Rex Ryan melted down under the pressure from reporters peppering him with questions about his decision to put in Mark Sanchez, who hurt his shoulder in the fourth quarter of the New York Jets’ preseason win over the New York Giants on Saturday.
Rookie Geno Smith struggled during the game, throwing three interceptions in the first half. Ryan still had Smith start the third quarter, and later pulled him in favor of Sanchez, who got hurt. Ryan defended his decision to put in Sanchez — who likely was going to be the team’s Week 1 starter in light of Smith’s poor performance — saying it was important to play him.
“I would not have put Mark in if it wasn’t important,” Ryan repeated in response to questions.
Ryan was criticized for throwing Sanchez out there at that point. The media kept asking who would be the team’s starting quarterback for Week 1, but Ryan wouldn’t budge.
“We’ll make the announcement on a starting quarterback when we think is the appropriate time. Not when you, not when this person or this person or this person. Now maybe that person, but that’s about it.”
A clearly perturbed Ryan then gave a childish line when pressured some more about his starter.
“I can say anything I want. That’s the beauty of this country.”
He then turned his body in different directions, which was absolutely hilarious.
Oh, Rex, it’s only Week 3 of the PRESEASON. This is going to be a lot of fun.
GIF via Diehard Sport
