The Jets are fortunate to be a very well coached team for the most part. I would like to acknowledge some of the best work the coaches did in 2010.
Henry Ellard on Braylon Edwards: Leading up to the Draft, I was somewhat critical of the coaching the Jets have gotten at wide receiver in recent years. The team has not developed a receiver since Jerricho Cotchery. I think Henry Ellard deserves a lot of credit for the job he did on Braylon Edwards last year. Edwards had a (deserved) reputation as a guy who dropped too many passes. As a good coach would, Ellard studied the nuances of what Braylon was doing and picked up that many of his drops came on passes to his right shoulder. The two worked frequently last offseason on that part. The result? Braylon reduced his drops greatly.
Rex Ryan, Mike Pettine, and Mark Carrier on Mike Devito: Many fretted about depth along the defensive line entering last season after the Jets showed little interest in retaining starter Marques Douglas in free agency. These frets turned into something of a panic when Kris Jenkins tore his ACL against Baltimore in the first quarter of the first game of the year. There was no reason for concern, though, as Devito blossomed into a quietly consistent run stopper. It is amazing how much more consistent his technique has become over the past two years. He is now a rock at defensive end. I recall him being a better pass rusher than run stopper when he first came into the league. This staff has coached him up, though, into a very productive player.
Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine in the Playoffs against the Colts and Patriots: The Jets' blitzing schemes became less effective near the end of the regular season. The defensive coaches adjusted by flipping the scheme in the postseason, focusing on preventing the big play, and mixing coverages. They confounded Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, allowing the pair a combined two touchdowns in those two games not counting New England's late score against a prevent defense.
Brian Schottenheimer in the Playoffs against the Colts: Brian Schottenheimer takes a lot of (deserved) heat on this site so it is only right to give him credit for his halftime adjustments against the Colts in the Playoffs. The offense was struggling, and Mark Sanchez looked bad in the first half. Schottenheimer decided to scale back the playbook, and focus heavily on the run game in the second half. The much larger Jets front helped Gang Green run it at will in the second half, control the ball, keep Peyton Manning off the field, and grind out a victory.
Which was the best? Did I forget anybody?