New York Jets coach Rex Ryan will face New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady Sunday in probably his last AFC East rival bout with the future Hall of Fame signal-caller.
Ryan would prefer he never had to step in the ring to begin with.
"I was hoping he'd retire like four or five years ago, but that didn't happen," the still-clever Ryan quipped Thursday, via NJ.com. "Now he's talking about playing his whole life. Like, 'Oh, boy.'"
It was a joke, obviously, as Ryan is as much of a competitor as anyone, even though his team has struggled of late. Ryan spent a chunk of his time with the media praising Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick's perennial success.
The bottom-feeding Jets will be given little chance to oust to the dominant division leaders this weekend, and Ryan knows his defense will have to be at his best to even have a shot at slowing down New England's well-oiled machine.
The bottom-feeding Jets will be given little chance to oust to the dominant division leaders this weekend, and Ryan knows his defense will have to be at his best to even have a shot at slowing down New England's well-oiled machine.
Ryan does have some past experience in beating Brady, something he got credit for earlier in his head coaching career. But Ryan insists it was never based on out-smarting him.
"Generally doesn't happen," Ryan said. "I don't think that's really ever happened. I think you can outplay him. I think that's how you beat him. You have to outplay him. But to outwit him, I'm not sure that really happens."
New England just locked up its 12th AFC East title in 14 years. The Jets have beaten the Patriots just once in their last seven meetings, though three of those losses were decided in three points or less. The Patriots eked out a win over Gang Green earlier this year, 27-25.
"Generally doesn't happen," Ryan said. "I don't think that's really ever happened. I think you can outplay him. I think that's how you beat him. You have to outplay him. But to outwit him, I'm not sure that really happens."
New England just locked up its 12th AFC East title in 14 years. The Jets have beaten the Patriots just once in their last seven meetings, though three of those losses were decided in three points or less. The Patriots eked out a win over Gang Green earlier this year, 27-25.
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