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Y! MyWebMangold's dream on an upswing
Alter grad has started every game with Jets since he was drafted in 2006, and is only getting better with Brett Favre at QB.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Clicking on Nick Mangold's official Web site — nickmangold.net — you get treated to a hefty dose of heavy metal music from Metallica.
Pictures of Mangold — the New York Jets center from Ohio State and Alter High School — are splashed on the site, and the words "Strength," "Agility" and "Force" flash on your computer screen.
The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder will put those qualities on display when the Jets play host to the Cincinnati Bengals at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday, Oct. 12.
"I'm making strides and always trying to get better," said Mangold, a third-year veteran who was selected No. 29 overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
He calls it a dream come true to be snapping the ball into the hands of a future Pro Football Hall of Famer — quarterback Brett Favre.
Numbers "74" (Mangold) and "4" (Favre) are a team.
"Nick's a great guy," Jets left guard Alan Faneca said. "He likes to cut up a little like Brett. He's a very smart player, very studious in the game, and he's really starting to come into his own."
Mangold is the man in the middle of an explosive offensive line that includes Faneca and right guard Brandon Moore, left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and right tackle Damien Woody.
"Nick's been great," Jets head coach Eric Mangini said. "He started as a rookie and was really effective as a rookie. He's an extremely smart guy. He can make all the calls for the offensive line if need be.
"There's not a lot of ups and downs with him. It's pretty steady in terms of performance. I think his arrow's pointing up, and if he continues to work and develop, he's going to have a really outstanding career."
Nick Mangold at a glance
Team: New York Jets
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 300 pounds
Age: 24
High School: Alter
College: Ohio State
NFL draft: First-round pick (No. 29 overall) in 2006
Contract: In third year of a five-year, $7.4 million deal.
Next game
Who: Cincinnati Bengals (0-5) at New York Jets (2-2)
When: 1 p.m. Sunday
TV: WHIO-TV (CBS, Ch. 7)
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
