This one’s personal for Jets coach Edwards

This is more than just another game for Herman Edwards, this one’s personal.

The New York Jets head coach has a chance to get off to a 2-0 start for the first time in his four seasons in New York, but today’s matchup against the San Diego Chargers holds much more significance than the quick getaway. Just look to the other sideline at Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer, and you’ll know why.

Edwards worked under Schottenheimer when the two were with the Chiefs in the early 1990s, Schottenheimer as head coach and Edwards as his defensive backs coach. But their relationship eventually grew strained, to the point where they parted ways after the 1994 season.

Both men have been cordial and respectful to one another since then, and about the only thing Edwards will say about the relationship was that they had “a difference of opinion” on some issues. And, win or lose today, Edwards will shake hands with Schottenheimer after the game.

But according to people who were with the Chiefs at the time both worked together, the Edwards-Schottenheimer relationship has been an uneasy one for years.

“Let’s put it this way,” said one person who worked with both coaches at the time. “Herm was the secondary coach in 1994, and then he went over to the scouting department in 1995. You can draw your own conclusions.”

Strahan-Coughlin relationship on ropes

The New York Giants have been the big story in the NFL this week in the wake of revelations that head Coach Tom Coughlin fined defensive end Michael Strahan $1,000 for being late to a team meeting. But while both men have gone to great lengths to downplay the issue, you can’t help but wonder about the long-term implications of their relationship.

If tension continues to fester between the two, then it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Coughlin considers the possibility of either releasing Strahan or trading him after the season.

Coughlin is a no-nonsense coach who is uncompromising when it comes to players obeying his myriad rules – one of which is starting team meetings five minutes early.

So if Strahan continues to chafe under the restrictions and embarrass the coach by contributing to the hornets’ nest of bad publicity the incident has created, then don’t be surprised to see the two part ways.

Early season pressure

How big a game do the Indianapolis Colts face when they visit the Tennessee Titans? It might mean the season. The Colts are 0-1 after a narrow loss to New England in Week 1, and they can ill afford another defeat against the Titans.

Consider: Since the 16-game schedule started in 1978, 192 teams have started out 0-2. Of those teams, only 20 have made the playoffs.

Last year, eight teams started 0-2; only the Philadelphia Eagles reached the postseason.