Rex Ryan Calls Win “Biggest in Jets’ History”

As the agony of the NFL Preseason nears its anticipated end, the New York Jets and New York Giants squared off last night in an exhibition game at Met Life Stadium.  The game has been considered by dismal fans to hold “bragging rights” for the city, especially in years when the teams don’t meet in the regular season.  To Jets head coach Rex Ryan, the game holds a lot more weight than just bragging rights.

“I’ll say it right now, this win was the biggest in Jets’ history,” said a giddy Ryan while smiling next to the Snoopy Trophy, which is rewarded to the winner of the meaningless game. “This team fought through adversity, gritty quarterback play and a lack of overall talent to show fans who the real football team is in this city.”

The “gritty” play that Ryan could be referring to points to the performance of rookie quarterback Geno Smith. The West Virginia product was considered by some to be a top pick in last year’s draft, but wound up being passed over by every team in the NFL including the Jets… twice.

“Eli who?” Smith told reporters after the game while autographing an x-ray of Mark Sanchez’s injured shoulder for a young fan. “I think I proved to New York, and to the country who the best quarterback is in this city.”

 

Smith finished the game 16-30 with 199 yards while throwing three interceptions and just one touchdown.  He says he was upset to see Sanchez go down with an injury in the second half of the game, but he’s been able to learn a lot from him during training camp.

“Mark has been a real strong influence on my career and I really hope he recovers soon,” added Smith. “He’s been teaching me a lot about how to turn the ball over and telegraph my passes.  I think my play tonight proved I have it down pretty well.”

At one point during the game, Geno Smith ran out of the back of the endzone for a safety, a folly synonymous to the one of former Lions’ great, Dan Orlovsky. 

“I always thought the quarterback was allowed to do that,” said analyst, and former quarterback Donovan McNabb after debating with Andy Roddick who should win the NL MVP on the new show Fox Sports Live. McNabb went on to say, “that if Mark Sanchez is seriously injured, he probably won’t be able to start.”

As for the foot-loving head coach, his comments were surprising to hear.  Although this hasn’t exactly been a storied franchise, they do have a Super Bowl win that to most fans would trump last night’s victory.

“I don’t care what happened in 1969!” Ryan screamed.  This is 2013.  All that matters is that we beat the New York Giants and proved that we are the better team. Tomorrow, the Empire State Building will be green.  Was it green in 1969? I highly fucking doubt it. So all I know, is that our fans can rest assured that we have officially taken over this city, and we are here to stay.”  Ryan proceeded to flip off the reporters as he left the podium.