Inland Waterways » Rex Ryan actually defended Bill Belichick

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Add yet another chapter to the long-running saga that is the New York Jets-New England Patriots rivalry. But, heres a new twist: Rex Ryan actually defended Bill Belichick. Wait. Say what? Well, it started Thursday when a profile on Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine published on Sports Illustrateds theMMQB.com site included a revelation from the former Jets defensive co-ordinator that suggested New England might have obtained a copy of New Yorks playbook a few years ago. Pettine said Ryan, his longtime buddy, once gave Alabama coach Nick Saban a playbook -- and Pettine warned that Belichick and Saban are close friends. At the wedding of then-Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker a few years ago, Tom Brady bragged to former Jets assistant Mike Smith that New England might have gotten its hands on one of its rivals playbooks. "It didnt shock me," Pettine told the site, "because Rex would give them out like candy anyway." After the Jets completed their final minicamp practice, Ryan became agitated at times when asked about the story. The Jets coach refuted the suggestion that Saban -- who is also friends with Ryan -- might have given Belichick and the Patriots a sneak peek. "One thing I know for a fact, No. 1, I think its disrespectful to New England to say, Oh, they did this," Ryan said. "I can tell you every single game weve ever had with New England has been decided on the field. Nobodys had a competitive advantage. Nobodys had anything else. And thats a fact." The Patriots have won seven of the 11 games against the Jets since Ryan became New Yorks coach in 2009. Ryan said in the Jets losses, Belichicks bunch simply "outperformed us." So, this is, of course, not quite a scandal such as Spygate. Then, came the bombshell moment. "To discredit somebody like Belichick, who is a real coach, studies his butt off," Ryan said, "is ridiculous." Ryan explained that every team frequently changes its playbooks, tailoring plans to specific opponents. Theyre also coded in ways that would be difficult for opponents to completely decipher. "To me, I think its ridiculous," Ryan said. "But I think it sounds like everybody needs to talk to Pettine, because apparently hes got all the information." Alabama associate athletic director Jeff Purinton confirmed that Saban has a copy of the playbook Ryan gave to him -- and it has remained in his office at the school. Belichick opted to not comment after the Patriots practice. "Talk to Mike Pettine," Belichick said. "I dont know." In the interview, Pettine used the anecdote to explain why he doesnt have thick playbooks -- just in case they end up in the wrong hands. Ryan acknowledged he wasnt sure if Pettine was just displaying his dry sense of humour, but was clearly irked by the whole situation. "I dont understand what hes trying to gain by it," Ryan said. "Thats up to Mike and hes certainly free to do whatever he chooses." Pettine and Ryan have been friends for years, dating to their days together in Baltimore. Pettine was Ryans defensive co-ordinator in New York before he left to take the same position in Buffalo in 2012. Cleveland hired Pettine as its head coach this off-season. Ryan was asked if a first-year head coach such as Pettine might consider staying out of the spotlight. "Yeah, he needs to learn to be quiet," said a smiling Ryan, whose mouth certainly has gotten him in trouble over the years. "Absolutely." The Jets coach then continued to lighten the mood, saying the story was being "a bit overblown" and analyzed his relationship with Pettine. "Its in a bad spot right now," a laughing Ryan said. "Like, really dude? Seriously?" Ryan later praised Pettine for his work by his side for so many years and acknowledged that he was proud of him for becoming a head coach in the NFL. So, will Ryan reach out to Pettine to smooth things over? "I dont need to," Ryan said with a grin. "Im going on vacation." Hmmm. Picture it: Ryan and Belichick having fun in the sun on Cape Cod. Now that would be some plot twist. NOTES: The Jets signed a pair of "camp legs" -- K Andrew Furney and P Jacob Schum -- and released TE Terrence Miller, putting their roster at 90 players. ... LB David Harris sat out with a hamstring issue that isnt serious. Ryan joked that Harris absence was a result of "the playbook issue." ... Ryan said hes "pretty optimistic" that RB Chris Johnson will be ready to participate in training camp next month. Johnson is coming off off-season knee surgery. Ryan suggested the Jets could use "pitch counts" for Johnson to limit his practice days. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Devon-Kennard-Draft-Jersey/ . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Dwayne-Washington-Draft-Jersey/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Defensive Depth TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs have considerable interest in unrestricted free-agent defenceman Dan Boyle. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-K...aft-Jersey/.com) - World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and four-time Australian Open titlist Roger Federer were among Mondays fourth-round winners at Melbourne Park. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Jalen-Reeves-Maybin-Draft-Jersey/ .C. - Alberta prop Andrew Tiedemann will captain Canada against Uruguay on Friday, the opening day of competition at the IRB Americas Rugby Championship. http://www.officiallionsgear.com/Lions-Golden-Tate-Iii-Draft-Jersey/ . The Toronto Argonauts (11-7) look for an opportunity to repeat as CFL champions when they host the surging Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-8) on Sunday.The Toronto Blue Jays will turn to righty Dustin McGowan tonight against Corey Kluber and the Cleveland Indians. McGowan has won his last two decisions and is 2-1 on the year with a 4.63 ERA. He did not get a decision his last time out, though, despite a decent effort against the Los Angeles Angels that saw him allow two runs in five innings of his teams 4-3 loss. "I got through it," McGowan said. "But I didnt have my slider, so luckily the changeup got me through. It was one of those games where you give it everything you can and see what happens." McGowan has never beaten the Indians, going 0-2 with an 11.05 ERA in four games (3 starts). Cleveland right-hander Kluber lost to the Blue Jays back on April 6. Since then, though, hes been one of the best pitchers in baseball. Kluber looks for another strong start on tonight as the Indians continue a three-game set with the Blue Jays. Since surrendering five runs in 6 2/3 innings in that loss to the Blue Jays, Kluber has gone 2-1 with a 1.91 ERA and 38 strikeouts in four starts since. He defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, as he limited them to a pair of runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings to run his record to 3-3, while lowering his ERA to 3.48. "Ive felt good out there recently, so I was trying to not really change anything," Kluber said. "Just go out there and continue to pound the strike zone and attack guys.dddddddddddd." Cleveland lost for the ninth time in 11 road tries on Tuesday, as Juan Francisco homered and had two RBI to help Toronto to a 5-4 win. Adam Lind also knocked in two and Melky Cabrera added the other RBI for the Blue Jays, who have won two straight. Toronto starter R.A. Dickey (4-3) scattered four hits over six-plus innings, allowing four runs -- two earned -- with six strikeouts. Casey Janssen pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season. "The good news is I feel like Im pounding the zone and pitching to contact," said Dickey. "I had a great knuckleball, but I am not making it easy on myself or my team in the later innings." The Blue Jays have homered in 17 of their 19 home games this season. Nick Swisher drove in a pair for Cleveland, which saw starter Justin Masterson (2-2) take the loss after surrendering five runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. "First time through the order went really well," said Indians manager Terry Francona of Masterson. "He got a couple balls up that they stayed on pretty well. We just couldnt get one big hit." Cleveland had won five of six overall entering this series. Toronto took two of three from the Tribe earlier in the year. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '