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As you know by now, Dustin Keller praised Tony Sparano, and kind of took at shot at Brian “B-Schotty” Schottenheimer.
“[Tony] definitely runs a tighter ship than I’ve seen from anyone before, and he’s not going to let anyone slip up,” Keller said. “I think that’s when problems do arise. It’s going to continue. You can tell it’s not just a one day or an OTA thing, this thing is going to keep on going and going, and I think we need it.”
“When Sparano is in there talking, all eyes are on him,” Keller said. “It’s a change. Before, I would say it was a little more laid-back. But with him it’s more stern, and he just has everybody’s attention, and I think guys are paying more attention to details now more than ever.
“Most all the guys have been very accountable to themselves, to the things they’re doing, but I think this year more than ever. Everything from the details of how far you need to line up and everything, guys already have that stuff down, and if you don’t, he’s kind of coming down on you. And that’s how it’s going to be all season, you can already tell.”
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – Tony Sparano is the right guy at the right time for the Jets’ offense.
His approach is what they need now.
But there is a slight problem with this picture that Dustin Keller is painting.
There is no question Sparano is more of a non-nonsense coach than Schottenheimer.
I’m not questioning that.
But where was the head coach?
When it comes to accountability on a football team, whether it’s offense, defense or special teams, the most important figure is the head coach.
It’s easy to sling arrows at Schotty. That has become a cottage industry.
But while Schotty deserves a lot of blame for running an offense that was too complex, and had too many bells and whistles, we can’t give Rex Ryan a free pass.
Ryan is a tremendous defensive coach, but he needs to be the coach of the whole team.
If he didn’t like what B-Schotty was doing, he should have stepped up and become more hands on with the offense.
Rex and B-Schotty was never a good marriage.
It seemed like he was forced on Rex, who really wanted to be a head coach, and was willing to agree to keep him, even if he didn’t want to, in his heart of hearts.
That was a mistake.
But this whole premise that the lack of accountability on offense was all Schottenheimer’s fault, with Rex getting a free pass, is flawed thinking.
Rex needs to coach the whole team, not just the defense.
But with all this being said, Sparano is just what the Jets need now on offense.
His approach is more basic – less motion, less pre-snap reads.
The players can now think less, and react more.
However, it’s time to move on from B-Schotty.
You might not like him as an offensive coordinator, but he’s a very decent man.
Let’s leave him alone already.
He’s move on, and the Jets have moved on.
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