EARTH CITY, Mo. — If you’re expecting the man whose name became an epithet with Jets fans to revel in their problems, think again.
Brian Schottenheimer has his own problems, thank you very much.
The Jets’ much-maligned offensive coordinator under Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan is now calling the plays for the Rams, who are having even more trouble finding the end zone than Schottenheimer’s former team as they prepare to square off here Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome.
No wonder Schottenheimer was so eager to take the high road Thursday when asked repeatedly about his stormy, six-year tenure with the Jets that ended in a curiously handled departure last January.
“If there’s one thing I learned growing up in a coach’s family, it’s that stability in this business is crazy,” he said. “We enjoyed six amazing years in New York. We were so close to getting to the Super Bowl, and I wish we would have had a chance to finish it. But there comes a time when it’s time to make a change and move on, and I’m thrilled to be a St. Louis Ram.”
The Rams appear to be thrilled to have the 40-year-old son of retired NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, too, though 3-5-1 St. Louis ranks just 28th in the league in points — four spots worse than the Jets — despite having former No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford under center.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher raved about Schottenheimer, essentially labeling him a head coach in waiting somewhere else.
“No one’s really satisfied with our production, because up until last week, it was well-documented that we were having difficulty getting the ball in the end zone,” Fisher said. “But Brian’s very, very talented. His opportunity to be a head coach is not far away.”
That might explain why Schottenheimer responds to questions about the Jets like a politician, though memories of “Fire Schotty!” chants and harsh back pages are still fresh.
The Jets might be 3-6, ranked 30th in the league in total offense under replacement Tony Sparano and engulfed in controversy, but Schottenheimer refuses to revel in any of it.
“I really don’t,” he said, when asked if he considered the criticism he received in New York unfair. “When you’re a coordinator in this league, you’re going to take bullets. I always appreciated how passionate the fans were back in New York, and it comes with the territory.”
Schottenheimer doesn’t have to look far for reminders of his Jets days. The Rams have five former Jets on their roster (offensive tackle Wayne Hunter, quarterback Kellen Clemens, center Rob Turner, tight end Matt Mulligan and running back Terrance Ganaway), and all of them were added since Schottenheimer’s arrival.
Schottenheimer said he isn’t paying attention to the Tim Tebow-Mark Sanchez controversy back in New York — mainly because “I have my own things to deal with here’’ — but says he is still a believer in the embattled Sanchez.
“I think Mark’s a terrific player, and I still do,” Schottenheimer said. “He needs to be more consistent, but again, he’s still a young player. I’m pulling for him. Nobody works harder than him. He wants to be great. He’s going to work at being great, and I wish him nothing but the best — after this week.”
But Schottenheimer clearly would like to beat his former team.
“[A victory Sunday] wouldn’t count twice, but would I enjoy it?” he said. “Absolutely.”