Archives for August 2015

'"I think it's clear (punching Smith) was a mistake. Nothing justifies hitting somebody and all that stuff, and I'm not trying to say that it wasn't a mistake. … But I also believe that he's going to learn from this."'

'Ryan, who was fired by the Jets after a 4-12 season in 2014, was part of the regime that drafted Enemkpali in the sixth-round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Enemkpali had a previous arrest for battery on a police officer, but the Jets took a chance anyway. He hardly played in 2014, but Enemkpali adds another young talent to the linebacker competition.'

'"Every day I compete I definitely think about being passed up and those guys taken ahead of me," Taylor says. "It gives me extra fire every time I step on the field."'

'Rex Ryan knows what Manuel is and isn't since he coached against him the last two years. That Ryan hasn't named Manuel the starting QB yet is either an indictment of how little he thinks of Manuel's skills or it's motivation to play like a top pick.'

'Ryan said that he spoke with Buffalo’s general manager, Doug Whaley, and owner, Terry Pegula, and that Whaley was “leaning on me about this.” For Ryan, signing Enemkpali could be perceived as an opportunity to prove his coaching mettle, that he can turn Enemkpali into a productive player.'

'“I apologize to the Jets organization, coaches, teammates and fans,” the statement read. “Geno and I let our frustration get the best of us, but I should have just walked away from the situation. I deeply regret and apologize for my actions. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I appreciate the opportunity I had with the Jets.”'

'The Jets look like a dysfunctional bunch with varying degrees of respect for a quarterback that hasn’t earned universal respect. The Bills look like a welcoming center for the discarded and disgraced.'

'By claiming Enemkpali off waivers, Ryan adds another troubled player and tweaks the Jets in the process.'

'He joins a locker room that features other talented, but controversial, athletes. The Bills signed offensive lineman Richie Incognito and former Jets receiver Percy Harvin this past offseason. The addition of Enemkpali immediately raised questions about the stability of the Bills' locker room and team chemistry.'

'Just when you thought this story couldn't get any crazier …'.

'All of this is nothing new for Ryan, who has taken in many players with baggage during his tenure as a head coach.'

'Ikemefuna “IK” Enemkpali might get another shot at taking out Jets quarterback Geno Smith. And he would have the blessing of former Jets head coach Rex Ryan.'

'"It'll be really exciting because I know I worked tremendously hard to get back to this point," he said. "And to also have another opportunity to be on the field, it's always a blessing, and I don't take it for granted."'

'An NFL spokesman said Wednesday that the league is reviewing the situation. Any incident involving workplace violence that occurs off the football field falls under the NFL's personal conduct policy. That means any team interested in signing Enemkpali, a sixth-round pick last year out of Louisiana Tech, might have to weigh a possible suspension.'

'"IK wouldn't be here if we didn't think he could be successful on the football field and in our community," Ryan said Wednesday. " … We had IK last year. He was a good teammate."'