Sure, there were questions left for inquiring minds. Is Rex Ryan’s contract extended beyond next season? Does he have autonomy when it comes to his coaching staff? All this stuff is fodder inside the Valley of the Stupid and beyond.
“The Decision” to retain Ryan was not quite as monumental as the one LeBron James once made, but for as long as it lasted, its mystery and mystique were unusually compelling. It actually forced both Woody Johnson and John (The Mummy) Idzik to face boss scribes and reveal that not only were they bringing Rex back but, “as an organization we don’t discuss contracts.”
How shocking.
Seriously though, what stood out here was the national media’s (specifically network Gasbags) love affair with Rex. The mouths were unanimous in their support. It wasn’t just stuff like “yeah, Rex should be brought back,” these guys were preaching.
Typical was Dan Dierdorf. Working his last regular-season game for CBS, Dierdorf made the case on “That Other Pregame Show” and “The NFL Today.” Yet it was with 2:59 left in the fourth quarter of Jets-Dolphins when the Hall of Famer went all fire and brimstone.
He picked the most appropriate time. CBS gave Johnson, the owner, treatment usually reserved for Robert Kraft.
CBS’ camera lingered on Johnson, and his guests, in the royal box. It was like Dierdorf was speaking directly to Johnson. “It would be folly to fire Rex Ryan. Complete and utter folly,” Dierdorf ranted. “Now, I’ll get off my soapbox.”
But he didn’t.
“If you let Rex go,” Dierdorf said, “you’ll be watching him win someplace else.”
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Neither Dierdorf, his partner Greg Gumbel, nor the ESPN radio guys — Bob Wischusen and Marty Lyons — knew WoodMan had informed Ryan he would be back in 2014 prior to kickoff. Maybe James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan should ask Johnson his secret to keeping one.
There is no doubt CBS viewed Rex and his quest to survive as the story. Miami looking to clinch a playoff spot? Back burner. CBS kept the camera off the stoic Joe Philbin but stuck to Ryan.
Ryan running down the sideline to celebrate after Geno Smith scored late in the second quarter. Ryan going airborne after the Jets’ “D” stopped Miami on a fourth-and-inches in the third. Rex high-fiving after Bilal Powell completed a pass to Jeff Cumberland. Rex getting a bucket of water dumped on him. And a fan holding up a
“In Rex We Trust” sign.
This just in: The Jets business side must trust Rex will be able to sell tickets. On
Ch. 2, at halftime, the team ran an ad designed to sell seats for next season. Heady chutzpah for an 8-8 team that’s not going to the playoffs – again. The expectations for 2014 have now officially have been raised.
That’s a benefit of the ballad of Rex Ryan.
We think.
A WORD FROM MR. T
Impeccable timing by the NFL Network’s “GameDay First” crew bringing Mike (Mikey Whispers) Tannenbaum to serve as Sunday’s in-house GM.
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Viewers found out the former Jets GM believes Ryan “deserves to stay” with the team when anchor Melissa Stark put words in Tannenbaum’s mouth, saying, “I know you feel he deserves to stay.” Tannenbaum did walk the high wire when Stark (good job by her) brought up his decision to extend Mark Sanchez’s contract.
“We felt there was good value based on how he played early in his career,” Tannenbaum said. “That was a contract — obviously — that didn’t work out as of now.” Tannenbaum, a lone voice in the choir, also explained a scenario where Sanchez could be in a Jets uniform next season.
This, from a once well-known Capologist?
KLECKO SOUNDS OFF
Joe Klecko, perhaps under the influence of Ray Lucas, is coming at his analyst gig from unusual angles.
On SNY’s Jets postgame show, he pounded away at Ryan, a grown man, finding a new level of “maturity.” Klecko said Ryan’s forced breakup with Tannenbaum was a major factor. Since the two once worked so closely, Klecko said, Ryan had an added layer of responsibility.
“Now Rex is just a coach,” Klecko explained . “He now has a boss—John Idzik.”
BIG BLUE WHO?
Anyone remember the Giants?
They were hardly mentioned during the hours and hours of pregame shows. Only ESPN’s Chris Mortensen gave Mara Tech any play. And the Super Snoop’s message was cryptic.
“Let’s clear something up. Tom Coughlin is not on the hot seat with the New York Giants. He’s not getting fired,” Mortensen said.
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Who exactly said he was going to be? Mort didn’t reveal that.
He did say there are trying times ahead for the organization. Mortensen contended it “will not be a fun week” in the Meadowlands. “There will be a thorough review of the entire organization,” he said. “…The 0-6 start and Eli Manning’s 26 interception season, combined with the failure of drafting and developing players will need answers and solutions.”
Paging Mr. Jerry Reese. Mr. Reese, please pickup the red courtesy phone.
STRANGE VIEWS
Watching all the Sunday NFL stuff always leaves us with monumental questions.
Like why, a couple of minutes before
ESPN’s “NFL Sunday Countdown” came on the air, did the network pop up a shot of Tom Jackson licking his fingers and running them across his eyebrows?
Is this some kind of vanity thing? Or a superstitious, good luck gesture? ... Of course, when it comes to the crème dela crème of media observers, there is no one more astute, more all-knowing, than Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa.
Instead of delivering his traditional Sunday New Year’s message to the unwashed masses, the pontiff addressed Sports Illustrated’s selection of Peyton Manning as its Sportsman of the Year. His Holiness approved the choice but also dealt with another issue.
“Sports Illustrated has lost its clout,” the Pope announced. “People don’t read the magazine anymore.”
Since the Ethereal One said it, it must be true. Amen.
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