Is Rex Ryan the Lane Kiffin of the AFC?

Former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan has amassed quite a book of notable quotations since becoming head coach of the New York Jets.

He has called out Bill Belichick, gone to war with Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, and for a preseason dust-up, he recently called out the Ravens for assigning former defensive end Michael McCrary's No. 99 jersey to rookie Paul Kruger.

So if I didn’t admire Ryan and his defensive philosophy, I’d liken him to the most hated man in college football, Lane Kiffin.

It’s as if they read from the same book of antagonizing behavior, and compare notes on how to draw the most ire out of their counterparts.

• Piss off the best coach in the conference
• Get in trouble with players
• Starting something with a former team

Ryan’s only saving grace from being mocked and lampooned by the New York media and other NFL enthusiasts is that he is a large, gruff, "son-of-a" defensive coordinator, where Kiffin is a baby-faced clown with something to prove beyond his success at USC. Ryan has paid his dues in the NFL and looks like he could bring you some drama if you challenged him on his statements.

Plus, the Jets are a horribly mediocre team, and I’m sure they, along with fans, welcome the new "tough-guy" bravado being shipped in sound-bytes into the Meadowlands.

I’m just surprised the media hasn’t caught onto the similarities between Kiffin and Ryan, who both will have big expectations after a summer of checks written at Big Mouth Savings and Loan.