Rex Ryan has never been the bashful type – that’s just not in his DNA being the son of the feisty and unconventional Buddy Ryan. And true to his genetic makeup, Rex has certainly been spouting off in a confident manner in New York, thumping his chest about his Jets. It’s as if he’s sending a warning signal to the rest of the league.
Mr. Mojo has a warning signal of his own for Rex…if your boys don’t put their money where your mouth is, well let’s just say the fall in the Big Apple is much harder as the Jets HC than it would be in B’more as the Ravens DC.
During the press conference introducing Rex to the New York media the robust skipper predicted that the Jets would do something that they haven’t done in 40 years – win a Super Bowl. The prediction prompted AFC East rival LB Channing Crowder of the Dolphins to launch this salvo in response:
"Oh, he’s going crazy. He’s going absolutely nuts. I know it’s his first chance to be a head coach, and I know he’s excited about life. But, like I said, I’ve never played a football game in June in my whole life. So congratulations to him. He’s the OTA, the OTA Super Bowl winner."
Naturally Rex couldn’t contain himself when Crowder’s words were read back to him.
"I don’t know this Channing Crowder. All I know is that he’s all tatted up. He’s right about one thing. I’m a first-time head coach, but I’ve been around the game all my life. I’m no different than I’ve ever been, just that more people are listening."
Hey Rex, if you don’t know Crowder, how do you know he’s all tatted up?
The Mojo Man can’t help but reach for a tissue after hearing about the rekindled relationship between Chad Ocho Cinco and Carson Palmer. Word is that Ocho spoke to Palmer for 40-45 minutes recently to discuss the season ahead and the accompanying preparation for it. No truth to the rumor that Palmer put the phone down and went for a jog only to return to find Ocho still talking about being the best yet most underpaid wideout in the league.
Love is in the air in Cincy according to Ocho.
"I know people are trying to say we’re mad at each other and all that, but we’re good," said the man formerly known as Johnson. "We’re like Brokeback Mountain. I’m going to be with Carson so much in July that I’m going to be the nanny (for his new twins).
"I’m the best wide receiver of all-time, hands down. … I don’t really like to judge people or other athletes. I know what I’m able to do on the field, but the things I’m able to do to dictate how a defense plays the game, I don’t think there’s no other receiver but myself and Jerry Rice to be able to do that.
"I think that I’ve made a mark for myself and my name to go down as if not the greatest but one of the greatest players. To hell with wide receiver. I think I go down as one of the greatest players to ever play this game."
That’s from Randy Moss who has apparently been working out with Michael Phelps’ water bong this offseason.
Mike Preston of The Sun has suggested that Ed Reed might retire if the neck and shoulder nerve impingement issues that troubled him in ’08 lead to a permanent injury. Mr. Mojo seems to recall this very site suggesting the same last year. Fuggedaboutit! Reed will be back – take that to the bank and while you’re at it, keep your eyes out for Reed. He might be the guy in line next to you looking to deposit a bag full of millions (3.6 to be exact) that he’ll earn playing centerfield again in ’09.
Jason La Canfora, formerly of the Washington Post has been named as Adam Schefter’s replacement on NFL Network. La Canfora’s roots are in B’more and his folks are still residents of The Land of Pleasant Living. Maybe the Ravens can get some love on the network now from someone not named Warren Sapp.
Staying with NFL Network, this just in…Jamie Dukes is a tool.
As if you didn’t already know that.
WNST’s Grand Poobah Nestor Aparicio is a big hit and miss on the airwaves these days. Scheduled to be on air Monday-Friday from 2-6 PM, Aparicio lately seems to prefer to hand the keys over to station jack-of-all-trades Ray Bachman or throw in re-runs of the Comcast Morning Show (as if 4 hours of the crotchety Forrester isn’t enough.)
More media Mojo…
The local Mr. Rogers of Radio, the not-yet-mentioned Bruce Cunningham simply aims to please. Gather round little kiddies as we share our heartfelt stories and favorite movies. Give Cunningham credit for one thing, he can chew up the clock as good as any ball control offense in the NFL and whittle away 2 hours of talk radio without saying one meaningful thing. No one in B’more does it better…Anita “Miami” Marks is steadfast in her belief that Kobe Bryant is a punk. Not that Mr. Mojo completely disagrees but Marks points to Bryant’s alleged self-centered ways, his team last attitude, infidelities and other questionable off the court behavior yet she claims to be a fan of A-Rod’s? Hello? Mr. Mojo wonders if Ms. Marks might feel differently about Bryant if he had an Ocean Drive address…Mark Viviano is smooth, professional and insightful. The show in his namesake is consistently thought provoking despite the Chihuahua-on-crack-like yapping of his sidekick.
Is it me or does Jeremy Guthrie appear to be morphing into Rodrigo Lopez?
