Mangenius: Eric Mangini’s Players Were Key to Rex Ryan’s Success

Added by Justin O'Connell on January 3, 2013.

Eric Mangini was the Jets head coach from 2006-2008 before being fired. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Remember when Jets fans could not wait for Eric Mangini to be fired? Well now many are regretting their quick judgement on the former coach. What many have come to realize is that Rex Ryan fortunately inherited a plethora of talent that was left from the Mangini era. Mangini was the driving force behind the premier draft classes the organization had from 2006-2008.

Although Mangini might have not been the coach Jets owner, Woody Johnson, was looking for, he sure knew how to find talent.

Lets take a look at some of the players Mangini drafted:

1. CB-Darrelle Revis
2. LT- D’Brickashaw Ferguson
3. Center- Nick Mangold
4. TE- Dustin Keller
5. LB- David Harris
6. RB- Danny Woodhead
7. WR/KR- Brad Smith
8. Sione Po’uha
9. Eric Smith

The one flaw on his draft record was picking Vernon Gholston with the 4th overall pick in the 2008 draft. The majority of Mangini’s draftees are still starters for the Jets and played a significant role in their back-to-back AFC championship runs. Ryan was able to get the best of Mangini’s players…. well at least for two season.

Ryan has not fared well in the draft as his picks have been mediocre at best. His decision to move up to draft Mark Sanchez now looks foolish and has really set the team back. Ryan’s best draftees have been Shonn Greene and Muhammad Wilkerson, neither of whom have proven themselves as an overwhelming success. It appears that the Jets next general manager will have to have a niche for finding talent in the draft as the team cannot rely on Ryan for this.

Maybe if the Jets kept Mangini they would be in a better situation than they are now, but we will never know for sure.