Rex Ryan - Pro Football Rumors

New York Notes: Coughlin, McAdoo, Ryan

November 8th, 2014 at 6:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Already having combined for a 4-13 record this season, the Giants and Jets will face challenges once again this weekend as they look to pick up victories. Eli Manning and the Giants will head to Seattle to try to knock off the reigning Super Bowl champs, while Rex Ryan‘s Jets will try to slow down the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger, who was tossed 12 touchdowns passes in the last two weeks. As we look forward to seeing whether either team can pull off the upset, here are a few Saturday items out of New York:

The Giants‘ ideal scenario would see head coach Tom Coughlin eventually decide on his own to retire, with current offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo sliding into the head coaching role at that point, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, who describes McAdoo as “Coughlin Light.” Of course, if this season continues to go south, that transition may not be possible, but Giants management is confident in McAdoo’s ability to fix the team’s offense, as well as his future head coaching potential.
In the view of Gary Myers of the New York Daily News, “the fire is gone” for Coughlin and Ryan, both of whom could be gone at the end of this season. As Myers notes, if the Giants and Jets both decide to make coaching changes, they’ll be in direct competition as they scour the market for candidates.
While Jets owner Woody Johnson would be justified in moving on from Ryan after the season, the head coach has earned the right to finish the year, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Earlier today, we rounded up a few more Jets notes.

Jets Notes: Smith, Idzik, Ryan

November 8th, 2014 at 9:47am CST by Ben Levine

Jets quarterback Geno Smith has been recovering from a shoulder injury, and it looks like the backup quarterback will be suited up for his game against the Steelers this weekend. As Smith prepared to get back on the field, the former starter addressed a handful of topics yesterday, including fans’ criticism of general manager John Idzik and his own performance in 2014 (via Jane McManus of ESPN.com)…

“You can’t really put blame on any one person or any one player. It’s a collective effort…No one’s more frustrated than I am or the guys in this locker room.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the the Big Apple…

ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini guesses that if Rex Ryan is ultimately relieved of his duties, Idzik would likely reach out to former Jets coach and current Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Cimini also mentions some of the popular candidates (Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher, Jim Harbaugh) as well as Stanford coach David Shaw. Later, Cimini notes that owner Woody Johnson has never hired an “offensive-minded” head coach.
The Jets are struggling with their depth at cornerback, and Mitch Abramson of the New York Daily News says the team’s matchup against the Steelers this weekend will bring focus to Idzik’s decision to let Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis go.
Ryan opened up to the media on Friday, admitting that he is a bit jealous of his former assistant’s success with their new clubs. “It’s unfortunate a lot of guys got it going pretty good − except me,” said Ryan (via Abramson).

Jets Links: Smith, Ryan, Idzik

November 5th, 2014 at 7:53pm CST by Rob DiRe

Quarterback Geno Smith is getting closer to healthy after suffering a shoulder injury before being benched in the loss to the Bills two games ago, reports Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com. Smith will need to be available in case he gets an opportunity to return to the field for the Jets and show something positive before the end of the season, in what will amount to an audition for every team in the league. The Jets will likely have a chance to select a passer high in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Here are some other links around the Jets’ organization:

Head coach Rex Ryan is confident in the offense and their ability to move the ball, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. With recent addition Percy Harvin joining Eric Decker and Michael Vick, the offense looks very different than years past. “Right now, I feel good about where we are,” said Ryan. “I just think, ‘Man, I’m not so sure I’d want to defend against this offense.'”
As Jets’ fans continue their campaign against general manager John Idzik, Ryan has come to the defense of the embattled executive, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). “I personally don’t think it’s appropriate,” said Ryan. “I don’t understand how it can be on one man.”
Ryan can defend Idzik all he wants, but despite what happens these last seven games in 2014 he will most likely be fired, and deservedly so, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Fitzgerald points to Ryan’s poor record against playoff teams and mediocre teams – while the Jets have feasted on the worst teams in the league – as one reason the team needs to move on. He also points out Ryan’s propensity for getting blown out as another reason to see him leave.

