A quick Ryan recap: “I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings,’’ he told a New York radio station in June. “I came to win, let’s put it that way. I’m certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else,’’
When the first-time head coach was asked about those comments last month, his response only added more motivational fodder.
“How much motivation are they going to get by putting a quote from me on the wall saying that I believe in my football team, that I’m not going to be intimidated by a coach or anyone else?’’ Ryan said Aug. 18. “If that’s where you’re going to draw motivation from, we’ll probably kick your [butt].’’
“He doesn’t hide anything under the rug,’’ said Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. “He’s direct. Blunt-force trauma, I guess you would call it, because he tells you exactly how it is.’’
Ryan avoided more verbal salvos yesterday, striking a far more reverential tone regarding Belichick and the Patriots, whom he referred to as the No. 1-rated team in the NFL. He even left a voice-mail for Jets season ticket-holders imploring them to help the Jets because he is not as good a coach as Belichick.
He said Belichick was one of the few guys in the game he really respected on the defensive side of the ball, and acknowledged that he had borrowed a defensive coverage he saw the Patriots use. He also borrowed Belichick’s favorite phrase: “It is what it is.’’
However, Ryan, whose twin brother, Rob, coached linebackers under Belichick from 2000-03, didn’t recant any of his remarks.
“It’s how I felt, and it’s how I feel,’’ said Ryan. “I have a lot of respect for Bill Belichick, but again, hey, I’m not his friend on Sunday. I’m going to compete against him. I’m a competitor.
“I have a great deal of respect for him. I have a great deal of respect for his team, but we’re in the win business, and we’re going to go out and compete and try to win.’’
