Belichick Takes The High Road

Unlike the verbal free-for-all that’s escalating between New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has no plans to enter the fray. Despite Ryan’s oft-quoted remark that he “never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings,” Belichick declined to take the bait and didn’t respond in kind during an interview today, according to Bob Glauber of Newsday. “It doesn’t matter,” Belichick said of Ryan’s brash comments. “I’m just trying to get ready for tomorrow’s practice and that’s it.” Belichick was complimentary of Ryan’s work as well as the Jets in general, maintaining his composure instead of making this into a bigger offseason story. “I have a lot of respect for Rex and what he did in Baltimore, the defense his teams played,” Belichick said. “We’ve always had great battles with the Jets, so I’m sure that will continue. It’s a good rivalry. They beat us up here last year. They kind of got the last punch in on that one.” Continuing the trash-talking theme of the day in the AFC East, Ryan got in a fresh shot at Crowder after today’s minicamp practice, according to Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News. “Let’s see if he can top this one,” Ryan said. “I’ve walked over tougher guys going to a fight. . . . He can send himself and his father after me.” If it’s this feisty in June, imagine what the verbal assaults are going to be like during the regular season. Just a hunch, but Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells might eventually advise Crowder to knock it off at some point. As for Ryan, he’s unlikely to call off the dogs.