2 hours Ago By Ralph Ventre
Rex Ryan is making it known that he wants a second chance from the New York Jets . The overly-boisterous Ryan, who now has a platform as an ESPN analyst, sounded somewhat desperate during a radio interview on the Bart and Hahn show . Talking about his old team, the former head coach claimed that he's capable of reversing the franchise's fortunes if given the opportunity.
"There's way too much talent in this team to play the way we've been playing. Period. How hard can you get a guy to play? That's the thing.
Nobody's seen the team gonna play the way, as hard as this team's gonna play in the future, trust me, if I'm the guy," said Ryan while openly politicking for the job. Despite quarterback Aaron Rodgers starting all 11 games, the Jets are 3-8 overall and on the verge of elimination from postseason contention with six games remaining. Meanwhile, the highly-touted defense has underperformed expectations, failing to produce stops in key spots and struggling against the run.
New York permits 130.1 rush yards per game to rank 22nd out of 32 NFL teams. Quarterback Anthony Richardson's game-winning drive and bulldozing touchdown run in the Indianapolis Colts' Week 11 victory are prime examples of the Jets' defensive shortcomings.
It just so happens that Ryan, who has never been quiet about anything, specializes in defense. His 2009 and 2010 teams totaled four postseason victories with quarterback Mark Sanchez at the helm. "When I look around, I know there's nobody better than me," said Ryan.
Although the Jets made back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances under his watch, Ryan was unable to sustain the success. New York went 26-38 over his last four seasons that serve as the start of the franchise's current 14-year playoff drought. RELATED: Three serious candidates for Jets' head coaching job "I'm all about the Jets.
The great thing is you get a second chance at it, they say that doesn't happen very often. Well, when it does, it's usually special. We'll find out if I get that chance or not.
If not, then I hope they have one helluva guy in place because I still wanna be a fan of the Jets," said Ryan. Set to turn 62 years old on December 13, Ryan has not coached an NFL team since 2016. He was fired with one game remaining in his second season as Bills' head coach following a disastrous loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Fittingly, his final game concluded in excruciating fashion at home on Christmas Eve. With the Dolphins beginning their second overtime possession at their own 15-yard line, Buffalo got caught with only 10 men on the field and running back Jay Ajayi flipped the field with a 57-yard run. It was a breakdown on multiples levels for Ryan and his staff.
More New York Jets News: • Jets' next game could be the last for 'disastrous' Aaron Rodgers experiment • Why Woody Johnson finally fired Joe Douglas • Jets urged to make smart personnel move now with eye on future • Who is New York Jets' interim general manager Phil Savage? • Ex-Jets' QB Ryan Fitzpatrick drags Aaron Rodgers in viral social post.
