OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Don’t expect Rex Ryan to show up for his interview for the Jets’ head coaching vacancy armed with Power Point presentations, flow charts or any other fancy displays.
His sales pitch is simple.
“I know I’m a great football coach, and I know I’m a leader of men,” said Ryan, the Ravens defensive coordinator who will interview with the Jets next week. “I think that’s probably my edge over other people.”
In other words, this guy is a football coach. He’s a sweat pants-wearing, Xs and Os-drawing, no-nonsense football coach. When he sits down with Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum and owner Woody Johnson, they will see that.
“I’m not blessed with a silver tongue like some of these guys,” Ryan said. “What you see is what you get.”
Ryan, 46, doesn’t need to do much talking. He can just point to what the Ravens’ defense has done. It finished second in the NFL (in total defense) this season, and will be on display again on Saturday against Tennessee. No one has rushed for 100 yards against the Ravens in two years.
The Jets are in the middle of their head-coaching interviews, but it could come down to Ryan or Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the end. They are the two hottest names in the assistant ranks. Both play aggressive defense, but in different styles. Ryan uses a 3-4, which might give him an advantage over Spagnuolo because the Jets’ personnel has been tailored for Eric Mangini’s 3-4.
It’s likely Jets fans would love Ryan. Like his father, Buddy, he likes aggressive defense and has a personality that New Yorkers often love. Let’s just say if his team screws up he will not just be standing on the sideline chomping his gum.
“Rex is a great coach across the board,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I think he does a great job of including every single player in the defensive room in the game plan. That’s a gift.”
Another gift is Ryan’s creativity. He dreams up blitzes that baffle quarterbacks and get offensive coordinators fired. Chad Pennington learned that last week, when he threw four interceptions in the Dolphins’ loss to Baltimore. That would be welcome at Jets’ headquarters in Florham Park, where Mangini’s defense failed to pressure anyone in the final month of the season.
Ryan learned from his father, a Jets assistant from 1968-75 who went on to fame with the Bears and his 46 defense. Opposing quarterbacks always expect the blitz, whether it’s coming or not, which forces quick throws.
The Ravens players love Ryan and his enthusiasm.
“He understands who, when they step out on the field, who can control it out there,” linebacker Ray Lewis said. “Just being around Rex, being around his knowledge, being around his passion for the game, is kind of special to have him as a ‘D’ coordinator.”
Ryan may interview with the Jets on Sunday in Baltimore if the Ravens win. If they lose, he will come to New Jersey to talk to the Jets early next week.
“I’ve worked all my life to get ready for an opportunity to become a head coach,” Ryan said. “I’m going to be myself and hopefully it’s good enough. If it’s not, then I’ll stay here and coach this defense like I’ve been doing.”
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The Jets’ coaching search will continue today in Arizona, where Johnson and Tannenbaum will interview Cardinals assistant Russ Grimm. They will return to New Jersey tomorrow to speak with Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. The team still may interview Ryan’s former boss, Brian Billick.