Jets linebacker Bart Scott put out word through his agent in February that he was “extremely frustrated” with his role in the Jets’ defense. But after talking to Jets coach Rex Ryan, Scott says everything is good.
Scott told the Star-Ledger that he told Ryan he wants to be on the field for every snap, and that he and Ryan have come to an understanding about how he’ll be used this season.
“It’s cool, it was just something Rex and I needed to be on the same page about,” Scott said. "[I wanted him] to know where I stood and what the plans were and once we hashed that out it was fine. I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind or bet on myself so that was a conversation that needed to be had, we had it and we moved on. Hopefully I can be back to what I’ve always done, which never included leaving the field a lot.”
Scott has always been one of Ryan’s favorite players, dating back to their time together in Baltimore, and signing Scott as a free agent was one of Ryan’s top priorities when he became the head coach of the Jets. After Organized Team Activities on Thursday, Ryan made a point of mentioning that Scott had looked good on the practice field.
“I think Bart, Bart is ready to be Bart Scott, the guy that we brought in here,” Ryan said. “When you look at it, Bart will tell you he had a disappointing year last year, just like I’ll tell you I had a disappointing year last year. And this whole football team -- Bart and myself -- want to have a great year this year.”
Ryan said he was impressed with Scott’s attention to detail, and liked seeing Scott taking notes during defensive meetings, even though Scott has played in Ryan’s defense longer than anyone else on the Jets.
Scott’s attention to detail apparently does not extend, however, to the quarterbacks he’s facing on the practice field. Scott had an interception during 7-on-7 drills, and he mentioned to reporters afterward that he had picked off “McCoy.” The Jets don’t have a quarterback named McCoy; Scott apparently thought he had intercepted third-stringer Greg McElroy. Scott had actually intercepted Tim Tebow.
At least there was one person at the Jets’ OTAs who wasn’t obsessing over Tebow.