Only a couple of days after securing their first victory of the season, the Detroit Lions were informed that All-Pro defensive tackle Shaun Rogers would be suspended for four games for violating a league rule on banned substances. The 6'4", 340-pound Rogers is a quality big man who had already totaled three sacks and 20 tackles in just six games. Rogers will not be on the field this weekend when the Lions visit the Jets.
"I think they have a good group of defensive linemen and those guys have played in different spots," said Jets head coach Eric Mangini. "There is some flexibility there to move guys around and collectively as a group they play well. Whether it's an injury or a situation like that, I think the group will respond. Whoever they decide to plug in there will do a good job for them."
Read below for Mangini's complete transcript
- *New York Jets' Head Coach Eric Mangini, 10.18
Opening statement…
With Detroit coming off the win, I think this is going to be another good challenge for us. They present a lot of problems in all three areas. If not for a few bounces here or there, their record could look a lot different.
Offensively, Mike Martz is as creative as always. The offense is explosive. They have been doing a good job. Roy Williams and Kevin Jones have really emerged and the different ways that they get the playmakers involved, the different things that they are able to do in terms of shifting and motioning is always a great challenge.
Defensively, they are fast; they are aggressive. They do a nice job pursuing the ball. They do a nice job creating opportunities for turnovers. You see that last week with the interception and the two fumbles. I think it's an opportunistic defense that's getting more and more opportunistic each week.
On special teams, it's going to be a tremendous challenge for us. They have an outstanding kicker with a return game. Every play, they have an opportunity to score. Since 2002, they have scored 11 touchdowns on special teams. This is a group that's not just about field position, they are actually putting points on the board and that's most in the NFL during that time period. It's going to be difficult in all phases of the special teams game, and it's something that we're really going to need to be sound.
On the pressure the Lions' offense creates for the Jets' defense…
Mike Marts has always done a good job of putting pressure on defenses between the shifts and multiple formations with personnel groups and the big plays that his offenses have always been able to create. He's just really impressive that way. He's always done a good job and it's always challenging whenever you face one of his offensive groups.
On having players who played under the Donnie Henderson system…
I think the system is incorporating elements of both things that Donnie liked to do and some elements of different systems. It's a fusion which I'm sure a lot of systems are when you have a defensive head coach and a defensive coordinator and they are able to put those two groups' ideas together. Usually you take the best one from each group and make it more effective.
On receiving input from players who played under Henderson…
I think to some degree you can get some insight. But again when there's a fusion of systems it's not always as clean cut as if the one system had just moved to a new place. There is an element of that, but maybe not as strong as some other situations.
On the Lions' defensive passing game numbers…
I think that like any new system, there's a progression, and I think that over the course of the season, the defense has gotten better and better. Last week with five sacks, an interception, two fumbles, it's really starting to progress. I think they play some really good defense throughout the year. They can make some plays and they do make plays. They have outstanding speed on defense.
On any of their pass-defense stats that jump out at him…
You know, you look at more of the film than the statistics and try to figure out exactly where the vulnerability is and where the strengths are to attack the weaknesses and minimize the strengths. Each week it looks better and better, and like I said, last week was a good indication of where they are.
On Shaun Rogers…
I think they have a good group of defensive linemen and those guys have played in different spots. There is some flexibility there to move guys around. Collectively, they play well. And whether it's an injury or a situation like that, I think the group will respond, and whoever they decide to plug in there will do a good job for them.
On the possibility of Rogers being out for the game…
We are still waiting for official notification. I've seen the same things that you've seen, but until it's done, we'll plan accordingly.
On the Jets' long game being shut out…
I think there are shots in every game that are there, and one of the things that we want Chad to do and one of the things that Chad has done a good job is, take what the defense gives you, take advantage of the opportunity when they are there. Like the play to Laveranues in the back of the end zone on the seven route, there was a low opportunity and the high opportunity came up and he took the shot down the field. I thought that was a really good play on Chad's part, too, because he had gotten the off-sides with a hard count, and in that situation you can be even more aggressive than you normally would be.
