Thoughts on the ‘Kiss the Ring’ Comments
Maybe I’m still in Mangini mode, but I’ve been keeping Rex Ryan’s comments about how he’s not here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings on the down-low. Since everyone and their mother are talking about it, fine. I didn’t want to get into another North Eastern Corridor pissing match, but here goes.
Here’s a partial transcript:
Francesa: You know this division has been dominated by Tom Brady and the Pats in a very big way and you also know it’s you know, you know what’s going on, you know that the Pats have a deep hatred for many reasons for the Jets and they love to beat nothing more than the Jets. How about the relationship and how about the idea of the Pats and their dominance does that mean anything? Is that something you specifically have to attack, because they have been such a dominant figure in this division?
Ryan: Well believe me we’re going to attack ‘em. There’s no question about that and you know whatever you know you gotta take it from then. And you know, I think last year obviously Miami wins the division…
Francesa: Well, no Tom Brady…no Tom Brady
Ryan: No Tom Brady and all that, and obviously, I think he makes a huge difference. You know there’s no question he makes a huge difference. And I played him before and things like that, we played with a team that won five games, and if I don’t call a timeout we beat them, at least that’s what everybody says, so I’ll accept that. But, I’ve got confidence that we’ll give them everything they want and maybe a little bit more, so we’ll see what happens.
Francesa: So do you think it’s important to send a message to that team or they’re not any different than anybody else in the division or does it means something because of the way they have dominated the division?”
Ryan: I think we already have sent a message to them, so that they can read between the lines.”
Francesa: Oh, you think you have sent a message to them?
Ryan: Oh yeah! No question. Yup.
Francesa: In what way?
Ryan: You know, they can figure it out and when they come here the second week of the season we’ll see. ‘Cause see, I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s, you know, rings. You know, I came… you know, to win. Let’s put it that way and so we’ll see what happens. I’m certainly not intimidated by, you know, by New England or anybody else and so, you know again, I’m not a guy that is going to say well, this guys that. Hey look, Tom Brady is a hell of a quarterback, no question. I’ve got great respect for him, but I also have a great deal of confidence in the people we have in this building. Again, if that team can beat us, if New England can beat us, then they must have one hell of a football team.”
Francesa: Coach, I would say that is music to everybody’s ears here in New York I would say. They loved hearing just what they just heard, you know that?
Ryan: Well again they’re probably … you know, they probably want to win as bad as I do, and I think, you know, we’re gonna put a team out there that they can be proud of and again, you know we’re going to try to have from the first day, the most physical team in the National Football League. I really I truly believe if, at the end of the day, if we can accomplish that then we’re going to be really successful and again, you know how I feel about it and that New England whether it’s New England, Miami, Buffalo, us, anybody else – Pittsburgh – anybody else. We’re all under the same salary cap so for me to sit back and say that, well, you know we’re going to… you know, let’s just, you know, kick and scratch and maybe be .500 you know, maybe we’ll see … it’s their first year in the program … that’s ridiculous.
As far as kissing the ring, neither did Mangini. You don’t take a job in the same division as your former boss because you’re so loyal to the guy. The Patriots are the bully on the block, and Ryan wants to knock them off and is willing to say it … that’s refreshing. During Ryan’s time as DC in Baltimore, the Ravens had a 4-5 record against their big rivals the Steelers (who won two titles in that time) while the Jets have notched a 2-7 record.
As far as the ‘message?’ I think some people are taking that line too literally. I don’t think that they FedEx’ed a bloody head of Pat Patriot to Foxborough. I think he’s just referencing that New England will get a wake up call when they play the Jets in Week 2.
It’s nice to have a little swagger right now, talking about meeting the President, being one of the best defenses, messages to division rivals .. all that. And I get why Ryan is doing it. If athletes can’t be confident in their team, how are they supposed to win?
But Ryan had better back it up once September rolls around, otherwise the current media darling will get cut to ribbons by some of the very same folks who have been hoisting up his comments for all to see in the first place.
