With the Jets backed into a corner following two embarrassing road defeats, New York coach Rex Ryan likened his showdown with New England's Bill Belichick to a couple of time-tested boxers getting ugly in the ring.
"From a competitive standpoint, that's like facing the world champ," Ryan told reporters Friday. "You know the only way to beat him is you've got to be at your very best, then we'll see. You want to compete against the very best. Certainly, with him, he is the best coach out there -- may go down as the best coach in the history of the game -- but I'm going to take my swing at him."
We prefer that these two pasty-chested men keep their shirts (and hoodies) on and settle it on the field -- but it won't be easy for the Jets at Gillette Stadium.
Fans in Oakland and Baltimore relished dumping on New York in two ugly showings. Ryan was asked Friday if the greater Boston area will provide a more serene setting for Mark Sanchez and the gang.
"Very calm," Ryan said. "Please. We know what that one's like. That's brutal now. When you go up there -- it's good, that's the way sports are supposed to be. They let you have it now, for some reason ... me maybe a little more than others."
You? Why, sir?
"You would think you'd feel the love ... but for some reason, I don't sense that when I get there," Ryan said.
And he won't Sunday. We're not buying --- you're not buying -- Ryan's restraint and niceties this week. Ryan respects Belichick, sure, but this is a guy gunning to press Ctrl-Alt-Del on the Patriots' franchise. The Jets stumble into New England wounded and famished, and that's exactly why the first four weeks of this season mean nothing when these two step into the ring.