On Victor Hobson's role in the defense…
He's done a good job and that's important. He's done a good job whether it's recovering fumbles, or getting interceptions, the guys joke with him that he needs to work on his return after the interception and that's something I'm sure he is working on, but that's a high-class problem when that's what you're working on. I've been pleased with a lot of things that he's done, and not just his improvement in the running game, but also his improvement in terms of dropping in pass coverage, understanding how the patterns are going to develop, understanding how he fits, and I think as he continues to progress, he'll contribute even more.
On Mangini's expectations for Hobson and how he has measured up…
It's a little different role than he's playing here. I knew that he had played a lot of good football and had seen that, and I anticipate him playing a lot of good football here as well and understanding that there was going to be some learning to be done and he's done a good job with his approach and the way that he's worked at it. You can see again, like with all of these guys, that as they work and develop, how the good things start happening with the interceptions and the turnovers. It's really good awareness on his part.
On Hobson embracing the new defense…
I'd like to think everybody's embracing the system. (Laughing) I think that's great. He had worked some at the end of the line of scrimmage in the system that he was in, so there was some carry over. He does give you some nice flexibility, though, because he has worked behind the line. Again, it's about versatility. If he were to go inside, I think that he could do that effectively as well because there's carryover between the two. One thing I really like is being able to play on the end of the line of scrimmage, being able to bump back inside and the inner being interchangeable is really important.
On Jon Kitna….
I spent some time with Jon (Kitna). I really like the time I spent with him. He's got really good leadership skills. Lawyer Molloy and he were good friends growing up, so I got to know about him a little bit from Lawyer, and background on who he is. Watching him play and competing against him, I always liked his presence and his leadership on the field and the way that he moves around and makes a lot of things happen; good arm strength. Then having the opportunity to meet with him and spend some time, that was a good experience, as well.
On Leon Washington becoming the premier running back…
It will be package-based again, and there are certain things that Leon does really well and certain things that Kevan (Barlow) does really well, and certain things that defensively, we're going to want to attack with either one or the other. You know, Cedric is making progress and Derrick is always involved in the mix. So between that group of guys is trying to figure out the best package of run, not just for them, but against the opponent.
On playing Washington more if he is having a good game…
I think there's an element of both. Some plays you really like. Sometimes there's the element of someone being in a bit of a groove. Or it could actually be that you just return to the play, maybe build the formation a little differently, but run a similar play. I think both of those have merit depending on how the game is going.
On expectations Mangini had for Washington…
It goes back to what we liked in college, some of the things that we've seen here lately you saw quite a bit of in college. I think he was Mr. Florida or something coming out of high school; I'm not sure what the distinction is. He's been a good player for a long time at a high level, and then he came in early to rookie camp and passing camp and there was some things that we needed to work out. He really worked on it and his ball security improved. I just like the way that he's working at becoming a pro. With that whole rookie class, I like the way they are all working it and not playing professional football, but becoming a professional football player. And the two are so different.
On the difference between a professional player and a player who plays professionally…
I think there are a lot of guys that have played professional football and there are guys that are true professional football players. True pros understand the importance of individual preparation. They understand the importance of taking care of your body, how to practice, how to play in a game; how to execute a pre-game routine. There are all of those different elements of developing your crafts. The true pros embrace that and work at it.
On if the difference is the details…
One is playing the sport and the other one is working at his craft, developing his craft, honing his craft and taking a true business approach to everything he does. All the great ones have it.
On if Mangini is trying to build a football team of professional players…
I'm committed and Mike (Tannenbaum) is committed and Mr. Johnson is committed to that concept of the core characteristics. I think when you have those core characteristics in players, the smart, tough, hard working competitive, selfless -- I could say it in my sleep, I say it quite often and I believe in them, but when you have those characteristics, and you put the young players into the right environment, they are going to develop into really good pros.