I love the talk, now get ready to back it up.
Filed under: Main Page
This team needs some swagger. We havent had any since Parcells. Even under Herm we didnt have it.
We have it in Bart Scott, Coach Ryan and you can even see it in Sanchez.
i have stated this before. I am tired of being bullied by other team especially the Patriots. I love that Rex says what he says. Does anyone think the defnse cant back it up?
If we go 7-9 or 11-5…. I love knowing that when I wake up on Sunday mornings my team is going to kick someones ass…..win or lose!!!
granted,they didnt have BRADY last year,but CASSELL was a GOOD replacement and we STILL beat them. OUR team only got BETTER this offseason,so WHY would WE be scared or intimidated.If ANYTHING,we should be excited/anxious to put a little WHOOPING on THEM like they have pretty much been doing to US the past six years!! J-E-T-S JETS! JETS!! JETYS!!!
ATTN: The Cleveland Plain Dealer has posted a rumor about a possible Braylon Edwards for Thomas Jones deal. On paper, this deal makes a lot of sense as the Jets could use a true number one receiver and the Browns desperately need another running back to team up with Jamal Lewis.
I ‘m a Ryan guy and on record for calling his hire weeks before it actully happened. I’m also on record for saying he would be the only COACH that would be STEP UP for the JETS from Mangini.
However, he is getting over the top on some of his comments, and this is one of them !! He hasn’t won one game as HC and talking like a SB Champion. SLOW DOWN REX, al this bravado can bite you in the ass deeper.
There’s an unmistakable lack of respect for our beloved franchise (you all know what I mean — same ol’ Jets expression, YouTube draft montage, lesser tenant at Giants Stadium) that doesn’t dissipate even when we have good seasons.
We’ve all grown restless with that knock and it’s about time the Jets take care to develop their own positive and distinct swagger, identity, and aura.
The hard-luck persona is even bought into by most people on this board — some are self-depricating and others are self-pitying.
I’m a PR guy by trade, so I pay special attention to public images.
And we cannot deny that we’ve long been operating on a respect deficit.
I liked a lot of things about Mangini (who refused to acknowledge that the Pats game was any more important than any other game) and think he could’ve become a good coach, but he didn’t have the manner to cure this lingering intangible issue.
Sure, wins matter most, but a major reason why you want wins is respect. The other reason is a ring.
If the Cleveland Browns want a running back, a trade to the Jets makes much more sense than a deal with the Giants. The Giants obviously won’t give up Brandon Jacobs for Edwards and the Browns would much rather take Jones over Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware or the recently drafted Andre Brown.
ps. hank/naples,I agree,I think he is talking a little too much.
For what it’s worth:
I should also mention that the ex-players on both ESPN’s NFL Live and NFLN’s Total Access drew same conclusion about Rex’s comments: it puts the pressure on him more than the players, which is where he wants it.
AKA…
Im in… well said. No matter what our record shows, at the very least this guy is showing that he cares, that hes not afraid, that hes not trying to outsmart Belichik. I think what this guy is doing is extremly impressive. I mean, hes not an idiot, he knows hes putting himself completly on the line here.. .and hes doing it for his players. Like he said… he wants to be special, he wants to be remembered, he doesnt want to just be another coach. No matter what happens, this guy makes me want to watch… in fact he makes me want to get a helmet and pads on and hit somoene.
Earlier in the same interview, he gave a great line– he was talking about the Steelers and their depth at RB– I am paraphrasing from memory: “You have fast Willie Parker, and the rookie last year who broke his shoulder….I don’t know how that happened but…..” or something to that effect. He just glossed right over it. Ray Lewis broke his shoulder under Ryans watch for those of you who don’t remember.
Hey kc I’d like to see a link from that Cleveland paper please. I went to their site and saw nothing about TJ for Edwards there
Anthony….
I caught that also. Better yet ….. before that game Mendanhall ran his mouth that he was going to get a 100 yds in that game….That being his first start. Ryan and the boys (rumors at the time) put a little bounty on his ass for running his mouth….
