Rex Ryan and the Jets are headed to Foxborough on Sunday, a little more than a month after the Game of the Season turned into... Uh, the most embarrassing blowout of the season? Since then, the Patriots have become the undisputed favorites for the Super Bowl, while the formerly 8-2 Jets are the Cinderellas in the AFC. Everything's changed.
Rex Ryan Vs. Bill Belichick: This Time It’s Personal (For Rex Ryan) (Again)
Except Rex, of course.
Just like he did before their last meeting, Rex is doing his best to make this week’s Patriots-Jets game about the coaches. As he told reporters when he was asked about Sunday’s game:
“This is going to be about me raising my level against Bill Belichick. I recognize he’s the best. I’m just trying to be the best on Sunday, and I plan on being the best coach on Sunday. ... That’s what it is. I recognize my level has to come up. He’s going to get my best shot. He’s going to get everything I have on Sunday. If he slips at all, we’re gonna beat him.”
So how would Bill Belichick casually dismiss the feud-that’s-not-a-feud this time? As Belichick told reporters after hearing about Ryan’s comments, the coaches don’t play the games. Via ESPN:
“I might have a little quickness on him, he’s probably got a little more strength and power on me. I don’t think you’ll see either of us out there making any blocks, or tackles, or runs, throws or catches. At least you won’t see me doing that. It’s probably a good thing for our team.”
Ahhhh, yes. Faced with Rex Ryan’s broad, symbolic rendering of Sunday’s matchup, we can always count on the crusty ole tactitian Belichick to bring things back to scouting. His scouting, explained:
- Quicker? Belichick, because Rex is fat.
- Strength and power? Probably Rex, because he’s fat.
And then there’s the passive aggressive “at least you won’t see me doing that,” a classic rhetorical masterstroke from the master of saying nothing and everything at the same time. That’s how this supposed “feud” has played out from the beginning, and it’s good see nothing’s changed.
Belichick doesn’t care about Rex, and Rex has always cared a little too much about Belichick.
So, with New England and New York, in case you were wondering, it’s the same old story. Except that a little more than a month after colliding in Foxborough as supposed equals, the Jets head into as massive underdogs instead of potential heirs to the throne. Wearing Cinderella’s slipper, if you will.
“Come on,” you say, “that’s clearly a reference to Rex Ryan’s foot fetish.”
Well, if the slipper fits...
Yes, if the slipper fits... Then Rex Ryan will probably take that shoe off as soon as possible so that he can admire the foot. At least until Bill Belichick quietly supplies a nicer pair of shoes and coaxes Cinderella into a marriage-wrecking adultery. Don’t you love rivalries?!
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