Rex sends game ball to Marty Schottenheimer
Rex Ryan tweaked the Chargers by sending a game ball from last weekend's win over San Diego to their former coach, Marty Schottenheimer. (File photo, 2006) Credit: AP
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Rex Ryan knows that beating the Chargers was special for the Schottenheimer family, and he found a way to tweak San Diego as only he can.
Ryan had a game ball from Sunday's 17-14 win painted in Jets colors and shipped it to Orlando, Fla., where Marty Schottenheimer will coach the East-West Shrine Game. The father of Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was fired by San Diego in February 2007 after a loss to the Patriots in the divisional round - after going 14-2.
Brian Schottenheimer was quarterbacks coach on his dad's staff and acknowledged that Sunday's win was even sweeter, considering the opponent.
"Somebody asked me if that added merit to it, and maybe I wasn't 100-percent truthful," Brian Schottenheimer said.
"It was important for us to win the game because I have friends on that team, but it also felt really nice to be able to pick up the phone after the game and talk to my father and tell him that was for him. Fourteen-and-2, to get fired is a tough situation."
Brian Schottenheimer spoke recently of how happy he is working for Ryan, part of the reason he turned down the chance to interview for the Bills' head-coaching job. This latest gesture solidifies their relationship.
"It shows you the type of person we work for," he said. "Who thinks about that?"
Captain C-Mart
Jets all-time leading rusher Curtis Martin, fourth on the NFL's list with 14,101 yards, will serve as honorary captain for Sunday's AFC title game against the Colts.
Extra points
S Kerry Rhodes banged his knee in practice yesterday and was limited, as were LBs Bart Scott (ankle) and David Harris (ankle). DE Shaun Ellis (hand, knee) also was limited . . . Colts DB Antoine Bethea (back) was limited for a second consecutive day.
