Bills hire first full-time female assistant coach in NFL history

Rex Ryan took a big step towards to bringing more women into the NFL after the Buffalo Bills announced Wednesday that they hired Kathryn Smith as a "special teams quality control coach." 

While the title sounds very specific — but at the same time vague — the hire does make Smith the first-ever full-time female NFL assistant coach in the league and turns feet-loving Ryan into a special footnote in sports history.

“Kathryn Smith has done an outstanding job in the seven years that she has worked with our staff,” Ryan said in a statement released by the team. “She certainly deserves this promotion based on her knowledge and strong commitment, just to name a couple of her outstanding qualities, and I just know she’s going to do a great job serving in the role of Quality Control-Special Teams.”

.@buffalobills HC Rex Ryan on naming Kathryn Smith the first female full-time coach in @NFL history pic.twitter.com/w95ph4DOXo

— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 21, 2016

Smith started her career with the Jets, joining the organization in 2003 as a game day and special events intern. She became a college scouting intern in 2005, a player personnel assistant in 2007 and assistant to the head coach in 2014. She followed Ryan to Buffalo in 2015 after the Jets fired him.

The NFL has already seen women break down gender barriers after the Cardinals hired Jen Welter as an assistant coaching intern for training camp last year. Welter was believed to be the first female coach in NFL history, but Smith will become the first full-time NFL coach.

“I consulted with Bruce Arians on this since he was really the first NFL head coach to make this kind of move when he hired a female linebackers coach through the summer,” Ryan said in the statement. “You can see the success some of these young ladies are having in the coaching profession, such as the young lady that is an assistant to Coach (Gregg) Popovich at the San Antonio Spurs, and realize how exciting this is for women like Kathryn Smith as well as the Bills organization.”

Ryan was referring to Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon.

“Kathryn has been working in a football administrative role and assisted the assistant coaches for years,” Ryan added. “She has proven that she’s ready for the next step, so I’m excited and proud for her with this opportunity. She will work with Danny Crossman and Eric Smith involving a number of responsibilities.”

One big step for women and one new pair of tiny feet for Rex.

Referee robs Patriots of potential touchdown with ‘inadvertent whistle’ in game against Bills (VIDEO)

It looks like more than just the wind was blowing at Gillette Stadium last night. There were also "inadvertent" whistles and a referee's overinflated call to keep things swirling about.

But it was indeed a premature whistle blow during the Monday Night Football game that almost derailed the Patriots unbeaten streak before they managed a 20-13 win over the Bills.

Early in the third quarter, Danny Amendola caught a 14-yard pass from Tom Brady and was about to take off with an open field in front of him. But before Amendola could make his way down field, an official blew the play dead. It would later be announced as an "inadvertent whistle."

It was unclear why the whistle was blown, as no flag was thrown as Brady and Amendola were both well in bounds.

The confusion had fans, players and coaches in a frenzy.

In the end the Patriots were given the ball at their own 45-yard line where Amendola made the catch and then received another 15 yards due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed to the Bills as coach Rex Ryan had stepped on the out of bounds line.

And is anyone sure vengeful commish Roger Goodell wasn't hiding out in the stands with a whistle in his mouth last Night?

But, more importantly, that play cost me 12.9 points and a win in my fantasy league.

That really blows.

Rex Ryan compares Bills win over Jets to moving on from 'some girl you had the hots for' (VIDEO)

Rex Ryan’s bittersweet return to MetLife Stadium on Thursday night, the place he called home for six years as coach of the New York Jets, ended in victory after Ryan and his Buffalo Bills edged his former team 22-17.

After the game, where the Bills almost blew a 22-3 third quarter lead, Ryan was asked what emotions he felt after the triumphant return to the Meadowlands. 

“It’s kinda like being dumped by some girl that you had the hots for,” Ryan said in front of a standing-room-only postgame crowd. “Hey, you move on, and every now and then they call you back – they can’t get you back.”

Rex Ryan's Press Conference Game 💯 pic.twitter.com/1MZ4bUE7XK

— Justin Hardie (@OrangeHardie) November 13, 2015

Ryan's humorless tone indicated that Ryan had, in fact, been dumped by the girl he had the hots for and his infatuation with the Jets way more serious than anyone knew.

Quite a change from the dance moves he showed on the sidelines.

Don't worry coach. I don't think that girl is ever calling you back now.

