BillBoard

We all know that New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan likes to talk a little smack. His verbal sparring sessions with Miami linebacker Channing Chowder created national headlines, so did his comment that he wasn't going to kiss Bill Belichick's Super Bowl rings.
 
But Ryan isn't the only member of his family who can trash talk, and we're not talking about his outspoken dad, Buddy.

Rex Ryan's twin brother, Rob, who is the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator, took a swipe at Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards on Friday.

Talking to Cleveland reporters during his weekly news conference, Rob Ryan praised Bills running back Marshawn Lynch and their wide receivers, particularly Terrell Owens. But Ryan didn't have much love for Edwards, saying (unsolicited, by the way), "I don't think that's [Cincinnati Bengals quarterback] Carson Palmer back there by any stretch.''

In case anyone misunderstood him, Ryan made it clear that he doesn't think Edwards is in Palmer's class as a quarterback.

"Absolutely. He's not,'' Ryan said. "Not too many quarterbacks are. The guy can run and do some things, but we've played Brett Favre, we've played Carson Palmer. Those are two pretty good quarterbacks right there. This guy [Edwards] always seems to have a lot to say, so I'm going to say the same thing. Let's go. Let's get it on, see what he's all about this week.'' 

What is the reason for Ryan's verbal assault on Edwards? He claims Edwards had some disparaging words about the Oakland Raiders' defense that Ryan coordinated last season. Edwards threw for 177 of his career-high 279 yards during a 17-point fourth quarter as the Bills rallied from a nine-point deficit to beat the Raiders, 24-23.

Anyone who knows the mild-mannered Edwards, understands that he is not one to make inflammatory statements -- at least not publicly -- about the opposition. Extensive research did not unearth any negative comments either.

This is some of what Edwards said after last year's game: "We switched over into a little bit more of an attack mode. We weren't huddling as much and we were throwing a lot of passes, so I think we were wearing down their defensive line a little bit.''

That's hardly bulletin-board stuff. Actually, former Bills center Melvin Fowler had the stronger comments.

"The Raiders fought and battled,'' he said. "But we definitely wore 'em out toward the end of the game. They were gassed.''

It's hard to understand why Edwards' comments would set Ryan off. Did Ryan hear about something Edwards said that the media wasn't privy to? Or could it be Ryan is just a little ticked off that his Raiders defense actually made Edwards look like Carson Palmer in the fourth quarter last season?

Ryan probably would have been better served keeping his mouth shut. After all, the Browns' defense is ranked dead last in the NFL in total yards allowed and 29th in passing yards allowed. Ryan also won't have his leading tackler on Sunday as inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is doubtful with a hamstring injury.

So a potential snoozefest between the Bills and Browns on Sunday now has a little pizzazz. The stage is set for Edwards to make Ryan eat his words. But Edwards has to play better than he did last week in Miami and the last time he faced the Browns.

To paraphrase Ryan, let's see what Edwards is all about this week.

---Allen Wilson