The Rex effect

We’ve heard it before.

There’s just something about Rex Ryan that draws people to him.

Throughout their postseason run last year, the Jets talked incessantly about their coach’s bravado, his unwavering confidence in his players and his innate ability to make his guys feel like family.

Those qualities untimately led Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman to the organization. Those Ex-Ravens felt there was something in Ryan that couldn’t be ignored; his passion for playing -- and more importantly, for his players -- was a rarity that could not be overlooked.

That’s why Trevor Pryce didn’t have to give his agent any direction once he was released and the offers started coming. “He knew that if Rex called, that’s where I was going,” said the defensive end, who signed with the Jets earlier today.

And according to Scott, Pryce isn’t the only Raven dying to come to Florham Park.

“I get calls from guys all the time: ‘Man, please I wanna come,'” the Jets linebacker said. “Former players, players at other places who have played for Rex: ‘Tell Rex hit me up, man. I’m ready, come get me.’”

When asked about Ravens free safety Ed Reed wearing Pryce’s No. 90 jersey in practice today, Scott said: “He probably was hoping he could get Fed Ex’ed here, too.”

Why?

“At the end of the day, you spend more time with your head coach than you do with your family,” said Scott. “And the more your players love you, the harder they’ll play for you. They’ll play injured for you, they’ll sacrifice for you. …When I was in Baltimore, there was a guy that came back from neck surgery. The head coach might have thought he was coming back for him, but it was for Rex. He came back after having his neck fused for Rex because he didn’t want to let Rex down. That tells you to which extent people will go for Rex. People run through a wall for him.”