Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s name has come up as a candidate to replace Tony Sparano as Dolphins head coach.
Schottenheimer, a frequent target of criticism from Jets fans, downplayed his interest in a head coaching job at the moment.
“I’m just happy to have a job,” Schottenheimer said. “A few weeks ago, if you’d asked people, I’d be lucky to have a job. This is the time of year to speculate and talk, this is the time of year for us to work. We’re trying to make a push. We played well this time of year the last couple years, I think we’re hopefully hitting that stride. But again, I’m thrilled with where I’m at, and hopefully we can take this thing a long way.”
The Jets extended Schottenheimer’s contract through 2013 last winter. The offense is ranked 25th in the NFL and has struggled for long stretches this season. Schottenheimer was a candidate for the Dolphins head coaching job in 2007 and the Bills job in 2009. The Jets also considered him for the head coaching job before hiring Rex Ryan.
Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine also has been mentioned as a head coaching candidate at Penn State. Pettine has strong ties to Pennsylvania, where his father was a legendary high school coach.
“I’m thrilled where I am,” Pettine said. “There’s not much interest there. There hasn’t been contact either way. So I just think that was somebody that did the math: Pennsylvania background, opening at a Pennsylvania school. So I guess the next will be I’m up for the Pitt job, I guess.”
* Wide receiver Santonio Holmes had a big day against Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in Super Bowl XLIII when they played for the Steelers and Cardinals, respectively. Holmes was the Super Bowl MVP, catching nine passes for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
“Everything that was done in the Super Bowl was Rodgers-Cromartie,” Holmes said with a chuckle.
The Eagles will probably use Nnamdi Asomugha or Asante Samuel on Holmes, but he surely hopes to see some of Rodgers-Cromartie.
* Ryan said the team has done tackling drills this week with his quickest players to simulate Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
Defensive backs Isaiah Trufant and Gerald Alexander raced around and were pursued by the defensive linemen.