Eric Mangini Trying To Lure Jets' Staff to Cleveland, Proves Patriots Fans Right

No stranger to coaching controversy, Eric Mangini is making a legitimate attempt at luring away members of the New York Jets coaching staff, reports Daily News' Rich Cimini.

Fans of the New England Patriots have considered Mangini among the lowest of scum—not only for his Spygate whistle-blowing, but for his attempts to snatch away members of Bill Belichick's staff after accepting the job with New York.

Apparently, Mangini is so confident about his standing with the Cleveland Browns, he's approaching members of the Jets coaching staff to join him in Ohio in 2009.

Cimini says "Mangini is starting to assemble a staff" and "one of his targets" is Jets' offensive line coach—and current candidate for New York's vacancy—Bill Callahan.

Seriously, Eric?

And we defended you. Jets' fans stood by you during Spygate, denying any accusations or potential of your involvement in previous video-taping incidents.

We wanted to pretend that you were a beacon of integrity and would never partake in such heinous activity.

Thanks a lot.

Now, of all things, Jets' fans are forced to say New England was right about you. We're forced to side with an enemy in mutual resentment for a common evil—you.

It's not like it'd be a heart-breaking loss. Bill Callahan did an excellent job with the offensive line, creating great holes for Thomas Jones a year after he couldn't run at all.

But it's the thought that counts. And it's what stings most in this situation.

We wanted the split to be amicable, Eric. Some Jets' fans were willing to buy the "Favre got Mangini fired," story. But just thinking of pulling the same stunt in New York that New England locked you out of the office for makes you an enemy.

Maybe it's your mild-mannered, even-keeled demeanor that's allowed you to jump to the front of the Cleveland Browns' list. Maybe it's your convincing impression of Bill Belichick, and tired stories about the importance of preparation—as if your Jets weren't unprepared for their opponents in all seven of their losses (and at least three of their wins).

Whatever it is, you can go right ahead and keep tilting your head to the side as you destroy that stick of gum in your mouth.

New York gave you a pass because you found a way to stick it to Bill Belichick. That time is over.

Way to bite the hands that fed you.

Angel Navedo covers the New York Jets for Examiner.com. His work can also be found on NYJetsFan.com, where he is the Head Writer, and on MyGridironSpace.com—a premier social networking site built exclusively for NFL fans.

He is also a Senior Writer at Bleacher Report, where he is one of the New York Jets Community Leaders.