Three years ago, then-Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was preparing to face Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, and Ryan decided to puff up his chest and talk about how Johnson wasn’t as good as the receivers the Cowboys practiced against every day. Big mistake. That became a rallying cry for the Lions that week, and Johnson beat Ryan’s defense for two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Lions beat the Cowboys.
Rex Ryan may have learned from his brother’s mistake.
Rex, whose Jets will face the Lions on Sunday, was asked today if he’s seen any receiver as physically gifted as Johnson. Ryan answered, “No. And I’m a football historian, but I don’t think I’ve seen [anyone like him]. I’ve gone against him a couple times, but no. Brandon Marshall is as close as it gets I think, but he’s even a little bigger and little faster. He’s probably got the height of Boyd Dowler. I mean really there’s no way. I have no idea.”
Dowler, for those who don’t know, was a 6-foot-5, 224-pound receiver for the Packers of the 1960s. Dowler was a great player whose height gave him a lot of matchup advantages over smaller defensive backs, but Dowler was no Megatron.
Ryan was also asked about comments Johnson made that he rarely faces single coverage, and Ryan said Johnson won’t face single coverage on Sunday, either.
“Well, he’s right, he’s not going to get that,” Ryan said. “I’m crazy, but I’m not that crazy.”
Rex’s brother was crazy enough to provide Megatron with bulletin-board material. Rex is not that crazy.
