Facing Pressure Rex Ryan Remains Positive About His QB, Team

By Tyson Rauch Posted On December 27, 2011

As expected New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan faced the music on Monday following his team’s disappointing performance against the Giants. With his team on the verge of missing the playoffs Ryan remained positive while defending his young quarterback and his offensive coordinator.

“I’ve stated over and over my feelings about Mark Sanchez. And I’ve said it before, no quarterback’s going to look great when that’s all you do and you fall behind and things like that, but it wasn’t Mark’s best day by any stretch of the imagination, but we know he’s done it. And he’s been doing it. We have great confidence in him and I have great confidence in him. And as far as Brian Schottenheimer’s concerned, we’ll just keep working side-by-side, shoulder-to-shoulder and we’re trying to find a way to beat Miami. I have confidence in him. I have confidence in all of our coaches. It’s just that we have to find a way to get it done.”

“I guess if you are evaluating Brian (Schottenheimer), I think the season, number one, is not over and the fact that we’ve won eight games, we obviously need to win this ninth game to try and get in the playoffs. The thing I think when you look at coaching, what you’re emphasizing, and in the offseason we emphasized that red zone offense and I think we’ve done a great job there. I can say this, I don’t think anyone works as hard as Brian Schottenheimer, and really everyone on that staff, that offensive staff, they do as good a job as I’ve ever seen, they work as hard as anybody. Sometimes the results are there, numbers-wise, sometimes they’re not.”

This is exactly the approach that I expected Rex to take as the Jets are still in playoff contention. For Ryan to start scrutinizing his quarterback or coordinator with one game left would be like hitting the self destruct button, especially in the New York market. Rex has to do whatever he can to keep his team focused on the task at hand which is beating the Miami Dolphins.

Parting Shots

1) When the Jets traded for Santonio Holmes all everyone talked about what his great hands and how he never fumbles.

2) Based on all of the drops by the wide receivers and tight ends (Keller is arguably regressing), maybe it is time to look for a new position coach?

3) Can we make a rule that every time the Jets enter the red zone Plaxico Burress gets at least one fade pass?

4) Can we stop with the Peyton Manning stories already? A) The Jets will never comment due to tampering issues B) Financially it does not make sense for the Jets or Colts C) He has not even been cleared to play yet!

5) If Tomlinson wants to play one more year, I would not be opposed to bringing him back. LT is clearly an emotional leader on this team, one the Jets will sorely miss if he decides to walk away.