New York Jets coach Rex Ryan didn't deny a report that rookie safety Calvin Pryor was recently benched for being late to meetings, but he wasn't about to take anything away from Pryor's replacement.
Pryor only saw action on special teams Sunday in the Jets' upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, veteran Jaiquawn Jarrett blew things up in Pryor's absence, snagging two interceptions, recording a sack and recovering a fumble.
When talking to the media Monday, Ryan veered around questions regarding Pryor's reported (via ESPN) tardiness, though he was adamant in his stance on Jarrett.
“First off, what happens in our team meetings, I’m just going to leave there,” Ryan said, via NJ.com. “But the reason he didn’t start was Jaiquawn Jarrett. That’s the reason. This young man’s preparation, his practice and ultimately his performance on Sunday, I think you see that.
"But he’s been playing extremely well for us, and I thought the young man deserved the opportunity. Obviously, we all saw the kind of performance that he put in.”
Jarrett will undoubtedly be up for an AFC Defensive Player of the Week nod. More importunity, however, it appears he earned a promotion with the big performance.
“I think it’s going to be hard to keep (Jarrett) out of that starting lineup,” Ryan said.
Whether that mean Jarrett will line up opposite Pryor or Dawan Landry in two weeks remains to be seen, but that will all shake itself out during the team's bye week.
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Whether that mean Jarrett will line up opposite Pryor or Dawan Landry in two weeks remains to be seen, but that will all shake itself out during the team's bye week.
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
