Rex Ryan couldn’t help himself.
As he answered a question about the Jets defense yesterday, Ryan turned the conversation into a significant plug for cornerback Darrelle Revis to be named as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
“If he’s not the NFL Defensive Player of the Year something is wrong with the system,” Ryan said. “Nobody — and I mean nobody in maybe the history of the game — has had the challenges that he’s faced week in and week out. You look at the top receivers in this game now that he’s gone out and matched with and literally almost shut down.
FALCONS BACKFIELD UNSURE FOR SUNDAY
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“He’s come up with six interceptions, but it’s not about those numbers. Look at the passes that he’s broken up (27). Look at the fact that he’s out there on an island one-on-one and teams still can’t throw that way. If they do, it’s a mistake. It’s amazing.
“I’ve been around guys that have earned it, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Of course, those guys deserve those awards, but I don’t think those guys even had the impact that Darrelle Revis has had on this football team.”
Ryan said he believes that Revis has had a bigger impact on the Jets than Lewis and Reed had on the Ravens.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Ray Lewis had the most impact I’ve ever been around of a guy that would lead a team and will a team. He was a tremendous player. But, what we can do physically and how [Revis] has changed what we can play defensively, I think he’s the guy.
“That’s obviously not taking anything away from Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. This guy right here [Revis], it’s amazing what he can do. A corner to dominate a game the way this corner can is something.
When Packers’ cornerback Charles Woodson, who has eight interceptions, two returned for TDs, two sacks, four forced fumbles and 14 passes defensed, was mentioned to Ryan, he still chose Revis.
“Charles can’t go out on a cover like [Revis] guy can,” he said. “He can move inside and he can blitz. Revis would be a great blitzer, but I’ve got the best cover guy in America sitting over here so he’s going to be covering. He’s not blitzing.
“If you have a rare guy like this, he might not post those kind of numbers, but I know one thing, Charles isn’t going out there [covering] like this guy is. It’s just not happening.”
* Center Nick Mangold didn’t practice yesterday because of an illness, though he’s expected to play.
Nothing definitive out of Atlanta on whether quarterback Matt Ryan (turf toe) and/or RB Michael Turner (ankle) will play Sunday, though both practiced on a limited basis yesterday after not having practiced Wednesday. The only Falcons not to practice yesterday were DE Jamaal Anderson (chest) and CB Chris Houston (hamstring).
Several Jets said they expect both Ryan and Turner to play.
* Safety Kerry Rhodes announced to a couple of reporters yesterday in the locker room that he will be back in the base defense Sunday.
“You heard it here first,” Rhodes said as he trotted out of the locker room.
* The Jets are conducting their annual coat drive to benefit Jersey Cares on Sunday. Fans are asked to bring new or gently used coats that will be collected at all gates upon entering the stadium.