War of Words Escalates Between Jets, Dolphins

It’s only June, but it has already been a prime month for bulletin-board material in the AFC East with all of the snarky comments being exchanged between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. And Jets coach Rex Ryan issued a strong rebuttal today in response to Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder’s sharp criticism of him last week where he said Ryan was “going absolutely nuts.” Without even being prompted by reporters, Ryan started digging into Crowder, according to Bob Glauber of Newsday. “I don’t know this Channing Crowder,” said Ryan, whose father, Buddy Ryan, attended his press conference. “All I know is that he’s all tatted up. He’s right about one thing. I’m a first-time head coach, but I’ve been around the game all my life. I’m no different than I’ver ever been, just that more people are listening. . . . I think [Crowder’s] wrong. You do win in June. You win with your preparation. “If it was younger, I’d handle him myself. He’s a good player and all that kind of stuff and it is fun to ruffle some feathers. I’ve got no problem doing that. I’m confident in our football team. I’m confident in myself, the players, the coaches and the entire organization. That’s why I say the things I say. I make no apologies for any of those types of things.” Last week, Crowder told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that Ryan is going too far with his outspoken Super Bowl ambitions. “Oh, he’s going crazy,’' Crowder said. “He’s going absolutely nuts. I know it’s his first chance to be a head coach and I know he’s excited about life. But, like I said, I’ve never played a football game in June in my whole life. So, congratulations to him. He’s the OTA Super Bowl winner.’' Meanwhile, Ryan made it abundantly clear that he has no intentions of backing down to New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Ryan reinforced his previous remarks about how he’s not going to kiss Belichick’s collection of Super Bowl rings. “I’m not going to concede anything,” Ryan said. “I’m not intimidated by him or anyone else in this business, period. Our football team certainly won’t be intimidated either. If there are issues with that, so be it.” Ryan’s trademark swagger isn’t confined to himself. It’s all over his football team, which backed up their coach today during a series of interviews, according to Dave Hutchinson of the Newark Star-Ledger. Linebacker Bart Scott said he didn’t even know who Crowder was. “Who’s Crowder?” Scott said. “See, I never even heard of the guy. Can I get a bio? You have to give me some personnel reports before you throw names out. I don’t even know the guy.’' And offensive guard Brandon Moore said that Ryan’s brash approach is right up the players’ alley. “Those are the things you want your coach to say,’' Moore said. “Coaches usually give cliched answers. But for him to give his true feelings. ... No, he’s not here to keep congratulating or pay homage to Bill Belichick. He’s here to win football games.’' Even though trash talking isn’t considered much of a factor in deciding the outcome of football games, at least the AFC East won’t be dull this season.