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Q&A with ... Jets C Nick Mangold
Posted: May 25, 2009
Bill Eichenberger

After a recent practice, Jets center Nick Mangold told Sporting News' Bill Eichenberger that the arrival of coach Rex Ryan has been like a shot of adrenaline for a team still hurting after a late-season collapse cost them a playoff berth. Mangold said the energy and enthusiasm have returned in a big way to the team's training complex in Florham Park, N.J.

Q: What are your first impressions playing for Ryan?
A: It's been fantastic. He has a great passion for the game. The defense is fired up. And as an offense, going against that kind of defense every day is only going to make us better. But it still is kind of a pain in the butt.

Q: Why is that?
A: His defense, the schemes that he brings in, they are pretty complex. They are making us think upfront.

Q: Recently in Sporting News Today, RealScouts, a group of former NFL scouts, rated you as the No. 1 center in the league. What's your reaction to that?
A: That's kind of them. Should I send a thank-you note?

Q: Do you think you deserve that sort of ranking?
A: Seriously, I really do appreciate it, but there are some guys out there who are heads and shoulders above me.

Q: Who would that be?
A: A big one right in our own backyard is Shaun (O'Hara of the Giants). He is a fantastic center who has been doing it at a high level for a long time.

Q: From the outside, it appears the Jets' offensive line is a clear strength of this team. Do you view it the same way?
A: Definitely. I believe that the line drives your team, at least on the offensive side. And our guys take that to heart. We try to be the leaders, to set the tempo, to get our guys going, to make sure we are doing all the right things.

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