Rex Ryan - Pro Football Rumors

AFC East Notes: Smith, Ryan, Pats, Pegula

October 12th, 2014 at 8:51am CST by Rory Parks

The Jets have opened the 2014 season with a 1-4 record, a disaster at the quarterback position, and a dearth of optimism for an imminent reversal of fortunes. The two starring figures in the team’s disappointment, of course, are head coach Rex Ryan and second-year quarterback Geno Smith. However, as Conor Orr of NFL.com writes, the ultimate fate of those two men could be quite different if and when their respective tenures with the Jets are over.

Citing NFL Media’s Michael Robinson, Orr writes that “a defensively starved team would absolutely pay Ryan handsomely to return to his former role as a coordinator,” but teams would be much more hesitant to give Smith another shot. Orr adds that, unless Smith shows more comfort against top-tier defenses, it is difficult to imagine any sort of market developing for him, even among coaches with strong backgrounds in quarterback development.

Now for some more notes from around the AFC East:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that, despite the Jets‘ woes, a midseason firing of Rex Ryan or GM John Idzik is highly unlikely and that owner Woody Johnson will reevaluate his personnel after the season. Rapoport adds (via Twitter) that there is no “litmus test” for Ryan to keep his job, as the team could finish the 2014 season strong and opt to bring Ryan back. After all, the Jets worried after the 2013 season that he would be immediately rehired as a head coach elsewhere and make them pay, and that fear still exists among the team’s front office.
With the Broncos coming to town this week, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com takes a look back at the Jets-Broncos trade that brought Tim Tebow to the Meadowlands. Although the fourth-round pick that New York shipped to Denver turned out to be center Phillip Blake, who is now out of the league, the Broncos used the sixth-rounder on Danny Trevathan, their starting weakside linebacker: Advantage: Denver.
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that, although the proliferation of doomsday articles concerning the Patriots‘ dynasty–which quickly disappeared after the team’s performance against the Bengals last week–contemplated a premature end to Tom Brady‘s days in New England, Brady’s contract suggests that he will remain under center for at least the 2015 season.
Despite the Patriots‘ throwback blowout of the Bengals last Sunday, Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News is unimpressed by the team’s long-term prospects and believes the dynasty is indeed fading.
Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News discusses the “eerie” coincidences surrounding new Bills‘ owner Terry Pegula‘s purchase of the team, and Sullivan wonders if the symbolism will continue with a Buffalo upset of New England later today.

Impact Of Midseason Coaching Changes

October 11th, 2014 at 4:33pm CST by Rob DiRe

It was not a surprise that Raiders’ head coach Dennis Allen failed to make it through the season. More than 24% of our readers thought Allen would be the first coach fired (although 35% were wrong to think Jason Garrett would go first).

More than 65% of our readers thought Allen deserved to be fired when polled two weeks ago, after the Raiders blowout loss at the hands of the Dolphins.

Interim head coach Tony Sparano is now tasked with the challenge of taking over the team midseason and returning them to respectability.

Interim head coaches have fared poorly over the last decade and a half. Of the 23 interim head coaches since 2000, not one made the playoffs, and only two brought their teams to winning records, reports Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times. Further, only seven interim head coaches had winning records in their games coaching the team.

Of the eight interim head coaches to keep the job the next season, seven were either fired or the team decided against re-signing them after their initial contracts. Only Garrett of the Cowboys was able to secure a second contract from his team. Garrett has yet to make the playoffs as the head coach of the team, although they are 4-1 to start the season.

That doesn’t bode well for Sparano, who has failed to achieve any success as a head coach, offensive coordinator, or position coach since winning the AFC East with Chad Pennington in his first year as head coach of the Dolphins. Miami ran him out of town, and he lasted only one season as offensive coordinator with the Jets.

The Jets’ coach Rex Ryan is on the hot seat himself, with very tough matchups against the Broncos and Patriots coming up the next two weeks. Staring at 1-6, and possibly even 1-7 if they lose to a surprisingly good Bills team, Ryan could be the next coach fired. The Jets should just know that recent history does not suggest that a midseason coaching change will solve anything.

Poll: Who Should Take Blame For Jets?

October 9th, 2014 at 5:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Now that Dennis Allen has been ousted in Oakland, no one’s seat is hotter than the Rex Ryan‘s. The Jets are on a four-game losing streak including an ugly blowout at the hands of the Chargers and things won’t get any easier from here.

