On the second day of organized team activities in May, there are more questions Rex Ryan cannot possibly answer yet about Geno Smith vs. Mike Vick, or Mike Vick vs. Geno Smith, about whether Eric Decker is a true No. 1 receiver, which few around the NFL think he is, no disrespect intended, about Calvin Pryor’s wisdom teeth.
Sorry, but the Jets are not the big story in town with the Rangers playing a Game 6 Thursday night at the Garden against the Canadiens for a berth in the Stanley Cup Finals.
“I hope they make it, I hope they go all the way,” Ryan told The Post.
Ryan got a taste for how the New York metropolitan area embraces winners — not as big a taste as Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning and the Giants have gotten since 2008 — and he understands this latest New York love affair with the Rangers.
“Oh yeah, of course. There’s nothing like it,” Ryan said. “But I think what New York’s embracing about the Rangers is, like obviously the [Marty] St. Louis deal and things, but the courage he showed [following the death of his mother], that was awesome to me. And his teammates I’m sure said the same thing. Nobody needs to say anything, that was impressive. But the guts they showed, they’re down 3-1 against Pittsburgh, and come back and rally and take that series. That was fantastic.”
Ryan is a hockey aficionado from way back.
“Growing up, I was a Ranger fan and a Maple Leaf fan, if that’s possible,” Ryan said. “I lived in Toronto, and my dad [Buddy] was in New York, so that’s kinda how I grew up … Eddie Giacomin, Brad Park — I can give you ’em all — Walt Tkaczuk, Rod Gilbert, you name ’em, Jean Ratelle … I could name every one of ’em.”
Ryan’s best player, Muhammad Wilkerson, is the most fervent Rangers fan in the Jets locker room.
“Got invited to go to one game, and just fell in love with the sport, fell in love with the game,” Wilkerson told The Post. “Always appreciate those guys for giving me tickets to come to the game and show some support.
“I also know Ryan McDonagh, I met him at an event last summer. We text every now and then. He’s a great guy.”
Wilkerson most recently attended the Rangers’ Game 3 overtime loss to the Canadiens.
“I knew of Wayne Gretzky, I think everybody knew who he was, I knew about the sport,” Wilkerson said. “I just never was into it like I am now.”
Wilkerson has never been on the ice, and doesn’t plan on lacing on the skates anytime soon.
“I think it’s awesome how they could skate forward and backwards and stop on a dime like that,” he said. “I’m a big guy, I don’t think that’s something I should be doing.”
St. Louis-born Sheldon Richardson has never been to a hockey game at the Garden — “I’m a Blues fan till the day I die,” he said — but has been to Knicks games.
“They treat the Giants pretty good in New York now, they treat ’em real good,” Richardson said. “They show a lot more love to Giants players than they do the Jets.”
Asked why he thinks that is, Richardson said: “Doesn’t [ex-Giant] Justin Tuck have a permanent courtside seat … a seat with his name on it next to Spike Lee or something like that?
“But you do win a Super Bowl that happens, so they earned it, so I can’t really complain. I’m not mad. That was just an opinion.”
So go win a Super Bowl.
“That’s the plan,” Richardson said.
Ryan, who has been at Knicks and Rangers games at the Garden, hasn’t encountered any discernible Giants favoritism.
“New York fans are passionate anyway, whether it’s Jets, Giants, Rangers, they’re passionate fans,” he said. “They always treat me great there.”
Breno Giacomini, the team’s new right tackle, grew up in Boston a Bruins fan.
“I don’t want Montreal getting close to it,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll knock ’em off. Right now I’ll cheer for New York.”
Freeport’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson has been to Knicks and Rangers games. He’ll be pulling for the Rangers.
“When you’re in that hunt, it gets exciting,” he said.
Don’t be surprised if Ryan shows up for the Cup Finals should the Rangers get there.
“If I can sort it out and get it in with our schedule,” Ryan said, “then absolutely, I’ll try to make one.”