Rex Ryan had positive things to say about Geno Smith and Sheldon Richardson after the first day of New York Jets rookie minicamp.
Draft signings
The New Orleans Saints' Kenny Vaccaro and Detroit Lions' Ziggy Ansah were the first of the 2013 NFL Draft first-round selections to sign. Follow all the moves right here. **More ...**
His words were less glowing in talking about second-year linebacker Quinton Coples.
"If Quinton doesn't do a better job in the weight room, then he might have to ... he's gotta compete like anybody else for a job," Ryan told reporters Friday in Florham Park, N.J. "So, I was disappointed in Q in the weight room in the last day."
It's not hard to see through this one. Ryan is disappointed in what he saw from Coples, and he's using the media to turn up the heat on one of his most promising players. It's Parcells 101.
"He's been doing great, but any time I've got a chance to get him, I'm going to," Ryan went on. "I expect so much for him, if he lets up a little bit, we're going to make sure he knows about it."
Ryan is coaching for his job, and he knows he has no shot at being competitive if his defense isn't formidable. The arrival of Richardson will move Coples to outside linebacker, where he'll be expected to be a game-plan wrecker.
If it seems early in the game for Ryan to be critical of a player, you have to remember the stakes.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
