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Unsung Heroes Cottrell's defense has Jets in playoff contention
Each week during the NFL season, CNNSI.com's Pat Kirwan will recognize the players and coaches who don't see much of the spotlight but get the job done. At the end of the season, Pat will present his Unsung Coach of the Year award in the memory of former NFL player and coach Chip Myers. In January 1999, after having served as an NFL assistant for 15 years, Myers was named Vikings offensive coordinator. Just a month later, Myers suffered a fatal heart attack. I know Herman Edwards is a good defensive coach and has the Jets at 5-3, but it's defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell who deserves much of the credit for New York's great road win against the tough Saints. Cottrell turned around a unit that was starting to question itself and now could go on a roll with the momentum it has created. The Jets play a 4-3 defense without a big presence inside, but I believe that's when Cottrell does his best work. Simply put, he gets average and below-average guys to play above their own talent level.
I'm not surprised that Colts rookie free-agent running back Dominic Rhodes has filled in for Edgerrin James in an exceptional way. Last week in a win against Buffalo, Rhodes rushed for 100 yards and caught four passes for 45 yards. I spent a considerable amount of time with Rhodes last winter and I was amazed that so many NFL teams really didn't know about this kid. Rhodes was a high school legend in Texas before he enrolled at Midwestern Texas State. If he had gone to the University of Texas or Texas A&M, he might have been a second-round pick. It's a tribute to Colts GM Bill Polian, who uncovered the back and got him without using a draft pick. Believe me, Rhodes won't be a backup his whole career, either. The average NFL fan has never heard of J.P Marchado, but people around the league know that the 1999 sixth-round pick from Illinois has a chance to be a great player. Marchado subbed in for the Jets' Randy Thomas at right guard and did a great job. The Saints' defensive line is one of the best in the league, but Marchado did a tremendous job of protecting Vinny Testaverde and opening holes for Curtis Martin. Marchado didn't start a game in 2000, but he will be a starter in the league for a number of years now that personnel guys have seen him work. Linebacker Markus Steele was passed over by every team several times in last spring's draft before the Cowboys couldn't resist taking him in the fourth round. Against the Giants, he led the team in tackles with eight; a week ago against the Cardinals, he was one tackle from leading the team with six. Most of the coaches I've spoken with feel Steele is a tremendous player for coming out of the fourth round and is on his way to a very good pro career. The Bears continue to win in 11th-hour fashion every week. How long it lasts is anybody's guess but one thing is sure: Backup wide receiver Dez White is starting to play well. White didn't start a game a year ago as a rookie and finished his first season with 10 receptions for 87 yards. Not exactly a great beginning for a third-round pick. This season has been a different story. In the exciting win against the Browns, White caught seven passes for 92 yards and now has 21 receptions while filling in for Marcus Robinson. At his present pace, White could end up with 50 catches. Ask any football fan to list the top tight ends in the league and you will hear the names of Tony Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe and Chad Lewis. But when you look at production, the name Desmond Clark should pop up. This season, Clark has 31 catches -- third among NFL tight ends -- and before this year had just 28 career receptions before this season. So for all practical purposes, Clark is in the middle of a breakout season in Denver. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated. Unsung Heroes appears each week at CNNSI.com.
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