Rex Ryan vs. Joe Namath: Pointless Feud Is Last Thing Jets Need

Joe Namath is no stranger to controversy.

Neither is coach Rex Ryan.

The two are very important figures to the New York Jets organization and fan base.

However, they recently exchanged jabs in the media after Namath called out Ryan's preparation and overconfidence following Gang Green's Week 3 loss in Oakland.

Namath told ESPN 1050 New York (via FOX Sports):

"

It starts at the top. Coach Rex Ryan, he's been doing a great job, getting us to two conference championship games, but there's one thing about the athlete: You keep telling him how good he is, he's going to start believing it to the point that he may not be preparing quite the way he should. He may be losing some respect for the other team.

"

The Hall of Fame quarterback isn't the first to call out Ryan for his brash and confident coaching style. 

Ryan obviously didn't take to kindly to the call-out, and responded with:

"

I'm not going to change who I am because Joe Namath said something. Joe Namath can come in here and if he can still throw we'll have him as a backup quarterback. But you know what? He doesn't know our team. He's on the outside. Even though he's a Jet and once you're a Jet you're always a Jet. But he's on the outside. He's not in these meetings. I think if he was he'd be shocked at the preparation.

"

In both instances team affiliation sticks out the most.

Namath referred to his former team as "us," while Ryan attempted to ease things over with "once a Jet, always a Jet" statement but still effectively called Namath an "outsider."

This is not the type of controversy the Jets need as they travel to Baltimore for the second leg of their three-game road trip that ends in New England.

Namath has nothing to do with the Jets' current season, and Ryan needs to know better than to further a situation that was simply brought on by a radio show looking to create another story.

Instead of talking about Namath, Ryan needs to be worried about how his 25th ranked rushing offense is going to get any yards against the Ravens' sixth ranked rush defense.

Even more so, he needs to figure out how his 31st ranked rush defense is going to stop a Ravens rushing attack that averages just about 130 yards per game.

If both Ryan and Namath want what is best for the Jets then they both need to shut up.

This is obviously extremely difficult for both parties, but this extra attention is the last thing they need right now.

The Jets could easily be 1-2 if Tony Romo wasn't Tony Romo in Week 1, and they simply aren't playing good football.

A loss to Baltimore would be devastating with the Patriots waiting on the other side of the schedule.

If this team wants to get back to the AFC Championship, and possibly compete for a Super Bowl, they need to just play football rather than talking.

Ryan doesn't need to guarantee things, Namath doesn't need to call out the coach on local radio and Ryan certainly doesn't need to fire back.

Gang Green has enough problems as it is; these two sparring in the media is pointless.