Some other Jets notes as well: http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/05/rex_ryan_not_backing_down_from.html Rex Ryan not backing down from his lofty predictions in first year as New York Jets head coach by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger Thursday May 28, 2009, 9:41 PM New Jets head coach Rex Ryan (center) is still standing behind his lofty expectations for his team this season.It's a line that'll either live in infamy or come to define Rex Ryan's legacy as the Jets head coach. As Ryan stepped to the podium last January at his introductory news conference before a packed auditorium at the team's Florham Park facility, the first words out of his mouth were bold and brash. "First off, with all the cameras I was looking for our new president (Barack Obama) back there," cracked Ryan. "I think we'll get to meet him in the next couple of years anyway." Ryan, of course, was referring to the fact that the Super Bowl champion each year gets to visit the White House. Thursday afternoon, four months into his new job, the ever-confident Ryan wasn't backtracking from those words. He feels his aggressive, blitz-happy defense is the best in the league and his offense, fueled by a veteran offensive line, will do enough to win with either rookie Mark Sanchez or Kellen Clemens at quarterback. "My expectations of this football team are warranted," said Ryan following an organized team activity practice at Florham Park. "I really think they are. We've got a lot of outstanding players. We've got a great coaching staff. "You know, I sit there, and I'm like, 'Wow, this is my football team.' It feels like my football team now. I feel better, like the players are starting to trust me a little bit more, or I'm starting to know them a little bit more. It feels good, it really does. I'm excited about the future of our team." RB Thomas Jones, who showed up for the first time this offseason on Wednesday, refused to address the media yesterday concerning his contract dispute with the team. "It's great to see him," said Ryan, who was struck by Jones' well-sculpted physique. "I've always respected the kind of player he is. Just to see him up close, he really is built like that. ... He told me he's happy to be here." Jones, who led the AFC in rushing (1,312 yards and career-best 13 TDs), is due to earn $900,000 this season and is unhappy with his contract. He's in the third year of a four-year, $20 million deal in which he earned $13.1 million in the first two years. Fellow RB Leon Washington missed his third straight week of OTAs, which run through next week. The Jets will hold a mandatory minicamp June 9-11 and then be off until training camp. Sanchez, in his fifth OTA practice, had another rough day at the hands of the Jets defense. He completed 7-of-15 passes with an interception in full-squad drills. His performance was filled with misreads, miscommunications and missed throws. Sanchez did, however, end the practice with three straight completions, including a 15-yard touchdown to rookie tight end Jack Simmons. "I'm progressing and that's the most important thing," said Sanchez, who was once again outplayed by Clemens (8-of-14, one interception). He said offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer "reminds me of that every day. "They're throwing everything at me as a rookie. He knows that. But he wants (the tempo) to be fast. He wants it to be difficult for me, (for me) to think even faster. ... It's only going to make me better." Ryan said Sanchez is "responding" well but he needs to show more of a sense of urgency in getting out of the huddle. Safety Kerry Rhodes declined to comment specifically regarding a woman's allegation that she was raped last weekend at a townhouse he owns in Morristown. Rhodes was almost immediately ruled out as a suspect by the Morris County prosecutor's office in the case. "It's a pending legal matter and I can't talk about it right now," said Rhodes, responding to a battery of questions from the media. Ryan said he spoke with Rhodes and he is satisfied with the prosecutor's offices' findings in the matter. Clemens raced off the field near the conclusion of practice to be with his wife, who had gone into labor with the couple's second child. LB David Harris took a helmet in the mouth when he was standing on the sidelines -- with his helmet off -- and PR Jim Leonhard collided with him full speed while trying to catch a punt. Harris left practice and didn't return. Former Rutgers LB Brandon Renkart replaced Harris in the starting lineup.
good for Rex.....what's he supposed to say? "We'll be satisfied with a .500 record? or a playoff berth??" He's here to coach the Jets to a championship....and i support him. A championship should be the goal every year, IMO.
That's been what I've been hearing from Jauron for the past three years. Whenever he speaks, my ears bleed.......
Dick Jauron is a garden tool with a bad haircut......if you weren't a division rival...you'd have my sympathies.
Good, this is good. If he's aiming high we can probably handle where he actually winds up, assuming he really knows what he is doing. I'd hate to have him doing the unassuming "we'll probably play ok" routine. That'd make me nervous about where we were going to wind up when the smoke settled.
i like this attitude. obviously players like scott feed off of it, and hopefully it spreads like AIDS in africa.
re: Leonhard running into Harris. Didn't we have that problem earlier in the offseason? Did Woody go cheap on acreage in Florham Park? Why are these guys in such tight quarters?
Yeah, and watch some retard, after all of our years of suffering, pull a James Harrison. I mean, "If Obama wants to see the New York Jets, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl."
Yeah, I don't remember these things happening before. Twice this season that someone has run into someone by mistake.
i'm a bit dissapointed in rex. saying we'll kiss obamas ass 'in a few years'? what about february 2010!!!! another point: maybe it's just the muzzles taken off, but shotty seems to 'own' the offense. it's 'almost' like we have two head coaches. shotty must be THRILLED. rex coming in as a new hc has his plate full, so being able to focus what time he has on the defense must be a huge relief for him. probably why he personally talked to shotty about staying with the jets. he must have 100% faith in shotty to coach, train, develop payers, pick the right game plan and PICK THE RIGHT QB and RECEIVERS to start the season. the two points where shotty will (or has) found out if he really does 'own the offense' is the draft and when it's time to announce cuts. shotty won the draft. let's see how he wins the cut-downs. the only pressure shotty feels is from woody to start sanchez if at all possible (read another way, 'your job depends on it').
