Dungy RSVPs 'Yes' to Ryan's invitation
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy and current Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Credit: Newsday.com composite
CORTLAND, N.Y. - HBO viewers can anticipate more drama coming their way on "Hard Knocks." Jets coach Rex Ryan Thursday announced that former coach Tony Dungy has accepted his invitation for a training-camp visit to discuss his criticism of Ryan's liberal use of profanity and possibly to prevail upon the Jets' coach to listen to his better angels.
After Dungy said in a radio interview Monday that he never would hire someone who cursed as much as Ryan does, the Jets' coach said Dungy "unfairly judged" him. It was obvious that Ryan was pleased that Dungy agreed to visit, though no date has been set.
"I look forward to having him come up and see what we're all about," Ryan said.
Asked about the tenor of their telephone conversation, Ryan couldn't pass up a straight line, saying, "It was definitely heated . . . " Then he broke into a mischievous smile at his joke, knowing how the media can take a flip remark and run with it.
"No, we just talked man to man," Ryan said. "I just wanted him to know how I felt. He told me his position and I definitely told him my position."
Tough love for McKnight
Rookie running back Joe McKnight's troubles adjusting to the NFL were captured on the second episode of "Hard Knocks." He heard pointed criticism from running backs coach Anthony Lynn and then listened to advice from veteran wideout Santonio Holmes.
"Everybody goes through it," McKnight said of his growing pains. "I've been under a lot of scrutiny at USC. This is nothing different."
Extra points
The Jets released P T.J. Conley and added LB Boris Lee, a 2010 undrafted free agent out of Troy University. Because of injuries, Ryan said Lee might play a significant amount Saturday at Carolina.
