NFL Preseason 2010: Are New York Jets Fans Too Cocky about Rex Ryan?

Jet fans love Rex Ryan. He's funny, speaks his mind, has no fear, and brings a personality to the Jets. Something they haven't had in a while.

But I feel as if Jet fans are maybe talking him up too much, and here's why.

Today after bragging to some friends who were Giants fans some more about Ryan, something hit me. It was a sense of deja vu, something didn't seem right.

I then pieced it together, about three years ago, I was saying the same thing about Eric Mangini. It seems like decades ago, but Jet fans were once calling Mangini our coach of the future.

It seemed reasonable, he brought the 4-12 Jets to a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance. Jet fans put so much faith in this guy we started calling him Mangenious.

But that nickname is long gone; Mangini was fired after three seasons with the Jets and is now coaching the Browns. He almost got fired from that job too, but a late season rally helped save his job.

I then recollected on what I've said about Rex and realized that maybe I talked this guy up too much. I've been talking about this guy like he's already won a Lombardi trophy with the Jets.

He is only in his second year and I was ready to label him the best coach in the NFL. And I am sure I was not the only Jets fan too.

Now, I am not saying that Ryan is going to end up like Mangini, they are in totally different situations, and have very different coaching styles.

But my message is, let's not call him our coach of the future and the best coach in the NFL just yet. Let's give him a couple more seasons.

Because maybe when we look back at this five years from now, we will be laughing at ourselves for what we said about Rex Ryan after his first season.