On Monday, Ryan spoke out about the Ravens — the team he spent the past four season with as the defensive coordinator — and how the club gave former defensive end Michael McCrary's No. 99 jersey to rookie second-rounder Paul Kruger.
"I am disappointed that they gave his jersey to some rookie who hasn't proven [anything]," said Ryan, using an expletive. "Excuse my language."
McCrary, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who retired after the 2002 season and was inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor in 2004, wore No. 99 in his six seasons with Baltimore, several of which were spent under Ryan when he was a defensive assistant coach. Kruger, a linebacker/defensive end, was recently drafted 57th overall out of Utah.
"It was disappointing," Ryan said in his Monday news conference at the Jets training camp in Cortland, N.Y. "I'm not coaching that team, so that's their decision."
Earlier this offseason, Ryan and Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder were exchanging friendly fighting words through the media on a daily basis. He also got the attention of New England fans when he said he didn't come to New York to "kiss Bill Belichick's rings."
