Rex Ryan: I'm better than people give me credit for

Rex Ryan knows he's living on borrowed time this season.  It's either an extended run into the playoffs or the unemployment line for the head coach of the New York Jets.

With a depleted roster and another unstable quarterback situation, the cards are stacked high against Ryan still being with the Jets on New Year's Day.  Still, the blustery coach was defiant as ever —and just a tad defensive — when he was interviewed by Newsday, minutes after the team concluded its final minicamp Thursday afternoon in New Jersey.

"I'm a hell of a lot better football coach than I'm given credit for," Ryan said.

"I don't care," he added with a smile. "I don't need the credit. But I can tell you one thing, when it's said and done, they'll look back and say, 'Oh man, this dude can coach his butt off.' And you know what? It's true. And I'll let the people that know best talk on my behalf about the kind of coach I am.

"I don't have to brag, even though statistically, I can brag about anything I've ever done defensively."

First on Ryan's new agenda, he needs to figure out how to get his team back to where they were early in his Jets career when he coached them to two straight AFC Championship games.

Ryan repeatedly has said he's going back to basics in Year 5 — taking a hands-on approach again with the defense and stay out of the offensive meeting room after a disastrous season with offensive coordinator Tony Sparano last year.

"I will not be there," he stressed. 

That's not to say Ryan won't be giving his opinions to new coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast offense.

"Don't think for a second that I don't know what we're doing," Ryan said. " . . . Marty knows what I want. We're on the same page."

The Jets have yet to decide who will run it — incumbent Mark Sanchez or rookie Geno Smith -- and there still are questions about the health of their receivers. After the offense finished 30th overall under Sparano last season, Ryan knows it must improve dramatically.

Ryan also tossed aside the assumption he was devoted to the ground-and-pound game.

"When you really look at it, ground and pound was one year," he said. "That was what it was. It was the first year. But we talked about it forever, but that's not the case."

When all is said and done, Ryan still believes his era at the helm of the Jets — no matter how long — will be remembered fondly by Gang Green fans.

"They'll say, 'He's a hell of a football coach, and you know what? He had more passion than anybody who's ever coached here before.' Eventually that's what's going to be said about me," Ryan said.

"And hopefully it's not for another 15 years."

Jeff Garcia: Jets should unload Tebow ASAP

Jeff Garcia just joined a long list of those who think keeping Tim Tebow hanging around in a New York Jets uniform can only do more damage than good.

The former NFL quarterback — who has been working with Jets starter Mark Sanchez this off season — told USA Today on Thursday that he thinks the Wildcat quarterback is a hindrance to the Jets right now.

"If there's going to be competition at the position, it's not going to come from Tim Tebow," Garcia said. "Having Tebow there (last season) just became more of a distraction, more of a circus show. Obviously, it's their decision. But from an outsider looking in, having Tebow there doesn't bring anything positive. It just brings distraction. For Mark, the main competition is going to be with David Garrard and Greg McElroy."

Garcia doesn't understand why the Jets — who went to McElroy after Rex Ryan benched Sanchez and then back to Sanchez in Week 17— are keeping Tebow in the equation even if it's only to push Sanchez to a higher level of play.

"When you're a quarterback, you don't need artificial competition," Garcia said of Sanchez. "And it's not fair to Tim to put him through all that. If there's a place for Tim that gives him a chance to be a contributor in an offense with another team, let him go be that guy."

Garcia is working with Sanchez to get the quarterback up to speed on Marty Mornhinweg's up-tempo West Coast offense.  The former four-time Pro-Bowler played under Mornhinweg with the Eagles and, so far, Garcia is impressed with Sanchez's grasp of the Jets' new offensive coordinator's Xs and Os.

"Mark did a great job of really getting into the playbook," Garcia said. "He has that determination, that attitude where he really wants to prove to himself more than anybody that he can be a great leader for that team and lead the Jets to great results."

Now if the Jets can only trade away that 240-pound thorn in Sanchez's side.

Jets new GM: Sanchez will be competing for QB job

At Thursday's press conference to introduce John Idzik as the New York Jets new general manager, the  incoming GM didn't comment specifically on any Jets player.  But later, on ESPN Radio, it sounded like Idzik had some good news and some bad news for Mark Sanchez.

The positive news for Sanchez — it doesn't sound like you're going to be put on the trading block.

On the flip side for last year's starting quarterback — you're going to have to fight for that same position next season.

Speaking on "The Michael Kay Show," Idzik said Sanchez will be back as part of quarterback competition.

"We're going to bring in competition," said Idzik.  "Mark is a competitor.  He's not adverse to competition.  He'll probably welcome it.  It will make everybody better and that will be our direction."

Jets head coach Rex Ryan took the more direct approach about his fifth-year quarterback.

"I believe Mark needs to erase his hard drive," said Ryan.

Sanchez had a miserable season (18 INTs) and the Jets finished 6-10 but Ryan thinks Sanchez must be chomping at the bit at the prospect of working with a pass-oriented offense with new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

"He's got to be popping out of his skin, as any quarterback would," said Ryan.

The Jets still have Greg McElroy and Tim Tebow under contract behind Sanchez and his $8.25 million guaranteed contract in 2013 but Idzik said all personnel would be evaluated with an eye on cap space.  By the way, Sanchez's deal was orchestrated by ousted GM Mike Tannenbaum.

The Jets could take a shot at Matt Flynn — the backup on Idzik's former Seahawks team — or possibly the 49ers' new second-teamer Alex Smith, both who could put the pressure on Sanchez and maybe take his starting job.

Ryan sounds excited about trading in his ground-and-pound offense for a more streamlined run-and-gun attack.

"I can't wait to get out there and see how our offense will look," said Ryan. "Will it look different? Yes it will."

For some reason, it sounds like bad news for Sanchez.