Rex Ryan benched Dee Milliner on Thursday night

Sep 12, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (85) dives for a ball against New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner (27) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Jets spent one of their first-round picks in the 2013 NFL Draft on Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, but he has been a disappointment so far. During the Thursday night football game against the New England Patriots, Milliner’s performance led to head coach Rex Ryan giving him a seat on the bench.

Ryan confirmed after the game that he had benched the rookie defensive back.

“This young man is going to be a tremendous player,” Ryan said, via quotes obtained by Pro Football Talk. “There is no doubt. But as I told him, I said, ‘You know, Dee. I want you to sit on the sidelines and I want you to watch’. And sometimes when you do that, it is the best thing for you. And so we replaced him with Kyle [Wilson] and [Darrin] Walls and that’s what we did. I am trying to win a game, and put in who I think has the best chance to win it. And the young man, like I said, he is going to be a great player. But at that time, I went with the veteran.”

Milliner was supposed to be the team’s replacement for Darrelle Revis, so they were hoping for some big things.

Unfortunately, like the Jets roster this season, they have not played up to the level they are expected to be at.

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