Jets coach Rex Ryan clarified remarks he made about rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill on Monday.
Ryan was quoted by Sports Illustrated saying he was not the driving force behind picking Hill in Aprils Draft. That was interpreted as him trying to distance himself from the pick or that he was saying he did not think Hill was a good player.
“That one took off in a way different [way] than the intent was. My intent was saying that … I was actually talking about our scouting department.”
Ryan said he was joking about being such a defensive coach that he would never take a receiver.
“What I was kidding was about oh man, we’re going to take a receiver and it just got blown up like he’s not my pick. … He’s definitely my pick now because I think he’s going to have a really bright future,” Ryan said.
Here is what Ryan said originally to SI:
“Well, nothing told me he would (contribute),” Ryan said. “Nothing. When I saw the tape (of his collegiate play) I was concerned. But (Jets general manager) Mike Tannenbaum and (senior personnel executive) Terry Bradway and all our scouts were adamant about this guy. They were adamant that this guy can do it. He can run all these routes, he had good hands and he’s got 4.2 speed at 6-foot-5.
“He was the guy they all wanted, but honestly, when it came down to it, a wideout? Not my dream pick. But now that we have him, of course, I want to claim him: ‘Oh, that was my pick.’ But it really wasn’t.”