October 21, 2012; Foxboro, MA USA; New York Jets linebacker Aaron Maybin (51) during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

Through the talk about Tim Tebow at yesterday’s press conference, Rex Ryan did get a brief opportunity to some actual football. Specifically, about Aaron Maybin, and his being waived in favor of Kahlil Bell. Here’s what Rex had to say:

There are a few things. When you look at your roster, I’m not saying that (Maybin) won’t be back, but you have to do what you think is in the best interest of your football team. With us having two backs (who) are questionable injury-wise, Bilal Powell having a concussion and Joe McKnight coming off an ankle injury, we felt we needed to bring somebody else in. I like Aaron. I love the way he plays. He flies around (and) does a tremendous job on the practice field. (The) numbers haven’t been there for him this year. I’m encouraged by the way Ricky Sapp played. I think he shows it on the practice field as well. That was the move we made at the current time.

I happen to agree with the Maybin move, whether or not he is brought back. There was a lot of hype around Maybin gaining weight to stay on the field as an every down player, and he has recorded a whopping one tackle with zero sacks. Maybin has not exactly earned his spot on the team anymore. The Jets just could have handled it better, by not pulling him out of a charity event.

The Jets said earlier today that they were going to sign a running back, as they worked out Steve Slaton and Khalil Bell. Well, Mike Tannenbaum and company have made their decision, and that decision is Khalil Bell.

Multiple sources have confirmed the signing this afternoon. Bell has spent his entire 3+ year career with the Chicago Bears, acting primarily as a backup. His best year behind Matt Forte was 2011, when he carried the ball 79 times for 337 yards, a 4.3 average yards per carry. He also added 19 receptions out of the backfield for 133 yards and a 25 yard TD. He is a clear upgrade in this offensive backfield, maybe even over Shonn Greene, and the Jets should work him into the offense immediately.

To make room the Jets have released OLB Aaron Maybin. This doesn’t come as a suprise, as Maybin has not made an impact of any kind in 2012. AFter leading the Jets in sacks in 2011, Maybin added weight in order to stay on the field on all downs, but in fact, has not been able to stay on the field even on passing downs. He has been horrifically disappointing, and it was time for him to go. So out he goes to make room for Bell.

This was a good move by the Jets, but it may just be too little, too late.

The Jets also announced today that Isaiah Trufant has been put on season ending injured reserve. No word at this point as to who is going to fill the roster spot.

Aug 15, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets linebacker Aaron Maybin (51) looks on during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

Off of the rough outing in Pittsburgh last Sunday, next up is a divisional matchup with the Miami Dolphins. This will not be an easy test for the New York Jets, as the Dolphins are coming off a victory against the Raiders where they put up 35 points. Reggie Bush was the biggest threat last week, rushing the ball 26 times for 172 yards and 2 TDs. That threat has not been lost on linebacker Aaron Maybin. Here is what he had to say about him:

When you have a player with the kind of talent of Reggie, he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. There aren’t too many players that fit that description walking around in the NFL. You have Chris Johnson, Reggie Bush, there are very few (who can do that), especially at the running back position. At receiver you have Calvin (Johnson) and the guys out in New England, but when you see that at the running back position, it changes the way a defense has to defend against those teams. He’s definitely a guy that in your game plan, you definitely know where he is when he comes on the field.

That’s some pretty high praise for Bush, to put him in a class with those guys. There is nothing wrong with it, a health respect for a guy means they are going to know where he is, and key on stopping him. Good idea, because good speed runners like Bush have given the Jets fits in the past.