New York Media Wants it Both Ways from the Jets
By Alan Schechter
Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan leaving the field after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The New York media is an interesting group of people, isn’t it? There has been a lot of talk this week, as to date, Rex Ryan hasn’t given an end of the season press conference as of yet. The media has been up in arms! The timelines on Twitter have blown up this week, about how “Jets fans need answers”, and “the circus didn’t stop with the games ending”, and carrying on and on about it. Carrying about how the Jets are the only team not to have an end of the year press conference so far.
It’s funny, and ridiculous all in the same vein.
All season long, the media members talked about the “circus”. They droned on and on about the lies coming out of the Jets pressers. Rex Ryan would lie about Tim Tebow. Woody Johnson would open his mouth and we have no idea what would come out. “You can never have too much Tebow”, was an example. We certainly listened to Mike Tannenbaum talk in circles while he was employed, didn’t we? And the media, well they wouldn’t let us forget about it. On and on they went about the “circus”. When would they get it together? When would they put together a unified message?
Now, the Jets say nothing, and the media gets annoyed with that. It’s still a “circus”, and Jets fans want answers, they say. What do we say to the media?
You can’t have it both ways.
First of all, the Jets are going to speak, albeit late. They are going to have a press conference next week, on Tuesday. As we reported yesterday, yes, this is in volation of the media policy. But, get over, and wait.
Secondly, if it’s a “circus” when they DO talk, it’s not fair to call it a circus when they DON’T talk. Think about it. Rex Ryan will be asked questions about the team moving ahead in 2013. How can he speak for the direction of the team, when the Jets don’t know what that direction is yet? I see what the media is saying that Rex should have a voice this week, but not having him speak actually is a VERY responsible move. Rex Ryan won’t have the answers to the questions, why should they lave Rex the chance to say something that the team will regret? Seems smart to me. Take the week, at the end of the week, come up with the unified message that you are going to give, and then let Rex Ryan talk.
Finally, maybe the Jets don’t want to see any more talk from “anonymous sources”. Maybe THAT is why the Jets aren’t moving so quickly to make Rex available. There have been several, shall we say, less than ethical articles that have come out in 2012. Maybe the Jets strike back a bit here?
In any event, the mainstream media should calm down on this. You have yourselves to blame, and Rex will be available when the Jets are ready to make him available.