Rex Ryan changes tune

No guarantees, almost

Credit: AP

JET’S GROUNDED: Rex Ryan speaks yesterday during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, where he backed off his usual boasts about his team.

INDIANAPOLIS — We got a taste of the new Rex Ryan yesterday, as the Jets coach spoke at the NFL’s scouting combine.

This version remains witty, charming and quick to drop a funny line. Not to mention quick to acknowledge he always pays attention to what the Patriots are doing with regard to everything. That much hasn’t changed.

So what’s different?

Well, the old Ryan used to be bold, brash and unapologetic about everything he uttered; the one we saw yesterday was contrite.

He admitted he messed up for stepping to the podium here last year, and guaranteeing the Jets would win the Super Bowl.

“In hindsight I think it put undue pressure on our team and we kind of lost focus and really we lost focus on what we do best,” Ryan said. “So, it’s obviously a big mistake. When I go back and I look at it I think it contributed to the season we had. It’s something that I’ve been thinking about a great deal.

“Obviously, we had a terrible season. I’ll take full responsibility for it. I think part of that guarantee really contributed to that.”

Half the people listening probably thought he would make a dramatic pause, then say, “Just kidding” and make another guarantee for this season, putting everyone in stitches. That would be like the old Rex, who just loves to stick it to you.

The new version, however, no longer makes proclamations that could get his team into trouble. He has sworn off such promises.

Now, Ryan had made guarantees of Super Bowl grandeur the previous two seasons and didn’t deliver. So what’s different about this year? Why has Rex all of a sudden changed his tune, and now decided it’s a bad idea to put his team on the spot like that?

For starters, shelf life. The first year, it was kind of cool having Ryan act so confident. The second year, the team actually believed it might happen. Last year? It became annoying and bothersome to the players.

So why should Rex even care?

Because, one of the players he trusts took the time to tell him so. And it struck a nerve. So it appears Ryan will be exercising more verbal self-control.

Well, he clarified that.

“It’s not necessarily self-control. I’m going to have fun. I think sometimes it gets lost, because I have fun with the opponent’s media, I have fun with the opponent’s players, opponent’s coaches,” he said. “Whatever it is. Now, one thing I am totally serious about is winning and if I think that something that I say, a comment that I’m going to make, that pulls away from us accomplishing that mission, then I’m not going to say it.

“But will I always be myself? Of course. I am going to have a great time, that’s who I am and that’s who I’ll always be.”

During his “great time” yesterday, Ryan also cleverly put most of the attention on himself and the news of sacking his guarantee talk instead of the bigger story, which continues to be getting Peyton Manning should the Colts quarterback become free of Indianapolis.

Naturally, Ryan would prefer the focus be on his mea culpa, than not completely putting the Manning talk to bed and leaving that door open while incumbent Mark Sanchez twists in the wind. Even though Ryan has been supportive of Sanchez, he still hasn’t ruled out the Manning possibility.

“We will do what’s in the best interest of our organization,” he said. “That means we’ll look at all the possibilities.’’

Now that sounds more like Rex. The guy who’s hellbent on beating the Patriots, winning the division, and doing the thing which he now won’t guarantee.

“You can always write that I believe our team will win,” Ryan said, further clarifying his position. “There’s no question. I’ve never gone into a game and didn’t think we’ll win. But I might not use that, thing, again.’’

Want a bet? If he does land Manning, he just might not be able to help himself.