Let's not forget that this New York Jets football team is the same team that entertained the football masses only a few months ago on Hard Knocks. In the process, the Jets laid out the gauntlet to the rest of the NFL, and the message they wanted to convey was clear — they were the team to beat in the NFL.
Ironically, it may have been the last time that Ryan and his team talked about themselves. Since then, they've been so wrapped up in other things that they likely lost sight of what's most important — taking care of their own business.
It's been a tumultuous season for Ryan and Gang Green. There was the alleged innapropriate locker room behavior in the Ines Sainz incident. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards got busted for drunken driving. Following that, strength coach Sal Alosi tripped an opposing player on the field from the sidelines. Then there was the now-infamous foot fetish fiasco involving Ryan's wife Michelle. And now, although unrelated to Ryan, the Jets as an organization are on the receiving end of a lawsuit stemming from the less-than-glorious Brett Favre days.
He hasn't shied away from a question that hasn't related to his wife's foot phalanges all year. He's made his thoughts on the Patriots clear. Just this week, he opened his mouth again calling this weekend's wild-card matchup with the Colts and Peyton Manning "personal." It's still unclear why he said that, but the point is, most of the things Ryan says are becoming less and less clear.
At his best, he is jovial and entertaining. He says what he wants, when he wants and to whomever he wants. It's an admirable trait, sure, but it's also one that must be backed up come Sunday.
Ryan has had two years at the helm with the Jets now. He's built expectations that are sky-high. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as you back it up on the field. The team overachieved last year. With that, came expectations for this year. That's the way it goes. And with the constant yapping, the only thing now larger than those expectations in New York is the large bull's-eye now planted firmly on the green helmet of the Jets.
If Ryan doesn't start meeting expectations — the same expectations he's establishing himself — he's going to have some explaining to do. That's what happens when you coach in New York. Not only are you dealing with lofty expectations from the fan base, the same fan base that is rightfully starved for its first taste of football glory since the Nixon administration, but also under the watchful eye of a rabid New York media.
And while Ryan's dog-and-pony show is a dream come true for a beat writer, that same beat writer will soon hold Ryan and his boisterous claims accountable for any growing lack of success. Cockiness without success makes you a target for anyone. Conversely, there's a reason that Bill Belichick gets the benefit of the doubt practically all the time, despite the fact that the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in almost seven years. He's got the bling, he's built that reputation, but maybe even more importantly, he has only one gear when dealing with the media. And that one gear hasn't changed since the day he took over.
Conversely, and it's a bit of a cliche, but as the noted intellectual sports psychologist Kid Rock says, it ain't bragging if you back up. Ryan's bravado would be applauded not only in New York if he and his team can prove things on the field. But, at the same time, patience wears thin awfully quick when you're flapping your gums. More importantly, that abnormally large head coach's seat gets a little bit warmer with every check written that isn't cashed.
Ryan has always had the backing of the organization. He's always had the backing of the players. At some point, however, a lack of any tangible success takes presidence over how good of a guy you might be and how much fun it is to play for you.
But, there's another school of thought, too. There's always the chance that Rex Ryan is the brash, arrogant, loud-mouth that he is because he knows all too well what some may start to wonder aloud if the Jets can't win this weekend. Maybe, just maybe, Rex knows better than anyone else that his team is just simply not that good.
Ryan and the Jets get their first opportunity to prove that's not the case this weekend. It's also their chance to finally start backing up a season's worth of talk.
Will Rex Ryan be on the hot seat if the Jets can't make a sustained playoff run? Share your thoughts below.
