Is Nick Mangold Done as a New York Jet?
Mangold is a Cornerstone
Nick Mangold is perhaps one of the most notable and recognizable centers in the NFL. Sporting his long gold hair and gold beard, he is easily recognizable even with a helmet on. Around the league he is known as the best center for the past decade, an iron man who missed just four games his first 10 years in the league. He has survived three head coaches, (Eric Mangini, Rex Ryan, and Todd Bowles) and has snapped the ball to eight different starting quarterbacks (Chad Pennington, Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez, Michael Vick, Tim Tebow, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Greg McElroy, Geno Smith, Mark Brunell, Matt Simms, Kellen Clemens, and most recently Bryce Petty).
The New York Jets have had the fortune of having two of the best centers ever in Kevin Mawae and now Nick Mangold. The Jets allowed Mawae to retire as a Tennessee Titan, but they can not allow Mangold to wear a different uniform. It will just be wrong to see him in any other uniform.
Why Let Mangold Go?
The two reasons behind releasing Mangold are money and injuries. Fans know Mangold as an ironman, having missed a total of about 8 games in his career till this season, has missed 8 games this year and placed on injured reserve. Those games he missed the Jets have struggled mightily, but this year backup center Wes Johnson has played admirably well in the absence of the seven time pro bowler, Mangold. He has stepped into one of the most difficult positions in the game and has done a great job.
With Mangold on IR now the Jets are concerned that this will become a norm for him. The other reason is money, Mangold is slated to make $6.7 million, with a $9.8 million cap hit. All of that money is not guaranteed so if the Jets release him they unload that cap hit, and can use that money to sign a player for a different position. Both reasons are solid, and make sense from a business standpoint, but not from a moral stand point.
Mangold is a locker room presence, a leader. He has been the captain of the team, and offensive line for years, he has been loyal to the team through thick and thin and it is time the team showed good faith. Maybe restructure the contract, or just pay the man. Offensive linemen are one of the most important yet underrated positions.
Centers are the leaders of the line, they assign the blocking, if they make a mistake the quarterback and running back will get pummeled. Mangold’s loyalty, effort, and leadership has to be weighed over his potential injury prone decline, and over money. Keep Nick Mangold, keep one of the best centers of all time, and keep one of the Jets most respected players and leaders.
