Already in mid-season form, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan predicted big things Monday for his team in 2010. His bold remarks came in response to a quote from New England quarterback Tom Brady, who praised the Jets' blockbuster offseason and indicated the AFC East won't be a walkover for the defending-champion Patriots.
Kay: Rex Ryan on Jenkins, Woody
NY Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan joins 1050 ESPN New York's The Michael Kay Show about issuing a weight loss challenge to Kris Jenkins and Damien Woody. Coach also talks about the release of Alan Faneca.
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"He's a smart guy," Ryan said in an interview on 1050 ESPN Radio. "As I put it, it's on. We're not afraid of that. We're making sure everybody knows it, that we plan of being the team that wins the division this year."
The Jets stole most of the offseason headlines, acquiring big names such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes. Whether it adds up to a division title remains to be seen, but Ryan, never shy about expressing his opinion, expects the Jets to be a special team.
"We know it's going to be a great challenge," he said. "We're working so hard in the offseason. I think we've gotten better in the offseason as far as the personnel is concerned. We added a lot of guys that I think will help us.
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"We have only one goal and that's to win the Super Bowl. And that's what we plan on doing this year."
Brady, in an interview with Sports Illustrated's Peter King, gushed about the Jets' prospects. Of course, Brady is from the Bill Belichick school: Soften your opponents with unabashed praise.
"They're always a team that gives us problems, and they've sure made a lot of changes this offseason," Brady tells King in his "Monday Morning Quarterback" column. "When your archrivals do as much as they've done, you've got to pay attention. They went to the conference championship game, they've got a great defense, they can run the ball as well as anyone, and they've got a great young quarterback who can make a lot of plays. Our whole division's improved. To win the division, we'll really have to earn it this year.''
The Patriots have won the division six out of the last seven years.
