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Dan Quinn, Seattle defensive coordinator
If anyone said Pittsburgh leads the league in something, the natural instinct for the home of the Steel Curtain would be to think defense. Nope. Haley has helped Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell into position to set franchise marks.
Gary Kubiak, Baltimore offensive coordinator
Sure, J.J. Watt,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, another leading MVP contender, would make any coach look good. Listen to what Watt has to say about his mentor:
And there are plenty of candidates.
Jim Schwartz, Buffalo defensive coordinator; Pepper Johnson, Buffalo defensive line
Ray Rice, suspended. Barnard Pierce, hurt and then ineffective.
No discounting the additions of Darren Sproles, Josh Huff, Chris Maragos, Cody Parkey and Bryan Braman, Fipp has done a strong job making his groupings, well, special. The Eagles have a huge edge on opponents in punt/kickoff returns and coverage, and have four runbacks for TDs.
Like Bowles, Gase's name will come up in the January chase for head coaching positions,Wholesale Cheap Jerseys, particularly for teams with a young QB in need of development.
"The biggest thing with Gary is the confidence he gives the unit," QB Joe Flacco says. "I think Gary does a great job of doing that and seeing what they're giving us out there and making adjustments and making calls on the fly."
Todd Haley, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator
Dave Fipp, Philadelphia special teams coordinator
When you have a prized quarterback such as Aaron Rodgers and a stud runner in Eddie Lacy, one thing that can neutralize them in Titletown is weak blocking. The Packers had been so-so on the offensive line for too long, but Campen has helped develop youngsters who could become anchors: tackle David Bakhtiari and rookie center Corey Linsley.
The O-line has been outstanding, allowing only 16 sacks.
The phrase "Lions' impressive defense" is something new around the Motor City. Austin has it ranked second overall and first against the run in his first year on the job.
Detroit's secondary was expected to be a weak link, but it has yielded only 238 points. Austin has cultivated balance and gotten it.
Bill Kollar, Houston defensive line
James Campen, Green Bay offensive line
But the most eye-catching work in Big D has come from its, well, Big D. Expectations for the Cowboys' defense couldn't have been lower entering 2014. Yet Marinelli has molded an unheralded (some would say undertalented) group into a winner.
How about the guys who do the grunt work for them? Some call plays, others spend countless hours teaching, administrating, organizing. Few get the glory.
Rod Marinelli,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, Dallas defensive coordinator; Bill Callahan, Dallas offensive coordinator/offensive line; Scott Linehan, Dallas passing game
Teryl Austin, Detroit defensive coordinator
Such an endorsement might make Kollar award worthy. We'll find out on Super Bowl eve.
"Every single day is something new with him,Cheap Jerseys For Sale. I'm always learning and I'm always improving as a player. I owe a lot of my credit to him."
Gase's unit now has become as much run-oriented as Peyton Manning-oriented, and it's working. Remember, this is the guy who got some wins out of Tim Tebow back in 2011.
Until this season. On Jan. 31, the night before the Super Bowl, at the prime-time "NFL Honors" TV show, the league's top assistant coach will,Cheap Jerseys For Sale, indeed,Stitched Jerseys, bask in the spotlight. For the first time, the AP will present a separate award to the assistant coach voted to have done the best job in 2014.
The Cowboys' dedication to DeMarco Murray, like Rodgers a leading contender for MVP, and the running game lifts both Callahan and Linehan into consideration. Callahan oversees perhaps the best line in the NFL, and Linehan has avoided the temptation to put a heavy burden on QB Tony Romo.
A three-pronged candidacy.
His biggest helper has been Johnson, who took over a topnotch unit and has made it even better.
Already being looked at for upcoming head coaching vacancies, Bowles has worked wonders with an injury-ravaged unit. The Cardinals (11-3) stay in — or win — games more because of their defense and coaching than anything.
Todd Bowles, Arizona defensive coordinator
Adam Gase, Denver offensive coordinator.
Schwartz might have flopped as a head man in Detroit, but he's rediscovered his tough defensive mastery here. No better evidence than the 21-13 win over the high-powered Packers last Sunday.
This one is simple: Seattle's sometimes overpowering defense makes the Seahawks tough to derail. It's doing exactly what it needs to do for Seattle to repeat, despite personnel losses to injury and free agency.
"I think he's used the knowledge of the coaches that he's worked with, you know, the offensive coaches especially, and the Nick Sabans that have been instrumental in some of his coaching philosophies," Manning says. "He's used those to apply to his coaching style and it's helped him a lot."
Bruce Arians, Pete Carroll, Jason Garrett, familiar names likely to get support for the AP's Coach of the Year honor.
So Kubiak turned to journeyman Justin Forsett, and Forsett is among the league leaders in rushing. |
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