Rex Ryan: Jets are "going to be terrific."

sunnygs97 · Feb 23, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS - Rex Ryan never met a quarterback he didn't think he could rattle. Never faced an offense he didn't believe he could confuse. Never drew up a blitz he wasn't confident would work.

The new coach of the New York Jets is no introvert.

Ask him about playing in the AFC East and he doesn't give you a politically correct answer.

"I'd rather focus on what they're up against," Ryan said yesterday, addressing the national media during the NFL scouting combine. "We're going to have a team that's a physical football team. We're not going to back down from any challenge."

Ryan eventually got around to paying homage to the division's heavyweights - coach Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots and executive Bill Parcells with the Miami Dolphins - and even the Buffalo Bills.

But there is no mistaking the tone Ryan, 46, has set in less than a month with the Jets.

We're here. Deal with it.

A year ago, Ryan swallowed his pride and decided to return to the Ravens for a 10th season, his fourth as defensive coordinator.

He lost out to John Harbaugh for the head coaching job, and yes, he said yesterday, he felt sorry for himself.

"At the end of the day, I was staying in a place I really love, Baltimore," he said. "I had already built respect and earned that respect. We had built something special.

"My role ... was really just to be defensive coordinator. Maybe it was just tough for people to see me in a different role."

His role in New York is super-sized. Ryan inherits a team that faded badly down the stretch, missed the playoffs and fired its coach, Eric Mangini. His first news conference in the Big Apple raised expectations.

Yesterday, he didn't back off an inch.

How long will it take to get the Jets' defense up to the Ravens' speed?

"I think next year, if we bring in the kind of players we're talking about," he said. "We only need to add one or two guys. The foundation's already there. I think that maybe the mentality we're going to play with, the style we're going to play, is going to help the guys we already have.

"But I'm not one to shy away from expectations. I think we're going to be terrific, and I think we're going to have a defense our fans can be proud of."

The one or two additions might - or might not - include a player or two from his Baltimore defense. Ray Lewis, you ask?

"Right now, I'd rather [keep] our draft picks," Ryan said. "I'd rather not talk about any potential freeagent out there, with the tampering rules. ? So I'll avoid that question."

Seconds later, another reporter asked about his interest in Ravens safety Jim Leonhard, who, like Lewis, will become a free agent Friday.

"Let me hit the rewind button, if you don't mind," he said, to laughter. "Again, I'd like to keep our draft picks."

There are indications the Jets could be in the market for an inside linebacker from the Ravens. This week they released veteran backups David Bowers and Brad Kassell, leaving only one experienced inside linebacker under contract - David Harris.

The Ravens have a week to conclude negotiations with Lewis or risk losing him to the Jets. Ryan could also pick off Bart Scott, the third Ravens linebacker whose contract has expired.

Now that he has hired his staff - one that includes former Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh as quarterbacks coach - Ryan must install his defense, pick a quarterback from Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff and Erik Ainge, and upgrade his roster.

The prototype college player he's looking for here is the same kind of player he had with the Ravens.

"I just want guys I think can represent our football team and play like a Jet," he said. "That's going to mean something. It's going to mean they're physical, tough, passionate-type people. We always tried to build our defense that way in Baltimore. We're going to try to build our team that way with the Jets."

Ryan lost out to Harbaugh a year ago but was better for having served as assistant head coach.

"I can't tell you how much I gained, and not just with John," he said. "I knew he's a great leader, a natural leader. The thing that was great for me was that he said we were going to do this thing and we were going to accomplish it shoulder-to-shoulder. And in all the decisions, I sat right there with him."
Click to expand...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.combine21feb21,0,2158321.story

NDmick · Feb 23, 2009

if he doesn't believe it, who will?

alleycat9 · Feb 23, 2009

finally a guy who will say you know what fuck you we are going to worry about us, and you better worry about us too!

this guy will do well. i can feel it. i havent been this happy about a coach coming in... well other than parcells, ever.

Steve032 · Feb 23, 2009

I am really interested in how this FA goes. Hopefully we can fill some holes and resign players like Leon, Mangold, and maybe even Brick

Gunther · Feb 23, 2009

We shall see, but right now to me he doesn't sound like the brightest bulb in the room
We are in a very good division where some coaches have won won multiple SuperBowls.

Those guys know what they are doing also.

Yes I want to be pumped, but I also want an organization that is sound and has a plan

gustoonarmy · Feb 23, 2009

Good noises. I actually believe what I'm reading too.

VickBlows · Feb 23, 2009

I hope he goes Bobby Knight on them -

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw7KijRfU-c[/url][/youtube]

JohnnyJohnson · Feb 23, 2009

Fuck paying homage to the asshole up in NE and the fat bastard in Fla. If you come in giving them too much respect you end up coaching like Mangini.....scared.

Fuck that, its time for everyone else to fear. If we can't win, at least we'll dish out a good old fashion ass whoopin. Pay to win. Bottom line.

And yes...I meant PAY to win. If they win..they'll have to pay for it, in blood!

Big Blocker · Feb 23, 2009

I thought it interesting that the writer said Ryan will be choosing from the current Qb's on the team, and no reference was made to going FA or high draft pick. Is this just a surmise on his part or does it reflect Ryan's thinking?

WhiteShoeWillis · Feb 23, 2009

Big Blocker said: ↑

I thought it interesting that the writer said Ryan will be choosing from the current Qb's on the team, and no reference was made to going FA or high draft pick. Is this just a surmise on his part or does it reflect Ryan's thinking?
Click to expand...

Ryan has said in interviews that he's very comfortable with the 3 guys on the roster and specifically sited there experience in the system. He says the QB coach has the experience needed to be the mentor that a veteran would be.

Listen to the interview I created a thread on last night, it's pretty good.
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80ed740c

Coach K · Feb 23, 2009

Big Blocker said: ↑

I thought it interesting that the writer said Ryan will be choosing from the current Qb's on the team, and no reference was made to going FA or high draft pick. Is this just a surmise on his part or does it reflect Ryan's thinking?
Click to expand...

im sure after watching Flacco come in and his team almost go to the super bowl hes convinced with his style of defense, a running game (which we have), and a qb who can, not necesarrily make good decisions, but moreso just have a lack of bad ones. then youll see success.

also, I still dont see whats bad with bolstering our defense and seeing what we have in house before we go anointing another aged free agent or a qb from this lackluster class ours.

so good, i'm ready for whoever gets the job out of the three. personally I never thought Clemens got a real opportunity. 8 starts behind one of the worst lines ive ever been forced to watch. yea right.

Big Blocker · Feb 23, 2009

WhiteShoeWillie said: ↑

Ryan has said in interviews that he's very comfortable with the 3 guys on the roster and specifically sited there experience in the system. He says the QB coach has the experience needed to be the mentor that a veteran would be.

Listen to the interview I created a thread on last night, it's pretty good.
Click to expand...

I understand that, and frankly hope it is true. Perhaps I am too used to people in football saying one thing and doing another.

Rex Ryan: Jets are "going to be terrific."

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