Nfl - Mangini Fired From the Jets

Head Coach Eric Mangini was fired from the New York Jets on Monday after losing four of the last five games; vanishing all the team's expectations to go to the playoffs. After an 8-3 start and a promissory road to the Super Bowl, Mangini was discharged after being with the Jets for 3 years and having as well seven NFL-high Pro Bowl selections.

He got together with the players to say good bye, and told them that they were very good guys and ask them to try to stay together. Mangini had one year left in his contract and this was the first time he had a job as a head coach.

"We worked hard to achieve two winning seasons out of the past three," stated Mangini. "I regret that we could not reach our goals for this year. I will always appreciate the passion and support of the fans as our focus was trying to build them a championship-caliber foundation and team."

He also thanked the New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and team's owner Woody Johnson for the opportunity that was given to him to be the head coach of the Jets for this past three years; he regretted that the goals that they had for this season were not accomplished but he also stated that he gave the best of him being a coach and that he is very confident in the team and the things they can achieve in the future.

The dismissal of Mangini was not expected for the players. They said they did not see news like these coming and some of them thought that it was not fair; that he may deserve to be with the team for at least one year more. The team had a 1-4 record in the final games loosing against Denver, San Francisco, Miami and Seattle and winning with some trouble against Buffalo.

Mangini started his coaching career in the NFL working for the New England Patriots from 2000 through 2004 as defensive backs coach and later in 2005 as defensive coordinator, under Head Coach Belichick. He was named the New York Jets head coach in 2006, becoming the youngest coach in American pro leagues, and he finished his first year with the Jets with a winning record of 10-6. He was also named the AFC coach of the year in 2006. However, his last two seasons have been very disappointing as the team failed to enter the playoffs two years in a row.

The New York Jets invested around $140 millions in the offseason by hiring some veterans like offensive linemen Alan Faneca and Damien Woody and linebacker Calvin Pace. As well, they traded for Jenkins and Favre later on.

The most notable move from the Jets was trading Brett Favre. It coasted millions to the franchise and they don't know yet if he will continue with the team. He has an injury in his left shoulder and will be submitted to an MRI exam and in the results his decision will depend of. Favre led the league with 22 interceptions but in the last five games he only had two touchdown passes and nine picks. He entered the Jets replacing Chad Pennington, who after being dismissed from the team, led Miami to win the division title.

The Jets are already in the search for Mangini's replacement, and even though they decided to let him go, they showed their gratefulness for Mangini's dedication and loyalty to the team and hope to be making the right decision, looking for best interests of the franchise.