Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, officially hired as the Rams' OC, said Tuesday he doesn't believe he would've returned to the Jets in 2012 even if they hadn't collapsed at the end of the season with a three-game losing streak.

"I don't think so," he said.

Schottenheimer, speaking to the St. Louis media via conference call, echoed the Jets' company line, painting it as a mutual parting with both sides looking for a fresh start.

Okay, so why did Schottenheimer receive a two-year, $3.2 million extension before the season? If he knew he was leaving before the season-ending mess, there must have been some nasty stuff going on behind the scenes when they were cruising along at 8-5.

Schottenheimer said he made some "great memories" with the Jets, adding, "But I was excited about the possibility of a change and I quite honestly couldn’t be more pleased of how it ended up, that I’m here in St. Louis working for a guy that is just a terrific head coach (Jeff Fisher)."

Schottenheimer wasn't asked about the dysfunction on the Jets' offense or the Mark Sanchez-Santonio Holmes feud. But he indirectly responded to Rex Ryan's claim last week that the terminology in Schottenheimer's playbook was too complicated.

"I do not think that the verbiage is a problem, and if it ever became that, I would (hope) that somebody spoke up and came to me and said, ‘Hey, the verbiage is too much,'" he said, using the word -- verbiage -- that Ryan used last week in a conference call with reporters. "But that’s never happened in my career."

The Rams visit the Jets next season. That will be interesting

"I’ll look forward to all the games, but it will be fun to go up against those guys," he said. "Being in New York for six years, I’ve got some great relationships back there. Really, really had a great time coaching there. We had a lot of success. I’m thrilled about the things we were able to do. I wish we could have gotten over the hump and made it to a Super Bowl, but it will a fun game to look forward to."