CORTLAND — Jets coach Rex Ryan is widely believed to be on the hot seat, and the coach acknowledged as much yesterday with a funny line during his press conference.
When asked about how much he talks with general manager John Idzik about the future beyond this season, he delivered a good line.
“It’s safe to say I won’t be here if we draft [Jadeveon] Clowney,” Ryan said with a big smile. “I can just say that right now. I think I’m going to say that without hesitation. The kid ran what, a 4.4 at 6-8 or something like that.”
Clowney, the star defensive end from South Carolina, is widely projected to go first in the 2014 draft. Ryan is hoping the Jets do not plummet so far in the standings as to have the No. 1 pick.
* Rookie cornerback Dee Milliner remains unsigned and out of training camp. Ryan admitted he is bothered by Milliner’s absence, but said it’s not the same thing as Darrelle Revis’ holdout in 2010.
“I’m frustrated by it, I’m disappointed that he’s not here,” Ryan said. “I’d like for Dee to be here, there’s no question. But with Darrelle, he was under contract. That was a lot of my frustration that we had a player that was under contract and that wasn’t there. … If a guy was under contract, that’s where I’d [be angrier]. It’s not the first time a player’s not here because he hasn’t signed a contract.’’
Idzik said he’s not sure when Milliner will be signed, and all but confirmed the hang-up is over offset language in the contract, something the Jets insist upon.
“We’re pretty consistent,” Idzik said. “It shouldn’t be any surprise to identify or hard to identify what’s hard to the Jets as far as contractual language is concerned. You look at our contracts and there is going to be a common thread.”
When told that seems like a small thing to hold up the deal, Idzik said, “It’s obviously not small to somebody, otherwise they’d be here playing.”
* Idzik had no timetable for running back Mike Goodson to report to training camp, calling it a “private matter.” … Idzik also remains unsure when the team will get wide receiver Santonio Holmes (foot surgery) back, saying the next few weeks will be very important. … The team signed running back Chad Spann and placed cornerback Aaron Berry on season-ending injured reserve. Berry tore his ACL on Friday.