Two Differing Styles

After a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Jets’ coach Rex Ryan met with reporters with the belief that his team had been knocked out of the playoffs. Granted they were a long shot, but not knowing your own playoff livelihood is a mistake that would seemingly never be made by Colts’ coach Jim Caldwell. Ryan is certainly a man who likes to speak his mind, regardless of whether or not he is right he will not hesitate to unleash his emotions. That is the opposite of Caldwell who has proven to be in the same mold as the previous head coach for the Colts, Tony Dungy. Laid back, reserved, calm, all are words that describe the personality of Caldwell, on the opposite end of the spectrum, brash, emotional, bold, can be used synonymously with Ryan. 

Throughout the playoffs Ryan and his team have filled up opposing teams bulletin boards with bold remarks and comments, which have certainly caught the attention of the entire football world. Whether or not you agree with the comments doesn’t really concern Ryan, especially because he has proven to be correct on more than one occasion. No one gave the Jets much of a chance after they lost to the Falcons in week 15, heck there coach didn’t even give them a chance. However, they have defied the odds and continue their march to the Super Bowl. 

On the other hand, coach Caldwell and the Indianapolis Colts have taken the complete opposite approach. As this franchise has done for years, the Colts have stayed away from making outlandish comments in the media, promising victories and saying they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl have not been uttered to anyone outside the brotherhood that is an NFL locker room. Being taught by Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell has followed in his mentor’s footsteps and is more concerned about going out every Sunday and playing football, opposed to playing games with opposing teams and the media. 

It is obvious that either style of coaching can work, seeing as how both teams have made it this far. However, many will try to dissect the differing styles and classify one as better than the other. At the end of the day you would love for your coach to have your back and support you at all costs and under any circumstances, but they aren’t the ones out their sacrificing their bodies and getting hit by opposing linebackers. Even if Rex Ryan has provided “bulletin board material” for the Colts, it shouldn’t be necessary for the Colts to use it in order to get pumped up for this game. This is the AFC Championship game, one more win and you make it to the big stage, the Super Bowl. So while Ryan may be getting under the skin of the Colts’ players and fans, lets be honest all of Colts nation is pumped up for this game regardless of the opponent.