Jets, Bills will wear one-color uniforms Thursday as part of NFL's 'Color Rush' (PHOTOS)

As if hanging holiday displays in stores the day after Halloween wasn't enough, it looks Christmas decorations will come way too early for fans at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 12 when the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets meet on Thursday Night Football in Week 10 in the Meadowlands.

That's because the NFL is promoting its color-on-color campaign titled “Color Rush” which will have the Bills wearing all red and the Jets wearing all green — in what should look like life-sized Christmas bulbs blinking all over the field.

The Jets tweeted out this image of the new uni before the Internet memes took over.

BOOM. #ColorRush pic.twitter.com/qa5E30LNG6

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 6, 2015

Meanwhile, the the Bills' head-to-toe scarlet red didn't escape the trolling either:

Your first look at @usnikefootball uniforms @buffalobills will wear next week: https://t.co/XpEkABsdp7 #ColorRush pic.twitter.com/qlsqLzTrIS

— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2015

I guess re-gifting Rex Ryan to Jets fans wasn't a good enough present from the NFL.

Merry Christmas.

Rex Ryan gets new Buffalo Bills-themed pick-up truck (PHOTO)

Ex-Jets coach Rex Ryan is really taking this Buffalo Bills thing pretty seriously.

First Ryan changed the colors of his famous Mark Sanchez tattoo, from Jets green to Bills blue.

And now, a photo of a Bills-themed design for Ryan's pick-up truck is making the rounds:

Rex Ryan has a new truck in Buffalo; It is decked out Buffalo style (LOOK) - http://t.co/z8YlWgFrvI pic.twitter.com/m8rifW9C9s
— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) February 26, 2015

At least Rex will be stylin' when he picks up those frosted pizza pies.

Rex Ryan attends Sabres game alongside former Jets assistants (PHOTO)

Rex Ryan, the Buffalo Bills' new coach, attended Tuesday night's Red Wings-Sabres game at First Niagara Center, alongside four Jets assistant coaches who are likely to join him with the Bills.

There's secondary coach Tim McDonald, defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, linebackers coach Bobby April III and offensive assistant Tony Sparano Jr., the son of former Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano all taking in the game from a luxury suite.

Bills coach Rex Ryan watches the 3rd period of the Sabres & Wings game from a suite. @TheBuffaloNews @BNHarrington pic.twitter.com/cwjVfcGG7m
— Harry Scull Jr (@hsjrphoto) January 14, 2015

You can bet the Bills' owner, Terry Pegula, who also owns the Sabres, hooked old Rex up with those fancy seats. And the Sabres gear was nice welcoming gift. Too bad it won't make up for this nasty-looking pizza the team greeted Ryan with.

We'll have one cheese pizza with extra Rex, please. #WelcomeRex Huge thanks to our friends at La Nova! pic.twitter.com/K1XAdEVZ6Q
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 13, 2015

It's hard to know probably upset Rex more, the Sabres losing to the Red Wings 3-1 or that disgusting pizza covered with frosting.

But, before the lap-band surgery, I would bet on the food.

Rex Ryan gets emotional after disappointing Jets loss: 'I feel sick' (VIDEO)

You can usually expect a lot of high and lows at a Rex Ryan press conference but, after the Jets disappointing 16-13 loss to the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium Monday night, it seemed that the head coach had finally reached rock bottom and spilled his guts in front of the media.

And after 13 weeks of horrible football, the normally fiery coach somberly admitted : "I feel sick."

Ryan seemed to be holding back tears as he stood despondently at the podium, reflecting on what will surely be his last season as a Jet, one that has long been a disaster. 

“I can’t believe we’re 2-10,” he said. “A joke.”



Although the Jets had a shot at winning, there was no chance of salvaging Ryan's job. Rex is definitely living on borrowed time but, its kind of sad to see him go out like this.

[Video of press conference]

Rex Ryan knew John Idzik planned on firing him since start of season: Report

The on-and-off chatter about firing Rex Ryan has been flying around MetLife Stadium for the past three years but, apparently, little planes with "Fire Rex" banners have been soaring around inside John Idzik's head since the season began.

It's not surprising a head coach who had such early success with the two AFC Championship Game appearances his first two years with Woody Johnson's team would hold on to his job this long, but according to the N.Y. Post, Ryan's fate was actually sealed long ago — and he knew about it.

Sources told The Post that, during the offseason, Ryan bumped into scouts and other coaches from around the league who told him Jets general manager had been telling people his plan all along was to replace Ryan after the season and bring in his own head coach.

“Did he think that wasn’t going to get back to me?” an angered Ryan told one confidant.

