Rex Ryan slams Herm Edwards

ESPN analyst and former Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets head coach Herm Edwards recently criticized current Jets head coach Rex Ryan for not benching Geno Smith to start the game. Smith, as every now knows, was late to a team meeting, apparently due to a time zone confusion. Smith ended up getting an in-game benching anyway after going a putrid 4-12 against the San Diego Chargers. Ryan, however, has unsurprisingly stood by the 2013 second-round pick, so the Jets won’t turn to Michael Vick…for now, at least.

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Ryan took issue with Edwards’s comments that he should have benched Geno, and he fired a rather personal shot at the analyst. He told ESPN New York 98.7 FM’s “Michael Kay Show”, via ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini, “If Herm Edwards gets to coach another team again, then he can do exactly what he wants,” Ryan said during his weekly spot on ESPN New York 98.7 FM’s “Michael Kay Show.” “No offense, but I don’t care to be compared to him anyway.”

Well, that was a pointed a shot.

I think Rex is handling the quarterback situation correctly, because the Jets aren’t in a position to win this year. This is a rebuilding team that still needs another playmaker in the passing game and, more importantly, a legit secondary. If anyone is to blame, then it’s John Idzik for drafting Geno (if he is indeed a failure), Idzik for not adding a legit corner despite copious cap space, and maybe Marty Mornhinweg for not doing a credible job of developing Smith. Ryan somehow led the Jets to an 8-8 record last season despite a roster that should have only won four, and, as expected, regression is finally starting to catch up to the talent-deficient Jets this season. If you’re blaming Rex, then you’re blaming the wrong guy, but I guess it’s more convenient to blame the most vocal leader in the organization.