Should Rex Ryan's Double-Talking Concern New York Jets Fans?

"[Bubba Frank's] coming around good.... We don’t expect Bubba to do anything really until training camp," said Rex Ryan after the Jets re-signed Bubba Franks on May 11.

"Bubba’s a football player, we know it," continued Ryan. "We signed him knowing that he’s going to be an outstanding blocker for us and he’s gonna have a role."

Only two months have passed and the New York Jets have shoved Franks back into the deep end of the free agent pool without any explanation.

It's easy to speculate upon the reasons for the decision. His injury-shortened 2008 season was a concern when the Jets re-signed him to a one-year, veteran minimum contract.

It's also possible that his release wasn't motivated by injury. Throughout the offseason, the Jets have added tight ends at random. Perhaps the staff found comfort in the personnel they evaluated during mandatory minicamps over a month ago.

But somehow and somewhere, the Jets' evaluation process failed. Either Franks was too injured to recover in time for training camp, or he was no longer deemed necessary as a player in 2009.

Whatever the reason, Rex Ryan still has some explaining to do—not because there were any Pro Bowl expectations for Franks, but because Ryan built Franks up to the media as a sure contributor just over 60 days ago.

Most fans knew the Franks acquisition wouldn't be much more than a depth signing. He was to be a role player at a position where the Jets were anemic, offering run-blocking support while serving as a complement to second-year tight end Dustin Keller.

Franks' original stay in New York wasn't very impressive. Despite his injuries, the Jets held on to Franks, likely in an effort to smooth the transition for Brett Favre.

Anyone watching closely enough could see that Franks was far removed from his years as a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end.

Unfortunately, Ryan insisted on preaching otherwise. "A big-time blocker, I think...I think [he] learn[ed] all the tricks of the trade, and I think Bubba’s that guy. He’s a real professional to me."

Again, what changed over the last two months? Is Rex Ryan patronizing the fans?

No one should ever expect Ryan to admit that the signing was insignificant, or that Franks likely wouldn't make the opening day roster. But must he go the extra mile to feign excitement?

Upon being hired, Ryan was advertised as a straight shooter who's going to call it as he sees it. So if he saw Franks as "a real professional" and "a big-time blocker" two months ago, then would it be too soon to raise questions about his ability to properly evaluate talent?

Ultimately, the reasons for Franks' release are inconsequential. The decision merely serves as a catalyst for the questions that need to be asked about Ryan's approach as the Jets' new head coach.

Most fans have been enamored with him, existing in a perpetual state of bliss and euphoria since Ryan's first press conference. He's a quote machine, he's confident, and his reputation should spell for an improved and more aggressive Jets' defense.

It's a far cry from the brand of football previous head coach Eric Mangini installed during his three-year tenure.

However, it appears as if Ryan is saying even less than Mangini by talking a whole lot more. It remains to be seen if that's a bad thing.

His headline-grabbing comments distracted the media from football-relevant questions during mandatory minicamp. It was extremely effective then.

He protected Mark Sanchez from the inevitable flurry of premature "Will he be ready?" speculation by engaging Channing Crowder of the Miami Dolphins much longer than was necessary.

Ryan has always maintained that the Jets' successes will be credited to his staff and players, while the team's failures will rest squarely on his shoulders.

Apparently, the truth rests somewhere in between.