The Post wrote:

All year, Ryan has been exasperated by the deficiency of talent Idzik has given him — particularly at cornerback, which is the most crucial position on his defenses.

Through it all, he has remained a company man and kept those frustrations to himself, instead actually praising some of the ill-fated moves Idzik has made.

Idzik staying more than $20 million under the salary cap this year was a clear message to Ryan there was not a strong commitment to win during a year in which Ryan knew he had to win to keep his job.

Two sources told The Post in recent days Ryan has been hinting to people with whom he is close he is prepared to go directly to TV if (when?) he’s fired by the Jets.

And, after Monday's atrocious 38-3 loss to the Bills,  it appears he is about to lose his fight to remain the Jets head coach for a seventh season after the Jets failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive time — their longest drought since the six-year run from 1992 to 1997.

And at Monday's postgame presser, the always colorful and direct Ryan put it best: "One thing I know, unless it changes drastically, I will be the head coach here for the next five weeks."

Warm up the mic, Rex. TV beckons. 

Rex Ryan directs F-bomb at Steelers player after win (VIDEO)

When the Jets lined up in a victory formation to cement Sunday's 20-13 upset over the Steelers, Pittsburgh’s Mike Mitchell wasn’t quite ready to accept the reality of defeat.

The Steelers safety vaulted over the Jets’ line as the ball was snapped and was promptly body-slammed by center Nick Mangold, which ignited some pushing and shoving from both sides:

During the post-game handshakes, Jets coach Rex Ryan let the Steelers know how he felt with an easy to make out F-Bomb — probably directed at Mitchell:

For once you have to agree with ol' Rex's choice of words.

Jets mock 'Fire John Idzik' airplane banner by flying 'Go Jets' on toy helicopter: Report

Here's one way to tell that Rex Ryan still has some say over his New York Jets team. Given the drama surrounding the floundering club, they still know how to poke fun at themselves.

At Thursday’s indoor practice, Ryan responded to Wednesday's hilarious “Fire John Idzik” airplane banner that flew over their outdoor facility by flying a miniature toy remote-controlled helicopter overhead. 

The toy chopper had a small banner hanging off it, about a foot long, which said: "Go Jets."

Rex said the toy helicopter was his idea. He said the message was "we're all in this together." #nyj
— Brian Costello (@BrianCoz) November 6, 2014

#Jets staffer was flying a toy helicopter with a "Go Jets" banner at start of practice
— Kimberley A. Martin (@KMart_LI) November 6, 2014

A Jets video staffer reportedly flew the plane for a couple of minutes during warm-ups at Thursday’s practice, which was held indoors because of rain. He quickly brought the plane down and carried it off the field.

Jets are practicing inside today and they had a mini-helicopter flying inside the fieldhouse. Looked like there was a Go Jets sign attached
— Eric Allen (@eallenjets) November 6, 2014

After Wednesday's air strike, Ryan and more than a few Jets players said they thought the banner crossed the line.

Glad to see Ryan saw the funny side of it.

'Reporter' Rex Ryan pranks Sammy Watkins with question on conference call (AUDIO)

Rex Ryan continues to show he isn't above having a little fun even while his 1-6 Jets team sings the blues. Ryan, who has already played "reporter" as a gag a couple of times, turned the tables once again.

On Wednesday, with a little help from the New York media, Ryan duped an unwitting Sammy Watkins of the Bills with his Clark Kent routine during a conference call.

Watkins, the Bills' outstanding rookie receiver who will be facing the Jets Sunday, was doing the phone interview with Jets reporters just as Ryan came walking past the room where the call took place. Ryan was en route to his daily press conference.

A reporter motioned to Ryan that Watkins was on the call. Ryan, whose son, Seth, was a teammate of the NFL's No. 4 overall pick at Clemson University last year, gladly entered the room to begin the ruse.

"Sammy, I got a question," Ryan began. "How did you help Seth Ryan out? How'd he do out there? And if you could really help him, you wouldn't play this game. This sounds like Rex Ryan—I know it does—but this is a reporter."

There was a pause.

"How you doing, Sammy? You all right?" Ryan asked.

Suddenly there was stifled laughter from the reporters.

"Hey, how you doing?" a confused Watkins responded.

And that's how the interview ended.

You can hear Ryan "interviewing" Watkins below. Ryan jumps in at the 5:03 mark.

Geno Smith missed team meeting because of time change: Report

It sounds like Geno Smith needs to work on his time management skills — before and during the game.

