Critiqued by Namath, Ryan Stands Ground

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan has never been one to bite his tongue. His unconditional confidence borders on irritating cockiness to some, and he is not afraid to express his opinion that Jets are best team in the N.F.L.

Some embrace Ryan’s confidence, others do not. Joe Namath, the franchise’s most iconic player, blamed that arrogance for the Jets’ 34-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

“I think these guys might be believing that they’re better than they are,” Namath said Monday in an ESPN Radio interview. “Rex has been the only coach that we know, in maybe the history of the game that I’m familiar with, that keeps continually telling his guys how good they are. And they have been pretty good — pretty good — but they haven’t won a championship yet. I think they’ve got to remember that there’s room for improvement.”

Ryan was aware of Namath’s comments and, as expected, does not plan on changing anything.

“I welcome him to come out here and watch our guys prepare,” Ryan said. “He would see a team that, in my opinion, prepares as well as any team I’ve been around. S I disagree with him.”

Ryan then came up with an idea.

“I’m not going to change who I am because Joe Namath said something,” Ryan said. “Joe Namath can come in here and if he can still throw, we’ll have him as a backup quarterback. He doesn’t know our team. He’s on the outside. Even though he’s a Jet — and once you’re a Jet, you’re always a Jet — he’s on the outside. He’s not in these meetings. I think if he was, he’d be shocked at the preparation.”