Jets coach Rex Ryan came to his press conference Wednesday with a prop. It must be Ryan Bowl week.
Ryan held up a laminated injury report to read at the podium with pictures of himself and twin brother Rob, the Saints defensive coordinator, on the back. It was a photo of Rob with a look of exasperation at the end of the Saints’ heartbreaking loss to the Patriots this month. Under the photo it said, “Sorry about that Jets” and “I wish I could look as good as my twin.”
When asked which twin was saying he wished he could look as good as the other, Rex laughed.
“Oh please, it’s pretty obvious,” Rex said. “The lap band worked for me. I’m just going to say that, putting it out there.”
This is the third time the two brothers have met since Rex became the Jets coach in 2009. Rex has won both meetings. Rob was with the Browns in 2010 and the Cowboys in 2011.
Rob now has the Saints playing well. The team gave up the most yards in the history of the NFL last year before they brought Ryan on board. The Saints are now the 12th -ranked defense in the league.
“It’s his mentality,” Rex said of his brother. “That shows up. That measures well with Sean Payton, but that team takes to it.”
The Jets were missing some key players at practice. 0Guard Willie Colon (calf), tight end Jeff Cumberland (concussion), and wide receivers Stephen Hill (foot), Santonio Holmes (hamstring) and Jeremy Kerley (illness) all were unable to practice.
Hill said he injured his foot during Sunday’s game, but he expects to play against the Saints.
“I’m definitely in the game plan,” he said.
Cumberland suffered a concussion and he was not even on the practice field watching while the media were there. A source said the team has not yet determined whether he will miss Sunday’s game.
Holmes has missed the past four games, but he went through receiver drills Wednesday for the first time since injuring his hamstring. He remains uncertain if he can play, though.
“At this point, I was only able to do individuals,” Holmes said. “I’m pretty sure once things get rolling and I’m able to practice, that’s when I’ll be able to play.”
Ryan said the Jets had a good practice Wednesday, especially on offense.
“We had a lot of guys out, but some guys had to step up and I thought it was good,” Ryan said. “It was very intense.”