The Jets quarterback, who was benched at halftime, missed a team meeting on Saturday night, the team confirmed.

A team spokesman said it was an “honest mistake” and Smith got "messed up" by the three-hour difference between Eastern and Pacific time.

He arrived 5-10 minutes after the meetings ended, a team spokesman said, after Smith and a few teammates went to a movie.

The quarterback caught up on the missed information later that night with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach David Lee, according to the team. 

This was the first time Smith missed a meeting, said the Jets. It is not clear whether he was disciplined.

Smith was replaced by Michael Vick at halftime after going just 4-of-12 passing for 27 yards with one interception in the first half against San Diego.

“You’re down 21-0 and you haven’t converted a first down, you haven’t done anything,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “If not then, then when? Let’s try to give a spark.”

Ryan quickly said after the game that Smith would start against the Broncos this week.

Someone remind him to pre-set his watch.

Rex Ryan blames self after loss: 'It was me that was getting ass kicked'

The New York Jets are a wreck and Rex Ryan wants to take all of the responsibility for Sunday's crash landing.

While any one person never deserves all the blame for a loss, the abysmal 31-0 beat-down by Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers warrants lone blame said Ryan.

“First off, I apologize to our fans – those that are left,” Ryan said to start his postgame flogging presser.

 “This is on one person, and that’s it. It’s certainly not on the quarterback, on one individual that way or anybody else. It’s on me. Clearly got out-coached. I thought we had a good plan going in and, obviously that wasn’t the case.It was a complete ass whipping, and it was me that was getting my ass kicked. I think that’s where it is. It’s on one man. It’s on me. I understand what needs to be done. It’ll start with our preparation, like it always does. I thought I had my team prepared, and clearly that wasn’t the case.”

 "I've been beat before, but not like this," Ryan said.

The 4-1 Chargers dropped a lot of  pain on the 1-4 Jets, who lost their fourth straight game and even turned to Michael Vick. Vick replaced starter Geno Smith on New York's first possession of the second half, but wasn't any more effective.

Still, the Jets players had their coach's back.

"Rex is not playing," defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said. "He can put it on himself all he wants, but as men as out here, we’ve got to do our job. We get paid to (expletive) play football.”

Sheldon Richardson added, "He can try to take the blame, but it’s us out there playing. All he’s doing is calling plays."

Ryan might feeling the Chargers boots-on-the-rear Monday morning but the real pain might come from planting himself down on owner Woody Johnson's hot-seat.

Rex Ryan rips rookie Andre Williams for calling Giants the 'real New York team' :Report

New York Giants Andre Williams hasn't been in New York long enough to remember when the Jets were actually the toast of New York but he found out that Gang Green head coach Rex Ryan still does and doesn't take kindly to anyone burning his team — even a rookie.

The newbie running back, who will face the Jets for the first time this week, recently delved right into the MetLife Stadium rivalry before ever running a regulation NFL down by proclaiming, “I think the Giants are the real New York team” earlier this week.

Never one to let a blustery retort pass him by, Ryan poked back with a two-winded response by mocking one of the rookie's college games and giving a shout out to his son Seth's college team, Clemson, all in the same breath.

“Last time I saw (Williams), he was getting smoked by Clemson,” Ryan said Wednesday while getting his Jets ready to play the Giants  in the annual preseason “Snoopy Bowl.”

Williams and Boston College lost to Clemson, 24-14, on Oct . 12 last year. 

“You know what? It’s great,” Ryan said of Williams. “I have a funny feeling he’s going to get some (helmets) put on him, or whatever. But we’ll see, it’ll be a competitive thing. I know he’s going to be pumped up, but trust me, our guys are going to be pumped up, too.”

However, Ryan did pay the Giants’ fourth-round pick a compliment. “I will say, that kid’s a good back though. Is anybody going to tackle him?” Ryan said.

Ryan wasn’t the only member of the Jets to respond to Williams’ comment. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison tweeted Wednesday, “See you Friday Mr. Williams...#JetLifeeeeee.”

Though Friday’s game is just an exhibition, Ryan said it carries more intensity than a normal preseason game.

“It is a bigger deal than preseason games when you play other people,” Ryan said. “You’ve got guys popping off, the running back from Boston College, he’s already saying the Giants are the best team in New York. You don’t get to play each other. And so this is the only time you really get to play each other, and I think it amps it up a little bit, I really do.”

And anyway. Both teams play in New Jersey.

