NFL

Never-shy Ryan out-coaching Coughlin

Coaching is about getting the most out of the talent that is in front of you. Though the Jets and Giants are 7-6, and it’s more likely the Giants are going to the playoffs than the Jets, Rex Ryan is making the most out of his talent with the Jets.

There is a much different feeling around the two football teams. The Giants have the established, Super Bowl winning quarterback in Eli Manning, and that’s a huge edge, while rookie Mark Sanchez is learning on the fly, but still, you can’t help but get the feeling that the Jets are the team on the bigger upswing.

A big part of that is the big man, Ryan. He is not nearly as guarded and defensive as Coughlin, who has the Super Bowl victory on his resume, which essentially makes him untouchable. But considering how the Giants have underachieved this year; that has to be counted against Coughlin in a big way. The Giants have lost six of the last eight, and the Jets have won three in a row.

JETS BLOG

FALCONS BACKFIELD UNSURE FOR SUNDAY

Ryan allows his players to be themselves, and that’s the key to his success.

Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said yesterday that he is calling talkative linebacker Bart Scott “Thurston Howell” because Scott wore an ascot on the trip back home after the win against Tampa last Sunday. There seems to be much more humor around the Jets. Coughlin has a disciplined way about him and sometimes that style can wear on players.

Ryan has the Jets defense rated No. 1 in total defense while the Giants are struggling defensively. In the 45-38 loss to the Eagles last week, the Giants defense was shredded. One play told it all. As Donovan McNabb was being hit, the ball fluttered forward. Linebacker Michael Boley nearly caught the ball, but it slid off his fingers and sat on the ground. No Giant touched it, believing it was a dropped pass, but it was ruled a fumble. The Eagles kept the ball.

JETS WANT SUPER BOWL AT NEW STADIUM

KERNAN ON TWITTER

Cornerback Darrelle Revis said the Jets, on that type of play, are coached to “Pick it up and run with it because you never know.” You never do.

Ryan said he learned the hard way in a game with Baltimore when a Detroit player picked up an incomplete pass that was ruled a fumble and went 50 yards with the ball.

“We chase it [at practice],” Ryan said. “If the ball goes a field over, our guys chase the ball.”

As for Ryan’s personality, Revis said, “He’s a player’s coach, he lets us play. We have our techniques and schemes, but he lets us play because he trusts in us. He’s a funny guy, and he’s a hard-nosed guy too. He’ll get on us if we are not performing to our highest level. He doesn’t get on us out of negativity, it’s something positive.”

Coughlin knows what he’s talking about, but you get the feeling that sometimes his players tune him out at times.

Kicker Jay Feely said of Ryan, “He’s everything you want in a head coach.”

Feely has played for both. He wasn’t talking about Coughlin, just his thoughts on Ryan when he said, “You can trust what he says. For players, that’s key. Then if he tells you something that is not positive, it’s going to make you better. He’s motivational.

“You go around this locker room and people care about him. He’s got a great sense of humor. That makes it fun. He’s got something funny to say and it cracks everybody up. You walk out of a meeting and you say, ‘This guy’s crazy.’ ”

Tackle Damien Woody said Ryan treats the players as individuals.

“He lets you be who you are,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. He wants guys to be loose and relaxed and have fun coming to work.”

Wow, fun in the No Fun League. For that work to continue to be fun, the Jets have to find a way to keep winning for Ryan.

kevin.kernan@nypost.com