War of Words Carries On With Respect

Tom Brady

You saw my post yesterday breaking down Tom Brady's comments about the Jets and the HBO television program Hard Knocks. Well, as the media would have it no other way -- Rex Ryan was asked about it. And as Rex would have it no other way -- he answered.

"Hell, he knows we hate the Patriots. So what's the difference?" Ryan said, fully understanding of Brady's thoughts. "My brother's got a couple Super Bowl rings [as Patriots assistant]. He loves Tom Brady. But I don't have them, so I don't like Tom Brady. I respect him, but I don't like him."

Rex Ryan

No matter how people want to break down Ryan's comments, he handled everything with class this time. I know, I know -- you're not used to that concept. But there is nothing to criticize about Ryan's views here. Everyone knows it. The Patriots hate the Jets. The Jets hate the Patriots. Boston. New York. It's as elementary as it gets.

Jets center Nick Mangold -- who recently inked a big extension with the team -- explained that it's all part of the business. "It's part of the excitement of games -- you dislike the other team," Mangold told reporters. "I don't expect him to be sitting there with a bowl of popcorn enjoying the show every Wednesday."

You see? The Jets do have some class, sometimes. But the media is on a mission, and that is to stir up controversy. So they head straight for offensive lineman Rob Turner, who basically lives his life with a chip on his shoulder. When asked whether or not Brady's comments might stir up a scuffle on the field when the teams meet, Turner scoffed at the idea.

"Brady wouldn't fight me," he said. "I'd break his jaw."

Turner wasn't probably being totally serious there, but it's all a result of a ridiculous media question. Will Brady's comments cause a fight on the field 5 weeks from now? Come on. Let's focus on the preseason right now and getting through that to opening week, let alone the Pats and Jets matchup in Week 2.

Ultimately, though, little wars of words like this one are what make the hype of this rivalry so great. We've seen the Sox-Yanks rivalry lose some steam since the fiery guys like Pedro Martinez drifted away. It's football. Trash talking is a part of the game. And better yet, trash talking within the division is a part of life. They love to do it. We love to hear it. Everything is fine.