Rex Ryan

Because Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson plays on the same defense with Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, he often gets overlooked when you talk about the Ravens' front seven. But Jets coach Rex Ryan won't overlook the Ravens' ninth-year strongside outside linebacker. Johnson may not get a lot of tackles because he is usually wrestling some tight end, but he has been close to pulling off several sacks this season.  “I'll tell you a guy that's underrated is Jarret Johnson,” Ryan said.

One good thing about Rex Ryan, who was beloved here in Baltimore, leaving the Ravens to become the head coach for the New York Jets is that he instantly created a compelling rivalry between the Ravens and Jets. As long as John Harbaugh is patrolling the sidelines in Baltimore and Ryan is talking big up in the Big Apple, the Jets will be one of the Ravens' fiercest rivals. Who doesn't love a good family feud? But as much as us newspaper folks are hoping for some juicy one-liners from the Ravens and Jets , this week has been pretty quiet when you consider that every sports reporter in Baltimore and New York is trying to get these guys to slip up and say something that's going to burn up the presses and blow up on the blogosphere.

The Ravens and New York Jets will meet Sunday night at M&T Bank Stadium, an affair that will be nationally televised on NBC. As with all Sunday night broadcasts, NBC emailed a couple thoughts from Sunday Night Football analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison. Dungy, the Super Bowl-winning coach with the Indianapolis Colts, opined that with identical 2-1 records, both teams will be primed for this showdown. “The Ravens had an emotional letdown going to Tennessee [on Sept.

Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (bruised lungs and ribs) and center Nick Mangold (high ankle sprain) did not practice today but coach Rex Ryan hasn't ruled them out for Sunday's game at Baltimore. " 'Cro' is probably ahead of Nick, but I'm hopeful both will play," Ryan said. "Not real sure though. " It did not sound like Ryan expects either to practice tomorrow. If they do, he said, it would be "very limited. " While it's ideal to get in at least one practice before the game, it is not a necessity.

Some of the familial ties between the Jets and Baltimore Ravens bring up bittersweet memories during game week. For one, there's the head coach, Rex Ryan, who was passed over for the head coach's job in Baltimore in 2008 after a decade as an assistant with the team, eventually leading him to the Jets. “Was I bitter about not getting the head coaching job? Yeah, absolutely,” Ryan said today of losing the Ravens job to John Harbaugh. And then there's the veteran wideout, Derrick Mason, who was released this past July by the Ravens after spending six seasons in Baltimore.

Critics might say that the New York Jets have become prolific at running their mouths. Running the football hasn't been quite as easy for New York. Only seven other teams in the NFL have gained fewer yards on the ground than the Jets. That kind of production (or lack thereof) would seem to play into the hands of the Ravens defense, which ranks sixth against the rush. But outside linebacker Terrell Suggs cautioned against reading too much into New York's low numbers as the Ravens prepare to welcome the Jets to M&T Bank Stadium for a nationally-televised showdown Sunday night.

Rex Ryan hasn't lost his gift for gab. The New York Jets coach and former Ravens defensive coordinator is blessed with a colorful personality that lends itself to sound bites and quotes. So it's not shocking that when a reporter told Ryan during his conference call with Baltimore media Wednesday morning that the Ravens are 1-0 against the Jets under Ryan, the coach responded with a shot across the bow. “We have not beat them since I've been here, that's for sure,” he said.

Don't know about you, but I've been looking forward to this week as much as any other in the NFL regular season because of the potential for some real verbal fireworks between the Ravens and the New York Jets. Now, I'm starting to wonder if the whole thing is going to be a bust. Not Sunday night's game, of course. It should be another terrific nationally televised matchup between two of last year's AFC playoff teams, and it's always an interesting duel between John Harbaugh and former Ravens assistant head coach Rex Ryan.

No introductions will be required Sunday night. That's because the Ravens and the fans will be well-acquainted with former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, linebacker Bart Scott, wide receiver Derrick Mason and safety Jim Leonhard as they lead the New York Jets to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for a heavily-anticipated showdown on NBC. Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs smiled when reminded about the team's next opponent....

Have the Eagles assembled the "Dream Team," or is this another fantasy football roster built to disappoint? That's just one of the pressing questions heading into this NFL season. A few of the others: Did the lockout truly favor those teams with an established coach and quarterback? Or can the teams that really had to cram in this compressed offseason make the grade? Will the Peyton Manning saga be a pain in the neck for the Colts all season? The Seahawks made the 2010 playoffs at 7-9; is the NFC West still the NFC Worst?