Mangold. Faneca. Mountain Men of the Jets' OLine.

Man's men. Burly Men. Rugged. Virile. Jeff Ircink? Um...wait, yes - yes I am. But I'm really talking about Alan Faneca (left) and Nick Mangold (right), two of the 5 New York Jets' starting offensive lineman, along with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Damien Woody and Brandon Moore. These are the guys that protect QB Brett Favre. Look at'em...gristled throwbacks to yesteryear's NFL - like Favre himself. No question about it - testosterone up the freakin' ying-yang here, baby.

Alan Faneca. Guard. Texas boy who attended LSU and currently lives in LA. Five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection with the Steelers. Won a Super Bowl ring with them for Super Bowl XL. The Jets signed Faneca this season to a five-year, $40 million contract, with $21 million in guarantees. The contract made Faneca the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history (a distinction quickly overtaken by rookie Jake Long). Faneca provides veteran leadership to a left side of a Jets offensive line that includes three former first round picks from 1999 and 2006 - Ferguson , Mangold and Damien Woody. Played for LSU. Does extensive work with the Epilepsy Foundation of America and has participated in podcasts called, "Speaking Out for Epilepsy”, after being diagnosed with epilepsy, for which he takes medication. For more information, go to the Epilepsy Foundation site here.

Nick Mangold. Center. Here's his website. You've got to open this link and just listen to the opening page music. If you don't envision a fleet of Viking ships (take another look at Nick) landing ashore and a shitload of Nordic raiders jumping off and marching into a village to rape, pillage and murder - then I'm a shitty writer and a shitty actor (and he's got Metallic playing once you enter the site). Luckily, he's playing for the Jets. THIS is a guy I'm gonna trust snapping the ball to me and protecting my ass if I'm Brett Favre. Drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, along with offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson. So impressive in his rookie season, Mangold garnered some rookie of the year talks, an honor that is not usually mentioned about centers. His younger sister Holley is an offensive lineman for the Alter High School Football Team. No shit. Mangold was considered to be the best prospect at center in the last 15 years according to NFL draft expert Mike Mayock. Played at Ohio State.

Now these are the sorts of guys I wanna hang out with. Hunt and fish...tip back a few beers with. Play cards. Talk smack. Like the people I myself hunt and fish with.

Alan Faneca. Nick Mangold. My kind of men. Mountain Men of the Jets' OLine.