CORTLAND — Jets coach Rex Ryan did not have much to say about running back Joe McKnight’s arrest last week for failing to pay traffic tickets.
“No. 1, we’re aware of it,” Ryan said Tuesday. “But I don’t know what else to add to it.”
Police in New Jersey arrested McKnight on July 30 when he was pulled over for speeding and changing lanes without a signal, and two outstanding warrants for traffic violations were discovered. McKnight’s arrest looks minor compared to what other NFL players have been arrested for recently, but it is the latest in a series of hiccups for the fourth-year back.
He failed the conditioning test when he reported to training camp and then passed it a day later. McKnight, who is out with a concussion, feels some anxiety before taking conditioning tests, according to Ryan.
“It’s not that he’s not in shape. He’s in phenomenal shape,” Ryan said. “It’s just there are some guys that have anxiety in some situations. I think that prevents [him] more than anything because the next day he runs it. He’s always done it. Some guys are like that.”
Ryan compared it to someone freezing up when they take the SATs.
“He has a little angst in him when it comes to the conditioning test,” Ryan said. “He’s in great shape but for some reason it seems like something like this happens.”
The Jets said McKnight is in the league’s protocol for concussions, therefore he’ll need to be cleared by an independent doctor before returning to practice.
* Ryan is looking forward to the Calvin Johnson–Antonio Cromartie battle Friday night when the Jets face the Lions.
“That will be a fun matchup now. Let’s see you’ve got Megatron vs. the Megacorner. That’ll be a great matchup to watch. Who knows how many plays it will be for? You’ve got a freak at wideout and a freak at corner. That’ll be fun to watch.”
* Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg praised rookie WR Ryan Spadola, an undrafted free agent out of Lehigh. He said Spadola has a chance to make the team, but stressed he has to impress on special teams. … RB Chris Ivory (hamstring), McKnight (concussion), WR Titus Ryan (hamstring), C Dalton Freeman (ankle), LB Josh Mauga (back) and WR Braylon Edwards (planned rest) did not practice. TE Kellen Winslow was back at practice after missing a few days as part of the plan to rest him. … Ryan said it’s safe to assume Ivory won’t play Friday night in Detroit, but said that is not 100 percent set. He also said he is not sure if Winslow or Edwards will play.