No roars from Rex

By Chad Finn

December 7, 2010

2 minutes to read

Rex Ryan is rarely at a loss for words. Turns out that includes when his football team has suffered a loss by a 42-point margin to its chief rival.

“Obviously, we got outcoached, outplayed, got our butts kicked,” said Ryan in his introductory statement at the podium following the Patriots’ 45-3 pummeling of his Jets tonight at Gillette Stadium. “I don’t know what else you can say about it. Go ahead.”

There shouldn’t have been much to say from the Jets’ standpoint — it was ugly all around, virtually from the opening kickoff to the final firing of the muskets. They trailed from the Patriots’ first drive. They converted just three of 12 third downs against a Patriots defense that has been historically inept at getting off the field in that scenario. Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions, two directly to Patriots defenders. They allowed four touchdown passes to Tom Brady, two on the ground to BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

And instead of celebrating a second victory over the Patriots — the Jets beat New England, 28-14, in Week 2 in New Jersey — Ryan was left to explain how his 9-2 team could look so terrible against New England’s 9-2 team.

When asked to choose the biggest disaster among the disasters, he cited the overall performance of the defense as his biggest frustration.

“Yeah, I’d say our defense gave up 45 points. There have been times when that’s been a whole quarter of a season for us, at least. You know, giving up that many points. But you have to give them credit. I mean, Brady was hot. He can burn you and they have a lot of weapons. They did a good job, they gave Brady enough time to make some plays, and their guys came up with some big plays for them.”

Ryan didn’t blame the loss of safety Jim Leonhard for the Jets defensive woes. Leonhard, a starting safety who was in charge of calling the defensive signals, was lost for the season with a leg injury during Friday’s practice.

“We’ve got a lot of good football players, and the next man’s got to stand up. Jim Leonhard wasn’t going to make a 45-point difference.

“I mean, obviously, we had the injury to Jim, and that kind of put a damper on us, but our preparation was great. And I thought we were going to have a huge game and it was just the opposite.”

But with just a hint of his familiar bluster, Ryan made it clear that while he respects the Patriots, his team should not fear them, even after tonight’s outcome, and he made note of the Patriots throwing the ball with a 42-point lead.

“I mean, I don’t necessarily think Belichick was trying to rub it in, but this is the same team that took a bunch of shots on us and they had paybacks. I mean, let’s face it, we kicked their butt at our place. So you know, they are trying to come back [at us]. Trust me, we’ll remember this. There is no question about that.”