Rex Ryan relying on home crowd vs. 49ers
Rex Ryan stands on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Giants at MetLife Stadium. (Aug. 18, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- For several minutes, Rex Ryan waxed poetic about the 49ers, detailing how daunting a task it will be to stop such a talented team. Then he mentioned something that could be the difference maker: the MetLife Stadium crowd.
"This should be one heck of a game and that's why I'm challenging our fans, that they could very well be the difference," Ryan said Wednesday. "We need you. We need the fans out there to be supportive, make it as tough as possible on them. We obviously have to do a great job on the field."
Rex: Davis is best TE
Ryan told Bay Area reporters that the 49ers' Vernon Davis -- and not the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski -- was the NFL's premier tight end.
"I think it's a long list,'' Ryan said. "If you're not looking at Vernon Davis, what, are you kidding me? . . . The No. 1 tight end in football, in my opinion. You got that Gronkowski kid, but this guy is a 4.3 speed guy."
Jet streams
Former Giants RB Brandon Jacobs could debut for the 49ers Sunday. He was limited in his first practice since injuring his left knee Aug. 20 . . . LB Bart Scott (hyperextended toe), WR Stephen Hill (hamstring) and S Eric Smith (hip/knee) did not practice. TE Dustin Keller, LB Bryan Thomas and WR Patrick Turner (hamstring issues) were limited, as was FB John Conner (knee) . . . Ryan said Reggie Bush "misinterpreted" the Jets' quotes about putting "hot sauce on him." "It means you have to pour a ton of attention on him," Ryan said. When asked Tuesday about Darrelle Revis' knee injury, Bush said, "What goes around, comes around." A knee injury kept Bush out of the second half of Sunday's game.
