The Mangini Era started with more of a whimper than a bang as the gang green went down to Tampa Bay and played their first preseason game against the Bucs.

It was good to see Chad Pennington make his way out onto the field where he went 9-14 for 54 yards on two good drives. While Chad was throwing the shorter throws, he looked much more polished than he did last year going into camp. Two things looked to be concerned about was the lack of scoring on both drives and the hit he took at the end of the last drive which looked a lot like the season ender a year ago.

The defenses change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 is going to take some time. The first team defense played fast and loose but didn't seem to comfortable with the schemes. The second and third string players just got pounded as the Bucs put up 167 yards of total rushing at one point running for 10 straight plays. Since this is a Jets team that couldn't stop the run last year, it is another place of concern.

The third thing to be concerned about, as if you needed more, was the running game. With Curtis Martin's return up in the air the three other running backs got their shots. Derrick Blaylock ran for 12 yards on 6 carries, not blowing the socks of anyone. Cedric Houston looked a bit more explosive but only ran for 17 yards on 5 carries. Leon Washington, 5-8 a draft pick from this year, didn't really get enough shots to show if he has it in him. Right now, Cedric looks like the better back and hopefully Martin will be back in the game sooner rather than later.

Other positive notes to come out of the draft were D'Brickashaw Ferguson who kept most of the pressure off the quarterback and Kellen Clemens who ran a nice 2 minute drill down the field leading to a 3 pt field goal by Mike Nugent. Brad Smith had some nice plays as well switching from his college position of QB to a wide receiver with the Jets.

The best news, beyond the good clock management, was that the results of the preseason are no indication of the regular season record.

Hang in there.