Rex Ryan admits New York, Buffalo and Miami don't matter in division
"Obviously, you give up a third-and-19 for a touchdown and you blow coverage on a 50-yard pass, and all that, you aren’t going to win many games regardless of how the game was played," an exasperated Ryan said after the game. "Our guys gave everything they had, obviously, and didn’t play the smartest game in the history of the sport, without question, on defense in particular. You know, to say it is a disappointing loss, I think is a fair assessment. I just, you know, we’ve been snakebit.
"I’m not shellshocked at all," Ryan said. "I’m a little upset because our record is what it is. I’m not shell shocked by any stretch – by any stretch. We did what we wanted to do on them. We were able to control the football, we ran the football, did those things that it takes to win a game. We made too many darn mistakes. So shellshocked, I’m not shellshocked, by any stretch."
New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan can call it snakebit, shellshocked or just plain unlucky, but it still spells 1-6 and last in the AFC East. While it is admirable that Rex Ryan did not blame the back judge for moving Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower back so DT Chris Jones could move forward, it just adds to the breaks that haven't gone the Jets way this year.
“When Team A presents a punt, field-goal, or Try Kick formation, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper's shoulder pads at the snap.”
On October 23, 2013, the Jets were rewarded by the referees in their 30-27 overtime win over the New England Patriots. Shalise Manza Young, Boston Globe:
DT Chris Jones became the first player in the NFL to be flagged under Rule 9, Section 1, Article 3 (b) 2, a player-safety rule implemented this season that states: “Team B players [defending a kick] cannot push teammates on the line of scrimmage into the offensive formation.”
Following the five yard penalty assessed to the Patriots, the 56 yard attempt became a 51 yard try, and K Nick Folk converted for the gamewinner. That was known as "good karma." This year, it was just another "bad break" when DT Chris Jones blocked the 58 yard field attempt by Jets K Nick Folk.
For the third consecutive year, the Jets came up just short in Foxboro. New England continued its home dominance over AFC East foes with its 16 consecutive victory. The Patriots have been able to edge the Jets by no more than three points the past three years(29-26 OT), 13-10 and 27-25. Rex Ryan may have found the answer to his troubles.
Newly acquired Seattle Seahawks WR Percy Harvin should be able to provide the edge that Rex Ryan has been looking for. The well rested wideout played sparingly for Seattle, but his big game pedigree should eliminate future close losses to the Patriots.
Rex Ryan has two months to get Percy Harvin ready for the next Jets-Patriots encounter. The fights with Seattle teammates WR Golden Tate, WR Doug Baldwin and QB Russell Wilson are a thing of the past. Steve Silva, Boston:
Ryan said. "Obviously, these are the big dogs in our division. You know, nothing against Buffalo and Miami, they are playing well, but this team has won 10 years in a row, I think.
Actually, it is 10 out of 11, but who's counting.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
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