The New York Jets are known for trash talking, at least since Rex Ryan became head coach. Bulletin board material is handed out more often than half-hearted greetings at a Wal-Mart. In some ways, Ryan is an elephant. By that, I mean, he never forgets. He remembered what former Jets guard Austin Howard, who signed with the Raiders this offseason, said before the Week 1 matchup.
"“We believe we can go up there and push them around a little bit.”"
During the post-game press conference of New York’s 19-14 victory over Oakland, Ryan found the time to take a shot at his former player.
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"“We knew the Raiders were going to come in here and push us around. That’s what was told. They certainly did that to the tune of 25 yards rushing.”During his years with the Jets, Howard was known as a mild-mannered player in his dealings with the media, not a trash talker. In that sense, he belonged to the minority. Asked whether he’s surprised that Howard made the remark, which Ryan repeated at Saturday night’s team meeting, Sheldon Richardson said, “Nah. He played for us.”"
Love or hate Ryan, you have to respect the fact that he enjoys the game within the game. For him, that’s the trash talking. For other coaches like Bill Belichick or Chip Kelly, it’s X’s and O’s. But to each his own, right?
According to Cimini, Howard heard it from his old teammates after the game.
"“Several former teammates razzed Howard after the game. He refused to acknowledge that the Jets shut them down, saying, “I think it was more Oakland beating Oakland. Hats off to them, they did a great job. But you know what? As far as what they’re saying, it’s in one ear and out the other.”"
The Jets head to Green Bay next week. We’ll see how much the Jets are trash talking then.