http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/200...ex_ryan_w.html New York Jets coach Rex Ryan will call plays on defense, rely on Mike Pettine by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger Wednesday January 21, 2009, 9:51 PM NOTEBOOK Jets coach Rex Ryan will be hands-on on game days, calling all the defensive plays while defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is up in the press box. In Baltimore, Ryan and Pettine were extremely close. Ryan was the fire-and-brimstone part of the duo and Pettine, as the Ravens' linebackers coach, was the brains. They were together for seven seasons. Ryan spent the past 10 seasons with the Ravens, the past four as defensive coordinator. His unit never ranked lower than sixth in the NFL in total defense during his stint. "I rely on him and he relies on me," Ryan said Wednesday. "We're going to get it done. ... (Pettine) is a rising star in this league. Of course, we don't want to pump him up too much. We want him to be around here for a while." Other Ravens assistant coaches on Ryan's radar include defensive line coach Clarence Brooks, secondary coach Mark Carrier and quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who could become offensive coordinator if Brian Schottenheimer turns down the job. Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese has also surfaced as a possible candidate to be offensive coordinator should Schottenheimer bolt. Rookie LB Vernon Gholston, who was picked sixth overall in last year's draft and had no sacks this season, reminds Ryan of Ravens Pro Bowl LB Terrell Suggs. Ryan said Suggs, the 10th overall pick in the 2003 draft, was considered a bust within the organization before Ryan was assigned the task of turning him into a player a week before his rookie season. Suggs, who is also a converted defensive end, finished with 12 sacks and was named AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. "If (Gholston) can't do it for me and this team, he's never going to do it," Ryan said. "He's going to get coached a lot harder than he thinks. I'm excited about the young man's potential. I don't even think he's scratched the surface of the kind of player he can be. "Now, with that being said, he's going to have to give a heck of a commitment. He's going to have to humble himself. ... Terrell Suggs was in the same boat. I know it's hard to believe." Without naming the Rams, Ryan gave credence to a report in The Star-Ledger that the Rams preferred him over Steve Spagnuolo but Ryan told them he was leaning heavily toward the Jets. Ryan called CB Darrelle Revis "the best corner in football." "It's fun to hear that," Revis said. "It shows the hard work I've been doing is paying off. But I know I still have a long way to go to be a Ty Law or a Champ Bailey or a Deion Sanders." QB Brett Favre (torn biceps tendon) won't play in the Pro Bowl. He'll be replaced by the Titans' Kerry Collins. ... The Jets have retained strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi. ... LB David Harris broke his left ankle in the final game of the season and was on crutches yesterday. He was one of 11 players who attended Ryan's introductory press conference. Rex Ryan's dad, Buddy, was an assistant with the Jets from 1968-75, and had these words for his son: "He told me, 'This is my team, don't screw it up,'" joked Rex Ryan. ... Unlike Eric Mangini, Ryan said he will make his assistants available to the media on a regular basis. Owner Woody Johnson and GM Mike Tannenbaum said that Johnson being out of the country had nothing to do with Bill Cowher not being interested in the Jets job. "I was available 24 hours a day," Johnson said. "I didn't miss anything." The Jets were told there was a "99 percent chance" that the former Steelers coach didn't want to coach this season, and it's safe to say they didn't want a coach who was "99
I'm not surprised about Rex's decision. Probably for the better. Collins over Pennington for Favre's Pro Bowl spot? He had a good year but I think Pennington should have gotten the nod (after Rivers who is also not able to play)
Sweet. Rex is not going to be the kind of guy to shirk blame or responsibility. That's what I like to see.
When the Rams announced the Spagnuolo hiring they actually came out and said they were pretty sure Ryan would be going to the Jets.
This was particularly good to hear. Hopefully he can turn VG into the player that everyone was expecting. So far Rex is saying all the right things.
him calling the plays shows a hands on approach as well as confidence. His OC better be a great one in that case, I have a feeling he won't do much with that side of the ball.
It doesn't actually say anywhere in the article other than title that Ryan actually will call the plays. If it is true though, even better.
Jets coach Rex Ryan will be hands-on on game days, calling all the defensive plays while defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is up in the press box. ^ After the presser, all reporters were taken to a conference room for a 30 minute power-point presentation of Rex's coaching philosophy. It was during this presentation Rex told the media he will call the plays on defense.
Very excited that he is going to control the Defense. Not sure how I feel about Raven's offensive coaches coming over... And how can the Raven's org think Suggs would be a bust before he even played a snap in his rookie campaign?
You probably missed it because he was so invisible this year but it happened before halftime in one of the last games.
