Joe: A work setting is always more enjoyable when the workplace is a fun-loving atmosphere. People who enjoy what they are doing are usually more productive than those that don’t. Football players are no exception to the rule. Playing for Rex Ryan would be exciting and interesting, provided that you live up to his confidence in you.
Brad: I think he has potential, but I think he needs to push his players more. You can be nice and stern at the same time.
Ralphie: He does things a lot differently from other coaches. I don’t think I like them, though.
Chris: Imagine the fine or suspension Wes Welker would incur if he were included in this column. It would be hard for him to foot the bill. I just said “foot.”
Joe: Rex Ryan is a good NFL head coach with passion, fire and bluster. Jets fans like the bluster, but the team has to play up to it.
Ralphie: I wouldn’t. I just want a coach who does things like normal coaches. I like coaches who are really hard on me because that’s when I play the best.
Brad: I would not mind playing for him if it was for an intramural league or a weekend league. I have played several different kinds of sports, and it’s always “everybody wins.” In real life not everyone wins, and you have to suck it up and keep going. Put more effort in and try again. I want my coach to tell me how I am doing and what I can do to be better.
Chris: One of the foundations of the Ryan coaching tree is to attack opponents’ weaknesses. For many teams the kicker is the weakest link. Whereas Al Davis’ philosophy is “The quarterback must go down, and he must go down hard,” the Ryan family philosophy, originating with patriarch Buddy, is “The kicker must go down, especially if his last name is Zendejas.” I am very thankful Rob Ryan is employed by the Cowboys, whereas the Zendejas family is very thankful Rex is fond of feet.
Ralphie: I like no-nonsense coaches best. Playing good ball is fun. The coach shouldn’t have to try to make it fun.
Brad: I think so. I agree with Joe Namath. He basically said that if you tell the player he is doing great but don’t point out the mistakes, then you get overconfident players who may not put in the effort to do better.
Joe: All of this Joe Namath talk about overconfidence is nothing more than hyperbole, which we all remember that Joe Willie was famous for in 1969. The players are professionals, and it’s about the play not the talk.
Chris: Having a 6’3″, confident, imposing coach who uses words Tony Dungy would not utter and may or may not be capable of fully eating and digesting a punter during one meal, Ryan would seem to be an intimidating figure who has gotten the most out of his players.
Ralphie: They need to play ball and not be stars. If they start acting like they are stars, they might quit playing good ball.
Brad: Like I said, this isn’t some weekend league; this is the NFL. There is a lot at stake. You need to have a winning team. The players can know they are good, but they need to be pushed to keep doing good or to do better.
Chris: Walking into a meeting room carrying a knife and fork and dropping the slightest hint of cannibalism would be all that it would take for Ryan to get his team’s attention.
Joe: Given the player personnel that Ryan has had to work with, I believe Ryan has gotten the most out of the team as possible-and at the end of the day, that’s all you can ask for.
Ralphie: They have done a good job. That might be because of the coach, but it might just be because they have good players.