I don’t get what the big deal is. An NFL coach wants to win and says so – big whoop! And he sent the same message to the Pats that he sent to the rest of the league…the Jets want to win and they are prepared to fight for it. If it’s within the rules the Jets are going to hit you with it. So he’s being honest…who wouldn’t want to win? So the story is that he actually said that he wants to win? Well that should be no surprise.
I think Mangini made the Jets tough too though. I don’t think anyone was under the impression that they were pushovers when he was the coach. He may have gotten out coached but the players took pride in their team and fought hard every week.
I don’t mind Ryan’s comments he is speaking his mind. Why be in this if you don’t want to be special? You can either be in awe of the situation or you can try to be at the pinnacle of the profession. He has chosen to let everyone know he wants to be the best. It’s hardly like Ewing guaranteeing a win in the finals.
I guess he hopes the result of his comments is that the team is inspired. He’d better know how to can those remarks if the team doesn’t perform though.
This is crazy, all the Jets fans here are so happy and excited with the current state of Jets affairs that we don’t even have anything to argue about.
C’mon guys, give us something we can argue about, I wanna be inflamitory!
AKA:
The stelers have tons of swagger, more than the Raven or Jets. Need proof? Take a look at the 4th Qtr. last year and tell me which team looked more mangled. The difference is that Tomlin proves it with style AND on the field !!!
Jonathan, your 100% right. Even when the Jets are in the playoffs they still carry that stigma. It is so frusterating.
And I’m sick of the Psuedo Giants fans around NY, I’m sick of it sick of it sick of it all!
We need some respect.
We have to accept this as part of Rex Ryan’s personality. Just like we accepted that Mangini was a control freak, we now have to accept that Rex Ryan is an ultra agreessive, in your face, back down from no one type of guy. That’s why he was a great defensive coordinator, and I expect his attitude to infect the Jets on both sides of the ball.
Nothing was worse last year then watching the Jets just roll over and die the last few games of the season. Remember Brett Favre’s pep talk before the Miami game? THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN UNDER REX RYAN!
Lafflin…
Its funny… you are totally right. The only reason people argue anymore is when they try to defend ex-Jets that deserve to be ex-Jets. ive said it before and ill say it again… SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR… I dont know exactly what it is, but people are starting to buy into this team, even our own Jets fans who have been the most pessimistic, self-depricating fans ever. I forgot who said it but hes right, look at the first few videos on youtube about the Jets and its about how badly we suck at drafting. We need to turn it around because its getting embarassing, and it starts by actually believing we can.
that was perhaps the most painful stretch of Jets games I can remember in over 40 years of watching them
There is nothing to argue about because it is a new regime. Rex is great at building hype. If we have the 20th ranked defense during the season the arguements will come back. Training camp hasn’t even started. There is barely anything to talk about except the past and the game of football itself.
This guy is great and I want nothing more than a coach that hates the Patriots as much as I do. He needs to split with them at the very least in his tenure with us. WE REALLY NEED TO PROVE THAT WE CAN BEAT THEM IN THE PLAYOFFS. Bring the blitz every time, I can’t wait for the season to start!
Since you point out videos I’d like to point out that while Mangini was here I doubt any of the draft picks will make blooper videos.
That didn’t start under Ryan.
For all the things people don’t like about Mangini he did start changing the Jets image and attitude and under him they were not the same old Jets most of the time. I don’t put the blame on him for playing Favre he may have had no choice and there is no way of knowing if he could have sat him. So if their collapse last year is perceived as SOJ I disagree. SOJ would have been playing the final game against the worst team in the league to make it to the playoffs and fumbling the ball with :03 seconds left to lose or getting a defensive penalty to give the kicker a second shot and shorter distance.
Talk is cheap, just win games and you will get respect.
The media is a tool to use, I like Rex’s swagger, I hope he can actually mange a game as Head Coach.