Jets WR David Nelson was ‘quarantined’ after mosquito bite: report

New York Jets receiver David Nelson missed the first week of OTAs, but Rex Ryan might have a hard time finding a reason to get mad.

Nelson had a really good excuse — and it wasn't attending the CMTs. He was quarantined.

During a trip to Haiti to do charity work, Nelson was bitten by a mosquito. His fever peaked at 104 degrees and he had strep throat, so the team told him to stay away.

“I was quarantined,” Nelson said about battling the mysterious mosquito-borne illness.

Nelson got back on the practice field this week, after his fever dropped and the strep infection went away, and sounded impressed.

"We’ve got a really dynamic group," Nelson said of the Jets new-look receiving corps upon his return. "We’ve got guys who can do a little bit of everything."

And no, he wasn't in some sort of hallucinatory jungle fever haze.

"Now, the next step is to get everybody to play at that maximum ability and keep everybody healthy," he added.

Healthy — like avoiding Dengue fever and Ebola.

Now, taking shots from huge cornerbacks this season might seem like no sweat for Nelson after getting laid out by pinprick from a tiny insect.

Eric Decker blows off Jets practice to attend awards show with wife: Report

Newly signed New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker skipped the team’s OTAs Wednesday to attend the CMT Awards in Nashville.

Decker is married to country singer Jessie James and the duo were scheduled to be presenters at the show.

Decker, who signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract with the Jets in March, decided to hear Kenny Chesney play instead of going over the playbook with Geno Smith.

Jets coach Rex Ryan, who likes to brag about his team’s offseason attendance, said he did not have an issue with Decker, who will also miss Thursday's voluntary practice.

Jets WR Eric Decker & wife Jessie introducing Jake Owen at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville tonight #nyj pic.twitter.com/lK0RS5jpJ6
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) June 5, 2014

“Well, speaking as a married guy, absolutely recommended that you would go to that,” Ryan joked.

"So that would be recommended I think. You ask for their support. You need to support them, too. This really is voluntary camps, there’s no doubt about it. Things like this pop up. This is the time to do it. It’s not like it happened during the season. Certainly we support Eric and things. He’d be treated no different than any other teammate regardless of how much they’re making."

It seems like an odd decision considering Decker is learning a new offense and the Jets are limited to 10 OTA practices. Decker will return to the team Friday.

Michael Vick believes he can take Jets to Super Bowl: Report

Michael Vick may have been talking like a backup quarterback this past week, but that doesn't mean the Jets' new acquisition isn't making predictions like a starter. 

Taking a page out of the Rex Ryan book of eye-rolling prophecies, Vick said he can take the Jets to the big game — contradicting what he said earlier the same day about conceding the opening day spot to Geno Smith.

“I just feel like I can help any football team, any organization, particularly this football team, get to a Super Bowl,” Vick told the New York Daily News on Thursday. “It’s tough at this stage of my career because I still feel like I’m a fairly young player and I can still keep up. People make it seem like I’m getting older and things are not the same. I beg to differ.”

The explosive and injury-prone Vick will be 34 next month still believes he has what it takes to get the Jets to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1968.

Kind of like what Kurt Warner did with the Cardinals in 2008 after he was considered washed up and had to win back his starting job from Matt Leinart.

“Kurt was blessed with unbelievable talent and uncanny intelligence,” Vick said. “That helped him get to where he was. Most important, the Arizona Cardinals believed in him. People just got to believe in you. They gave him a shot. He got his opportunity and he took advantage of it.”

Vick didn't mention that Warner had All-Pro receivers Michael Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin catching the football during that magical run.

The Jets have bolstered their skill players in the offseason with wide receiver Eric Decker, running back Chris Johnson and rookie tight end Jace Amaro. Vick says in the past his teams didn’t have it together in all three phases to help him get to the Super Bowl.

“Sometimes, I feel like I’ve been dealt the short end of the stick because I haven’t had all those components over the years,” he said. “I never complained because this is an unbelievable league, it’s a great league and I’ve been blessed to play in it. Of course, I wish I had a Super Bowl and wish I could have accomplished more things. But, hey, I still got an opportunity and that’s what I am thinking.”

Despite Vick's apparent confidence, he still sounds like a backup.

“I think Geno is going to be the starter. I think he is going to start this season off,” Vick said. “I think Geno has every opportunity to go out and have success. He is going to get that opportunity.”

Maybe it's reverse psychology.

