The Fifth Down | Rex Ryan Says It's a Personal Matter. Do You Agree?
Rex Ryan Says It's a Personal Matter. Do You Agree?
By Toni Monkovic
December 23, 2010 6:05 am December 23, 2010 6:05 am
On Wednesday, Rex Ryan declined to talk to reporters about the foot-fetish videos Deadspin showed of a woman who resembles his wife, saying it's a personal matter.
In an article in The Star-Ledger of Newark, cornerback Darrelle Revis said Ryan addressed the issue with the team Wednesday morning: "He basically came in there and said, 'You guys might know about the situation; some of you guys might not know. You'll find out later on today. Right now, I feel embarrassed, but it's something personal with me. We need to focus on Chicago.' "
In one of the videos, a voice similar to Rex Ryan's is heard off camera. If those are in fact the Ryans in the videos and if they put them online — Ryan did not deny it — did they lose their right to say it's a "personal matter" by posting them publicly?
"Woody and I have met with Rex," General Manager Mike Tannenbaum said, referring to the owner, Woody Johnson. "This is a personal matter, and he has our full support." The N.F.L. is also calling it a personal matter, although in this case it's one that everyone is talking about.
What responsibility does Ryan have in representing the Jets and the league? Should he be reprimanded by either? Or is it essentially nobody's business? Here's Revis again, as quoted by The Associated Press: "Foot fetish? Whatever. I mean, that's his wife. At the end of the day, that's his wife and he can do whatever he wants with his wife.''
(An issue like this doesn't pop up every day. I hope you understand that we'll keep a tight rein on the comments for this one). The transcript of the news conference is below, as provided by the Jets. Ryan did say of his wife, Michelle: "We've been married for 23 years. She's awesome."
The guys that did not practice (are) James Ihedigbo (knee and ankle), Eric Smith (concussion). (Smith) jogged today and seemed to be doing better. Santonio Holmes (turf toe), Tony Richardson and LaDainian Tomlinson are not injury related like we've done the last couple of weeks. Damien Woody (knee) did not participate today. Guys that were limited today, Trevor Pryce (hip), Darrelle Revis (hamstring), (Mark) Sanchez (shoulder). (Sanchez) was moving around well, but was limited with the amount of throws he took. Guys that were full today were Drew Coleman (groin), Antonio Cromartie (groin) and Nick Mangold (shoulder). Plus Brad Smith (hand).
On if he and his wife made the videos…
Obviously, I knew these questions were coming. This is a personal matter and I'm not going to discuss it.
On if he can confirm if it was him and his wife on the video…
Again, this is a personal matter. I hope you can respect the fact that I wish not to discuss it.
On if the videos affect the team…
We're going to be ready to play Chicago and I am ready. This is my job and I'm focused on the job at hand.
On how the videos got online…
Again, this is a personal matter. I really don't want to discuss it.
On if he has talked to the organization about the videos…
It's personal.
On how not talking about the videos is perceived…
I just want to keep it as a personal matter and I'm not here to discuss it.
On the comments about the videos…
I understand that I'm going to be asked this question front-ways, side-ways, back-ways and all this. It is a personal matter.
On his wife…
My wife is beautiful. We've been married for 23 years. She's awesome.
On comparing her to Gisele Bundchen…
I don't want to say that. I probably shouldn't have done that (laughter).
On when Santonio Holmes became injured…
During the game, I guess he had a toe injury and (I) never thought it was that bad. I never knew that we would have to hold him out today. (The injury) was bad enough to keep him out. I expect him to play, but he was not comfortable today.
On if Holmes will practice at all this week…
I think he will. I don't think he's out by any stretch of imagination. I just think it was sore today (to the point that) he felt like he couldn't practice.
On how limited Mark Sanchez was at practice and if that's why he was throwing lightly…
That's how he threw the ball today, but he's moving around great. I think if we had to play a game, he would play now, like today. Again, he is sore so we're being cautious and letting him heal.
On what Sanchez's MRI revealed…
The verbiage, I would have no chance at telling you. It's just a sore shoulder. Again, it's nothing that is going to keep him from playing.
On if Sanchez's injury could get worse…
I guess there is always a possibility, but we don't anticipate it. He's moving around and he's better today than he was yesterday.
On if not practicing this week is an issue for Sunday's game…
Yes. I'm hoping he will be able to practice. If he can't go and he doesn't feel like he can go, then we'll play (Mark) Brunell and Kellen (Clemens) as our quarterbacks. I think he's going to be able to go. I feel 99% sure that he'll be able to play on Sunday.
On if he will need Sanchez to practice by Friday in order to play on Sunday…
He is practicing. If he's really able to zip (the ball)? I don't know about that. I think as long as he has a great grasp about what he's doing, I think then he'll be ready to get out there.
On the team putting distractions aside and winning football games…
We are a resilient team. There's no question about that. It's been the first time ever a team has won two overtime games on the road back-to-back. To be able to come back like we did against Houston, this is a resilient football team.
On if Damien Woody will play on Sunday…
I don't believe so. No. He's out. Eric Smith, I thought would be out, but he did pretty good today so we'll see. He might practice tomorrow.
On if Eric Smith has any more tests for his concussion this week…
I'm not sure. I would think he would, but I'm not 100% sure on that.
On how the team will approach Chicago…
Nothing is guaranteed in this league. You have to go out and win this game with all we have.
On being supported by the ownership after all of the controversy this season…
I would think I would have support. We're 10-4. I think we're playing pretty well.
On Julius Peppers…
No, I'm not going to talk about Julius Peppers (laughter). Julius Peppers is an unbelievable player. It's ridiculous. A guy shouldn't be that fast and that athletic. I guess he's right there in the discussion of the Defensive Player of the Year. He is every year. He is a tremendous player and you certainly need to know where he is every snap. No question about it.
On his confidence in Sanchez during a game if he has not practiced during the week…
I think the main thing with Mark is that he (needs to have) a good feel. He practiced today, so I know he has a good grasp of it. When he wasn't in there behind the center, he was calling the plays. He was running them into Mark (Burnell). I think he's getting a good grasp. I think he's going to be way ahead of where most guys would be. Just the way (Coach Brian Schottenheimer) is making him call plays and being around Mark Brunell. I think if he's ready to roll, than we're going to give him a shot.
On if he could be limited all week and still start on Sunday…
Yes. I think so. I'd like to see him be able to throw a ball as the week goes on. You have to remember that he finished the game. This thing happened during the second series of the game and he played really well. He didn't seemed like he's limited. I think he's going to be just fine.
On if Sanchez could throw today…
He's still sore.
On if Sanchez is experienced enough to play in a game without practicing…
It's not an ideal situation. You want him to practice and the fact that he is doing a lot of the run snaps and doing all the walk-through snaps, throwing left-handed. He's getting more than what it might appear. He's not throwing as much, but he's getting tons of practice reps.
Rodgers Likely to Start Against Giants
Week 16 N.F.L. Game Probabilities, and Packers-Giants Analysis