Mangini takes control of whistle for first time with Jets

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- A rookie ran Jets minicamp Friday. It just so happened the practice was for rookie players, too.

Eric Mangini led his first camp as a head coach, barking instructions to several players and looking confident while splitting time between all position groups. During stretches, he chatted with third-round pick Anthony Schlegel. Later, he kept an eye on the defensive backs and checked in on top pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Even owner Woody Johnson stopped by to take a peek.

"It was fantastic to finally get out of a meeting room, to stop talking about the scheme and the playbook and free agency and the draft," Mangini said. "It was a lot of fun."

Of course, it wasn't always perfect. Mangini said the morning practice had plenty of bumps, since it was the first time the coaching staff was on the field together, and the first professional practice for the 40 first-year players.

Still, it was a big step for Mangini to get through his first practice.

"This was a really good day for me," Mangini said. "It was a really important day for the coaching staff, the organization. Just happy to get things underway here."

Ferguson and Nick Mangold could form the anchors of the offensive line for years to come, something the Jets desperately need. They had a shaky offensive line last season, made worse when center Kevin Mawae and left tackle Jason Fabini went out for the season with injuries.

Both players are now gone, leaving holes at their positions -- arguably the most important on the line. That's a big reason why the Jets addressed both needs with their two first-round picks.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Ferguson is a self-described bodyguard for the quarterback, protecting the blind side as the left tackle.

That becomes doubly important if Chad Pennington remains the starter. Pennington is coming off his second major operation on his right rotator cuff and has repeatedly vowed he would be ready to start the season.

Mangini was noncommittal when asked whether Pennington would participate in the passing camp later this month or the veteran minicamp in June.

"He's exceeded my expectations in terms of the way that he approaches things and his professional attitude," Mangini said. "I expect those things of a competitor of his nature. He's working at it. We have a whole process. We evaluate things as we go. Nothing's changed. When Chad's ready to go, he'll be ready to go."