Jack Del Rio and FOX Sports' Jimmy Johnson have a special bond. It's a solid relationship even though Johnson was the coach who cut Del Rio, basically ending his playing career.

"It was one of the toughest cuts I ever made," Johnson said recently, "but it was the right thing to do and Jack eventually understood."

Del Rio immediately went into coaching and after four years as an NFL assistant became the Jaguars head coach. Owner Wayne Weaver, who had grown weary of Tom Coughlin's autocratic approach, wanted a fresh face. He also wanted a bargain-basement coach. Del Rio simply wanted an opportunity and based on last season and the first two games of this season, he has paid dividends to the franchise and the Jaguars.

The first positive you notice about the Jaguars is that they play as hard as Jack did as a player. Instinctive and tough.

It might have been the lowest-scoring game in Monday Night history, but the Jags 9-0 dumping of the Steelers wasn't ugly. It was physical, relentless football. And the Jags were the last men standing.

"I don't think I've seen a defensive game like that since the '85 Bears," Terry Bradshaw told me today. "Or that Baltimore team that won the Super Bowl. There was some hitting in that game."

The Steelers managed only 26 rushing yards, the lowest total in Bill Cowher's 15-year tenure.

Del Rio is not a media-friendly coach in Jacksonville. Three seasons ago, he was ripped for having an axe and a chopping block in the locker room. His punter sliced up his leg. Del Rio could be accused of being a little over-zealous in the motivation department.

But one of his greatest qualities is that he's secure in what he believes. He signed ex-Minnesota coach Mike Tice to coach his offensive linemen when a lot of coaches wouldn't. He has another head coach in Dave Campo working with his defense, especially the secondary. Circumstances undid Tice in Minnesota and Campo in Dallas, but these two coaches know a lot of football. In two games, Tice has figured out protection schemes against two very solid and active defensive fronts (Cowboys and Steelers) to free up Bryon Leftwich, who has the slow delivery and rock-solid feet.

Well, Leftwich had enough time in both games to stand tall and make the necessary plays to win. Del Rio loves his quarterback because he doesn't turn it over and has tremendous character.

There is no doubt that Del Rio has a bright future. He can also opt out of his contract, which could put him in serious play if the right, big-money job opens up.

Raiders miss out on Volek

Although the Raiders were linked to Tennessee quarterback Billy Volek, they were never serious about parting with a high draft pick. Volek forced the Titans' hand to deal him to San Diego, where they received less compensation, but who can blame him? The Chargers have a brighter future than the Raiders right now, considering offensive coordinator Tom Walsh still thinks old-man Jeff George can play. George has lost his fastball, although he may be able to throw for 15 minutes in a game. The Raiders were bad last season, but at least they could throw the ball and Randy Moss had a couple touchdowns by now. Lamont Jordan hasn't been a factor, either.

Bad analogy

Denver coach Mike Shanahan, who gets paid for his football decisions, put an interesting spin on his reluctance to dump starting quarterback Jake Plummer for rookie Jay Cutler. Shanahan compared it to the time after John Elway when he elevated rookie Brian Griese, who wasn't liked by his teammates, over Bubby Brister, who was basically a backup. The Broncos and Griese went down in flames, finishing 4-12.

The only difference is that Denver's veterans do like Cutler (they also respect Plummer). It's almost like Shanahan won't make a quarterback change until he takes a serious poll of the locker room. This from a coach who keeps his running backs guessing on who will start opening day. Go figure.

Talk is cheap . . . Winslow isn't

The way tight end Kellen Winslow keeps popping off about not being on the field on obvious passing downs, you can bet two things: he will be in most third-down packages this week and if he isn't, Mo Carthon may not be the offensive coordinator in Cleveland next season.