Nick Mangold was drafted by the Jets in 2006, and was Mark Sanchez’s center for the Sanchize’s entire run with Gang Green.
He’s also still a huge Jets supporter, and told Tiki & Tierney on Tuesday that he sees a lot of similarities between Sanchez and the Jets’ latest high draft pick quarterback, Zach Wilson.
“I think Zach has a stronger arm, but at the early stages, I think Mark was a little more accurate,” Mangold said, before adding this huge similarity: “I think they’re both guys who dive into the playbook, so this offseason will be huge for Zach. It was a crash course when he got drafted, trying to learn as much as can while the Jets made it simpler for him, but this is where his ability to dive into that playbook and take it all in – and know not just what he needs to do, but why – lead me to think he can make those big steps in year two.”
Sanchez led the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009-10, but went 14-18 the next two seasons, missed 2013 injured, and was gone soon after.
The Jets haven’t really had that much goodwill in the decade-plus since those back-to-back Final Fours, so Mangold understands why everyone may still be down on Gang Green.
“I don’t think they have a positive reputation at the moment. There have been little pockets of success, but it’s been 11 years since we made the playoffs, so I think it’s warranted,” Mangold said. “It takes a strong set of players, coaches, and staff to come in and change the perception, and I believe that’s what Joe Douglas is doing. I think Robert Saleh did as well as could be expected with that many rookies, and I expect a big jump this year.”
Indeed, the Jets have just 13 playoff appearances in 52 seasons since Super Bowl III – a 25 percent “success” rate – but Mangold is encouraged by what he sees in year one of the Saleh era.
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“I feel excited and encouraged. I believe we had the most rookie starts in the NFL by like 100, so it’s a very young team that I think needs to grow,” he said. “This offseason will be very important for them, but I’m encouraged; we’re coming into the offseason with a good base and have a bunch of money, plus four picks in first two rounds. It’ll be a great opportunity for Joe Douglas to put his fingerprint on this team.”
One thing that can help Wilson outside the draft, though? Mangold thinks adding a veteran playmaker, someone who will be what the Jets hoped Corey Davis could be this year, could be a difference.
“I think you get a veteran playmaker to come in and get Zach some confidence,” he said. “Rookies can do great things, but if you can go out and get a vet who Zach can lean on, that’s what he needs more of around him. It’s a young group around him, but if you can get someone to guide him and be productive, that would be a good thing.”
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