Ryan’s tenure began with back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances but things have tailed off quite a bit since then. The confident coach got chuckles from the press room for his Super Bowl predictions in years past but he no longer makes those claims, lest he get laughed out of the building. As a blitz-happy, defense-first coach, Ryan’s teams have been fairly stingy in that department – particularly against the run – but the offense has been generally underwhelming. That side of the ball isn’t his forte and that has put added responsibility on the shoulders of the offensive coordinator. Unfortunately, neither Eric Mangini holdover Brian Schottenheimer nor Ryan buddy Tony Sparano could get things right and things aren’t shaping up much better with Marty Mornhinweg in the driver’s seat. And in a league where “What have you done for me lately?” might as well be engraved on every owner’s office door, it’s worth noting that Ryan’s run defense allowed 182 yards and two touchdowns to UDFA Branden Oliver in the San Diego blowout.

There’s little question that Ryan will be the one to pay if things don’t turn around quickly for the Jets and the coach himself admits that he won’t be back if they can’t find a way to win. And, unfortunately, the deck is stacked against Ryan with only a few cupcakes to be had over the rest of the schedule. However, it’s certainly fair to also question the decisions made by General Manager John Idzik.

Idzik, a salary cap guru, inherited a less-than-desirable financial situation from predecessor Mike Tannenbaum. This offseason the Jets had tons of cap room to work with and, inexplicably, sat on much of it. Today, as the Jets have a $24.3MM buffer between themselves and the upper limit (second only to the Jaguars), one has to wonder exactly what Idzik was thinking. Knowing that he has a head coach who often sends the house on third-and-long, the GM did little to upgrade the Jets’ secondary and watched prize free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sign with the rival Giants after offering him a reportedly insulting deal. Eric Decker was brought in to add some much needed firepower to the offense, but there was more that needed to be done in free agency. Idzik believed that he could supplement the receiving core through the draft, but none of the three wide receivers from May’s draft remain on the 53-man roster and one – Jalen Saunders – has already been cut. Idzik wisely added Breno Giacomini to stop the Jets’ perpetual turnstile at right tackle and was fortunate to have Chris Johnson fall into his lap late in the offseason, but it looks like he fell short in many other areas.

Now, the question is, do you place the blame for this bad meal on the shoulders of the chef or the person who did the grocery shopping?

New York Notes: Jets, Giants, Ryan, Rice

October 8th, 2014 at 8:49pm CST by Zachary Links

If Michael Vick looked ill prepared on Sunday, that’s because he was. “I learned a lesson last week: Always stay ready, always be prepared,” said Vick, according to Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday. “That left a bitter taste in my mouth, that I wasn’t able to go out and put points on the board or even help this team in any fashion. This week has been a different work week for me. I think throughout the rest of the year, it’s going to be totally different for me, as far as my preparation.” It’s time to take a trip down the New Jersey Turnpike and marvel at how great that shopping mall really could have been. News on the Jets and Giants..

Jets coach Rex Ryan knows that he has to win to get the media off his back and quiet calls for his job, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. Meanwhile, as the tabloids hammer him, he has the support of many in the locker room. “We’ve been playing for Rex since training camp,” running back Chris Johnson said. “He’s the type of guy everyone loves around here. No one wants him gone or anything like that. We’re playing for him. We’re playing for ourselves. Just like Rex, everyone here has a job. Rex isn’t going to be the only guy in jeopardy of losing his job if things aren’t going well.”
The Jets‘ turmoil is a product of GM John Idzik‘s suspicious spending and failed decisions, writes Jason Fitzgerald of The Sporting News. One would have expected Idzik to hit free agency hard after the team’s cap problems were cleared up, but he didn’t do nearly enough this offseason to help Gang Green improve. Fitzgerald writes that it’s hard for the Jets right now to look in the mirror and not see the Raiders staring back. Ouch.
Giants president John Mara said it will be “several months” before Robert Mueller’s investigation into Ray Rice case is completed, tweets Bob Glauber of Newsday. Mara is helping to oversee the investigation and many outside observers have questioned his impartiality since he has a strong working relationship with Roger Goodell.
The Jets worked out Malcolm Bronson and Dashaun Phillips, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

Jets Notes: Ryan, Berry, Walls

October 7th, 2014 at 6:56pm CST by Zachary Links

While the Giants enjoy their three game win streak, things are decidedly less cheery for the Meadowlands’ other team. Here’s the latest on Gang Green..

