Another potential roadblock between the Jets and Rex Ryan fell today when the Rams hired Steve Spagnuolo as head coach.
The Rams were the only team other than the Jets seriously interested in Ryan as a head-coaching candidate. The Rams and the Jets both interviewed the Ravens defensive coordinator last Sunday in Baltimore.
Now that the Rams went with Spagnuolo, the Jets are Ryan’s only suitor. If the Ravens lose to Pittsburgh in today’s AFC Championship Game, expect Ryan to get an offer from the Jets as early as Monday.
Spagnuolo went from an early favorite to an afterthought quickly with the Jets. He did not overwhelm the team during his Jan. 3 interview, and his background with the 4-3 defense made him less attractive to the Jets than Ryan, who is a proponent of the 3-4.
Eric Mangini spent the last three years tailoring the Jets’ personnel to play the 3-4, making a switch back to a 4-3 a step backward for the team.
It became clear this week the Jets were not interested in hiring Spagnuolo. Once the Giants lost last Sunday, any team was free to make Spagnuolo an offer. When the Jets didn’t, it was apparent they were leaning toward Ryan.
Jets owner Woody Johnson did meet with Spagnuolo in Manhattan on Tuesday, but that seemed more like a formality than a true second interview. Johnson was out of the country when Spagnuolo first interviewed with the team.
There figures to be plenty of Steelers fans at Jets headquarters Sunday. If the Ravens win, the team must wait another two weeks until after the Super Bowl before they can hire Ryan.
The Jets have concentrated on finding a new head coach since firing Mangini on Dec. 29, but another league development may have caught their eye today.
Julius Peppers asked out of Carolina today. The 28-year-old defensive end will become a free agent unless the Panthers apply the franchise tag to him. Peppers reportedly wants to play in a 3-4. If he were to land with the Jets, he would be the defensive impact player the team needs.
However, it would take some salary cap creativity from Mike Tannenbaum to make it happen. Currently, the Jets are believed to be about $10 million over the cap for 2009.