to what Mike normally does with shifts and motions, it wasn't anywhere close to that," Mangini said. "It wasn't that exotic. It wasn't different than anything we've seen ... or anticipated."
It didn't look that way. Once again, the Jets defense looked ill-prepared for the opposing team's attack, playing a reactive style that gives up big yardage. The lack of talent in their secondary is obvious to anyone who has watched the Jets this season, so why not be more aggressive and try to force inexperienced quarterbacks like Hill, Matt Cassel and Tyler Thigpen into mistakes? That's a question only Mangini and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton can answer.
Just as the reasons for an offensive attack that veers wildly from week to week is something only Mangini and Brian Schottenheimer can answer. The offense wasn't the reason they lost in San Francisco, but far too often the Jets abandon the run in favor of empty backfields and other high-minded manuevering that doesn't pay off. Brett Favre's presence calls for certain changes, but winning football games should take precedence.
The biggest issue on both sides of the ball is the way that Mangini has failed to direct his staff to take advantage of their new talent. The Jets signed two offensive lineman in the offseason and one, Alan Faneca, is most effective in the running game. On defense, they signed Calvin Pace, traded for Kris Jenkins and drafted Vernon Gholston. The idea was to become more aggressive, but they play like the same undermanned unit they were a year ago.
No matter how often those stylistic choices fail the team, the Jets simply won't change. Losses to teams like Oakland, San Diego, Denver and San Francisco are too egregious to outweigh the handful of impressive wins. Whether it's a stubborn ego or simple ignorance that drives those choices, Mangini has to be held responsible for them. That should mean his job if the Jets turn 8-3 into January golfing.
