NFL tidbits

My favorite coaching hire thus far in the off season has to be Rex Ryan of the New York Jets.  One, I think he is a great defensive coach, with great bloodlines.  His father is former NFL coach .  Rex is very entertaining in his interviews.  Even as a Baltimore Raven defensive coordinator these past years, he spoke as if he was always having fun and in control.  He has a arrogance about him that rubs off on his players. I think the Ravens players are very arrogant, even when they have a bad day, and that's what makes them such a good unit.  The second reason I like the hire is because of the way the organization is running itself these days.  The Jets spent a lot of money last season because they felt they were close enough to winning the Super Bowl and they went for it.  Even though they came up short, I like they way they move.  

Being in the New York market will help Rex as well.  It seems that all the teams in New York are competing with each other and they want to win now.  But this could also be Rex's downfall as well.  I don't think he will get the grace period that other first year coaches will get.  Recently fired Jet coach Eric Mangini took the Jets to the playoffs two out of his first three seasons before getting fired after this past season.  

Jets keys to winning

*  Get a better passing game to go along with their running game.  I like Thomas Jones and their run game, but they need to pass it better.  They have good WR's and TE's just need to use them more aggressively.

*  Keep the improvement going on Defense.  These guys played well last year.  Turnovers by QB Brett Favre and last season slide hurt this side of the ball.  

*  Bring Buddy Ryan around the team.  Buddy Ryan is like a father to all his former players who are coaching in the NFL now.  They all use his system in some way or another.  When I played for Jeff Fisher, we always had a "46 package" that we never ran in the preseason and only brought it out when it was needed.  Like a special weapon.  Former Bengal Defensive coach Leslie Frazier used to bring Buddy to Bengals Training Camp and talk to players.  So I'm sure Rex will bring his dad around the Jets facility as much as he can.