Quarterback Chad Pennington kneeled three times before the final gun sounded. Those final two minutes were quite enjoyable for New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini.
"I didn't take a deep breath until we got to that last first down," said Mangini. "Until that point, they were shallow, consistent breaths. Once we got the first down, well, that's always pleasant. That's my favorite formation: the victory formation."
Read below for the rest of Mangini's transcript
Opening statement
I'm pleased with the win. I'm always pleased about a win, but this was our second win in a row and winning at home is so important. Offensively, it was really positive to see us score early in the game and then to come back and score again. It is important for us to improve continually in the running game. Leon (Washington) did a nice job for us today and I thought Kevin (Barlow) kicked in as well. Really, the offensive line, the tight ends and the fullbacks is something we have worked on. They all did a really good job. Defensively, going against Roy Williams, a premier receiver, he had two catches today. That was something we were focused on. That was really positive for us. Their special teams is one of the best in the NFL and they are explosive and they score touchdowns – the most since 2002. That group did a nice job, as well. It was a full team effort. Our progress and our consistency, we are stringing things together. I'm proud of that and I am proud of them.
On the importance of scoring two touchdowns early…
They are all important. Last week we did well, at the start of the second half putting points on the board, to come back this week and score a touchdown, it's positive. We have worked on that and to see the progress is a good thing.
On scoring a touchdown to give the defense some leeway…
That wasn't something that we had up on our board or on our to-do list. You deal with whatever cards you are given and it's always positive to be playing up seven or 14, as opposed to down seven or down 14.
On RB Leon Washington's role…
It's similar to what we talk about each week. It will be game-plan specific or package specific. Today that is what is was – package specific. He had certain plays and Kevin had certain plays, and there is some flexibility within those plays for both those guys.
On responding on offense when Detroit scored…
It's something we talk about quite a bit and it's going to come up every game. Momentum changes and those things are going to happen, the important thing is how we deal with them. I thought the offense did a really nice job, as Detroit scored, coming back and putting together another effective drive and answering with points. We had another opportunity there at the end of the half, the pass that Chad (Pennington) probably would like back, and another one early in the third quarter, but it is hard to complain about what we did offensively.
On feelings that after a season with only four total wins, they now are 4-3…
We are 4-3. That's it. The things that happened last year, I was in another place at that point. At that point, it was a good thing for the Jets' organization to have that record, being at that other place. But now being at this place, we are 4-3 and making progress. I'm really pleased with the way we are working. The consistency at practice and the individual preparation now is carrying over into better execution in the game, which is carrying over into wins. That's the most important thing for us to be successful is consistency, work ethic, preparation and detail.
On the importance of winning two games in a row…
We want to be able to win at home and this was an opportunity to win. It's always great, and it provides great energy. It's important for consistency and it all ties back into preparation. We take the week that we had, and we had a good week of practice. We take that week of preparation, both mentally and physically and then the execution of the game.
On the positive aspects of the team's play today…
It's always positive to be able to run the ball offensively, control the clock, keep the other offense off the field.
On the touchdown catch by WR Justin McCareins…
It was big for the offense and for him. It was a play we worked on during the week. He had the opportunity last week. It was a different situation but a vertical route, he got tripped up a little bit there. Justin has been working hard, contributing. His contribution today was a big one. Those opportunities are going to show up.
On the success on the first half with play-action…
It was third-and-short, third-and-one, defensively we usually go into 'stop the run and forward pass' mentality. We saw there was an opportunity there to take a shot.
On drawing Detroit offsides…
Cadence is something we work on a lot and it is something we believe in. When you face an aggressive defensive line week-in and week-out, it is a chance to take back some of their momentum or their ability to sit on the snap count. Chad does an excellent job at that.
On the play of Jerricho Cotchery…
He's been great – starting in the offseason program when we were in camp. He gets opportunities and then each week takes advantage of them. He's a physical guy, a tough guy, a smart guy. He's very reliable, very consistent and very aggressive.
On playing a game that doesn't come down to the final drive…
I didn't take a deep breath until we got to that last first down. Until that point, they were shallow, consistent breaths. Once we got the first down, well, that's always pleasant. That's my favorite formation: the victory formation.
On the use of the no-huddle…
We've worked on this for months and months. Philosophically, it's what we believe in. If we need to huddle, we can; or we can up-tempo it; or change the pace as we go.
On Chad's use of the play-action…
It's something that we stress. The more draw that you have on the intermediate part of the coverage, the linebackers - to be able to suck them up - it's important to get some breaks at that level. The secondary will create bigger windows. If you are running play-action, but not really selling it, you almost waste it.
On Chad's improvement using play-action this year…
Like everything Chad does, he works at it. He sees the value in it, so he keeps creating a better fish-and-hook.
On seeing opportunity in the rest of the schedule…
I only see Cleveland. That's it. We are taking it one step at a time. We will enjoy this victory, then we are moving right on to Cleveland. Our focus is going to be on them. Our approach is to take it one week at a time, and that's what we are going to do.* *
