Dissecting the coaches of the AFC East
The AFC East is made up of the Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, and Bills. A division with one team that is regularly good and three that border on mediocrity, only to occasionally leap to greatness, or just warm up late in the season, is one of those divisions where anything can happen.
It’s also one of those divisions with some of the most interesting coaches in the NFL. Next, we delve into the leaders of each team; in other words, we go deeper.
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
Belichick will go down as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. With his no-nonsense demeanor and his ability to find weakness in the most solid opponents, Belichick is highly respected by those he coaches and greatly feared by those he plays.
Advantages: Belichick is without a doubt an excellent coach. He has a penchant for shutting down even the best offensive opponents and the ability to win championships without a team full of superstars. Simply put, he makes those who play for him look good. Also, prior to the last two seasons, he was unstoppable in the playoffs. Last year, when he defeated the San Diego Chargers 14-2 and his polemic postseason bout with Marty Schottenheimer, we saw some of that old postseason magic return.
Cons: Belichick’s usually solid defense didn’t seem nearly as solid in 2006, particularly during the AFC Championship Game. Belichick will have to fine-tune his elaborate defensive schemes if he wants to have a shot at the Super Bowl. Randy Moss is another possible negative factor. It appears that Terrell Owens knocked down Bill Parcells last season, which was likely a factor in his retirement. Will Randy Moss, with his Terrell Owens attitude, do the same for Belichick? Only time will tell.
Eric Mangini, New York Jets
Mangini, at 36, is a coach who is just starting out, a start that started on the right foot last season when his team finished 10-6. His sophomore year will be one where fans get a better idea of the person known as “Mangenius.”
Advantages: Mangini is one of the hardest working people in the NFL. After starting out in the pros as a 23-year-old ball boy, she rose through the ranks and landed a job as a head coach. He was mentored by Bill Belichick and learned to coach defense from him. Mangini was part of the Patriots’ coaching staff when his defense was unstoppable and full of professional talent. As the head coach, Mangini is not afraid to be bold and surprising on the field, and off the field, he possesses a talent for recruiting talented players.
Cons: Even with Mangini’s potential, the Jets might not be playoff material just yet. Although they went 10-6 last year, they were easily beaten by the New England Patriots in the first round of the postseason. Having a winning record is great, but making the playoffs is useless when you can’t win. If Mangini can lead his team to victory in the playoffs this season, his ranking as his coach will skyrocket.
Cam Cameron, Miami Dolphins
Cameron has been on the college team clipboard, but has yet to serve as head coach for his first NFL game. Still, even though he’s a rookie, he probably won’t train like one.
Advantages: Cameron is one of the best offensive coaches in the business, blessed with the ability to call clever plays and turn good players into great ones. He is credited with being a big factor in the development of Drew Brees, Antonio Gates, LaDainian Tomlinson, Phillip Rivers and Trent Green, who join him this year in Miami. Under his tactics, the teams score and score a lot.
Cons: The team he inherits isn’t exactly coming off a Super Bowl high. Still, if he takes the controversy out of the quarterback position and gets his offense frozen, the Dolphins could be a fish out of water as a Miami team with a good record.
Dick Jauron, The Buffalo Bills
If there was a coach who could serve as the wise old Yoda of the NFL, it might be Dick Jauron. A man who began his NFL coaching career in 1985, Jauron has apparently seen and done it all.
advantages:As stated above, Jauron is swimming in the experience. He was in the NFL for eight years, where he played defensive back and returned punts. In college, he was a record-setting runner. On staff, he has been a defensive backs coach, defensive coordinator and head coach. In one of the biggest turnarounds in sports history, Jauron led the Chicago Bears to a 13-3 record in 2001. It was a feat that led to his being named AP Coach of the Year.
Cons: Last season, Jauron was just below mediocrity with a 7-9 record. However, five of those losses were by three points or less. If Jauron can help his quarterback gain confidence, while he teaches his team how to win close games, there’s a chance the Bills won’t pass on the onus soon.
