Thank You Rex

"The message to the rest of the league is, `Hey, the Jets are coming, and we’re going to give you everything we got. And I think that’s going to be more than you can handle."
-Introductory Press Conference: January 2009

Barring a Miracle on 34th Street, Sunday will be the last time we see Rex Ryan donning the green and white as head coach of the New York Jets (reports already have him clearing out his office in Florham Park). Like most of Rex's tenure here, this article isn't hear to be sad, lamenting on what could have been. Instead, I am here to bring a smile to your face, reminiscing over these past 5 years, with some of my favorite Rex Ryan quotes. On Black Monday the entire franchise is going to start their complete overhaul, thus ending the Ryan Era. I can't say this enough, but thank you Coach Ryan. You will sincerely missed. I wish you the best of luck in whatever the next step of your career will be, unless you join the Patriots or Giants ;)

“I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings. I came here to win, let’s put it that way. I’m certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else.”
-Introductory Press Conference: January 2009

At Rex Ryan's introductory press conference he came in guns blazing. After a period where Jets fans came to expect "paint-by-numbers" talk by Eric Mangini, Coach Ryan let you know exactly what he was bringing to the table. From the Super Bowl predictions, to calling out the Patriots and Giants, Rex was unlike anyone we have ever see. The 2009 season was a roller-coaster ride, and at the end a gift from "Santa Clause" got us into the playoffs, but Rex's attitude got us to the AFC Championship Game.

“Let’s make sure we play like the fucking New York Jets and not some fucking slap-dick team. That’s what I want to see tomorrow. Do we understand what the fuck I want to see tomorrow? Now let’s go eat a goddamn snack.”
-Hard Knocks, August 2010

The 2010 edition of HBO's hit series Hard Knocks made Rex Ryan a bona-fide star. He had so many one-liners that Jet Nation still repeats to this day. That training camp made Ryan a media darling, and put a lot of eyeballs and targets on the Jets. However, Rex proved he wasn't a one trick pony, by knocking both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning out of the playoffs in consecutive weeks. Once again, Gang Green was on the precipice of a Super Bowl, but that season also ended with an AFC Championship Game loss. 2010 was also the year that a video was uncovered of Rex showing his love for feet.

"Hey, guys, we don’t have Revis in this building right now. … Does it matter that Revis is not here? Goddamn, he’s pretty fucking good. He’s pretty good, OK? But you know what guys? It isn’t about one guy, its about leading the league in fucking wins.”
-Hard Knocks, August 2010

 The 2011 New York Jets were the first team that regressed in the Rex Ryan era. Perhaps the biggest turning point in Rex's tenure came when he lost to the Giants on Christmas Eve of 2011. The win catapulted the Giants to the Super Bowl, while Gang Green was stuck watching at home. Rex's promise of no longer playing in Big Blue's shadow was just a pipe dream for Jet Nation.

“There’s no way I’m going to be second fiddle. If we were playing the New York Yankees, I don’t want to be second fiddle to them. This is the same type of deal. I want to be the best team in football, not just the best team in this city. But we’ll start by being the best team in this city.”
-Talking about the Giants, December 2011

A slimmed down Coach Ryan made his debut in 2012. Unfortunately the 2012 season was over before it really began. The addition of Tim Tebow was an utter disaster, and problems with new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano led to a tension throughout the season. The season ended in a comical manner with a photo of Rex Ryan's tattoo depicting his wife in a Mark Sanchez jersey.

“I never realized how similar that I am to Tom Brady. I mean, the obvious physical appearance would be the first thing. The fact that he's married to a supermodel? Hello?”
-Before a game against the Patriots
 
The 2013 Jets had a new General Manager, John Idzik, new offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhinweg, and new starting quarterback, Geno Smith. Rex knew that his back was against the wall, but took  a team that everyone expected to be one of the worst in the league to an 8-8 record. After their last home game, Woody Johnson told a jubilant locker room that Rex will be coming back in 2014.

(from Boomer & Carton producer, Al Dukes)

"I think Rex is a great coach. I think he is a great person. There is no question about that. He’s very handsome"
 -Dressed as his brother Rob before a game against the Browns

The 2014 season has been a disaster. However, the majority of media and fans are blaming the problems on John Idzik and Woody Johnson for leaving over $20 million in salary cap with obvious holes on the roster. The Jets still hung in against some of the best teams in the league, like the Patriots, Broncos, and Packers. The team still plays hard for Rex Ryan and that is evidence enough that he is a great coach in this league.

When Rex Ryan got here, he tried his damnedest to change the perception of the Same Old Jets. His defense brought a toughness not seen in this city since the Parcells' Giants, and the "ground and pound" offense followed in the defense's mentality. However, Rex was always handcuffed by having a below-average quarterback in a passing league, and that has led to his ultimate downfall. Once again, thank you Coach Ryan, it's been one hell of a ride. 

One last note, from Patriot fan Bill Simmons Friday football column:

"I hope the Jets are dumb enough to fire Rex — the guy who won them four road playoff games in two years even though Mark Freaking Sanchez was playing QB for him. We always hear that you’re only as good as your QB. Well, Rex’s starting QBs ranked 24^th, 17^th, 26^th, 32^nd, 28^th and 30^th in QBR from 2009 through 2014. During that time, the Jets never had a 1,000-yard receiver and only had three 1,000-yard running backs (Thomas Jones in 2009 and Shonn Greene in 2011 and 2012). In the past 12 years, the Jets have drafted one above-average skill position player … and it was a kick returner (Leon Washington in 2006). And this is Rex’s fault?"