If the staff really was learning how to win then they would have known from the first game this season (and the Oakland game) that playing conservatively on offense and hoping for the Patriots to make a mistake was a bad approach. The 2 sequences at the end of the half and the end of the game are inexcusable examples of not learning from your mistakes and not grasping what are the key turning points in the game. Not going for a first down with the full playbook right before the half and ensuring a 24-6 lead was a crucial mistake that almost cost them the game. Then to repeat the same mistake at the end of the game with 3 plain vanilla runs (especially the 3rd and 2) when all they need was one first down shows that they are not learning and simply overwhelmed in the heat of the battle. Favre and the veteran players won the game despite of the coaching staff (Westhoff is an exception) not because of them.

It was clear not only from the play on the field but in his post game comments that Mangini just does not get it when it comes to managing a game. He is a deer in the headlights (especially against Belichick) and this is likely to be exposed when the playoffs start. Hopefully, this is magnified when the play the Patriots and they can avoid them from here on out but he has shown numerous signs in other games of just not executing strategically under pressure.

As to comments regarding Tannenbaum being great I have to beg to differ on that one as well. While I admit Keller is clearly a good draft choice you also saw a prime example of why the Patriots are a better run organization than the Jets (unfortunately). Tannenbaum decides to draft Ghoulston and pay him $20m guaranteed to ride the bench and the Patriots picking one spot behind them trade down to get an extra pick and pick Jerrod Mayo who was arguably the best defensive player on the field (besides Jenkins).

The players should be applauded for a great win and effort under hostile environment. The 7-3 record is impressive and gives them an opportunity to win the division. But as a long suffering fan I am hoping to see a Super Bowl at some point and that takes more than just talent. Until Mangini shows some ability to learn from his mistakes and perform under pressure this team is likely missing a key ingredient necessary for a Championship.

Actually, the name’s R-Bar (Sutter & Polk), but we’ve chased all the Patrot fans away and affectionately refered to the place as J-Bar.

Hop off the Lazy-Boy and check it out… or meet up at the Niners tailgate.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot – Go Jets!