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          New York Jets

          W2W4: New York Jets in the Pro Bowl

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterJan 25, 2015, 02:15 PM ET
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          If you need a football fix, a bridge from the conference championship games to Super Bowl XLIX, check out the Pro Bowl at 8 p.m. Sunday (ESPN) from Glendale, Arizona. No, it's not overflowing with players from the New York Jets -- welcome to the 4-12 reality -- but it's one last opportunity this season to watch two of their best, center Nick Mangold and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.

          A few Jets-related thoughts on the game:

          • Mangold and Richardson are teammates on Team Irvin, coached by Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys. Mangold and Richardson have been seeing stars all week -- meaning the Cowboys' helmets -- as they have seven Dallas players on their team.

          • I'm curious to see how Richardson approaches his first Pro Bowl. He was bitterly disappointed that he didn't make the initial roster -- he made it as an alternate -- so he could try to use the game as a stage to show everyone he belongs with the best of the best. One of his linemates is St. Louis Rams rookie Aaron Donald, whom former Jets coach Rex Ryan felt undeservedly was selected over Richardson. We all know Richardson plays with a chip on his shoulder; don't be surprised if he plays this one at regular-season speed.

          • This will feel like an AFC East game for Mangold. Team Carter includes three defensive linemen from the Buffalo Bills -- Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus. This is supposed to be a fun event, but the presence of the Buffalo trio will remind Mangold of two brutal losses from the season. By the way, this will be Mangold's sixth Pro Bowl.

          • We all know that free-agent recruiting happens at the Pro Bowl. Mangold and Richardson are teammates with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb, who will be one of the marquee free agents. Think Mangold and Richardson might drop a few positive words on the Jets' behalf? Maybe. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie also is eligible for free agency, and it probably won't take much arm-twisting to make him consider a return to the Jets. He speaks highly of new coach Todd Bowles, his former Arizona defensive coordinator.

          • Could the Jets have more than two representatives next year? Absolutely. Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson has been on the cusp of the Pro Bowl for two years. A sleeper could be linebacker Demario Davis, who enters a contract year and should thrive in Bowles' attacking defense. Nose tackle Damon Harrison, too, could be a Pro Bowl possibility. Next year could be a defensive resurgence for the Jets.