Jets Notes: Smith, Ryan, Idzik

November 2nd, 2014 at 8:27pm CST by Rob DiRe

Although Geno Smith has now been benched twice this season and Michael Vick is currently the starter, Conor Orr of NFL.com writes that Smith is more likely to be the long-term solution at quarterback.

He notes that his colleague Ian Rapoport reported the Jets could turn back to Smith as early as next week against the Steelers. While it may not be likely, there is still some hope within the organization that he could become the franchise quarterback.

Here are some other notes from around the spiraling Jets:

Coming out of West Virginia University, many scouts and executives who met with Smith felt that he lacked the ability to become the face of a franchise. His poise in the midst of adversity was questionable at the time, and after turning the ball over 37 times in his first 24 starts and being sent to the bench, those comments ring true, writes Adam Caplan of ESPN.
Jets’ general manager John Idzik’s job has come into question with the recent struggles, and Amy Trask of That Other Pregame Show on CBS asked why they made the hire at the time (via Twitter). Former Jets’ linebacker Bart Scott believed the reason the job was so hard to fill was because the new general manager knew he would have to inherit Rex Ryan.
Jets’ fans have started a website FireJohnIdzik.com and have raised $10,000 to post a billboard near MetLife Stadium to push for their case, reports Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter).

Jets Notes: Smith, Vick, Ryan, Harvin

October 27th, 2014 at 8:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets’ ineptitude reminds Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com of the Rich Kotite days. Cimini writes that baseball has the Mendoza line and every bad NFL season has the “Kotite” line – a point where you cross over from a try-hard, hard-luck loser to a team drowning in its own awfulness. Here’s more on Gang Green…

The Jets’ only choice is to bench sophomore Geno Smith and roll with free agent pickup Michael Vick, opines Steve Serby of the New York Post. Vick isn’t going to be the Jets savior, but he does give Gang Green their best chance to win. The veteran lost two fumbles and threw an interception under duress, but he still gave the Jets offense some life with his improvisational running.
The feeling in the Jets organization is that the only way Geno Smith starts vs the Chiefs next week is if coach Rex Ryan is pressured to do so by GM John Idzik, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. One has to imagine that Ryan feels both pressure to win but also pressure to appease Idzik, who will at least have some say in whether he returns next season.
Hank Gola of the Daily News wonders how Percy Harvin will fit in with the Jets going forward based on his unspectacular debut against the Bills. There’s question as to whether Harvin can still be a deep threat in Gola’s mind since speed alone doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get open. Harvin didn’t create a whole lot of seperation on Sunday, which was a disatrous showing for the Jets in all facets of the game.

Sunday Roundup: Lynch, Broncos, 49ers

October 26th, 2014 at 12:33pm CST by Rory Parks

The Seahawks traded Percy Harvin amid rumors that his presence had created a rift in the locker room, and now no one expects Marshawn Lynch to return to Seattle next year, including Lynch himself, writes ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk adds that Lynch has grown increasingly “salty” over his contract and his role in the Seahawks’ offense, and Seattle is simply tired of contending with his persistent discontent. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that Lynch communicates minimally, if at all, with head coach Pete Carroll and the Seahawks’ management.

Citing NFL Media’s Michael Robinson, Conor Orr of NFL.com writes that the time is now for Russell Wilson to lead his team through this shroud of controversy and distraction, and as far as the on-field ramifications of Lynch’s potential departure, Rapoport tweets that he expects Seattle to take a running back early in next year’s draft. Mortensen writes that the Seahawks may have made Lynch available via trade this year, but the trickle-down effect from fullback Derrick Coleman‘s recent injury has taken that option off the table.

