Jets' desperate defense stuffs Rams, Schottenheimer

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Under former New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's command, the St. Louis Rams easily drove the field on their first possession to take an early lead on Gang Green.

Then the Jets showed up.

Gang Green showed plenty of backbone on defense, tallying a sack, an interception and recovering two of three forced fumbles to go with countless pressures from the front seven that threw St. Louis' offense all out of whack. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford completed just 23 of 44 pass attempts, and the Jets won 27-13.

Tony 'Not-tenheimer' Sparano is opposite of Schotty

Photo: Marianne O'Leary, Flickr 

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's departure from New York was probably long overdue, but the sides didn't have a spot for a clean break until Gang Green went 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Rex Ryan.

Schottenheimer was relieved of his duties in January and went on to take the Rams' offensive coordinator job. Meanwhile, the Jets replaced Schottenheimer with a guy who is nothing like his predecessor.

Gang Green hired former Dolphins coach, former Cowboys offensive coordinator and offensive line guru Tony Sparano to right the wayward ship that is the Jets' offense.

Players have responded very positively to the change through OTAs and minicamp, and it's probably because Sparano and his philosophies are a much better fit with what the Ryan-era Jets are trying to do.

Report: Schottenheimer to become Rams' new OC

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Brian Schottenheimer plans to call plays in the NFL, but he won't be doing it in green and white.

The former Jets offensive coordinator will be named the Rams' new offensive coordinator pending a contract agreement, according to NFL Network's Michael Lombardi.

Schottenheimer spent his last six years leading the Jets' offense but informed the team he would not return following the 2011 season. He was then replaced by former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.

Numbers show QBs improve by parting with Schotty

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Facts are facts. Quarterbacks get better after they part ways with Brian Schottenheimer, current (updated: former) offensive coordinator of the Jets.

Here's a simple breakdown of a trend of quarterbacks who played under Schottenheimer:

Brett Favre (Jets to Vikings)

Last season with Schotty: 217.0 yards/game, 81.0 QB rating.

First season without Schotty: 262.6 yards/game, 107.2 QB rating.

Chad Pennington (Jets to Dolphins)
Last season with Schotty: 196.1 yards/game, 86.1 QB rating.
First season without Schotty: 228.3 yards/game, 97.4 QB rating.

Drew Brees (Chargers to Saints)
Last season with Schotty (QB coach): 223.5 yards/game, 89.2 QB rating.
First season without Schotty: 276.1 yards/game, 96.2 QB rating.

Rex: Jets' playoffs begin next week vs. Bills

The New York Jets were in a pretty good spot Sunday morning at 5-3, coming off a three-game win streak and prepping for what may have been a season-defining matchup with the New England Patriots coming up that night.

The Jets went on to lose that divisional match and traveled to Denver Thursday night to face the Broncos, where they lost again.

Now, they could be in trouble.