Rex Ryan wears Dirty Harry T-shirt at Yankees game (PHOTO)

There was definitely a New York Jets aura at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Monday.

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath put on the pinstripes and threw out the first pitch before the spring-training game against the Nationals.

And, as usual, Jets head coach Rex Ryan threw his own fashion sense into the mix.

Rex Ryan wearing a great shirt at the Yankees game. pic.twitter.com/9Ne5yo9D0U
— Busted Coverage (@bustedcoverage) March 3, 2014

Woody Johnson emails Jets season ticket holders: 'Rex has more passion than anyone I have ever met.'

The New York Jets 20-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins Sunday did more than end the Fish's playoff hopes and extend Rex Ryan's future in New York, it inspired Woody Johnson to sit at keyboard and screen to wax poetic.

Shortly after the inspirational victory, and after Johnson told a choked up Ryan and Jets players in the locker room that Ryan would be back next season, the owner emailed season ticket holders a letter reiterating his belief in his head coach. Here's the full letter obtained by the N.Y. Daily News:

"Our 2013 season ended earlier today with a victory over the Dolphins. It’s no secret that when this season started many people outside the Jets organization had low expectations for our team. But not us – we set out this year, and every year, with the high expectations of winning games and making Jets Nation proud.

I am writing to you, a valued Jets Partner, today to address 2014 and beyond.

Obviously, one of the first steps in moving forward is making a decision about our Head Coach. I hired Rex Ryan in January of 2009 for many reasons, but one of his strengths really stands out. Rex has more passion than anyone I have ever met. Passion for the Jets. Passion for teaching and motivating his players and coaches. Passion for winning. Like any NFL Head Coach, he’s had ups and downs, but Rex has been a tremendous leader of this football team.

That is why, after today’s game, I informed the team of our carefully-considered decision: Rex Ryan will continue as Head Coach of the New York Jets.

We won three of our last four games, but we're obviously not satisfied with our overall up-and-down 2013 performance. There were many moments, including today, when we showed real signs of progress and reasons for optimism, with a young, talented, competitive, and resilient team. But there were also too many games where we couldn’t sustain that progress. The reality is that we’re not yet the complete and consistent team that you demand and deserve.

We're confident that, with the leadership of General Manager John Idzik, working closely with Rex, we will enter 2014 with great opportunities to improve. We have the resources in place to continue to build our team, including more draft picks and roster flexibility than in previous years. In short, we’re on the right path. We are going to continue to move forward together, always looking to be better and stronger, building on our successes and learning from our failures.

We are focused on fielding a consistently competitive team with the sole mission of winning. We have our work cut out for us, but I know that we have the grit and determination to get the job done. We’ll continue to set high expectations and then work hard to exceed them. And I promise you that not one person in this organization will rest until we meet our ultimate goal of fielding a championship team.

Thank you for your intense loyalty and unyielding support for the Jets."

Now, about that contract extension...

Geno Smith after loss: 'I let Rex down today'

Geno Smith shares a lot of the blame for the New York Jets woes this season but found himself singularly apologizing to his head coach after a key turnover led to yet another loss on Sunday.

The struggling rookie’s 21st interception of the season was returned 42 yards for a touchdown by Captain Munnerlyn, and helped the Carolina Panthers beat Rex Ryan's Jets 30-20 at Bank of America Stadium.

“I let Rex down today,” Smith said. “He had talked to me about not having a turnover. I wanted to do that today. On one occasion, I got sloppy with it and forced it. I didn’t get it done. Ultimately, in this league, that’s something I’ve learned, that’s what it comes down to — one or two plays here or there.”

Ryan's career with the Jets is hanging on every remaining game this season and the rookie quarterback's playmaking is critical to his coach's survival.

Smith said the Panthers' defense didn't do anything unusual during the play and he took full responsibility for the turnover.

"I just shouldn't have thrown that pass,"said Smith.  "Should have checked it down."

Smith’s blown play came with the Jets trailing by 10 and trying to get back in the game. He threw it into double coverage, and helped put the Jets’ already slim playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

He finished 15-for-28 for167 yards, one touchdown, and that one, costly pick.

Smith has now thrown 21 interceptions this season and is also far and away the lowest-rated quarterback in the league, according to the rankings done by Pro Football Focus.

The Jets (6-8) will be eliminated from playoff contention if Baltimore wins at Detroit on Monday night.

“This one would be Ripley’s if we pull it off,” Ryan said of the team’s playoff hopes.

Or you can expect apologies all around.