Now for some more notes from around the league:

Brian McIntyre tweets that, if the Seahawks do, in fact, release Lynch in 2015, they will have saved $17.5MM in cash and $12.7MM in cap space with the departures of Lynch and Harvin.
Our Luke Adams wrote several days ago that the Broncos do not anticipate reaching a contract extension with either of their top pending free agents, Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas. Mike Klis of the Denver Post writes that the offers Denver made to the Thomases remain on the table, but it appears nothing will happen until the offseason. Klis goes on to note that the contract situations of both players are quite different, and he describes what it might take for Denver to retain both (spoiler: a lot of money).
Rapoport tweets that the 49ers could get Aldon Smith back as early as Monday, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes that, with the impending returns of Smith, NaVorro Bowman, and Glenn Dorsey, San Francisco could be looking to deal a defensive player or two from the back end of its depth chart to create roster space for those players.
Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the Steelers, after making little effort to re-sign Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery in the offseason, are still looking for a reliable complement for Antonio Brown.
Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel wonders if the Packers will make a trade to address their weakness at inside linebacker.
Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com tweets that, if the Jets part ways with head coach Rex Ryan, the Falcons would be the perfect landing spot for him.
Joel Corry of National Football Post takes a deeper look at Gerald McCoy’s new deal with the Buccaneers.

More Harvin Notes: Cameron, Ryan, Wilson

October 19th, 2014 at 9:14am CST by Rory Parks

More and more interesting storylines continue to arise from the Percy Harvin trade, including a big name player that could have been shipped off to Seattle in return for the explosive wideout. Let’s have a look:

We heard several days ago that the Browns, Buccaneers, and Bengals were most interested in a Harvin deal, but the Colts and Broncos were apparently also interested, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Per Rapoport, the Jets, Browns, Bucs, Broncos, and Colts had the best offers.
The Seahawks are on the lookout for tight ends, and one of the names that was floated in a possible Harvin deal was Browns TE Jordan Cameron, tweets Rapoport.
As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reiterates, the Harvin deal could end up being a very short-term move for the Jets. Since Harvin’s base salary for 2015 is $10MM, the Jets may choose to cut or trade him in the offseason. That decision, Florio writes, will “hinge on whether [head coach Rex] Ryan remains as the coach, whether a new coach would want Harvin, and whether Harvin will accept less than $10 million next year to stay with the Jets.”
Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com writes that Harvin’s poor fit in the Seahawks‘ locker room serves as a reminder as to why “some teams shy away from investing big in players until they’ve spent time with them through the draft-and-develop process.”
Dave Boling of the News Tribune wonders if the Seahawks have sent a message to the rest of the team by dealing Harvin.
Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that the deal heated up Friday morning, after the Jets‘ loss to the Patriots.
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes that the Jets dealt for Harvin to help Geno Smith, not Rex Ryan.
Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes that the Vikings have once again been vindicated for the original deal that sent Harvin to Seattle.
In a pair of articles, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora writes that although many Seahawks players like Harvin, his poor relationship with Russell Wilson threatened to divide the locker room, and La Canfora also wonders if this deal will signal Jets‘ owner Woody Johnson‘s return to his high-spending ways.

Poll: Will Rex Ryan Coach In The NFL Next Year?

October 18th, 2014 at 5:45pm CST by Rob DiRe

With the Jets’ season on the brink, a future that includes Rex Ryan as part of the organization seems more and more unlikely. General manager John Idzik will make a Ryan a scapegoat for the season, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The Percy Harvin trade will help Ryan incidentally, but Mehta believes that the true motivation for the trade will be to properly evaluate Geno Smith.

From Mehta’s article:

Rex Ryan will be the scapegoat after the season.

Idzik was never fully committed to helping Ryan make the playoffs in 2014, but he has plenty at stake with Smith, who is near or at the bottom of nearly every meaningful statistical category this season. The organization will make a definitive call on Smith in 10 weeks…

His decision to give up a conditional 2015 sixth-round pick (that could turn into a fourth rounder), according to a source, for a wildcard like Harvin was purely driven by his desire to find out what Smith can do with more offensive firepower in the huddle. If Smith thrives with Harvin, the Jets will steer clear of drafting a quarterback in the first round next spring. If Smith continues to fight inconsistency, Idzik will jump ship and go after a signal caller early in next year’s draft.