Jets coach Rex Ryan says he expects to get fired if he can’t turn his team’s season around, writes ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. “You’re right, if that’s the case and we don’t get this thing on the right track, I don’t think for a minute I’ll be here,” Ryan said on ESPN New York. “I know I won’t, but I believe this team will right itself and we’ll find a way.” The Jets have a 1-4 record as they get set to take on the Broncos and Patriots.
Gang Green worked out an old friend in cornerback Aaron Berry, Cimini tweets. That could be a sign that Darrin Walls‘ knee is in worse shape than previously believed.
The Jets, who are in desperate need of help in their secondary, worked out three defensive backs, according to Cimini (via Twitter). Malcolm Bronson, Jordan Sullen, and Rod Sweeting were all brought in for auditions. Meanwhile, linebacker Mario Harvey visited with the team.

AFC Notes: Ryan, Revis, Thompkins, Harbaugh

October 5th, 2014 at 9:39pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Jets were on the wrong side of a 31-0 beat down earlier today, and head coach Rex Ryan has his work cut out for him if the team is going to turn the season around. Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report doesn’t see the Jets improving, and believes Ryan will be fired because the roster isn’t up to par.

Here are some other notes from around the AFC:

Darrelle Revis is showing he is at his best during Sunday Night Football by harrassing A.J. Green, but even if he plays at this level all year the Patriots will not be able to pick up the $20MM option, writes Andrew Brandt of MMQB.com (via Twitter). This will serve as a contract year for the star cornerback.
Since Kenbrell Thompkins was released by the Patriots, he is looking for a new job. Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald sees the Steelers as a potential fit (via Twitter). In addition to the fit on the field, he is the cousin of superstar receiver Antonio Brown.
The rumors of a potential trade between the Browns and 49ers that would have sent Jim Harbaugh to coach Cleveland could have been for as little as two third-round draft picks, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Harbaugh’s wife was reluctant to leave the Bay Area, which strengthens rumors that he could be interested in the Raiders’ vacancy.

AFC East Notes: Dobson, Jets, Ryan, Dolphins

October 3rd, 2014 at 10:35am CST by Zachary Links

Second-year wide receiver Aaron Dobson has suited up just once for the Patriots this season and reports indicated that his benching stemmed from a run-in with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. When asked today if the decision to bench Dobson was football or disciplinary, coach Bill Belichick said it was the former, tweets Albert Breer of the NFL Network. When asked specifically if there was a confrontation between McDaniels and Dobson (link) he said, “No, and I’ll have a comment on that later.” Breer actually believes that the relationship between McDaniels and Dobson has been generally good for the last two years (link), so it’ll be interesting to find out what actually happened in New England. More out of the AFC East..

The Jets have the second-largest salary-cap surplus in the league at $24.3MM and the lowest total cash spending at $95.14MM, curious numbers given all their personnel needs this offseason, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Their lack of spending has left them embarrassingly thin in the secondary, but owner Woody Johnson claims that he doesn’t regret the team’s lowball offer to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that led him to the Meadowlands’ other team.
Johnson’s frugal approach can work, but only if Jets GM John Idzik delivers, writes Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. Cimini points out that the slow and steady approach isn’t Johnson’s but rather Idzik’s. After former GM Mike Tannenbaum spent big and didn’t give Johnson a return on his investment, Idzik pitched himself to Johnson as someone who has the opposite philosophy.
Rex Ryan could conceivably miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season and still keep his job, writes Seth Walder of the New York Daily News. “We don’t look at it that way,” Johnson said of whether the Jets had to make the postseason in order for the outspoken coach to stay on board.
New Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was brought to Miami primarily to fix the passing game but, somewhat surprisingly, it’s the rushing attack that has improved, writes ESPN.com’s James Walker. Miami is currently ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing at 142.3 yards per game.

AFC Notes: Raiders, Colts, Ryan, Blackmon

October 2nd, 2014 at 2:38pm CST by Luke Adams

After taking a look at a few Thursday headlines out of the NFC this morning, we’ll shift our attention to the league’s other conference and check in on the latest from around the AFC….

