T-Rex Speaks Today.....

[SoFlaJets]

Jets' Ryan unplugged at NFL Combine

by Dave Hutchinson

Friday February 20, 2009, 4:02 PM

Jets coach Rex Ryan met the media today at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He wasn't shy:

On facing the other teams in the AFC East ...

``I'd rather focus on what they are up against (laughing). We are going to have a team that's going to be a physical football team. We are not going to back down from any challenge. I understand and respect the conference. Anytime you go up against Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells a team there in Miami, Buffalo. We know it's very competitive, but right to be honest with you I am focused on where our team is putting in the style of play we want, regardless of who we are playing.''

On what Ray Lewis would add to the defense ...

``Right now, I'd rather add our draft picks because I'd rather not talk about any potential free agent out there with the tampering rules with everything else the way they are. I'd rather just hold on to our draft picks right now. I'll avoid that question.''

On bringing in Jim Leonhard ...

``Let me hit the rewind button here if you don't mind. I'd like to keep our draft picks.

On if there is another player that resembles Ray Lewis in the draft ...

``I think somebody has the first name.''

On the biggest adjustment for him so far ...

``I think first off you take a job on paper this would be the staff that if you ever got that position you're fortunate enough to get a head coaching job that this is the staff you feel confident in and when I got there I started interviewing guys on the previous staff that may have an interest. You start that way with a plan in place, but then there is other coaches that become available. I want to surround myself with the best possible coaches that I can and just like you do with your players. You want your best players that you think you can win with. It was great. There is no way that I could envision putting together this kind of coaching staff. This is an all star staff that I feel extremely fortunate to have. I think this staff can match up with any staff in the National Football League and I know that is a big statement, but when you are able to keep a Brian Schottenheimer who has a great reputation. To add a Mike Pettine from Baltimore who has been with me forever. Both those guys are rising stars in this league. You always here that quote, but that is the truth and then Bill Callahan who to me is one of the premier offensive line coaches in the National Football Leauge. That's a great start and then Mike Westhoff comes aboard. I talked to John Harbaugh about him and I said, 'this Mike Westhoff guy, I can't believe his resume.' He goes keep him, whatever you do, keep him. He came in we met and we hit it off right away. I was fortunate enough that Mike wanted to stay and what I try to do too is extend everybody. They are not just on their remaining contracts that we try to extend everybody and let them all know if they were out there they would be treated no differently than the new coaches coming in. It started there. We were able to grab guys there and it was a long process selecting your coaches. We were able to add Anthony Lynn and Henry Ellard on the offensive staff with the reputations they have. I remember Wilber Montgomery talking to me about Henry Ellard and how he raved about him and then when I met him I almost felt like I knew him, but that was a great hire for us. Anthony Lynn's reputation is a Bill Parcells guy who thinks we knew in our opinion that we got the best running back coach that was available. Matt Cavanaugh, our former coordinator in Baltimore in 2000 gets on board to coach the quarterbacks and then on defense, obviously I was very familiar with Mike Pettine and Dennis Thurman and then to add a Kerry Locklin that I coached with 27 years ago to coach the defensive line and a Jeff Weeks who actually was a college roommate of mine. It's going to be a great staff and I feel very fortunate. I am about as confident guy as there is, but I am confident in my abilites, but I am a lot more confident in the abilities of these men (our coaches). It's not something that these guys are working for me, they are working with me. It's our collective efforts that will lead this football team. I just think it's a great opportunity for us. I think we put together a group of great teachers and with that being said that was basically my phase one of taking over this new job. It even took a little longer than I anticipated.''

On his QB situation ...

``I have confidence in these three guys and the great thing is being able to keep Brian. (Kellen) Clemens is going to be in the same system going now on year four so it's not like you are taking a rookie and trying to throw him in. You basically know what you have. We won against Kellen Clemens in Baltimore and he almost beat us. I think there might have been a dropped pass away from that game being a little closer than we wanted. I can tell you that. He has some run ability and I think he has the arm to be a good one. Brett Ratliff did was lead the AFC in passer rating in the preseason last year. He hasn't seen any game action. Last year was probably tough when he had Brett Favre sitting in there to replace him. Brett Ratliff put up some great numbers, monster numbers in the preseason. (I think) he had a quarterback rating of, I am not sure, I think it was 122.5 and if he can do that in the regular season we can win a lot of games. We have Erik Ainge, a fifth-round pick, but he has the size. He has led a Tennessee team for a long time and obviously in that family the bloodline looks pretty good. I am very confident in those three young quarterbacks.''

