Fourteen months ago, Eric Mangini was a made man. A cameo on “The Sopranos,” during which Artie Bucco ID’d the New York Jets coach as “Mangenius” to the duly impressed Tony, served as a conspicuous coronation of his status as the NFL’s boy wonder.
That seems like a long, long time ago. Now, in the wake of Wednesday night’s trade for Brett Favre, we can conclude this about the 37-year-old Mangini: He is a desperate man.
Coming off a disastrous 4-12 season, the Jets approached this past offseason like a franchise gasping for air. Suddenly, a team that had appeared so promising in 2006 (a 10-6 record that included a road upset at AFC East rival New England, and a surprising playoff appearance) looked lifeless and bereft of talent.
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