Earlier this week, Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported that Jon Gruden is a big fan of quarterback Derek Carr and that his presence could help lure Chucky back to Oakland. Now, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears that Raiders owner Mark Davis actually drafted Carr in the second round of this year’s draft as a part of his plan to bring Gruden back.
As Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star explains, the extra non-guaranteed year tacked onto the end of Robert Mathis‘ current contract isn’t the reason the Colts extended his deal. The extension included a reworking of his 2015 salary that makes it much more palatable for the team to move on from the veteran pass rusher after this season, if he’s viewed as too expensive or if he isn’t recovering well from his torn Achilles.
Asked earlier today about head coach Rex Ryan‘s job security, Jets owner Woody Johnson said that’s something the team would evaluate at season’s end. For his part, Ryan told reporters today, “I think we’ll win this year. … I believe in my heart that I’ll be a part of [the Jets’] long-term future” (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News).
News that Justin Blackmon has voluntarily entered a treatment facility is a good sign that the troubled receiver may finally be turning his life around, writes Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. In fact, that should make the Jaguars cautiously optimistic that the wideout may return to the field one day. Blackmon is currently serving an indefinite suspension for his third violation of the NFL’s substance abuse program.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Jets Owner Talks Smith, CBs, Ryan, Idzik

October 2nd, 2014 at 12:02pm CST by Luke Adams

Jets owner Woody Johnson spoke to reporters today, and while he didn’t have any significant updates to provide, the session acted as a sort of state of the union session, with Johnson addressing a number of Jets-related topics and issues. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Brian Costello of the New York Post, and Newsday’s Kimberly Martin were among the scribes providing updates, so we’ve rounded up the highlights from the Jets owner below (all links go to Twitter). Let’s dive in….

Asked about the team’s lack of a splash in free agency, Johnson said that the Jets would prefer to build through the draft. “We’ll do an occasional free agent, but the free agent market isn’t a panacea,” the owner added.
Despite Geno Smith‘s erratic player, Johnson still has plenty of confidence in the young signal-caller, suggesting that he continues to believe Smith can be a “franchise quarterback.”
According to Johnson, he doesn’t regret not signing free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and thinks the Jets adequately addressed the CB position in the offseason. The owner cited injuries as one reason the secondary may have underperformed so far, and said he expects the team to be fine now that Dee Milliner is returning.
Johnson on the Dimitri Patterson debacle, which resulted in the cornerback being suspended and then cut by the team prior to the regular season, after he signed as a free agent in the spring: “Just like any portfolio, we have a portfolio of players. Some are going to be good, some aren’t.”
Asked if Rex Ryan has to lead the Jets to the playoffs this season in order to keep his job, Idzik replied, “We don’t look at it that way,” and indicated that a decision on Ryan will be made at the end of the year.
The Jets still have about $20MM in cap space, but Johnson said he doesn’t put any constraints whatsoever on the club’s spending, and that GM John Idzik has full autonomy to use that cap room. Johnson also said that he believes GM John Idzik is fully invested in winning this year.
According to Johnson, Idzik’s deliberate approach to decision-making is one of the reasons he was hired.
Johnson was noncommittal when one reporter asked if he’s cut or keep a player who was found guilty of domestic violence.

East Notes: Donnell, Dolphins, Brady, Jets

September 30th, 2014 at 10:02am CST by Luke Adams

After losing Brandon Myers to the Buccaneers, the Giants kicked the tires on a number of free agent tight ends this past offseason, including Brandon Pettigrew and others. However, the team ultimately didn’t make any major additions at the position, and that decision looks like the best one the front office made all year. As Peter King of The MMQB.com details, new No. 1 tight end Larry Donnell has been a revelation during the first few weeks of this season, racking up 25 receptions and four touchdowns already, just three years removed from going undrafted and unsigned out of Grambling State.

As we look forward to seeing if Donnell can keep up his impressive play throughout the season, let’s round up a few more items from around the NFL’s two East divisions….

Defensive end Emmanuel Dieke, who was cut by the Giants last month, is working out for the Dolphins today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Pointing out that the remainder of Tom Brady‘s contract remains “insanely team-friendly,” Ben Volin of the Boston Globe wonders if the Patriots would ever get to the point where they’d consider trading their longtime signal-caller to a team in need of a quarterback.
Rex Ryan‘s job as the Jets‘ head coach may hinge on whether or not he decides to continue to rely on Geno Smith as the club’s No. 1 quarterback, writes Steve Selby of the New York Post.
Mark Bullock of the Washington Post takes an in-depth look at why Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo isn’t proving to be worth his large 2014 salary in the early going this season.