Today Brett Favre became a far more expensive experiment than the New York Jets would have ever imagined. The NFL has come down hard on the team, it’s GM Mike Tannenbaum and former head coach, current Cleveland Browns head coach, Eric Mangini for their roles in allegedly covering up Favre’s injured bicep.

After becoming the darlings of the division, the Jets famously collapsed by losing the last 4 out of 5 games of the year, practically gift wrapping the division title for the Miami Dolphins. Much was said and speculated about in the aftermath of their self-distruction, with much of the blame going to either Favre for his on-field decline or Eric Mangini for his less than aggressive coaching style.

Not long ago Favre revealed that he was playing hurt and that the Jets organization did not move to report the injury on it’s injury report. Favre even went so far as to say he was completely open to being benched in favor of Kellen Clemens rather than jeopa

rdize the rest of their season with his injured arm. His statement insinuated that the team had zero confidence in the back up QB’s ability to carry the load…but thats a conversation for another day.

In the wake of these allegations, Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum stepped up and took public responsibility for the failure to report Favre’s injury. This was probably the right thing to do as the GM but in reality it is usually the head coach who handles these responsibilities putting more of the onus of responsibility on the shoulders of former head coach Eric Mangini. Mangini has denied any wrong doing in the matter.

Strange considering the NFL rule clearly states that injuries must be reported even if the player doesn’t miss practice time and is expected to play. Perhaps Mangini needs clearification.

The NFL provided some much needed clearification for the former Jets coach in the form of a $25,000 fine today. After concluding it’s investigation into this matter, the NFL not only pinched Mangini but also fined the Jets a whopping $75,000 and GM Mike Tannenbaum a further $25,000.