Is Coach Rex Ryan Being Too Positive?

Aug. 18, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan on the sidelines against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Giants won 26-3. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

I know it is only the second preseason game. The Jets have time to get better, with the big dress rehearsal coming next week against the Carolina Panthers.

Also, I know that Rex Ryan has stopped with the Super Bowl guarantees. However, is being too positive about his team and players? Take a look at some of his quotes from last night after the game. First, here is what he had to say about Wayne Hunter:

I don’t know exactly what the number was (sacks allowed), but he’s going against a good football player in (Jason) Pierre-Paul. He’s a heck of a football player. If you’re isolated one-on-one, he’s not just going to beat Wayne Hunter. He’s going to beat a bunch of tackles in this league. Clearly, we have to be mindful of that. I thought he was able to do some good things, but I want to watch the tape before I isolate one guy. I have a tough time believing it was one guy.

First of all, what game was Rex watching? Wayne was able to do some good things? Yes, Rex, you are right. His uniform stayed on. That was a good thing. His helmet fit, also a positive. He didn’t get injured while watching from the sidelines. Other than that, I am not sure what coach was talking about.

On whether or not he is worried about the offense:

No, I mean clearly we have to get more production in the regular season than we’ve gotten in these two preseason games. There is no doubt. But I’m 100 percent sure when we kick it off for real, we will have more production. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.

How can you not be worried about the offense when they haven’t scored a single TD over two preseason games? OK, so he says he is not, but why not?

Well, I see the way our guys work. It’s a hard working group. Again, there’s no magic plays. I know how hard we work and I know how dedicated this team is to improving. And again, that’s what I’m betting on and that’s what I believe will happen.

Correct, Rex, there are no “magic plays”. But, are there any positive plays? Working hard is great, but the production actually went backwards. Maybe he is worried but not showing it, but he is very positive. It might be nice to hear, “We played terribly, and it has to stop.”

Is Rex trying to stay cool for the media? Or is he too positive? It’s hard to say, but it might become troublesome.