Mangini bemoans Jets' mistakes in Titans loss

[Kentucky Jet]

Mangini bemoans Jets' mistakes in disappointing loss to Titans

Dec 24, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -All the mistakes jumped off the screen when Eric Mangini watched film of the New York Jets' loss at Tennessee.

"Really, the game came down to some costly turnovers," the second-year coach said Monday. "All those things are mistakes that you can't make any week, and you definitely can't make them against a team like Tennessee, at Tennessee with such a small margin for error."

Despite giving up six sacks, throwing two interceptions, missing a field goal and an extra point and being called for some foolish penalties, the Jets (3-12) had numerous chances to win in their 10-6 loss to the Titans. That oh-so-close feeling has been a recurring theme during this disappointing season.

"It's always going to come down to those handful of plays," Mangini said, "and you can get them in a lot of different spots."

For instance, Mike Nugent missed a 51-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked, accounting for four lost points. Nugent also made a 36-yarder in the second quarter, but the Jets took it off the board when the Titans were called for a penalty and gave New York a first-and-goal at the 9. That move backfired when Chad Pennington was intercepted three plays later by Keith Bulluck in the end zone.

"Having a blocked PAT, that's different from what we've faced before," Mangini said. "Having the second opportunity after we kicked the field goal and then getting the first down, usually that's a pretty good situation and if we were able to capitalize on that and get seven points, that would've been a very positive situation and decision. But to then have the interception on third down ... those points are hard to get back in a game like that."

The Jets also blew a prime scoring opportunity late in the third quarter when Pennington hooked up with Jerricho Cotchery for a 41-yard pass that put the ball at the Titans 26. Cotchery was hit hard by Kyle Vanden Bosch out of bounds and guard Brandon Moore took exception to the hit, so he pushed the Titans' defensive end to the ground. Moore was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, putting the ball at the Titans 41.

New York ended up punting on the possession. Moore, yanked for the rest of the series, defended his shove by saying he was just sticking up for his teammate.

"Regardless of what your perception is, it's what's called," Mangini said. "If you have a hit on a player out of bounds after a play, if it's a small hit or a big hit, whatever the case may be, you're going to get a personal foul penalty. That was costly. To have the ball on the 26 and have it moved back like that in game that was so obviously affected by field position and the drives were limited, you can't usually overcome those things."

And the Jets certainly couldn't.

Pennington was 26-of-32 for 264 yards while starting for the injured Kellen Clemens, but was constantly pressured. The Jets used a few rookies on the offensive line, using Clint Oldenburg at left guard at times - Adrien Clarke was inactive - along with second-year lineman Will Montgomery, and Robert Turner saw time at right tackle in place of Anthony Clement.

"The sacks that we gave up were a group effort," Mangini said. "It wasn't a function of just those two guys at all. There were multiple guys involved with that production, and collectively, it's not just the offensive line, it's the whole group needing to do a better job."

Whether Pennington, who many believe will be dealt in the offseason, gets another start in a Jets uniform Sunday against Kansas City is uncertain because of Clemens' rib injury. Clemens, the No. 2 quarterback against Tennessee, injured his ribs and possibly his left shoulder when he was hit early in the Jets' loss at New England last weekend.

Mangini said the team waited until Sunday to determine that Pennington would start, but was impressed by the progress Clemens made in the week leading up to the game.

"You'd like to see him be able to play if he can play, but the important thing is that he's able to play at a level that gives us the best chance to win," Mangini said. "That's what I'm going to gauge throughout the course of the week."

[DireJet38]

"Having a blocked PAT, that's different from what we've faced before," Mangini said.

Yea, last time we played the Titans Nugent pulled one wide left.

[Maxman]

I didn't realize Moore was pulled after his personal foul. (He didn't even push the guy btw. If it is called you are guilty but the guy was acting when he fell, Moore didn't knock him down).

Anyhow they took Moore out in the red zone and had who in exactly? Mangold, D'Brick and the strongest 3 of the Jackson 5?

[4HCrew]

These little lessons Mangini tries to teach are going to start growing old in the locker room without Ws on the board. Successful coaches can do these things not one hit wonders. Be careful next year Mangini

[serphnx]

You want that put of your O-line, you don't punish the guy for it. That's why our QBs get cheapshotted. If you chaepshot Brady their O-line will maul you, flags be damned.