Rex Ryan Blasts Ashton Jeanty Over Jets Tackle Criticism

Rex Ryan sharply rebuked Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty on ESPN on November 1, after Jeanty questioned the New York Jets’ tackling ahead of their game at MetLife Stadium. Ryan, who previously coached the Jets, called Jeanty “Soft as Charmin” and said he would not consider trying to knock the running back out of the game because, in his view, Jeanty was playing poorly.

Jeanty had said that a few Jets defenders did not seem eager to tackle, while declining to identify them. Ryan challenged that assessment during Sunday NFL Countdown, showing film of linebacker Demario Davis, who played for him in New York. Ryan also criticized Jeanty’s running style and said the former first-round pick had fallen far short of expectations.

Jeanty was averaging 3.1 yards per carry and had scored one rushing touchdown through the first seven games of the season. He had accumulated 328 rushing yards in his second NFL season. Ryan called him among the worst running back draft picks of the past two decades, in his opinion.

Jets players largely avoided returning the verbal shots. Coach Aaron Glenn said the team needed to focus on playing, while linebacker Demario Davis described Jeanty’s remarks as bulletin-board material and said the game would be settled on the field.

New York entered the matchup 2-5, with its run defense ranked 24th and allowing an average of 128.1 rushing yards per game. The Raiders had lost four straight after beginning the season 3-0. Both teams were looking for a win to change the course of their seasons.