On the latest stop on his book tour yesterday, a taping of the YES Network’s “CenterStage,” Rex Ryan admitted his decision to turn the week leading up to the Jets’ AFC divisional playoff game against the Patriots into a matchup between himself and Bill Belichick was a calculated one.
“That whole week, I never wanted it to be about that 45-3 game,” said Ryan, referring to his team’s regular-season loss at New England. “And I knew if I didn’t do something, [the media] would be talking about it with our players, and I never wanted that negative thought to creep into their minds.
“There certainly was a method behind it, and I told [Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum] after we win the game, I was gonna say that I was wrong, that it had nothing to do with me and Belichick. Because if it did, Belichick would win, because he’s that kind of coach.”
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Ryan, whose team beat the Pats 28-21 to reach the AFC title game, once said he didn’t come to the Jets to kiss Belichick’s Super Bowl rings. Yesterday, he went out of his way to praise the Patriots coach, whom Ryan said he has used as a measuring stick ever since he took the Jets job before the 2008 season.
“I don’t think he is [great], I know he is,” Ryan said. “He’s the best coach that I’ve ever seen. I know the way he motivates his team, all these types of things . . . you don’t luck into three Super Bowls, and I don’t know how many he’s had as an assistant coach. This guy is a phenomenal coach.”
Ryan also addressed his obsession with the Super Bowl, which he has gone out of his way to state as his goal every year at every possible opportunity. He said that after winning the Super Bowl as a defensive line coach with the Ravens in 2000, his lust for winning another ring has only grown.
“The reason I think I chase the Super Bowl so much is because once you get a ring . . . it’s unbelievable, the feeling of being called a world champion. You’re a Super Bowl champion. It’s even better than you can imagine, and that’s why I keep chasing it.”
Ryan has even thought about what his next ring will look like.
“It’s gonna be gaudy,” Ryan said to laughter from the crowd.
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The show will air next Friday at 11 p.m., following YES’ coverage of the Yankees-Red Sox game . . . Ryan also said that defensive lineman Ropati Pitoitua, who was highlighted during “Hard Knocks” last summer before injuring his Achilles tendon, is “doing fantastic.” Ryan said to expect Pitoitua to be “ready to go this season.”