As the dust continues to settle regarding last week's storm of controversy regarding the Patriots spying scandal, more and more folks in league circles are talking about the strong possibility that Jets coach Eric Mangini will find it very difficult to be hired by any other NFL team.
Selena Roberts of the New York Times addressed this point on Tuesday, and we've heard similar thoughts from multiple league insiders.
As a matter of principle, Mangini has violated the code of silence. As a matter of practicality, Mangini has shown that he cannot be trusted.
If, as plenty of league insiders privately will acknowledge, there are many tactics utilized by teams that violate one or more league rules, who would ever trust Mangini with the state secrets if he'll be willing to blow the whistle after he leaves?
The reality, however, is that Mangini has likely learned his lesson, and that he knows that he has pulled the trigger on a one-shot pistol. But this doesn't change the fact that no NFL executive could justify taking the risk that Mangini might offer up a sequel.
Meanwhile, Mangini might have problems keeping the job he currently has. As one league insider opined on Tuesday:
"The biggest issue that Mangini faces is that his team absolutely stinks. One of the problems with being a surprise team is that you can't surprise anyone anymore. They won't win more than six games this year. The Ravens tried to hand the game to the Jets after dominating for three quarters and the Jets refused to take it. The offensive line is awful, the defensive line is terrible, the running back is old, the wideouts drop passes, and the secondary is beat up. The Patriots will win that division by five or six games, easy. That, more than anything, is going to put heat on Mangini."
So it could be that Mangini will eventually have to seek refuge in the college game. If, that is, he can find a program that has no secrets that it would rather not have the NCAA find out about.
Well, maybe the UFL will be hiring.
