One day the New York Jets' Rex Ryan is calling out Tom Brady. The next day it's Bill Belichick. Then it's Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. That's not exactly smart when the New England Patriots are next on your schedule, but Rex Ryan is no idiot. So what in the world is he doing?
I'll tell you what: Taking the heat off his young quarterback and putting it on himself.
When you think about it, it's pretty ingenious. He knows what he's up against Sunday, and it's the best quarterback, the best head coach and the best organization in the business. Nobody gives him or his team a chance, primarily because nobody gives his quarterback a chance. Nor should they. Not only hasn't Mark Sanchez won in two starts at Gillette Stadium; he's been downright dreadful, completing 46 percent of his passes, with one touchdown pass, seven interceptions and a passer rating of 30.4.
All of which puts Sanchez in the line of fire this week, and that's where Rex Ryan comes in. He knows the pressure his quarterback is under, and he also knows the Jets have no shot if Sanchez pulls another el foldo. So he figures he must do what he can to help the guy, and what he can do is open his mouth, take pot shots at the Patriots and make himself -- not Sanchez -- this week's news.
So far he's been successful. The back page of Tuesday's New York Daily News had photos of Ryan and Brady, with the headline "Drama Queen" splashed below a sub-head that ran "Rex Rips Broadway Brady for Tired Act." Perfect. If you want something to talk about before this game that's a good place to start.
And I can't imagine it's going to end. Ryan gladly will suffer the abuse because he'd prefer critics shred him than his players -- or player, and, yes, I'm talking about Mark Sanchez. I know he's a big boy who should be able to take care of himself and who won three of four road playoff games. But he's proven nothing in New England other than he stinks there.
