Smizzy Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 No More Mr. Nice Guy: Henderson Demands Perfection By DAVID PICKER Published: August 23, 2005 HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Aug. 22 - Donnie Henderson, the Jets' defensive coordinator, could not believe his eyes. Midway through the team's morning practice Monday, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet slipped past safety Erik Coleman and caught a deep pass from Chad Pennington. As Coleman returned to the line of scrimmage, Henderson pointed at him and barked like a drill sergeant. "He told me to get my eyes out of the backfield and stop looking at the quarterback," Coleman said. A few plays later, Coleman locked his eyes on the receiver and intercepted a pass from Pennington. Henderson witnessed the play but saw no reason to extend an encouraging word to Coleman, a second-year player. A soft side to Henderson may exist, but not on the football field. Jets players have grown accustomed to Henderson's fiery nature. In his second season with the team, he is known for demanding perfection. The Jets ranked seventh in team defense and fifth against the run in the league last season. "I'm young, I'm going to make mistakes," the rookie safety Kerry Rhodes said. "But he doesn't see it that way. He wants me to come out and do everything right." On Aug. 6, the Giants got a taste of Henderson's intensity when they practiced with the Jets at the Giants' training camp in Albany. On the second play of the practice, a melee between the teams broke out. Giants Coach Tom Coughlin and Henderson also got into an argument. Coughlin accused the Jets of playing too aggressively; Henderson defended his players by saying they were going at normal speed. With the teams playing each other Friday night at Giants Stadium, Henderson's role in Albany is resurfacing. But he would much rather respond to questions about the Jets' defense, which has allowed a combined 24 points in the first two preseason games. "What happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas," Henderson said. He said Monday that he had made amends with Coughlin. Henderson said he had called him and told him he took responsibility for how his players acted during the practice. He indicated that Coughlin appreciated the call. Henderson, 48, began his N.F.L. coaching career in 1999 as the Baltimore Ravens' assistant defensive backs coach and has aspirations of becoming a head coach. After practice, he was asked if he thought that general managers around the league might frown upon his style. "I can only be me, guys," he said. "There's one thing my dad always told me, 'Be you.' " Henderson's style is markedly different from that of the Jets' coach, Herman Edwards, who has earned a reputation for being laid-back and nurturing. "I'm more of the type of guy that's going to be a little bit more confrontational when you make mistakes," Henderson said. "I'm going to get to the bottom of it and make sure we get it corrected. And I don't make any bones about it. "Herm is more of a guy that understands exactly what he wants, and his personality fits him. Herm doesn't get excited about too many things, which is good. You'd like to have a head coach like that." Henderson noted that another difference between them is that Edwards played 10 seasons in the N.F.L., while Henderson, a former cornerback at Utah State, never played in the league. "He's been through the wars as a player, so he understands the players from that point of view," Henderson said. Edwards called Henderson a passionate coach who respects the game. Asked about the Albany incident, he said cheap shots were not part of Henderson's lexicon. "He's not a villain," Edwards said. "He's a very intense football coach. And if you're around the guy, he's a good teacher. His players play hard for him. He's a gentleman. He conducts himself that way. And regardless of all the rumors and all the innuendos and everything that have been said, Donnie's a heck of a football coach." Edwards, who was an assistant head coach and a defensive backs coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2000, was amused by the perception that he is viewed as the good cop while Henderson is seen as the bad cop. "I used to hear that in Tampa, I was the bad cop," Edwards said, laughing. "Now I come up here and I'm the good cop. It's just according to where you're at." Coleman was asked with whom he would be more likely to discuss a personal problem, Henderson or Edwards. He paused for about five seconds, then answered with the agility of a politician. "Donnie, he's a great guy, and I'm sure I can go talk to him about anything," Coleman said. "But Coach Herm is more of a players' coach." EXTRA POINTS The Jets waived wide receiver Jonathan Carter, who had 14 receptions and 266 yards in two-plus seasons with the team. Carter, a fourth-year player, started one game and returned 17 kickoffs in 2004. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gun Of Bavaria Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 By DAVID PICKER Published: August 23, 2005 HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Aug. 22 - Donnie Henderson, the Jets' defensive coordinator, could not believe his eyes. Midway through the team's morning practice Monday, wide receiver Wayne Chrebet slipped past safety Erik Coleman and caught a deep pass from Chad Pennington. It's 1:55 AM Detroit Time. I'm going to bed. I expect to see TX's response by morning when I wake up. That is all. Carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetme23 Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 It's 1:55 AM Detroit Time. I'm going to bed. I expect to see TX's response by morning when I wake up. That is all. Carry on. Wow..... TX is really loved huh? haaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 It's 1:55 AM Detroit Time. I'm going to bed. I expect to see TX's response by morning when I wake up. That is all. Carry on. Dumbass. Coleman was cheating up stuffing the box. Chrebet beat him 7 yards past the LOS. Know