On if he thinks he's got the quarterbacks on the roster to compete for the starting job...

``Yes, I do. I think if you ask the organization, it's probably split right down the middle who they think can do it. And then you've got Erik Ainge. It's funny because he's the dark horse, maybe he doesn't get the exact reps of the other two guys, but he's definitely going to get an opportunity as well. It's definitely an open competition.''

On if he wants to bring in a veteran QB ...

``Really, the first thing I would think is to do what? To be the backup quarterback and things? So what I look for is if I can bring in a guy with 16 years' NFL experience and, let's just say, two Super Bowls, I'd bring that guy in. And that's what I did in hiring Matt Cavanaugh. We have a veteran quarterback presence right there, so I'm very comfortable with Matt being the mentor for these young quarterbacks.''

On if he's got his kind of players on the Jets roster right now ...

``It's interesting. There's no magic formula for this. You make assumptions and things like that. But I've been doing it a long time and I just want guys that I think can represent our football team, you know, that play like a Jet. That's going to mean something. That's going to mean they're physical, tough, passionate type people, and that's what we're looking for. In the past we've always tried to build our defense that way in Baltimore. We're going to try to build our team that way with the Jets. And I know that's the formula for success that we had in Baltimore and we're going to look for the same kind of players with the Jets moving forward.

I think we've got a great start on it right now. I think the strength of our football team is probably our offensive line, and that's a great thing to begin right there -- four former first-round picks in the offensive line, two Pro Bowlers and a couple of near-misses. I think that's a great way to start. And I look at our backfield -- we have two Pro Bowl tailbacks in Leon Washington and Thomas Jones. And our receiving corps is good. To me it looks like we're pretty well set over there.

And then our defense. When you can lead your team with a Shaun Ellis and a Kris Jenkins up front and have David Harris and Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas there in that second level and then in the back end have Kerry Rhodes and [Darrelle] Revis, I think we've got a pretty good foundation there.''

On how soon the Jets defense will play at the level he wants...

``I think next year. I think next year if we bring in the kind of players that we're talking about, we only need to add maybe one or two guys but the foundation's already there. I just think that maybe the mentality that we're going to play with, maybe the style of play we're going to play with, it's going to help the guys we already have. The proof'll be in the pudding. But you know me. I'm not one to shy away from expectations. I think we'll be terrific and i think we're going to have a defense that our fans can be proud of.''

[SoFlaJets]

the more I hear this guy speak-the more I like him...he says more in this one article than the grand total of every single talking point cliche' we heard from Mangini for 3 years...

one note to Hutch's proof reader, it's hear not here...

[Fishooked]

the more I hear this guy speak-the more I like him...he says more in this one article than the grand total of every single talking point cliche' we heard from Mangini for 3 years...

+1

I was never interested in hearing what Mangini had to say except the day he was hired.

[SoFlaJets]

Rex Ryan: Jets won't back down

Ex-Ravens assistant head coach talks about New York's plans at NFL combine, but doesn't comment on Ravens potential free agents

By Ken Murray | ken.murray@baltsun.com

6:00 PM EST, February 20, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS - Rex Ryan never met a quarterback he didn't think he could rattle. Never faced an offense he didn't believe he could confuse. Never drew up a blitz he wasn't confident would work.

The new coach of the New York Jets is no introvert.

Ask him about playing in the AFC East and he doesn't give you a politically correct answer.

"I'd rather focus on what they're up against," Ryan said today, addressing the national media during the NFL scouting combine. "We're going to have a team that's a physical football team. We're not going to back down from any challenge."

Ryan eventually got around to paying homage to the division's heavyweights -- coach Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots and executive Bill Parcells with the Miami Dolphins -- and even the Buffalo Bills.

But there is no mistaking the tone Ryan, 46, has already set in less than a month with the Jets.

We're here. Deal with it.

A year ago, Ryan swallowed his pride and decided to return to the Ravens for a 10th season, his fourth as defensive coordinator.

He lost out to John Harbaugh for the head coaching job, and yes, he said today, he felt sorry for himself.

"At the end of the day, I was staying in a place I really love, Baltimore," he said. "I had already built respect and earned that respect. We had built something special.

"My role ... was really just to be defensive coordinator. Maybe it was just tough for people to see me in a different role."

His role in New York is super-sized. Ryan inherits a team that faded badly down the stretch, missed the playoffs and fired the coach, Eric Mangini. His first news conference in the Big Apple raised expectations.

