Belichick, Mangini 'on opposite sides' now

0 Comments | USA TODAY, September, 2006 | by Tom Pedulla

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The chummy relationship that existed for more than a decade between mentor Bill Belichick and Eric Mangini is no more. They will simply be rivals Sunday when Belichick's New England Patriots visit the New York Jets, in their first season under Mangini. Belichick did not call to offer congratulations on Mangini's victorious debut after New York beat the Tennessee Titans 23-16 Sunday.

The Patriots did go to the NFL to accuse the Jets of tampering in their attempt to acquire Deion Branch before New England traded the holdout wide receiver to the Seattle Seahawks. New England had given teams an opportunity to work out a contract with Branch pending completion of a trade. But the Patriots charge that the Jets compromised their position by informing Branch and...