FEELING REXY
Ryan says what happens on Sunday in Miami will show you how far Jets have come Seth Walder,
The la st time the Jet s played the Dolphins it wasn’t pretty. Their 23-3 loss was their third straight, and Geno Smith was benched at halftime. The Jets have a chance to show how far they’ve come since then when they travel to Miami for the season finale on Sunday.
“That might have been the low point of (the season), and we’ve had some low points, but that might have been the worst one,” Rex Ryan — who could be coaching his last game for the Jets, with speculation about his job status running rampant — said Tuesday.
If owner Woody Johnson and GM John Idzik haven’t made up their minds yet about Ryan’s future, the coach could be playing for huge stakes in what otherwise would be a meaningless game for the Jets. “I see this team going in the right direction and I think this is an opportunity to see how accurate that statement is,” Ryan said.
The loss to Miami left the Jets at 5-7 and capped a brutal three-game stretch, following awful defeats to Buffalo and Baltimore. It left a bitter taste.
“We got our butts handed to us,” guard Willie Colon said. “It was a pivotal game in the season and we let it slip through our hands. We didn’t come out to play.” The Jets have been better since that loss to Miami, most not ably t hei r quarterback.
Since that benching, after which there was much speculation over whether Smith would start the next week, the rookie has played better. He hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s been decent, and Ryan thought sitting the rookie down for that half may have contributed to that.
“I think it may have helped him, just that sometimes you sit back and have a chance to see it from a different perspective and you know how hungry you are to get back out there,” Ryan said.
Beyond trying to save Ryan’s job, the Jets have more motivation in that they can eliminate longtime rival Miami from the playoffs. The Dolphins need a win and help to make it.
Ryan downplayed that angle, saying there isn’t much joy in preventing someone else from reaching the postseason.
“Nah, because if you’re not in it it really doesn’t matter. We’re playing to see how we stack up, to talk about how we’ve i mproved. We need to see that,” Ryan said. “You’re not going to derive pleasure from knocking someone out. We’ll get pleasure from winning if that’s the case.”
FOR THE RECORD
The number one argument for firing Ryan is simple: look at the record. The Jets haven’t won more than eight games or made the playoffs in any of the last three seasons.
“I don’t l i ke the fact we haven’t been to the playoffs,” Ryan said. “That’s a huge thorn in my side and everybody else’s.”
Still, what should also be taken into account is Ryan’s first two years in New York, each of which ended with the Jets in the AFC Championship Game.
“We’ve had some moments where we’ve been close but we haven’t got there,” Ryan said. “The biggest disappointment is the fact that we haven’t gone to the playoffs in three straight years.”
Ryan said he believes he’s improved as a head coach this season.
“I think you improve through experience, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Ryan said. “I think that’s probably the greatest thing that you learn as this thing goes on.”
If Ryan’s failure to win a championship or to make the playoffs the last three seasons is going to cost him his job, the announcement will presumably come on Monday. The decision rests with Johnson and Idzik, but players have supported him with great fervor since the team was eliminated from the playoffs. “I think enough has been said,” Colon said. “Rex is our guy. We believe in him. It’s a business decision.”
TEAM AWARD WINNERS
Muhammad Wilkerson was named the team MVP based on a vote by the players. They also gave an award to Demario Davis for being the most inspirational, to Isaiah Trufant for courage and Kyle Wilson for his community service. Nick Folk received the players’ “Good Guy” award.
Tommy Bohanon was given an award by the equipment staff for the rookie who acts like a professional in the locker room. Colon received the “Good Guy” award voted on by media members covering the team.