Today, he didn't back off an inch.

How long will it take to get the Jets' defense up to the Ravens' speed?

"I think next year, if we bring in the kind of players we're talking about," he said. "We only need to add one or two guys. The foundation's already there. I think that maybe the mentality we're going to play with, the style we're going to play, is going to help the guys we already have.

"But I'm not one to shy away from expectations. I think we're going to be terrific, and I think we're going to have a defense our fans can be proud of."

The one or two additions may -- or may not -- include a player or two from his Baltimore defense. Ray Lewis, you ask?

"Right now, I'd rather [keep] our draft picks," Ryan said. "I'd rather not talk about any potential free agent out there, with the tampering rules. ... So I'll avoid that question."

Seconds later, another reporter asked about his interest in Ravens safety Jim Leonhard, who, like Lewis, will become a free agent next Friday.

"Let me hit the rewind button, if you don't mind," he said, to laughter. "Again, I'd like to keep our draft picks."

There are indications the Jets could be in the market for an inside linebacker from the Ravens. This week they released veteran backups David Bowers and Brad Kassell, leaving only one experienced inside linebacker under contract -- David Harris.

The Ravens have a week to conclude negotiations with Lewis or risk losing him to the Jets. In which case Ryan could pick off Bart Scott, the third Ravens linebacker whose contract has expired.

Now that he's hired his staff -- a staff that includes former Ravens offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh as quarterbacks coach -- Ryan must install his defense, pick a quarterback from Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff and Eric Ainge, and upgrade his roster.

The prototype college player he's looking for here is the same kind of player he had with the Ravens.

"I just want guys I think can represent our football team and play like a Jet," he said. "That's going to mean something. It's going to mean they're physical, tough, passionate type people. We always tried to build our defense that way in Baltimore. We're going to try to build our team that way with the Jets."

Ryan lost out to Harbaugh a year ago, but was better for having served as assistant head coach.

"I can't tell you how much I gained and not just with John," he said. "I knew he's a great leader, a natural leader. The thing that was great for me was that he said we were going to do this thing and we were going to accomplish it shoulder to shoulder. And in all the decisions, I sat right there with him.

"I learned so much through John, and also the coaches he hired. To be around Cam Cameron, John Matsko, Hue Jackson ... I saw what happens when you build a team. It's not just a [defensive] unit, it's a team. And that's how we're going to do things going forward."

[SoFlaJets]

http://blogs.nypost.com/sports/jets/archives/2009/02/rex_ryan_transc_1.html

[gangreenman]

the more I hear this guy speak-the more I like him...he says more in this one article than the grand total of every single talking point cliche' we heard from Mangini for 3 years...

one note to Hutch's proof reader, it's hear not here...

He's a perfect mix between Herm and Mangini I feel. Not too secretive and paranoid like Mangini was, but at the same time, he keeps it to the point, and isn't a babbling idiot like Herm was. Hopefully that translates in his coaching decisions as well!

[ECURB]

He's a perfect mix between Herm and Mangini I feel. Not too secretive and paranoid like Mangini was, but at the same time, he keeps it to the point, and isn't a babbling idiot like Herm was. Hopefully that translates in his coaching decisions as well!

Lets just say we should never compare the three beyond that level... he has already had more success than them in the NFL.

[stoicsentry]

From what I've heard so far - I freakin love this guy.

First, he actually gives somewhat reasonable answers that actually address the questions: no Mangini/Belicheat stuff.

Second, he's not a little crybaby. He wants to go out there and DAMAGE other teams. He's not as politically correct as many coaches are.

In comparison, Mangini acted like he just wanted his team to survive.

Rex may be able to do more with this defense than any of us are imagining right now. I say that because I'm an optimist about this defense: I do not want to sound like a homer but I think we already have top 10 talent on defense. If it is harnessed properly this defense is SCARY.

[F.Chowds]

`` But I've been doing it a long time and I just want guys that I think can represent our football team, you know, that play like a Jet. That's going to mean something. That's going to mean they're physical, tough, passionate type people, and that's what we're looking for."

If that does not get you excited about the 09 Jets. Then you don't have ****ing pulse!

Coaches all give the sam retoric when they take a HC job in the NFL. "We are going to change the culture of the Team."

Coach Ryan does not talk about it. HE IS ABOUT IT!

[Bergen Jet]

How long will it take to get the Jets' defense up to the Ravens' speed?

