Kiss The Rings? Rex Ryan Fails To Follow The Rules

Doesn’t Rex Ryan know better? You are not supposed to say anything entertaining. You are supposed to use clichés. Do not say anything other than “We respect our opponent. They are a great team. We will have to play our best to beat them.”

Having a personality and saying outlandish things! This is terrible. Let’s get back to boredom!

Look, I am a Patriots fan. I knew I hated the Jets before I knew how to tie my shoes. And there is no more boring coach in the NFL than Bill Belichick. He says nothing, he gives nothing. He is painfully boring in front of a microphone. There is also no one I would rather have coaching my team on Sunday than him.

Rex Ryan is different. And different is OK. He has a charismatic personality. Last time I checked, there is nothing wrong with that. But the media sees that and smells blood. Here is this new kid on the block. He does not know the rules. He talks different, he looks different. Let’s swarm and make mountains out of molehills.

Let’s hearken back to what Rex Ryan said on June 3. I mean, it was only 3 months ago he said it, I see why the media likes to bring it up.

"I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's, you know, rings," Ryan said. "I came to win. Let's just put it that way. So we'll see what happens. I'm certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else."

OK, I read it. What is wrong with what he said? Should he be here to kiss someone’s rings? He never said this guy stinks, or we are going to kick their rear end, or I hate them, or anything like that. He came to win and he is not going to be intimidated. I do not see anything wrong with that.

Sure it makes for great theatre. It makes a lively rivalry even better. But here is what I know (and it is only week one): the Patriots respond to their coach. They embrace him and they love playing for him (despite what Tom Jackson might think).

And so far, the Jets players love playing for Ryan. He is exciting, and he has loosened the reins from the Eric Mangini era. Some Ravens players (Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard)  have migrated to New Jersey because they enjoy playing for Ryan so much. Again, it was only one week, but to win on the road handily in the NFL, as the Jets did at Houston, is impressive. The players have taken to Ryan’s techniques.

Will it work this Sunday? I am not sure, but I cannot wait to watch. I just hope and pray that Rex Ryan does not say anything with any personality or humor after the game. I do not think the talking heads will be able to stand much more of it.