While the Jets have struggle this year, the schedule has been brutally tough aside for the week one matchup with the Raiders. The schedule also gets far easier from here on out, with the Steelers, Chiefs, Vikings, and Titans in the back nine to go with two games against the Bills and two against the Dolphins. This team may not be drafting so high as to find a no-brainer selection at quarterback.

I do not like assuming that Ryan or any other coach will be fired with so much season left to play, but since Gary Myers of the New York Daily News already did so, it opens up the idea. He sees the Falcons, Dolphins, and 49ers as good fits if those teams are in the market for a coach. Of course, if Ryan so chooses, or if he can’t get a job right away, he will be more than welcome on television as an on-air personality.

AFC East Links: Ryan, Marrone, Gilmore

October 18th, 2014 at 5:11pm CST by Rob DiRe

Jets‘ head coach Rex Ryan is on the hot seat following a 1-6 record start to the season. In some minds, he is already as good as fired with his team facing another year missing the postseason. While his future with the Jets is bleak, Gary Myers of the New York Daily News writes that he expects Ryan to be a top candidate for teams looking for a head coach this January.

Myers lists a few teams where Ryan could fit in well, including the Falcons, Dolphins, and 49ers. He also warns that Ryan should avoid the Raiders, Bills, and Giants if those jobs open up. Myers also lists the Cowboys as a fit, but it would be hard to imagine them making a change at head coach without an epic collapse in the last ten games of the season.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC East:

One big distraction the Bills have had to deal with is the unhappiness amongst its players over recent weeks. Head coach Doug Marrone has addressed many of these issues, but Vic Carucci of BuffaloNews.com believes the coach needs to squash these trade talks. He writes that it doesn’t matter whether C.J. Spiller or Mike Williams are unhappy with playing time, both players need to join the rest of the team in preparing for a winnable game against the Vikings on Sunday.
The Bills have had a lot of faith in former first-round pick Stephon Gilmore, but the cornerback has also taken a lot of heat for mistakes he has made early in this season, writes Joe Buscaglia of WGR550.com. Defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson preaches that Gilmore needs to improve his consistency in order to reach his potential. “If you want to be a shutdown corner in this league, you’ve got to play technique and you gotta play your guy,” said Henderson. “That’s how we talk about it in my room. I don’t beat around the bush. I tell them straight that if you want to be a shutdown corner, you take your man out of it by working technique and making sure you get yours covered.”
Dolphins‘ star offensive lineman Mike Pouncey was a top flight center before making the transition to guard this season. The move went smoothly, but he might be back to center sooner rather than later with Samson Satele dealing with a hamstring injury, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Jets Notes: Ryan, Enunwa, Decker

October 15th, 2014 at 3:35pm CST by Zachary Links

So, it’s come to this. Late last night, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News wrote out a mini-play in which he imagined a conversation between Jets head coach Rex Ryan and GM John Idzik. While you petition your local theater to adapt it for a two-week run, here’s more out of New York….

Earlier this year, Ryan was nothing short of cocky when asked about whether he was focusing in on the Patriots. Four months later, Ryan has no choice but to worry about the Pats as Gang Green could be on the verge of a lost season, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post.
We might never know how good a head coach Ryan can be until he gets a top-flight quarterback, writes George Willis of the New York Post. Still, he can always make a good living as a defensive coordinator. After that, Willis writes, Ryan can find a home as a TV personality where he can finally tell the world what he thinks about John Idzik‘s 2014 draft and Jets owner Woody Johnson leaving $21MM of cap space unused.
Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News doesn’t think Ryan would have to settle for being someone’s defensive coordinator or become a TV talking head if he’s fired by the Jets. Lupica believes Ryan would instantly get another head coaching job elsewhere in the NFL.
Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, who is on the Jets’ practice squad, has had the domestic violence charges against him dismissed, as Costello details in a story for the New York Post.
Within his look at some of the offseason’s biggest free agent signings, Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today writes that the Jets probably overpaid Eric Decker. However, as Reyes observes, there’s “no question” the former Bronco would be producing more consistently if he were healthier and the Jets were getting stronger play at quarterback.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.