The following is exclusive content from Coach Mangini's conference call with the Indianapolis media.
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on what he has learned in three games as a head coach in the NFL) September 27, 2006
"I've learned a lot. Each week, we do a little self-scouting and try to improve on things that we did and try to pick up on some mistakes, and there have been plenty across the board. So, we're trying to fix that each week."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on if the Jets like to play a 3-4 or 4-3 defense) September 27, 2006
"A little bit of both. We've been mixing things up, and we'll continue to do that. Really, it will be game-plan specific, based on the opponent and the changes week in and week out. It's really just based on who we're playing and the things that we're trying to get done with the game plan."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on QB-Chad Pennington, the open quarterback competition in training camp and eliminating doubts that some may have had) September 27, 2006
"Chad's done a great job. He's one of the hardest-working guys that I've been around. He works on his rehab the same way that he works on preparing for an opponent. Each night, he's here late and getting ready. He's just a true pro and he's a really good person, a really smart guy and a good example for the team."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on what he knew or thought about QB-Chad Pennington before he became head coach) September 27, 2006
"I thought the same thing. He was always really difficult to prepare for because of the way that he was able to take advantage of defenses and the way that he understood how defenses were unfolding, the strength of his team, and he was always challenging."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on questioning QB-Chad Pennington's arm strength) September 27, 2006
"He's made a lot of positive throws through the early part of the season, and they've been across the board, some short, some long, but what Chad does is he goes with the reads and he makes good reads, and that's really what we're asking him to do."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on WR-Laveranues Coles) September 27, 2006
"Laveranues has rare toughness. He'll go across the middle and catch the ball, he plays hurt, he's good in the running game. All of those things have been outstanding. He's been a guy that's been real productive for us here early."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on the Colts defense on film) September 27, 2006
"I love the way that they produce turnovers on a consistent basis. I think that since (Head Coach) Tony (Dungy) has been there, they lead the league or are ( 36 turnover differential), and very opportunistic, constantly putting pressure on the quarterback, fast, aggressive, relentless. I think there are a lot of problems that they generate week in and week out."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on DE-Dwight Freeney) September 27, 2006
"I think Dwight is impressive, I think he's really impressive. I got to know him a little bit last year. We're both from Connecticut, and he came and worked a football camp that I did, and a great person. The way that he plays and the different things that he can do in terms of pass rush, whether it be pure speed, speed to power, some kind of counter move, he's a factor every week."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on DE-Dwight Freeney having an impact although not having great numbers thus far) September 27, 2006
"Yes. He's an impact player. Across the board, they generate a lot of pressure every single week and help create those opportunities for turnovers in the secondary."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on his history in New England and if that has any influence on the way he prepares his defense for this game) September 27, 2006
"The one thing about Peyton (Manning) that I respect so much is the way that regardless of how successful he is, he's constantly improving and he's constantly correcting the things that maybe he didn't like. And believe me, there aren't very many things that you don't like about the way he plays. He's just such a good decision maker and game manager. He's special."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on if DE-Dwight Freeney is a guy that he brings up differently when drawing up a gameplan) September 27, 2006
"He's definitely someone that you can't help but talk about him the way that he consistently shows up. But when you have Robert Mathis sitting over on the other side, those guys have been one of the top sack tandems in the NFL the last couple of years. They're both incredibly productive and present problems. It's a challenge."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on his team's progress so far this season) September 27, 2006
"I really like, since I've been here, the way these guys work and the way that they've committed to make progress each week, and it's showing up in positive ways. There's a lot of things that we need to improve, but there's a lot of good things that we can build on. And that's what we talk about every week, whether we win or lose, a consistent approach and really focusing on progress and making sure that we build and correct and build and correct and don't get too high and don't get too low. That consistency and work ethic will pay off."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on if he felt he had to create a winning environment when he came in) September 27, 2006
"I came in here and my goal, I share the same vision as (Chairman and CEO) Woody (Johnson) and (General Manager) Mike (Tannenbaum) and (Player Personnel Director) Terry (Bradway). We wanted to get smart, tough, hard-working players, players that were selfless and football was important to them. And that's what we did in the draft and free agency. We targeted those types of players and the players that we kept, that's our vision. We're going to keep working at that vision. I'm really pleased with the way these guys have approached things since I've been here."
HEAD COACH ERIC MANGINI (on WR-Terrence Wilkins) September 27, 2006
"He's tough, and obviously I had some exposure to him back in 1999 and 2000. He's always been a dangerous returner and he can change the game in a hurry like he did last week. He's a difficult guy to pin down."
