The relationship between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots really does sometimes resemble a daytime soap opera. The drama certainly runs high in both. And just as everyone sleeps with each other in the soap opera, the Jets-Pats world features a revolving door of employment, through which multiple defectors have switched camps over the past decade as one side aims to model the other. Bill Parcells invented this practice, laying the pipeline's groundwork in 1997 when he ditched the Pats to coach the Jets in 1997. Bill Belichick, groomed as Parcells' successor in New York, wrote chapter two in the drama by resigning as the Jets head coach in January 2000 after literally one day on the job. The Patriots hired him, and the rest of his story is legendary. The Jets struck back this year with part three of the epic, stealing Belichick's defensive coordinator, Eric Mangini, to replace the departing Herman Edwards. In an intriguing twist with local flavor, both Mangini and Belichick played their college football at a perennial hotbed of NFL talent-not Ohio State University, but rather Wesleyan University. At Wesleyan, both were brothers in the Chi Psi fraternity.

With an already juicy backdrop, this story got more interesting last week as the two teams prepared for a Week Two showdown with first place in the AFC East on the line. The media, particularly in New York, seized on the Mangini-Belichick piece of the incestuous saga with characteristic obsession, and their comparisons of the two coaches seemed to irk each equally. Mangini, the fresh-faced protégé seeking to make his own name, predictably highlighted the ways in which he differs from his notoriously stoic mentor. The New York Times, in this vein, reported that Mangini, presumably in contrast to Belichick, cares about his family and allows for an occasional humorous moment in team meetings. Belichick, asked recently whether his promoted student was head coaching material, opted not to offer even a semi-endorsement. A more gracious master, proud of those who blossom under his tutelage, would at least smile and compliment the youngster for the cameras. But Belichick, ever vindictive (not to mention hypocritical, considering his traitorous bolt six years ago), locked Mangini out of his New England office as he interviewed for the Jets job.

Whether Mangini's shockingly 1-0 Jets could keep pace with Belichick's feared but depleted (Deion Branch) Pats served as the compelling NFL question of the week. After the Pats cruised to a 24-0 lead in the first half, the Jets fought back, ensuring that the plot would play out with some intrigue. The Jets forced Pats QB Tom Brady into an interception and a fumble in a span of minutes. Jericho Cotchery caught a pass on the right sideline and absorbed a vicious hit to the head but nonetheless stormed downfield for a touchdown. His grit was outdone only by Laveranues Cole's, who weaved his way through the Patriot defense to cut the deficit to 10. Then, down a touchdown with slightly more than one minute remaining, Mangini could be seen on the telecast telling Jets defensive captain Jonathan Vilma not to worry, that his special teams unit would block the ensuing Pats field goal attempt and retain one final shot to win the game. After the Jets made a courageous red zone stand, his prediction proved accurate, and Vilma recovered the blocked field goal. Chad Pennington's subsequent full-field one-minute drill fell short, and the Jets lost by a score, but the Jets should be happy about the future.

In one day, Cotchery and Coles executed two of the most exciting Jets plays in recent years, and if I were Jonathan Vilma, I would now have complete faith in Mangini, which will filter down to the rest of the defense and the team. One thing seems clear: Belichick was wrong when he told Mangini that taking the Jets head coaching job would be a waste of time. Either that, or Belichick lied in a selfish attempt to keep his defensive coordinator.

Giant comeback

It would be thoroughly ridiculous to talk about impressive New York football stories this weekend without mentioning the Giants' spectacular comeback against the rival Eagles, who looked so loose and impressive in the first half. Donovan McNabb finally thrived and smiled again, free of Terrell Owens' torment. But late in the game Giants QB Eli Manning stood in the pocket and delivered several completions in the face of defensive pressure, not the least of which was the successful jump-ball game-winning touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in overtime. Sunday was an obvious benchmark in Manning's development as a reliable quarterback and team leader.

Captain's challenge: motivate pros

As the Americans begin their bid this Friday to avenge two consecutive Ryder Cup losses to Europe, including last year's historic defeat at home, U.S. team captain Tom Lehman's tactics will come under heavy scrutiny, particularly since Hal Sutton's stewardship two years ago was seen as a strategic blunder. But the extent of the captain's strategic influence is highly limited. It matters most in the alternate shot matches, where a poorly matched tandem could negate each individual's talents. At all costs, Lehman should avoid pairing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who are both wayward off the tee at times and have exhibited no capacity to succeed together in the competition.

In the end, there is one area in which Lehman can truly make a difference-motivation. If he can instill in these professional athletes a sense of national pride and unity, then he has done his job. Lehman seems well on his way in this regard, as he pulled off the miracle of convincing both Mickelson and Woods to rearrange their schedules and join the rest of the team on a practice and team bonding trip two weeks ago to the K Club in Ireland, where the Cup is being held in two days. It would be nice if Woods could ride the momentum from his recent five consecutive PGA Tour wins and finally dominate in a Ryder Cup. His country could use the boost.