Rex Ryan doesn't understand the IK Enemkpali captaincy uproar for Bills vs. Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Bills coach Rex Ryan defended his choice of IK Enemkpali as a team captain for Thursday's game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, despite the fact that Enemkpali punched Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the jaw and knocked him out of the lineup during a training camp fight on Aug. 11.

"I really don't get it," Ryan told Jets reporters on a conference call Tuesday afternoon. "You guys know how I do the captains. If this was an isolated deal where I just threw a guy out there, then I can understand it. But this is what we do every single week."

Ryan claimed Enemkpali off waivers from the Jets the day after the fight, and the second-year linebacker was suspended by the NFL for the first four games after investigating the incident.

Ryan routinely appoints as captains any players who were on the opposing team, as he did when he had former Dolphins guard Richie Incognito, who was involved in a bullying scandal two years ago in Miami in which he allegedly used racial epithets and taunted teammate Jonathan Martin.

"We have guys, Richie Incognito had some issues, I guess, in Miami, but we named him captain," Ryan said. "He was a former Dolphin and he was out there with some of his former teammates, and I knew that was special for him. That's the same thing. You guys know how I always handle things. It's not a slap in anybody's face. It's not a sign of disrespect. It's just what we do and you guys know, I've done it that way ever since I came into the league."

Ryan said Enemkpali, who was drafted by the Jets last year when Ryan was still the coach, understands the seriousness of what happened in August.

"He's been an outstanding teammate right here," Ryan said. "IK was one of the hardest working players. Every player on that [Jets] team will tell you the same thing. He had a great work ethic, worked his butt off on the practice field. He did get a chance to play last year. Had a couple sacks called back because of penalties. He's not perfect. He admits it. It was a terrible thing that happened, but we move on. So we forgive people, and we forgive guys and he's a good teammate right here, and I think he does earn the right to be a captain for this game."

Ryan addressed several other topics in his conference call:

-- On whether Ryan, who donned a Clemson helmet for his press conference with Bills reporters earlier Tuesday, was still wearing the helmet: "No, I'm not. But when I walk into that stadium [on Thursday], maybe I should."

-- On how frustrating it was to work the previous two years with Jets general manager John Idzik: "All that stuff's really behind me right now. I'm blessed to get another opportunity with the Bills. That's where my focus is. I don't want to dwell on what happened in the past. Just focus on the right now, in the present. We know we have a huge game in front of us. That's really where the focus is."

-- On being frustrated the Jets spent so much money in free agency this year, and not last season: "They have an outstanding team. The players that they added, obviously it was a talented team to begin with. But bringing back [Darrelle] Revis, [Antonio] Cromartie and that secondary. Brandon Marshall is huge. That is a huge get right there and obviously with [Ryan Fitzpatrick] and things. It's a super talented team. I'm fortunate to have a very talented team right here and everybody will see that when we bring them into town on Thursday."

-- On how different it might have been if the Jets had brought back Revis and Cromartie last year: "I guess it really doesn't matter now, does it? I know it's going to be tough, the fact that those guys are there now will make it difficult. I have a lot of talent with this team, so it should be a great game."

- On the importance of winning on Thursday night: "It would be huge for us, because this is a big game, obviously. We want to stay in the thick of things and that's what makes this thing such a big game. Obviously, both teams are trying to get to the playoffs. It's been a long time for both franchises. We're a game behind the Jets. This is absolutely huge. It would be a gigantic win. We got a ton of work to do before that's a possibility."

- On whether it would be big for him personally to beat his former team: "It would be huge for me. It would be huge for everybody on this team."

- On what his emotions will be: "It's hard to say. I'm not sure. I know we've got a huge game in front of us. That's really where my focus is going to be. After the game, I'll be able to tell you exactly how I feel. Right now, it's still about what can we do to get this team better. We're down to one practice and we get on a plane, fly out there and have night meetings. It's such a short week, it has to be on preparation compared to anything else."

- On how different the Jets' defense looks this year: "It looks pretty darn good. We had guys that fought their tails off, but when you add a talent like Revis, Cromartie, the [Marcus] Gilchrist kid. That's a little different. The front is playing at a huge level. [Damon Harrison] is playing great. They got the young kid in there, Leonard Williams, playing well. It's a short list, if they're not the best defense in the league."

-- On his feelings about Woody Johnson: "He'll always be a special person to me. I saw him at the owners' meetings. I think the world of Woody."

Any conversations with Idzik? "I haven't talked to John."

-- On how much blame he takes for last year's 4-12 record: "I take all of it. It's my job to get the most out of everybody. I should have handled things differently when I was there and made sure that Woody, in particular, knew exactly how I was feeling. You learn from it, but it's 100 percent my responsibility."

-- On whether he should have indicated he was unhappy working with Idzik: "I really don't want to get into it. I think it's more appropriate for me to learn from the experiences I had, both positively and negatively, and grow from it."

-- On whether he has changed any of his policies as a result of Jets players saying Ryan wasn't on top of things when players were late to meetings: "I haven't changed one bit."

-- On why Bills fans have embraced him so quickly: "I think part of it is that they know I'm just a fan of football. I know the history of the Bills. I think they appreciate that. They know I'm going to give my all. I think that's what they appreciate. Obviously, we want to be a better team. We want better results, but they know I'm going to try to do everything in my power to bring those results here."

-- On being disappointed injured tight end Jace Amaro, who criticized Ryan during training camp, won't be playing: "I hope that young man does come back and play. He's a very talented kid and I wish him nothing but the best."

-- On why he graded Idzik's 2013 draft class with an A+: "You got a starting quarterback, a starting guard, a starting fullback. What are you supposed to base it on? Sheldon Richardson's not bad."

-- The second draft? "Not so much."

-- On Fitzpatrick: "I don't like the beard. I'm saying it. But nah, he's a tough guy. He's the same guy he's always been, except he's a little more experienced, so that makes him dangerous. I just don't like his [beard]. We don't like my brother's hair. Look at that beard. Can he trim it up a little bit maybe?"

-- Any prediction about Thursday's game? "I'm going to guarantee you something … No thanks."

-- On other veteran Jets players questioning Ryan's discipline with the team: "Who gives a rat? That thing's in my rearview mirror. That thing's behind us. People are always going to question the guy going out. I respect every one of those guys. They play their butts off for me. If they didn't play well, I wouldn't be given this opportunity. I've always appreciated that. All that stuff, it really makes no difference."

By Bob Glauber

Special to NewsdayBobGlauber

Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”