New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is back in the headlines, but don’t worry Jets fans it has nothing to do with fetish videos or mixed martial arts events in Miami. The spotlight is back on Ryan after some excerpts from his book “Play Like You Mean It: Passion, Laughs, and Leadership in the World’s Most Beautiful Game” stirred up the masses. Apparently Rex pulls no punches in his new book (set to be released in May), and covers everything from former players to his locker room speech during the 2011 AFC Championship game.
Here are some of the quotes that have been garnering a ton of attention.
On Vernon Gholston
“Truth be told, I didn’t like the kid coming out of college. He’s a good athlete and a smart guy, but I thought he was a phony. We had him come to Baltimore, and I just didn’t believe in him, I even told (former Jets coach Eric) Mangini not to draft him. Well suddenly he was on my team and I was going to have to work with him, I was not just going to give up on him – that’s too easy.”
Comment: I guess this means that the Jets are not re-signing Gholston?
On Kerry Rhodes
“He was a selfish-ass guy. He wouldn’t work, and he was a Hollywood type, flashy and needing attention. I don’t mind flashy, but your work ethic had better back it up.”
Comment: I am still disappointed with how Rhodes play deteriorated after he signed his big contract. Kerry could have been a great fit in Rex’s defense.
On trading for Santonio Holmes
“Just before we made the deal, I was checking around about Holmes. Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ coach, was done with Holmes by then, tired of dealing with everything. He told other coaches around the league that Holmes would never play another down of football. The whole league believed him, which is part of the way we worked out the deal.”
Comment: I guess the bridge with Pittsburgh has been burned?
On trading for Braylon Edwards
“I heard all the bad stuff about Edwards from the Cleveland coaches, but let me tell you the one person I talked to who really mattered: my brother Rob, who had been there for about nine months when we made the deal. My brother told me, “Don’t worry about it Rex, you’ll love this guy.” Rob saw through all the negativity and the anger from the team and from the kid.”
Comment: Braylon has performed very well for the Jets and has truly bought into the system. It appears that a change of scenery really helped Edwards, now the Jets need to get him re-signed.
On beating the Patriots in the playoffs
“After the game, Belichick was great. He came up to me and said, “That was an unbelievable coaching job; you deserve it and I hope you win the whole thing.” He really said that, and I could tell he was sincere.”
On his halftime speech in the AFC Championship game against the Steelers
“I just ripped the defense, tore into them,” Ryan wrote. “I said, ‘How about this for a halftime adjustment – how about tackling some motherf—–, because there’s nothing wrong with the scheme!’ “
Comment: That first half performance in the AFC Championship game remains inexcusable and mind boggling.
On sharing New York with the Giants
“We came to New York City to be the best team in the NFL, not just the best team in New York City. And I have news for you: We are the better team. We’re the big brother….It seems clear that right now we are the better team and we are going to remain the better team for the next 10 years. Whether you like it or not, those are the facts and that’s what is going to happen.”
Comment: I love this quote, but nothing changes until the Jets win a Super Bowl under Rex.
As you can see this book is going to get a ton of attention, especially if the lockout continues. Keep an eye for out Rex as his book promotion tour will include late night television as well as several appearances for book signings.