the game of football GOB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 You have to love the attitude of Henderson - he will get in a player's face and tell him exactly what he is doing right or wrong. You want your defense to take on that sort of toughness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenBeans Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Coleman was asked with whom he would be more likely to discuss a personal problem, Henderson or Edwards. He paused for about five seconds, then answered with the agility of a politician. "Donnie, he's a great guy, and I'm sure I can go talk to him about anything," Coleman said. "But Coach Herm is more of a players' coach." Thank goodness for Donnie Henderson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Coleman was asked with whom he would be more likely to discuss a personal problem, Henderson or Edwards. He paused for about five seconds, then answered with the agility of a politician. "Donnie, he's a great guy, and I'm sure I can go talk to him about anything," Coleman said. "But Coach Herm is more of a players' coach." Thank goodness for Donnie Henderson. Has a "player's coach" EVER won a Super Bowl title? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiJet Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Has a "player's coach" EVER won a Super Bowl title? Dick Vermeil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 d!ck Vermeil 2004 Belichick NOT 2003 Belichick NOT 2002 Gruden NOT 2001 Belichick NOT 2000 Billick NOT 1999 Vermeil YES 1998 Shanahan NOT 1997 Shanahan NOT 1996 Holmgren NOT 1995 Switzer NOT 1994 Seifert NOT 1993 Johnson NOT 1992 Johnson NOT 1991 Gibbs NOT 1990 Parcells NOT 1989 Walsh NOT 1988 Walsh NOT 1987 Gibbs NOT 1986 Parcells NOT 1985 Ditka NOT Vermeil was the #1 and only "players' coach" in the last 20 years has won the SB. (Not that I'm sure ANY of the coaches prior to that were, so it may be 1 in the last 50 years). Herm is an idiot. Herm is a deer in headlights when a quick decision is needed. Herm is a cross between a cheerleader & a simple fan with the best spot in the stadium to watch the game. That being said, I hope Herm is #2. He certainly coaches like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 2004 Belichick NOT 2003 Belichick NOT 2002 Gruden NOT 2001 Belichick NOT 2000 Billick NOT 1999 Vermeil YES 1998 Shanahan NOT 1997 Shanahan NOT 1996 Holmgren NOT 1995 Switzer NOT 1994 Seifert NOT 1993 Johnson NOT 1992 Johnson NOT 1991 Gibbs NOT 1990 Parcells NOT 1989 Walsh NOT 1988 Walsh NOT 1987 Gibbs NOT 1986 Parcells NOT 1985 Ditka NOT Vermeil was the #1 and only "players' coach" in the last 20 years has won the SB. (Not that I'm sure ANY of the coaches prior to that were, so it may be 1 in the last 50 years). Herm is an idiot. Herm is a deer in headlights when a quick decision is needed. Herm is a cross between a cheerleader & a simple fan with the best spot in the stadium to watch the game. That being said, I hope Herm is #2. He certainly coaches like it. Excellent analysis Sperm. That entire list says it all about a "players" coach. They just don't win. And neither will Hermy. :wink: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiamiJet Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Wrong. Off the top of my head I mentioned Vermeil, but Gibbs was definetly a player's coach. Herm is a player's coach, but to his credit, he has gotten tough on his players when needed. All I expect out of Herm is to stand on the sidelines and not screw things up. That Hendu and Heimer are here, inhouse, makes me sleep much easier at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 You can make the case thay any coach in the NFL is a "players coach". Obviously, nobody does it as good as Herm, but I am not gonna hold that against him! And Joe Gibbs can definetly be considered a players coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 You can make the case thay any coach in the NFL is a "players coach". Obviously, nobody does it as good as Herm, but I am not gonna hold that against him! And Joe Gibbs can definetly be considered a players coach. Dude, Joe Gibbs is a lot mellower (and maybe or maybe not coincidentally a lot worse) now than he was back in the day. He was never as loud as a JJ or BP, but don't confuse that lack of screaming for being a softie players' coach (see BB if you disagree). Oh, and this other small difference: he was smart. He had the ability to anticipate what the opposition might do & think up ways to counter & overcome it. He almost made it look easy or obvious. If you'd watched him coach in the past you'd know what I mean. Of course I think you were 3 years old then; don't tell me you watched the NFL highlight films. I'm sure someone could put together some footage that makes Herm look like he really knows his stuff & is an integral part of the gameplanning. You have to watch them coach against other top coaches (Gibbs vs Parcells & co was one matchup we saw in NY plenty of times) to see what they're made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barton Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Herm gets the most out of his players, jmo. Players love him, love playing for him and give it that xtra effort.....jmo. I dont think he is a great X and O coach, obviously he is not even a good X and O coach, but he makes up for that with being a great teacher and motivator. Plus, he is a former NFL player who knows the ropes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meddle Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Has a "player's coach" EVER won a Super Bowl title? Billick and Vermeil are recent examples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethead Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Don't forget Weeb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitonti Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 John Madden won the SB and he was a player's coach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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