Rex Ryan Talking Jets, OTA’s, Mista Sanchez
June 4, 2009 – 9:46 am by Will Brinson
Rex Ryan lives in the spotlight as head coach of the New York FootballJets. It probably didn’t alter any of that focus on his job that the Jets dumped Brett Favre, traded up and took Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene and then had a whole “Thomas Jones wants more money, wahwah” issue.
But even if everything calms down (and it kind of has) Ryan still has some pretty high expectations, simply because he’s in New York. Add in the high-profile QB that is Sanchez, and you better believe folks in the City are going to be wondering about the Jets’ progress (which he talks about with WFAN) both offensively and defensively, as well as his running back situation and the quarterback competition. Plus, how dreamy Sanchez’ hair is at practice. That kind of stuff.
On the Jets’ progress so far:
“We haven’t been scored on yet, so that helps. But, no, really, it’s been fantastic. We’re fortunate that we’ve got a lot of smart guys and like our defense, for instance — we’re way ahead of where I thought we’d be. Mike Patton and Rich Thurman have been doing a great job implementing the defense. But we are way ahead of where we were the first time we ever put this defense in, and it’s really a credit to the players and the coaches.”
On the offense:
“Well, the “in-and-out” running backs are looking sweet — those two guys are looking great. We had them together for the first time on Monday … The defense has been ahead of the offense, but those two guys are the great equalizers. When you start putting those two back in behind that offensive line, that’s a great group. And it’s funny, because we have had a situation with Thomas and Leon, but overall, when you’re showing up with one guy missing or two at the most — because these are voluntary camps — there’s no way they’ve had the attendance that we’ve had.”
On having a two-back system:
“Well, you certainly better have two ready. You might want to feed one guy, but you better have another one waiting in the wings with the pounding these guys take … so you gotta have a stable of backs, so we certainly are fortunate. So when Shonn Green was available — you don’t pass up the opportunity to get a heck of a football player. So when we had that opportunity, we jumped up and took him. Because you don’t want to the pounding to go to just Thomas all the time, even though he loves to run the football.”
On the relationship he’ll have with Mark Sanchez:
“Well, I’m not going to be involved with the offense like some offensive head coaches would be. Like a Mike Shanahan calls his own plays, and Andy Reid calls his own plays … But yeah I think so, even if it’s to the point where it’s like “Hey, don’t turn this sucker over.” Or whatever that thing is. And I think my job as a head coach is to have a relationship with all of our players and our coaches. Sometimes they’re going to understand me — it might not be that we’re going to go out and eat or something; that generally doesn’t happen … Quarterback specifically is important because he has to understand what we need.”
On Mark Sanchez getting attention early:
“Yeah, he definitely will. And most of that is due to the fact that he was successful in college, albeit as a one-year starter or whatever. But there’s a reason we weren’t the only team trying to trade up and get him: he’s got a lot of abilities, he’s got a great arm, he’s got poise, he’s got leadership skills, there’s something about him — he kind of draws guys in, and that’s always a good thing. I remember when I was a kid and Joe Namath had that where it’s — everybody, this was their quarterback and they were proud of him. And I think he has some of those traits. And I understand he did that spread in GQ or whatever — it’s not really a magazine I get every month. [Laughter] But I think anyone that knocks him is just jealous.”
On a QB competition:
“I think Kellen is ahead obviously mentally from Sanchez … This will be his fourth year under Brian, and Mark right now is trying to learn what we do on offense. And he’s doing a great job — he’s ahead of where most guys are, and he’s also being thrown coverages that he’s never seen before. He’s also made some amazing passes, and Kellen’s had his moments as well, so this is going to be good competition.”
Listen to Rex Ryan with Mike Francesa on WFAN
Tags: Brett Favre, Football, Mark Sanchez, New York Jets, NFL, Rex Ryan, Shonn Green
