Florham Park, NJ

A furious New York Jets coach Rex Ryan denied a newspaper report that he would welcome being fired if owner Woody Johnson fails to make offseason changes to boost the team's anemic offense.

"That is totally untrue," Ryan said of the New York Daily News report. "The fact is -- and it's simple -- this is the only team that I want to coach, period. And I think anybody that knows me knows that I'm telling you the truth."

Running back Joe McKnight said Ryan was so upset with the report that he openly cried during a team meeting.

"Rex has always been a fighter, and he taught us how to fight," McKnight said. "It hurt him to say stuff like that. He was crying, too, he was that mad, that hurt. You hurt a man like that, and he cries."

According to the report, Ryan has recommended to Johnson to replace first-year offensive coordinator Tony Sparano with a new play-caller. However, it's unclear whether Johnson is willing to pay off the remaining portion of Sparano's deal.

Also, it was reported that Ryan will not simply resign if the owner isn't willing to make sufficient changes, forcing Johnson to buy out the coach's remaining two-year contract worth $6 million.

However, Ryan clarified that he hopes to be a Jet for 15 more years.

"Let's face it, I wear Jets stuff every single day," Ryan said. "I'm proud to be a Jet. Sometimes I'm proud to be a Jet more than others -- this season has been a rough one -- but this is my team; that's how I approach it."

 

 

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