The testimonials have poured out this week from Jets players on why the team should keep Rex Ryan as head coach.
One of the most interesting came from wide receiver David Nelson, who has just been with the team since late September. Nelson has been with the Bills and the Browns before the Jets in his career and has been exposed to some different coaches.
“I love just the way he gets to know his players and really believes in his players,” Nelson said. “It’s one of those things where he doesn’t just sit there and hang out with the superstars or encourage the guys who are the starters. He really gets to know each guy from the top to the bottom.
“I mean, you’ll see him eating lunch with the practice squad players. It’s just one of those things where he really cares about his players. Players appreciate that, players know and they respect him for that. They believe in him and they respect him and they play hard for him.”
Ryan was asked about why he tries to develop relationships with everyone on his roster.
“That’s easy. I was a very average player,” Ryan said jokingly. “All right, I was way below average as a player. Everybody is important. That’s what makes a team. It’s not just the top guy on the roster. It’s all of them.
“I think when we talk about our whole being greater than the sum of our parts, that’s what we get at. Everybody is important, everybody has a role. Guys’ roles change all the time but the role of an individual, from the outside might not look that important, but it’s huge.”
It probably won’t make a difference, but Ryan has received an outpouring of support from his players in recent weeks.
The Jets would have the 14th pick in May’s NFL Draft if the standings remained the way they are entering Sunday’s games. With a glut of teams between 6-9 and 8-8, though, things are likely to change.
The Jets could move a few spots either way depending on Sunday’s outcomes.
The 2014 schedule is set except for two spots that depend on Sunday’s games. The Jets’ home opponents are the Patriots, Dolphins, Bills, Lions, Bears, Raiders, Broncos and either the Ravens, Steelers or Browns depending on the final standings. Their away opponents are the Patriots, Dolphins, Bills, Packers, Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers and either the Titans, Jaguars or Texans depending on the final standings.
Jets assistant coach Brian VanGorder has been named Notre Dame’s new defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. VanGorder was the Jets’ linebackers coach.