Away from game, Rex says he likes Belichick
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, meets Jets head coach Rex Ryan on the field after the Patriots beat the Jets 45-3 in a Monday Night Football game. (Dec. 6, 2010) Credit: AP
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Rex Ryan has made no secret of his feelings about Bill Belichick when it comes to facing him on game day. But he said Thursday he likes him away from football.
"Yeah, I've known him since my brother coached for him," Ryan said, referring to his twin, Rob, the Patriots' linebackers coach from 2000-03. "He was there for two Super Bowls, so that's when I first got to know him."
Ryan has immense respect for Belichick, who has three Super Bowl rings as the Patriots' coach and another two as the Giants' defensive coordinator. And the Jets' coach said he's not averse to taking a tip or two from Belichick's defensive approach.
"I think you recognize guys that I certainly appreciate, Dick LeBeau, Belichick, guys like that," Ryan said. "If I'm going to steal from somebody, I generally only steal from the best. I've stolen from [Belichick] in the past, so I respect him that way."
That kind of warmth goes only so far, however. "Again,'' Ryan said, "I've got no love for him this week."
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