Is Rex Ryan Not the Right Coach for New York Jets?

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The New York Jets are off to a 4-3 start, though it was tough getting there.

They pulled off a 14-point comeback in Week 1 to beat the Dallas Cowboys and also suffered a three-game losing streak, including a beatdown by Rex Ryan's former team, the Baltimore Ravens.

It seems as if the Jets have righted the ship for now, but there is still plenty of football to be played. The Jets have tough games against the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots coming up after their bye, and if they lose both they will be 4-5 and the critics will reemerge.

So with the Jets on a bye this week, it's a good time to evaluate Rex Ryan.

Is he the right coach for the Jets? Let's explore both sides before we come to a verdict.

Not an Offensive Guy

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No one is going to confuse Rex Ryan for an offensive guru like Sean Payton. Rex has always been a defensive guy, and always will be. In fact, one wonders how much input Rex actually has on the offense.

That responsibility falls on the shoulders of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. And any New York Jets fan can tell you, it's a relationship that has its ups and downs, with more downs than you'd want.

Schottenheimer's play-calling and game-planning can be maddening at times. Though as frustrating as Schottenheimer can be, it was reportedly Rex's decision to go to more of a passing offense in the beginning of the season, a move that crashed and burned.

Talks Too Much

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Rex Ryan has a big mouth, but we already knew that. Does he talk too much? Probably.

While all the talking was fun at first, he won't be able to last like that. And as we saw when the Jets lost three straight, you look like an idiot when you don't back up what you say.

Rex's talking is fine for now, but the Jets need to keep winning. If not, the media will turn on Rex and he will talk himself out of town.

Players Love Him

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Rex Ryan has a great relationship with the players he coaches. The players truly believe in what he is preaching, and in return, he treats them with respect.

When Rex came to the Jets, he was not alone. He was followed by a few Baltimore Ravens players, including Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard. Not many, if any, coaches could attract that following.

And so it came as no surprise when a Sports Illustrated poll of NFL players named him the clear winner for coach you would most like to play for.

He Wins

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When it's all said and done, Rex Ryan's teams have gotten it done on the field. It hasn't always been pretty, but the results are there.

He's won four playoff games in his two seasons as coach, taking the New York Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Games. While they have fallen short both years, it's a lot closer than they've been in a long time. He already has coached in more playoff games than any other coach in franchise history, and has won more playoff games too.

The only coach to have more success than Rex is Weeb Ewbank, who guided the Jets to victory in Super Bowl III. Though if you ask Rex, it won't be long before he catches him too.