By Tony Moss, Sports Network The Sports Network A pair of brand new head coaches will enter the NFL fray on Friday night, when the New York Jets' Rex Ryan and St. Louis Rams' Steve Spagnuolo lead their teams into action in the preseason opener for both squads. The 45-year-old Ryan gets his first crack at head coaching duties after serving the past 10 seasons as an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, including the last four as defensive coordinator. Ryan's defenses were consistently rated among the best in the league, and it is hoped that he can breathe new life into a Jets unit that ranked 29th in the NFL against the pass during last year's disappointing 9-7 campaign. Spagnuolo, meanwhile, is no stranger to the Meadowlands, as he spent the past two seasons working there as the New York Giants' defensive coordinator. The 49-year-old Spagnuolo presides over a team that has gone a miserable 5-27 over the past two seasons, and last year allowed the second-most points in the league behind only the winless Detroit Lions. From an on-field standpoint, the person to watch on Friday night will be Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Sanchez, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2009 Draft out of USC, is battling with holdover Kellen Clemens for starting quarterback duties entering the regular season. Clemens is expected to get the starting nod on Friday, though the competition is believed to be wide open at this stage. Other notable newcomers for the Jets include three ex-Ravens defenders - linebacker Bart Scott, defensive end Marques Douglas and safety Jim Leonhard - along with former Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard, who was obtained in a trade with the Eagles during the offseason. The Rams quarterback situation appears more stable than that of the Jets entering the preseason opener, though Spagnuolo and new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will want to see some progress from Marc Bulger after a pair of shaky seasons. St. Louis ranked just 26th in NFL passing offense last season, and the team parted ways with longtime receiving staple Torry Holt (now with the Jaguars) during the offseason. Complicating matters for the receiving corps is the absence of would-be No. 1 target Donnie Avery, who has a fractured foot and is likely to miss the remainder of the preseason. Ex-Raven Kyle Boller is slated to succeed Bulger in Friday's lineup, marking his debut with the club. In addition to Avery, starting defensive tackle Adam Carriker (ankle) is among the Rams who are out for Friday. Of those who will be in uniform for St. Louis, among the most notable is tackle and No. 2 overall draft choice Jason Smith (Baylor), who will make his debut in a St. Louis uniform. The Rams and Jets will be meeting for the first time in a preseason contest. The teams met last Nov. 9 at the Meadowlands, a 47-3 rout in favor of Gang Green. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/wires/story/1182989.html