Cabras- Glad I’m not alone on that one. We have a great defense minded coach. Lets hope he is as good a head coach. If he is we have real potential in the next 3 years.
i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again – i like being the underdog. i like people saying “same old jets”. i like being Jersey B.
because when the day comes and we climb the mountain, it will be so much sweeter. its basically a prerequisite as a jets fan, to have a chip on your shoulder. when we win, we’ll be able to lift up a giant middle finger to the rest of the league
thats why i like rex. he doesnt have to play politics. he says it how it is and if you dont like it, too freaking bad. i think this change in mentality will be good for the team, as a fan, it is certainly refreshing
In the words of the immortal RIc Flair “to be the man you gotta beat the man”. Rex’s bravado may make some of you guys nervous but for me its just such a breathe of fresh air from all the bull that came of Mangini’s mouth. Obviously Rex is trying to change the disposition of this team from the comatose Mangini to a fiery bunch that flys around the ball and puts people in the hospital
I love the enthusiasm, I’m very excited to see what this team can do; but lets not talk about what we are going to do to specific teams/ disrespect certain teams – just giving them more motivation when they face us in week two. These comments are only going to fuel the fire for Pats whose offense will be just as good or even better than they were 2 years ago. Our defense probably wont be perfect in week two, and when someone makes a mistake, tom brady will make us pay. Think these comments are going to lead to the JETS getting a butt- whipping from the pats in week 2.
I think we should sign Matt Jones:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/185005-matt-jones-ideal-home-the-city-by-the-bay
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-680-New-York-Giants-Examiner~y2009m5d7-Braylon-Edwards-to-New-York-Jets
brian331…
Thank you… i totally agree. What politics are there to play at this point??? Weve lost for 40 years. We play at GIANTS Stadium. And weve been taking it from the Pats for the past decade. If we are going to win, we are going to win with a chip on our shoulder and a raised middle finger. Enough is enough. Talk isnt cheap in this case because the only talk weve heard for the past few years is “same old jets…” “the pats are just another team, its a just another game”…Rex is like a breath of fresh air. Bart Scott is the defensive leader weve been itching for since Vilma, probably even before Vilma. No more Mr. Nice Guy Jets, clean cut, Chad Pennington, Eric Mangini losers. I want Defense, I want it pounding the ball with the run, and I want it a coach that doesnt care about the “media rules” in NY. The media LOVES him anyway, hes got them cracking up all day… itll go a long way when things get tough. They will respect him more than they did Mangini.
I think that Vinny Interceptorverde got it right.
Win or lose…We have an inspiring coach to make our seasons something full of the joy of competitiveness and the creative human spirit feeling comfortable with itself on the walk of life.
Games and seasons come and go…but your state of mind is enduring.You must live in it everyday.So let’s celebrate the new Jet’s state of mind.It’s a beautiful place to be.
kc – that Braylon “rumor” is four weeks old and isn’t even a proper rumor – it merely links to a blog that speculates what the effect of such a move might be.
I love ‘Kiss the Ring’ comments and absolutely believe that Ryan is far more than a Rah-Rah Windbag, rather his body of work speaks for itself – smart, fun aggressive football.
Like winning, his swagger, style and smile is infectious. We’re here to win and backstabing Belicheat & Company can get down and my ring!
And, if the Patsies don’t wanna take a knee, then David Harris, Bart Scott, Calvin Pace and Kris Jenkins will be there to help ‘em take a seat!!!
hank??
Where did you see me say theat Pittsburg dosent have swagger?
My point was that Ryan made a funny comment that was missed in his WFAN interview about how Mendenhall got hurt “some how” but he got his shoulder broken by the Ravens defense after running his mouth
I love it Rexy! Keep it coming. Our HC is psyching up the fans, the players and the media- no easy task in NYC.
As far as this being “Bulletin Board Material” for the Pats to hand us a whooping in week two- I don’t buy it. As if they weren’t going to play hard against us until Rex said that.
That’s right, the whole Giants stadium thing has always bugged me.
