Randy Lange just put this up on the jets webpage. It's all just pre-game info, but he promises more later... By Randy Lange ? LANGE BLOGS FROM FORDHAM SUN 8.05.07 So what's happening with the Jets today? I can't reveal everything yet, but what I can say is that Coach Mangini has taken the team away from Hofstra University for a practice that is closed to the public but open to the media. This "Green & White Game" will be even more game-like (but still no tackling) than Thursday night's game-situations workout on the Jets' upper grass field, which was also closed to the public. The day is designed around giving everyone ? not just the players but the coaches, trainers, equipment people and others ? the feel of preparing for and playing in a game. Last year at this time, you'll remember, then-first-year head coach Eric Mangini took the same approach when he brought his Jets to the Meadowlands for two weekend practices. (Today's practice is not in the Meadowlands, either, in case you're wondering.) In keeping with that concept, the team buses pulled up to the unnamed stadium around 11:15 this morning, got into their green or white uniforms, and took the field to the sounds of loud music (of course) and no one in the stands (just a little eerie) to do what the Jets would do before a game ? in fact what they'll be doing in five days in the Meadowlands before their preseason opener against Atlanta. Excuse me, the P.A. announcer just asked us to remove our hats and stand for the playing of our National Anthem. I'll be right back. OK. The field is pretty empty now in advance of the 1 p.m. kickoff. The Green team was just introduced (as a team, not individually, of course). I can tell you that the Greens feature the first offense with QBs Chad Pennington and Marques Tuiasosopo. The head coach is Jimmy Raye, the offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and the defensive coordinator Jim Herrmann. And now the White Team is coming out, and they're fired up, bobbing around at midfield, some players raising their helmets in the air. The Whites have the first defense, QBs Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff, and Brad Smith, whose position could easily be listed as T for Transformer. The HC is Mike Westhoff, the OC Brian Daboll and the DC Bob Sutton. All right, the captains came out for the opening coin toss. The Green captains are Pennington (in red jersey) and Eric Hicks. The White captains are Clemens, Justin Miller, Jonathan Vilma, Justin McCareins and Shaun Ellis. I'll fill you in a few times during and after today's game. But now it's just about time for hte opening kickoff.
my favorite part is "...in fact what they'll be doing in five days in the Meadowlands before their preseason opener against Atlanta." Five days...oh man, I can't wait
Haha. If he's serious about the national anthem and the rest of Mangini's attention to detail, that is awesome. What better way to prepare for the season than by starting it 5 days early? I'd also love to be at that game.
I think he is serious. If I remember correctly that's what they did last year to make it as "real" as possible. I imagine this is helpful to the rookies to reduce the "awe factor" when they suit up for real THIS FRIDAY...whoo hooo!
Cool, thanks! Good to hear Nugent is booting longer KO's. I can't believe how psyched I am about this...I am such a Jet nerd!
