The Strange Rivalry Between Ravens, Jets

When former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan left for the New York Jets three years ago--after being passed over for the Baltimore head coaching gig--a rivalry grew almost overnight. But it’s a different kind of rivalry.

Though the teams haven’t been firing back and forth in public, it’s the kind of rivalry that has players being unusually candid--if you look hard enough.

“I always try to live in the moment,” Brendon Ayanbadejo tweeted. “But man I'm excited for Sunday night football! #Ravens vs #jets.”

It all starts with the New York coach.

Ryan was beloved in Baltimore by players and fans alike. And you can’t swing a cat around the Internet without hitting a story that claims Ravens players wanted Ryan to be the coach after Brian Billick was dismissed in 2007.

Baltimore’s interest in the Jets grew when Ryan almost immediately began plucking some of the Ravens’ free agent defensive players. Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and defensive end Trevor Pryce all ended up playing for New York in Ryan’s first year.

Now Derrick Mason, the Ravens’ all-time leading receiver, plays for the Jets too, after being cut by Baltimore before training camp opened.

A few short years ago, the Jets and the Ravens didn’t care about each other. But with Ryan, a handful of other former Ravens coaches and the three mentioned players all together in New York, this has become a game both teams appear to look forward to.

But it’s a rivalry without the animosity that characterizes every Ravens-Steelers matchup. You get the sense that unless the two teams are playing each other, they’re rooting for each other.

That doesn’t mean Anquan Boldin and other Ravens don’t want to have a little fun.

“Good morning #Ravens fans and happy Purple Friday,” he tweeted. “Hope you're all ready for some @SNFonNBC. #CantWait.”

The “#CantWait” hash tag is a reference to New York linebacker Bart Scott’s now iconic interviewfollowing a playoff win over the New England Patriots.

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs wore a shirt with the same phrase earlier in the week, which is actually something Scott designed and now sells to benefit Rutgers defensive lineman Eric LeGrand, who suffered a severe spinal injury on a kickoff play against Army in 2010, according to The Baltimore Guide. 

But there was some gentle ribbing there, too. 

After the Ravens beat the Jets in a tight one to open the 2010 season, this series may just need a gentle push to become one of the NFL’s most interesting rivalries. Another close one Sunday night should provide that push.

 “Watching Ravens/Rams game film...and all I have to say is WOW @RayRice27!!!!!!!!” – Tweetedby former Raven Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth)

 that Ray Rice is likely the next Raven to be seeking a long-term contract extension, now that Haloti Ngata is locked up.

Rice did nothing last weekend to hurt his value, as the fourth-year back combined for 164 yards and reminded anyone who might have forgotten who the best player on the Baltimore offense was.

Joe Flacco’s desire to throw the ball downfield more is admirable.

But how many times does Rice have to escape several tacklers and squirt ahead for a first down, or more? How many times does he have to prove he is perhaps one of the most unique weapons in theNFL? 

How long can it be ignored that Rice, a second round pick out from Rutgers, is everything people wanted Reggie Bush to be when he was drafted in the first round by New Orleans out of USC?