CBS analyst and former Steelers coach Bill Cowher talks Eric Mangini and Jets-Browns with The Post’s Justin Terranova. He also tries to debunk the idea that he is patiently waiting to become the next coach of the Giants.
Q: Your thoughts on the job Eric Mangini has done with the Browns?
A: I commend him. He’s done a very good job in light of some of the questions raised about him; certainly the way they finished last year. When you look at a guy that’s very bland, and matter-of-fact with a very dry sense of humor, he has a way of getting his players to play hard for him.
Q: How concerned would you be about the Jets’ recent offensive struggles?
A: This is a situation where the bye came at a bad time for them. They were hitting on all cylinders then they get out of the off week and they looked lethargic. The offense came alive late against Detroit when Brian Schottenheimer was able to get into no-huddle mode. Santonio Holmes is just getting into the offense, so they have to figure out what works best. It’s a very solid defensive team. Sometimes the difference is good teams find ways to win games and that’s what they have done the past couple of years.
Q: Why do you think Jerome Bettis is convinced you have your eyes on the Giants job?
A: You’d have to ask him that. I do have a lot of respect for that organization, but the same can be said for a lot of teams out there. Tom Coughlin has done a great job and is an excellent coach. He has them as one of the top teams in the NFC right now. It’s an organization with a lot of history and tradition and there are a lot of teams in the NFL that have sort of the same qualities.
Q: Are you confident the Giants will be able to avoid a second-half collapse like last year?
A: Yes, they are much healthier than last year. Their offense is rolling with the emergence of Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Jacobs understanding his role and forming a great 1-2 punch with Bradshaw and Eli Manning becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Where you are now is one thing, but it’s where you go if you are fortunate enough to be healthy. The goal is to hit your stride, stay in the hunt and be playing your best football in December.
Q: Is Jeff Fisher the right coach for Randy Moss?
A: Bill Belichick is a pretty good coach, so I don’t think it has to do with that. It’s up to Randy Moss. He’s his own man and goes on his own terms. Whether or not that’s a situation where he realizes you can only get so many chances. So Moss will be more of a determining factor than Jeff Fisher.