Rex Ryan Talks About His Newest/Oldest Weapon

Dec 2, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

With the game being Monday night, yesterday was the first time we heard from coach Ryan since Monday. The first thing that was on everybody’s list of questions was their new/old weapon, Braylon Edwards. He talked about the importance of the connection between Braylon and quarterback Mark Sanchez:

Yeah, I think obviously he’s familiar with him. I think that’s good that the quarterback is familiar with the receiver. The receiver, all they have to do is run the route and catch the ball, so I don’t think it matters who’s throwing it. For a quarterback, there’s a comfort level and, quite honestly, with the receivers there’s connections with the quarterback. Receivers will want a ball in certain areas. And if I’m running a slant there, maybe a receiver that wants the ball in front of them maybe wants it higher. There are some that want it lower, all those types of different things. I think obviously, he has that, spending two years here, he should have that kind of connection or rapport with the quarterback.

Rex talked about Braylon’s health situation, and how happy he is to be back:

Well, Braylon passed the physical. He’s been cleared to practice. I’m optimistic he’ll be ready to play on Monday. But again, I’m going to lean on our trainers and our doctors to make sure. I will say this about Braylon. He is extremely happy to be here. I think you guys will see that in the locker room. He’s hugging guys. He’s going crazy. I was happy to see him, despite the obvious comment. (laughter) See with the comment though, I look at it this way, Mike (Tannenbaum) and I are doing this, “Oh he’s talking to you. No, no he’s talking about you,” so we’re both okay with it. But it is funny because there are times when obviously you’ll make a comment, not that I have ever done this (joking), that you’re like, ‘Oh, gosh, I never wanted to say that,’ or, ‘That came out wrong,’ or whatever. But again, I’m happy to have Braylon back.

Braylon echoed those sentiment when he met with the media for the first time after landing back in NY:

It means a lot to be back. I had some great times here. I feel like I left a small part of myself here when I left. To be back is great. I think I can come back and just provide a little bit of a (veteran leadership). I’m going into year eight. I’ll be 30 in a month. Don’t tell anybody. There’s some pride, some of the things we had last time I was here was fun and just getting after it.

He and Mark have stayed close since he left:

It does. Mark and I have stayed in touch since I left. The big thing with us is that we’re friends off the field. We spend time together off the field, so we know each other a little bit. When you get in the locker room or in the meeting room or the field, that rapport helps to have that trust.

Here is hoping that Braylon is ready to go, as I can’t wait to see him on the field with Mark again.