2. Nick Mangold, C
It was clear as day in 2015. When Nick Mangold missed time with injury, the Jets offense didn’t just struggle, it forgot who it was.
Mangold played in 15 games. He injured his neck late in a loss up in Foxborough against the Pats. The game his missed came in Week 8 when the Jets traveled to the west coast to take on the Oakland Raiders. It was the same game Ryan Fitzpatrick was forced to leave thanks to torn ligaments in his thumb.
While Fitz’s injury affected things too, the Jets entire offense and running game was completely amateurish. Here were the leading rushers for the Jets on the day:
- Geno Smith: 2 carries, 34 yards
- Chris Ivory: 15 carries, 17 yards
Mangold started the next week against Jacksonville and while they Jets did win, again, the rushing game was non-existent:
- Chris Ivory: 23 carries, 26 yards
- Zac Stacy: 1 carry, 3 yards
Mangold started but didn’t play every down. His neck was still recovering and he was forced to come out during different portions of the game.
Mangold isn’t just the leader of the offensive line, he’s been the leader of a Jets offense who’s been without a real quarterback for his entire career. He’s the man who signals out all the calls on the offensive line and the man the Jets simply cannot live without.
Without him on the field, this offense is lost. They completely forget who they are.
