On Monday, ESPN 98.7 in New York was center stage for a feud brewing between two Jets coaches. Rex Ryan, who took the team to two AFC Championship Games during his time in New York, was a guest on the station’s morning show DiPietro and Rothenberg. He had some harsh criticism for current coach Robert Saleh.
“This guy was supposed to be a defensive guru,” Ryan said. “I heard everything and I take it personal on this one. Everything I’ve heard about was, well this guy’s a lot like myself, but without the bad part. Yeah, well some of the bad part you need because this team doesn’t play with any damn heart. That’s the thing that’s disappointing to me. Don’t ever compare this guy to me, this Robert Saleh to me.”
Later in the day, Saleh was Michael Kay’s guest on the station’s afternoon show. Kay asked Saleh what he thought about the comments. It sounded like the coach was ready to meet Ryan in a parking lot.
“I’ve never met Rex, I’ve never had a conversation with Rex,” Saleh responded. “I don’t even know him except for people who know him throughout the league. Obviously, if it’s that personal for him – he knows where to find me.”
Michael Kay pointed out that he hasn’t heard an ex-coach go after a current coach in that way before. He asked if Saleh was surprised by the attack.
“I’m not surprised by him, he’s always got something to say,” the Jets’ current coach answered.
To be fair to Rex Ryan, that is his job. After coaching both the Jets and the Buffalo Bills, Ryan found a home at ESPN. He is featured on much of the network’s NFL studio coverage including Sunday NFL Countdown.
