Sports Radio Interviews

Mike Tannenbaum on Rex Ryan crying: “He gets emotional but he is a passionate person that believes in his team.”

The New York Jets General Manager, Mike Tannenbaum, made the right decision to hire Rex Ryan this past offseason. The Jets wanted a coach that can develop players, has the intensity needed to teach these players, has a great knowledge of the game and a passion for it. That is exactly what Ryan brings to the table.

The team’s latest loss to the Jaguars prompted a team meeting in the locker room after the game and in this meeting Rex Ryan proceeded to cry. Yes, you read that right, cry! I didn’t think there was any room for crying in football, but apparently Ryan somehow made it fit. I don’t think he is soft for crying , it is just that you never hear of such a thing in the NFL. You hear about it in Pop Warner and occasionally in high school but not in the pros. The Jets players were even taken back by this. They didn’t know how to handle the situation but learn from their mistakes and hopefully not make their 350 pound coach cry again. At least they know that Ryan believes in them and wants them to do better. I can think of three teams right now off the top pf my head that can’t say the same thing.

Mike Tannenbaum joined WFAN in New York to talk about his reaction when he found out that Rex Ryan cried in front of his team, to describe the type of crying that was involved, the Jets knowing what he got himself into when they hired him, and why this team doesn’t have the ability to make the play at the end of the game to win.  One of the hosts Craig Carton, was just killing Rex Ryan for crying in front of his team.

On his reaction when he found out that Rex Ryan cried in front of his team:

“Well we love Rex and everything he brings to the tables guys.  He is an emotional guy that cares.  I was in the meeting and I thought that it was an excellent team meeting.  He gets emotional but he is a passionate person that believes in his team so I thought that it was a really good meeting.”

Describe the type of crying that was involved:

“He wasn’t sobbing or anything like that.  His tears welled up a little bit, but again it is all for good things.  Which is he is a passionate, competitive guy that believes in his heart and soul that we have a good team and you could see it on the field.  These guys play really hard for him with a lot of energy.  After the Houston game and after the locker room at the end of the game it was very similar.  He won his first game as a NFL head coach.  He gave a game ball to a couple people.  His eyes kind of welled up there and that is what we love about Rex.  That is why we hired him.  He is a passionate guy and the guys love him.  He is an emotional guy and a competitive person and I think those are all pretty good things.”

On the Jets knowing what he got himself into when they hired him:

“He is a great coach and we are lucky to have him.  He has done a great job and I think guys have played better.  We have seen a lot of young players develop and obviously we have got to figure out how to make these four or five plays a game change in our direction.  We are starting on a good Patriot team right now but I think you guys could agree that everyone out there is giving maximum effort and playing hard and I think they all enjoy playing for him.”

Why they made some moves releasing guys at this time of the season:

“All I can really say about the Kerry Locklin situation is first of all I want to thank him for everything that he did.  It was mutual decision for us and for him.  We wish him well and are excited about the two guys that are replacing him in Jeff Weeks and Chuck Smith.  I am at practice everyday and they do a good job.  Rex is a defensive line expert.  I think that situation is in good hands.  With Ahmad Carroll, he did a really good job last year.  One of the things that you have to consider when you make these moves is that we were able to elevate a guy named Kenwin Cummings.  I could appreciate the fact that he isnt a household name but Kenwin is going to help us I think down the road and we had to create a roster spot.  Ahmad wasn’t going to the game every week so that is the move we had.  Each week we sit down and look at the roster.  Rex, Woody and I try to make the best decisions for the team that we can.”

Why doesn’t this team have the ability to make the play at the end of the game to win:

“Craig, I think your point is very well taken and very fair and that is what we have to do.  We have to become more consistent and as you guys know in pro football, four or five plays a game are going to change the outcome.  We have to figure out a way to make these four or five plays to come our way and not go the other way.  You look at both Miami games essentially came down to the last play of the game and certainly the Buffalo and Jacksonville game did.  Obviously we are competitive but that is not good enough.  We have to figure out a way to win those games consistently but I believe in the guys that we have in this building and how hard they are working.  I think we have the right people here.  I think the energy level like I said is good.  They are playing passionately.  We just got to figure out a way to become more consistent in all three phases so when those opportunities present themselves we can close these games out.”

 Mike Tannenbaum defends Rex Ryan on WFAN in NY with Boomer and Carton

Tags: AFC East, Buddy Ryan, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jets GM, Jets Head Coach, Maurice Jones-Drew, New York Jets, NFL, Rex Ryan, Rex Ryan crying after game, Rob Ryan, Rob Ryn