New assistant head coach/offense, Bill Callahan, whose main responsibility is the offensive line, is coaching to rave reviews and is a big upgrade from former offensive line coach Tony Wise.
Callahan, formerly head coach of the Oakland Raiders and the University of Nebraska, has brought an in-depth knowledge of offenses and a keen eye for detail with regards to technique along the offensive line.
Also, Callahan is excellent at explaining to his offensive line why he wants things done a certain way.
Conversely, Wise was more accustomed to working with veteran offensive lines in Dallas and Miami and he wasn't very detailed oriented. With youngsters Nick Mangold and D' Brickashaw Ferguson on the Jets offensive line, the unit needed direction. That's why the lost of veteran Pete Kendal was so crticial last season.
The Jets reached out to Callahan, who was fired by Nebraska at the end of last season, at the suggestion of GM Mike Tannenbaum and were delighted when the veteran coach expressed an interest in the job.
The organization has poured $65.5 million, including $32 million guaranteed, into its offensive line in the person of two new additions -- LG Alan Faneca and RT Damien Woody. They join veteran RG Brandon Moore, Mangold and Ferguson.
``What I like about Bill is he's incredibly flexible,'' said coach Eric Mangini.
``He's got the West Coast (offense) experience, he's got the coordinator experience, he's got the head coach experience.
``He's called plays and he's able to five the guys a real insight into the why -- why we're running this blocking scheme, why the hot (read) is where it is, what we have to do on each play and how it fits into the quarterback's depth.
``He can give a lot more detail because he has a great understanding of the big picture.''
In addition to working with the offensive line, Callahan is expected to be a huge help to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
