Rex Ryan's Big Mouth
I heard Jets head coach Rex Ryan's comments Monday that Sunday's play-off game between New York and the Patriots is "personal". Ryan feels it's between him and Bill Belichick. If Ryan can out-coach Belichick then his team can win.
I understand what Ryan is doing. He's trying to take all the focus and attention off of his team and put it squarely on him. Fine. I don't have a problem with it. He's doing what he thinks is best and he knows his team better than anyone else.
Personally, I think it's harmless and funny. And, I do think Ryan is a pretty good coach. However, I think it won't matter. I simply think Rex Ryan is missing something Bill Belichick has: one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL.
I am big on the theory that the NFL is a "Head Coach-Quarterback" league.
Give me Brady-Belichick over Ryan-Sanchez any time.
That's why I was so afraid of the Colts. Peyton Manning any coach is dangerous. Jim Caldwell is fine in Indy, but Tony Dungee-Manning was Super Bowl winning.
When I look at the eight teams left in the NFL, I think the QB-Coach factor is huge....probably the number one factor. Here's how I break them down:
1) Brady-Belichick
2) Roethlisberger-Tomlinson
3) Rodgers-McCarthy
4) Ryan-Smith
5) Flacco-Harbaugh
6) Cutler-Smith
7) Sanchez-Ryan
8) Hasselback-Carroll
You can certainly argue with how I ranked these combos, but it's clear that there are very few great combos out there.
I am a huge fan of Belichick and Brady and that's why I think the Pats will win Sunday. Beyond that, I think their biggest challenge will come in the AFC title game.
So Rex, good strategy, but respectfully just don't see you winning Sunday. Maybe next year or the year after. However, right now you've got two Hall-of-Famers in your way.