"I think next year, if we bring in the kind of players we're talking about," he said. "We only need to add one or two guys. The foundation's already there. I think that maybe the mentality we're going to play with, the style we're going to play, is going to help the guys we already have.

"But I'm not one to shy away from expectations. I think we're going to be terrific, and I think we're going to have a defense our fans can be proud of."

If this doesn't get Jet fans excited I don't think anything that he could say at this moment could.

[DMaynard]

And then our defense. When you can lead your team with a Shaun Ellis and a Kris Jenkins up front and have David Harris and Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas there in that second level and then in the back end have Kerry Rhodes and [Darrelle] Revis, I think we've got a pretty good foundation there.''

''

No surprise here in who he mentioned except maybe Thomas. It makes me think he can get the consistency out of Thomas that know one else has.

So here is our starting defense next year:

D Line - Ellis, Jenkins and Coleman/Gholston. Gholston will substitute on obvious passing downs until he is ready to take over full time.

LB - Thomas and Pace at OLB, Harris and Scott at ILB.

CB - Revis and someone they will use the #17 pick on will start. Lowery will be nickel.

S - Leonhard will be SS, Rhodes will switch to FS.

Book it, Dano.

[SoFlaJets]

No surprise here in who he mentioned except maybe Thomas. It makes me think he can get the consistency out of Thomas that know one else has.

So here is our starting defense next year:

D Line - Ellis, Jenkins and Coleman/Gholston. Gholston will substitute on obvious passing downs until he is ready to take over full time.

LB - Thomas and Pace at OLB, Harris and Scott at ILB.

CB - Revis and someone they will use the #17 pick on will start. Lowery will be nickel.

S - Leonhard will be SS, Rhodes will switch to FS.

Book it, Dano.

can't we do any better that The Invisible Man Kenyon Coleman out there DM? I swear I think I only even HEARD his name called a half dozen times all last season. Mikey D was more visible and I'm telling you Jason Trusnick played balls to the wall when HE got his chance...BT is so very meh half the time

[DMaynard]

can't we do any better that The Invisible Man Kenyon Coleman out there DM? I swear I think I only even HEARD his name called a half dozen times all last season. Mikey D was more visible and I'm telling you Jason Trusnick played balls to the wall when HE got his chance...BT is so very meh half the time

Devito could very well replace Coleman. Long term, I think the plan will be to make Gholston a full time DE. I like Trusnick too, but Scott would be a huge upgrade over Barton and I think Trusnick will get a lot of substitional playing time with his apparent pass coverage skills. I am not a BT fan either, but like I said, the fact that Ryan mentioned him as being part of the "foundation" tells me Ryan sees something in him.

Bottom line is, I agree with Ryan. The Jets are not too many players away from a great defnse. Now that we have a coaching staff that understands defense.

[joebabyny]

CB - Revis and someone they will use the #17 pick on will start. Lowery will be nickel.

I really hope we don't do CB in the first. We did that 2 years ago and got someone i think is top 3 in the league. Obviously it would be nice to have 2 guys of that caliber, but do we really need to have a guy that good covering a #2 wr when we could get improvements in other areas.

I know it sounded like he thought we were set at wr, but i doubt he would tip his hat with where he is going to go in the first round, i think our needs there are more pressing than cb.

[SoFlaJets]

Devito could very well replace Coleman. Long term, I think the plan will be to make Gholston a full time DE. I like Trusnick too, but Scott would be a huge upgrade over Barton and I think Trusnick will get a lot of substitional playing time with his apparent pass coverage skills. I am not a BT fan either, but like I said, the fact that Ryan mentioned him as being part of the "foundation" tells me Ryan sees something in him.

Bottom line is, I agree with Ryan. The Jets are not too many players away from a great defnse. Now that we have a coaching staff that understands defense.

the one thing I will say in Bryan Thomas' defense is he has never bitched and never missed a game-except of course when he decides to dog it out there (like the past 1 1/2 seasons)...but yea, never missed a game to injury that I can recall-UNlike say a John Abraham when we had him

[DMaynard]

I really hope we don't do CB in the first. We did that 2 years ago and got someone i think is top 3 in the league. Obviously it would be nice to have 2 guys of that caliber, but do we really need to have a guy that good covering a #2 wr when we could get improvements in other areas.

I know it sounded like he thought we were set at wr, but i doubt he would tip his hat with where he is going to go in the first round, i think our needs there are more pressing than cb.

I could see a WR in the first round too, but 2 top notch CBs gives a defense a tremendous amount of flexibilty. Especially one that Ryan likes to run with varied blitzing schemes.