Good point about having a chip on our shoulders and being underdogs, that’s what being a Jets fan means to me as well. Fortunately with the Pats in our division and the recent Giants accomplishments it would really take a lot to undo that branding, if it’s possible at all. Even during the Superbowl we played in and won, it was the biggest upset in Superbowl history for forty years.
We can afford to win a few years without fear of loosing our underdog identity.
Gotta love Rexie……But what is it with these overweight Head Coaches? How can they motivate their respective teams while they are so out osf shape? Don’t get it! Rexxie looks like he is going to give birth anyday now! Go JEts!
Eddie – where are you going with your Ric Flair comment?
‘Ravishing Rex Ryan’ perhaps?
:-)
that was so cool
Chris….
I want my coaches fat. That means they are eating like crap while drawing up games plans for my team. If they are in shape they are speding way too much time working on themselves.
The fatter the better for my coaches!!!
A couple of months ago, I was listening to Francesa interview Phil Simms. Francesa asked Phil what team was the toughest for him to face, his answer was Buddy Ryan’s Eagles. Why? Because Simms believed that Buddy was more interesting in beating him up and injuring him than winning the game. I laughed because I was in Philly at the time and that was Buddy! Remember the “Bounty Bowl” against the Cowboys?
I expect that Rex is probably more concerned with winning, but I’m also betting that a Rex Ryan team will be a tough, hard-nosed team. I want to have a team with a defense that other teams and players, especially a certain pretty boy QB married to a super-model, hate to play. Brady has made a mockery of the Jets “home-field” advantage by never losing in the Meadowlands.
We haven’t had a dominating/intimidating defense since 1981, when the Sack Exchange planted QBs, nobody ran wide on Buttle and if you ran up the middle, you’d get clotheslined by Stan Blinka. Buttle, Blinka, Klecko, Lyons, Gastineau, Salaam…tough, intimidating guys with the hardest-nosed HC the Jets ever had: Walt Michaels. It took Michaels 3-4 drafts to get his type of guys, hard-drinking, hard-charging guys that chewed nails, but when he finally did, the Jets defense was awesome. I want that excitement back.
BUDDY RYANS SON ….. enough said ….we will win
Jonathan hit the nail on the head.
Sorry Sackdance…I’d have to put the Jets 1998 defense in that category of dominating/intimidating. Under Parcells that year we were 12-4, and gave up the second least points in the NFL (266). We were as good as any defense that year.
Sack, I’ve said that many times over the last few years. Back then with Walt Michaels, I loved to see the defense on the field. I was on the edge of my seat, knowing something good was going to happen. I only had that feeling once since then, I believe it was John Abrahams last season with the Jets. That defense couldn’t compare to the sack exchange, but I remember during a game getting that same feeling when the defense was on field and thinking, “oh yeah, it’s been a long time but I remember this.”
ramble no doubt we had a great d that year, but it wasn’t the same as when we had the sack exchange.
ramble914 –
Hmmm..what ever happened to that Defensive Coordinator from 1998? [...he thought to himself, while saying the Wayne's World dream sequence noises...]
ramble, I knew somebody was going to bring up 1998. The defense was great, but not the same. The Sack Exchange just beat up QBs. In 1998, the team had 35 sacks, in 1981, Klecko and Gastineau had (unofficially) 39…and the team had 66!!! I can’t tell you how many times a QB became a 99-73 sandwich. I’ve never been as excited about a Jets defense…apparently the NFL took notice because the sack then became an official stat in 1982. By the way, no other Jets team has gotten more than 40 sacks…so 66 is a big number.
SD:
You are wrong on the nails part. They chewed GLASS, not nails. Buttle would go into bars and intimidate all by cheweing Glass. He loved it !!
SackDance99,
Actually the 2008 Jets defense had 41 sacks. That was 7th best in the NFL.
Us Jet fans tend to forget that because most of them came in the first half of the season. As the season went on Mangini got more conservative, and he failed to install new blitz packages as the opposing teams knew where the blitzes were coming from after the first half. Also, without and effective Kris Jenkins, the pass rush diminished.
