Jets coach Rex Ryan has been taking shots in the media for everything from his handling of the quarterback situation to his decision to take time off on Saturday to attend his son’s college football game. Ryan says the criticism doesn’t rattle him.
Appearing on ESPN Radio in New York today, Ryan said the criticism is all about one thing: The Jets’ record last year was 6-10.
“We had a terrible year, so that’s to be expected,” Ryan said of the shots he takes in the media. “When you win in this town, in New York and New Jersey area, shoot, everybody’s happy. If you don’t, hey, I understand the criticism. But the beauty of it is we have a brand new season right in front of us.”
Regarding the criticism about attending his son’s game on the day the Jets had to submit their final 53-man roster to the league office, Ryan said he had already done all the personnel work he needed to do before he went on the trip. He added that his father, former NFL coach Buddy Ryan, never was able to get away from football to attend one of Rex’s college games, and so Rex was eager to be able to attend his son’s first game.
As for the criticism about the quarterback situation, Ryan said that he’ll decide on his starting quarterback when he’s good and ready, and he doesn’t care if the media think he should just make an announcement already.
“When we want to announce it, we’ll announce it,” Ryan said. “Not you guys, not somebody else. When we’re comfortable making the decision we will.”
If Ryan is coaching for his job this year -- and he surely is -- he’s going to do things his way.