The odds are already stacked up against the New York Jets this upcoming season but they will begin their season opener at home as Darrelle Revis makes his first return appearance with his new team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
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Via ESPN:
Missing the playoffs for the second year in a row in 2012 triggered changes for the Jets, including the hiring of general manager John Idzik and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
Still, Ryan returns for a fifth season after leading New York to a 6-10 record last year, missing the playoffs again as the luster from reaching back-to-back AFC championship games in 2009 and '10 continues to fade.
Ryan didn't do himself -- or the Jets -- any favors, overseeing a quarterback competition that produced an injured Mark Sanchez and no clear winner. A dubious decision to insert Sanchez into the fourth quarter of a preseason meeting with the New York Giants on Aug. 24 resulted in the quarterback hurting his shoulder, leaving Smith as the starter.
Ryan defended his decision in a bizarre, combative press conference, a major departure from his media-friendly persona.
With Sanchez potentially out for up to three weeks, things may get even uglier for Ryan if Smith struggles. That's exactly what he did during preseason, completing 22 of 37 passes for 246 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a 54.6 passer rating.
"We realize that a rookie quarterback and all that, that's certainly a challenge," Ryan said. "I think our guys are ready to rally behind Geno, and the big thing we've told Geno is, 'You just have to be part of the solution.'"
Revis is looking to do that for the Buccaneers, who acquired him from the Jets for two draft picks and made him the richest defensive player in NFL history by signing him to a six-year, $96 million contract.
