Geno Smith calls Rex Ryan a ‘coward’ after his former coach criticizes him

Geno Smith’s first start with the New York Giants didn’t go as he would have hoped in a 24-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders. The most news he made came after the game, when he spoke to the media.

Before his start, Smith heard a comment from his former coach Rex Ryan, and took offense to it. “I did see one of my ex-coaches say he didn’t want me to be his quarterback, and that really upset me, you know,” he said via ESPN. “A guy that we saved his job in 2013, and we fought our ass for him both years, and for him to come out and say that just shows you how much of a coward he is.”

Smith mentioned that he was watching because of the time difference, with the Giants playing out west. “So I am just watching a little bit of football and, you know, see that happened, and it is like, wow, the guy, first of all, you drafted me. Second of all, you started me. Third of all, I went out there, and I gave you everything I had, and then you go out and say that. It’s unfortunate.”

Smith would later apologize on Twitter, along with a screenshot of a tweet with lyrics from Jay-Z’s “Already Home.”

He made sure to clarify on Wednesday what he was apologizing for, which was not to Rex Ryan:

Smith also talked about Ben McAdoo, and rumors that he could be fired, which he was on Monday.

“No, I didn’t see that, and I love Coach Mac. I think we all do,” Smith said before the game. “I enjoy playing for him. I want to continue to play for him as long as I can.”

Overall, it was a so-so afternoon for Smith, who played just about the same as Eli Manning has all season. He finished with 21 completions on 34 attempts for 212 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, while also fumbling twice on sacks.

Afterward, he was understandably mad, given that this was his first chance at starting since the 2014 season:

For a Raiders defense that hasn’t been particularly impressive this year, Smith’s frustration lies within the performance he put in.

The Giants turned back to Manning now that McAdoo has been fired, ending the Geno Smith Era in New York.