Link: No Complaints From Players
Posted on June 22nd, 2009 by Bassett
Joe Brescia writes for Fifth Down that for all Rex Ryan’s reason bravado in front of the press, his players know what he’s doing, and they seem to relish it.
“He’s putting the pressure on us to perform,” said Jets safety Kerry Rhodes at the ESPN Zone’s Father’s Day Q & A event Tuesday night in Times Square. Rhodes, Jets offensive lineman D’Brickashaw Ferguson and the former Knick Allan Houston were the guests of honor.
“He’s putting the onus on us to win,” Rhodes said. “We’ve got to back it up. He knows we have the type of players that, deep down inside, we can go out and win. That’s his way of getting that out of us.”
I like his thinking. Personally, regardless of the reasons, I’m all for Rex Ryan speaking his mind. Whether he’s trying to put the pressure on his players to win or just being himself, I love it, and I don’t think anybody should have a problem with it so long as his speeches focus on the Jets alone (ie, “We’re the best, we’re going to give everything we’ve got, etc.” instead of “We’re better than the Patriots” – not that he’s said anything like the latter, but everyone wants to think that his Belichick quote meant that).
There is absolutely nothing wrong in being confident. It’s not like Rex has come to a team with a last place defense. He came to a team that had a very strong nucleus to begin with and has added Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, Lito Sheppard, and Marques Douglas. There is no reason that we should not have an exciting, shut-down defense this year. If they stink, well, it is on Rex and I’m sure he would accept all the responsibility. But, with Rex’s track record, his knowledge of football, and Mike Pettine as his DC — bank on us kicking some butts.
Our D is gonna be sick and motivate players. Our offense is fine as is….just run it and make some plays to Keller. Done…..That’s Pittsburgh.
I had a similar sentiment towards my Japanese teacher. She expected so much out of me that I studied harder and did all my homework not to let her down. I think we all have a few teachers/coaches in life that make us feel like that and we work harder to reward them for believing in our potential.
I’m very glad that the Jet players recognize the potential Ryan sees in them. Players who are working for their coach won’t think about taking plays off and that bodes very well for us if Gholston can get wrapped around players with that mind set.