FOXBORO, Mass. — New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan sounded deflated in what could be his final conference call with the New England Patriots media.
And we’re not talking about weight-loss here.
Of course, Ryan did begin with a joke.
“No,” Ryan replied when asked if he would speak to what he’s seen from cornerback Darrelle Revis this season. “I’m just gonna go with yes and no answers the whole time. No, I’m just kidding.
“Obviously he’s a great player and everyone knows it. I’m sure everybody realized it the day he showed up there. I find it hard to believe that people are just now recognizing the talents of him. That’s probably not real accurate.”
Revis played under Ryan with the Jets for four seasons from 2009 to 2012. The All-Pro cornerback reportedly showed interest in returning to New York this offseason after being cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Jets general manager John Idzik wasn’t interested.
Ryan chose not to comment when asked how the season might have gone differently if the Jets, not the Patriots, paid Revis this offseason.
“I’m not gonna touch that,” Ryan said. “We’ve gone there. I’m focused on the players that are here. Obviously, he’s a tremendous player, and he’s playing for a different team right now. I’m not going to say this or that about it.”
Another thing the gusto-less Ryan wouldn’t comment on? Whether Revis should be in the MVP discussion. He’s allowed just 34 completions on 74 targets for 471 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions while facing the opposing team’s best receiver and changing the Patriots’ defense for the better.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Ryan said. “If I comment on him, then I’ll get in trouble commenting on somebody else’s player. I’ll just say he’s an excellent player and let the experts figure out where he belongs in that discussion.”
Ryan has led the Jets to a 3-11 record, and cornerback play has been an issue since they elected to cut veteran Antonio Cromartie, who has had a bounce-back season with the Arizona Cardinals.
Thumbnail photo via William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports Images
