Follow Us: https://goo.gl/L5u429
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Rex Ryan has 14 games now to audition for his next career, and given how entertaining he has been as an NFL head coach, he should have plenty of opportunities.
Becoming a TV analyst is too conventional. How about a game show host? Has potential. Or maybe a vaudeville act with his twin brother? Yes, that's it: Rex and Rob with six nightly shows in the Poconos. They can make their entrance each night on that tandem bike of theirs.
Try the veal, everyone!
It is getting harder and harder to see him coaching beyond this season in Buffalo, and if that sounds like a reach after just two games, just spend some time here around New Era Stadium. The crowd started booing Ryan's team after just its second offensive play. Think Jets fans are impatient? This was a sign in the parking lot near the stadium's media entrance:
"Our Team's Playoff Drought Is Old Enough To Drive."
Ryan is only responsible for one of those 17 years. Still: The Buffalo News already has reported the playoffs-or-bust ultimatum from ownership. His shtick has worn out much quicker in upstate New York than it did in the Jersey swamplands, and give the current state of the team, it is hard to imagine a turnaround that could get this team into the postseason.
The Bills are 0-2 after this 37-31 loss and, with the Cardinals and the Patriots up next, are staring at 0-4. All NFL fans know the damning stat: Just 12 percent of teams that lose their first two games make the playoffs, which is why there was such a sense of desperation for both franchises heading into this one.
Only one team responded. Eight months ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick completed just 43 percent of his passes for 181 yards and three interceptions against the Buffalo defense. On this night, he completed 24 of 34 passes for 374 yards, shredding the Bills secondary for one long pass after another.
Oh, he did that and Matt Forte still ran the ball 30 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns. The Jets had 493 yards, 28 first downs and converted 8 of 11 third downs.
Other than that ...
"Their offense against our defense looked like a mismatch today," Ryan said. "I was afraid to pressure because we weren't holding up in man coverage. To their credit, it never mattered what we played."
This was the subdued, humbled version of Rex. A few days earlier, he was anything but when he addressed his team with an obscenity-laced tirade meant to fire up his troops for this game.
"It ain't about being No. 1 in defense, No. 1 in offense, whatever," Rex screamed. "No, it's about us in this room, holding this damn trophy saying we won the whole m----------. That's where I'm at. Don't be afraid of it. I don't give a s--- who knows it. Here we are. Here the f--- we are. That's who the f--- I am."
That little clip was part of a team-produced documentary titled "Rex and Rob Reunited." With dialogue like that, it might be time to clear room in the trophy case for an Oscar.
As for the Lombardi Trophy, one longtime Buffalo columnist said Week 1 was the worst offensive performance he had seen from the Bills and this was the worst defensive performance. You're never quite sure what you're going to get from the Bills, but it's usually not good.
Marshall thought his season was over
"The big thing is, I give the opponent credit," Ryan said. "They're the ones who deserve it. They made plays. They were the ones throwing up jump balls and then went out and caught them."
One of the Jets receivers who did that, Brandon Marshall, actually told Ryan before the game that he was "going to kick my butt today," according to the Bills coach, before his 101-yard performance.
"When definitely had a conversation," Marshall said. "I love messing with Rex. He's a great coach. He brings a lot of energy. It's always fun when you can get a body blow in on the big guy."
That might be true, but the big guy has become a punching bag and the blows aren't going to stop until the losses do. It's not entirely fair given the number of key players he's missing due to injuries and the four-game suspension of defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.
But that's the NFL. Ryan promised big things when he arrived, embracing Buffalo's small-town feel and reaching out to former stars like Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas. The fans loved him.
Sounds familiar, right? Just two games into his second season, most of that good well has evaporated. If something doesn't change, these next 14 games will be the dress rehearsal for his next career before he and Rob ride that tandem bike off into the sunset.
By Steve Politi | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on September 16, 2016 at 6:00 AM, updated September 16, 2016 at 7:02 AM
http://int.bozage.com
