Ex-Jets Coach Eric Mangini: I Have 'A Lot Of Regrets' Over Spygate
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Who could forget Spygate, the 2007 saga involving former Jets coach Eric Mangini, Bill Belichick of the Patriots, New York's defensive calls on New England video tape and heavy fines levied by the NFL?
Well, it sounds like Mangini would take a mulligan on the drama.
"I owe so much to Bill," he told Boston's WEEI Radio on Tuesday. "I appreciate what he's done for me and my intention was never to hurt him or the (Patriots) organization, the Kraft family."
Belichick was fined $500,000 after an investigation by the league. The Patriots had to forfeit their 2008 first-round draft pick and pay $250,000 in fines.
"Yeah, there's a lot of regrets," said Mangini. "I didn't want to hurt him or the Patriots by any stretch."
Mangini, a former protege of Belichick's in New England, tipped off the investigation.
"How it could have been different, how different decisions and events could have taken place, I'm not sure how it would have played out differently," he said. "I just didn't want it to play out the way it did."
Spygate fractured Mangini's already shaky relationship with his ex-boss and mentor -- and made the football community question the Patriots' Super Bowl titles under the coach.
"Probably like the New England defense," Mangini said of his rapport with Belichick, "it's a work in progress."
Jets fans: What do you have to say about Mangini's regrets? Sound off in the comments below...