Point is, the 2009 Jets should be able to crack 50 sacks with an aggressive Rex Ryan scheme, an improved secondary, and the addtion of Bart Scott.
Don’t talk s**t about my man Rex’s weight!
Besides, I heard Rex was was doing a Right Gaurd commercial with his shirt off, you know one of the swagger ones with Tony Stewart and Urlacher!
Big Rexy Sexy is gonna be in GQ too, don’t hate.
Big Sexy and Dirty Sanchez are bringing us to the promised land.
You want skinny go find Big Worm Edwards.
I dont see the diffrence if he talks smack or not cause as a Jet fan I talk so much s**t regardless wether we win or lose…
If we dont win a title then were right back where we are now talkin mad s**t… If we win the title we get to say I told you so for next offseason…
I just wanna watch a live game and see all the young talent most of all Sanchez…
I will admit I would rather listen to him talkin about kickin their ass rather than tryin to keep pace…
Was the sack exchange run D as good as last years run D?
I am gald that our coach has the guts to pump his team up in public rather then to be quiet on the subject of the Patriots. I have no doubts that REX will find a way to put a hurting on that team. Re the BLOWFISH of Miami, they have to put up with two more losses this year against us and two more by the PATRIOTS! They are going knowhere! Last year was a fluke!
For years we have wanted to see some swagger on out JETS! Now, finally, when we have a headcoach capable of being great and supplying the swagger, some JETS fans want to play it down! I am tired of putting up with BLOWFISH, GIAINTS, CHEATRIOTS fans among others that always show swagger, even when they have down years etc. It is now time for the JETS to show up: kick butts and take no prisoners! SMASHMOTH football will be a Jets trademark win or lose! Proud teams will strut into the MEADOWLANDS and stumble out beaten up! They might win the game but they will know that they were in a fight! Our time is here!
Gentlemen, it starts upfront with Jenkins, hopefully he can play a full 16 game schedule and play like he did the first 8 games from last year! I’m excited about Rex!s
I think all these comments are blown out of proportion. Ryan saying, “I’m not here to kiss BB’s rings” is what a head coach should be saying. Look at the comment for one second. Any head of any organization should never playcate to another. They need to tell them they are going to and get them. If I worked for a comapny who’s boss, CEO or head of sales didn’t think we were goinig to beat our competition in the market, then guess what, we weren’t! That meant we weren’t going to win market share, sales, revenue, etc….I wouldn’t want to work there, because leadership did not feel confident, so why would I? If you are going to have an impact, you have to be gunning for the top, in order to get everyone to believe and follow your leadership, you have to lead with conviction and strength. That is what being a leader is all about. Would you go into war with a general that would tell the troups, we are weaker than our opponent, we they have better leadership, strategies and game plans? Of course not. That is all that Ryan is doing. He is being an effective leader! Everyone else who worries about his comments or does not believe, already conceded and lost. Kerry Rhodes backing it up, shows the mind set is changing. Believing your good is the first step to being good. Working at it everyday afterwards helps you realize it.
Guys, Ryan did not say ““I’m not here to kiss BB’s rings””. He said, “I’m not here to kiss BB’s {pause, pause, pause] rings”
As though the rings was a way to complete a sentence he could not finish in public.
We all know what he is not here to kiss :-).
And, frankly, I think it is great.
harlan
[...] there was that “Kiss the Rings” stuff from Florham Park: You know, they can figure it out and when they come here the second week [...]
Bubby B
I meant that Rex and the boys have to go through New England and Belichek, going in the direction of ” i aint here to kiss Belichek’s rings” theme. Im sorry it is a bit unclear but I really just felt like in was in the spirit of great quotes.
Dude I love Ravishing Rex Ryan, we need to come up with some more nicknames for Defensasaurus Rex
I was wrong about “no other Jets team got 40 sacks.” I should have said no other Jets team had a sack totals that were greater than in the 40s. No Jets team besides the ‘81 team has gotten in the 50s or 60s.