Jets coach has some fun with his brother and the Browns, but advocates Rex for a head coaching job and shows respect for Colt McCoy.
View full sizeAsked if there were other Browns that he would target this week other than his brother, Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, Jets head coach Rex Ryan said, "Would I have placed a bounty on Mangini? I would have, but he's so small right now it would be hard to hit that kind of target."BEREA, Ohio -- Jets coach Rex Ryan took the Ryan Bowl to a whole new level Wednesday, changing into a Rob Ryan get-up in front of the New York media and putting a bounty on his twin brother's head.
Rex stopped a few minutes into the press conference in New Jersey and came back wearing a long blonde curly wig, a Browns baseball cap and Browns pullover with a pillow stuffed inside to simulate Rob's ample belly.
"There's a rumor floating around that there's been a bounty placed on his head by me," said Rex. "Let's be honest, there is a bounty on his head, there's no question. But I'm a little concerned about our guys bouncing off of his belly. If they run into [Eric] Mangini, that'd be fine. Would I have placed a bounty on Mangini? I would have, but he's so small right now it would be hard to hit that kind of target. Without question, there's a bounty placed on my brother."
Rex then proceed to answer questions as though he were Rob.
What do you think of your brother?
"I think Rex is a great coach and I think he's a great person. There's no question about that. He's very handsome."
What happened to your gray hair?
"Well, I'm trying to get a head coaching job, so I'm dying it a little bit, to keep looking young and all that kind of stuff."
Your feeling on Mark Sanchez?
"I think Mark Sanchez is great. I think he's well-coached. I think my brother's done a great job with Mark Sanchez."
Then, after he took off his disguise and pulled the pillow out, he said he needed the extra padding because "truly, [Rob's] looking bad. He did not have the lap-band surgery when I did and that's clearly a mistake for him. I've always been the big twin. Now I'm just the smart, good-looking one."
Rex also confirmed that he has a picture of Rob, Mangini and Colt McCoy up at the Jets' facility. "We have a little Nerf gun we shoot at it and yes, they are targeted, all three of those guys," he said.
In all seriousness, he thinks Rob should get a head-coaching job by next season and that his own success will help his brother.
"I know he'll be a head coach one day and he'll be a great one," said Rex. "Whether it's this coming up season or not, I'm not sure. With all the coaches in the league, you're not going to get a guy who has more dedication or more passion for the game than my brother.
"If you want to see what kind of coach he is, just watch the way they play. Those guys lay it on the line for him. They've done it for him when he was with Oakland, when he was with New England and that's what this game's all about."
Not going for the fake: Ryan also had a little fun with Mangini trying to act like there's any possibility McCoy won't start. Seneca Wallace returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, taking about a quarter of the reps.
"I think there's a good chance that Frank Ryan might be coming back this week," Ryan joked. "Of course Frank Ryan was the guy who led them to their last championship in 1964 ... but either way, Frank Ryan or Colt McCoy, they're both from Texas, both have leadership skills and they both run."
Turning to the modern-day Browns, Ryan said, "Colt McCoy's done a great job. Look at three games he's played and now just put the Jets right there in the mix, we're four of the toughest teams in this league and he's making a pretty good account of himself.
"It's unusual to have that kind of poise. He's not making mistakes with the football and he's throwing. The other thing he does is he tucks and runs with it. If he doesn't like what he sees, he just runs with it. He's a smart, competitive kid."
Hillis honored: Peyton Hillis was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 184 yards rushing and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-14 victory over the Patriots. He's the first Browns running back to achieve the honor since Eric Metcalf in 1992.
"It means a lot," said Hillis. "I'm excited that I could accomplish something that great. But we have a new game, a new challenge ahead of us, so you can't dwell on that achievement very long."
Hillis will face the Jets' fourth-ranked run defense. "It's a huge matchup," he said. "It all starts up front. I have full faith in our linemen."
Said the Jets' Ryan: "He's a great receiver out of the backfield, he runs you over, he's a straight-ahead, no-player-dodging guy even though he hurtles some DBs when he gets to the second level. Let's face it, he ran for 184 yards last week, what did he do against Baltimore? 140? Something like that. That's impressive, without question."
McCoy's impressions: McCoy said the Jets are the toughest defense the Browns have faced so far. They're third in points allowed with 16.3.
"Not to take anything from the defenses I've played so far, but when you look at the Jets, their scheme is just incredible," he said. "They know how to put pressure on quarterbacks and there really aren't any quarterbacks that have played well against them so far.
"They're just really good. We understand that and are just really trying to get our game plan down to a T and be ready to go out there and try to execute."
Haden on Newton: Browns cornerback Joe Haden lived with Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton for 11/2 years when both were Gators. He said Wednesday that Newton isn't letting the current cheating allegations get him down. They talked on the phone Tuesday night.
"He doesn't let stuff get to him too much," said Haden. "He says, 'Joe, I've got a plan. And everything will work out for the best.' He's not that worried at all. When people get on top, you just want to find a reason, find something to say. If he wasn't doing what he's doing right now, then nothing would have come out.
"I don't know nothing about the charges. I just know he's a really good dude and one of my best friends."
Recognition for the offensive line: Pro Football Hall of Fame coach John Madden selected the Browns' offensive line for this week's Madden's Top Protectors Award for enabling Hillis to rush for 184 yards vs. the Patriots. The line is now a candidate for an end-of-season award presented during Super Bowl week.
Injuries: Three Browns were idle: Mike Adams (head), Jake Delhomme (ankle) and Shaun Rogers (ankle).