On Kimo von Oelhoffen and how he has progressed…
Kimo has what you want when you talk about a true pro. Kimo is a true pro. His approach is outstanding. His classroom approach is outstanding, in practice, he's stout. The transition for him has been tough even though he was in a 3-4 system in Pittsburgh, there are different elements to every system. There are things that he has had to learn as well, but he's gotten better and better each week and he'll continue to get better because he's working at it and his effect on the group and whether it be just the defensive linemen, the defensive backs, the linebackers, he's got good, sound leadership skills. More quiet leadership skills than some, but still a very strong presence.
On if big plays will come from Oelhoffen…
I think the important thing defensively, across the board, is everybody doing the right thing at all times and taking care of their responsibility. That is always going to be the key thing. In the big plays sometimes you're the cannon and sometimes you're the fodder. Sometimes you're taking one for somebody else. It's just so important that everybody does their job, everybody fits, and Kimo is working at that and he's working with the other guys to develop that and improve that weekly.
On the success of Kerry Rhodes making him a target…
I think that there are plays to be made in the blitz game, throughout the different times we've played over the last couple of weeks, since Kerry has become a marked man, and sometimes you've got to go in and beat a blocker. Sometimes it's both. Sometimes you come clean, and hit the quarterback. And sometimes you've got to go in and throw a move and understand exactly how the guy is going to block you, whether he's going to block you with power, whether he's going to block you with a little more finesse that you have to try to turn into a power rush. There will be opportunity, and there is going to continue to be opportunities for him and for a lot of other people, it's a combination of everybody hitting the right spot and then sometimes they are going to get through and have to deal with someone in your way in the path to the quarterback.
On making plays and getting open guys…
I'd love for every blitz to have an open guy, but sometimes there is a guy that you have to deal with and understanding how that guy is going to block you is really important. So not just where you hit, but then what you encounter once you get to the line.
On Drew Coleman and Eric Smith…
I thought they both did a pretty solid job last week. Drew is getting more and more time defensively. Eric got to play defensively as well. Those opportunities will continue to exist as long as they continue to make progress and continue to take advantage of the opportunities that they do get. I've been pleased with both of these guys for the same reason I've been pleased with a lot of these guys. The approach, the improvement, the opportunity shows up, they do good things with the opportunity, and then each week, those opportunities will increase.
On the secondary having been a fluid situation this season…
I think it's going to be one of those situations where opportunity will knock. If you take advantage of it, it will become less fluid. If you don't, it will stay fluid. But we're always going to put the best guys on the field to help us beat that team, and it's going to change weekly and the matchups are going to change weekly and to me, it's whoever is playing the best is going to play in the game and whoever helps us win the most is going to play in the game. The best way to ensure that you're playing all the time is to really take advantage of the opportunities.
On David Barrett…
No, it's been injury-based. David's done a good job with everything that we've had medically in terms of his rehab. It's just one of those things where sometimes you have a setback but David's situation has been more medical than anything else.
On David Barrett indicating that he was not injured…
With all injuries, as soon as we have a comfort level with the players ability to perform it will help us move forward. Some of those decisions come down to Sunday morning. Each week with any injury, we'll evaluate it early in the week, later in the week and sometimes as late as right before the game, just to make sure. Because the problem you get into is if you do bring a player to the game, he goes out, plays one or two plays, then you've lost that player in the things that he can do; but you've left somebody at home or on the active list that probably could have helped you a lot more for 30, 40 plays.
On coaches and players having differing views on being injured…
I really had not had much exposure to anything medical at the other place. I think that we have a good plan in place for every player. Organizationally, we're going to do everything possible to get the player ready to play, and the players have done an outstanding job at working on it. I've been really happy with the way that these guys have fought through injuries. Laveranues is the shining star.
On players playing hurt being the norm…
Each injury is so different, and then each guy is so different. What you're always trying to do is prepare for the game, try to make sure you don't have a setback and then the important thing is be able to get into the game, play the game, be effective, and have everybody working together towards that same goal. Laveranues is a great example of a very, very tough individual. As I said, I'd love to bottle that.
On looking ahead to winning two games before the bye-week…
No. Today, that's it.
On the Challenge Roy Williams presents…
He's outstanding. He leads the NFL in yards. That's pretty impressive. There are not many catches he can't make, and he's a vertical threat, he's good underneath. He's a problem.
