Watch CBS News

Jets' Ryan Reiterates Guarantee, Compares Himself To Babe Ruth

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Rex Ryan, the sultan of talk?

Last month, brimming with confidence, the Jets' brash coach promised a Super Bowl win. On Sunday, Ryan reiterated the guarantee by channeling his inner Teddy Roosevelt, while at the same time comparing himself to Yankees legend Babe Ruth.

"They talk about walk softly and carry a big stick. I love that. I agree with that 100 percent," Ryan, in attendance for the NFL's annual league meetings, told the NY Daily News. "But I guess I feel more like Babe Ruth. I'm going to walk softly, I'm going to carry that big stick and then I'm going to point and then I'm going to hit it over the fence."

According to legend, Ruth called his fifth-inning home run during Game 5 of the 1932 World Series. He pointed, then promptly blasted the next pitch over the center field fence, right to where he gestured.

"It's like he had the courage to do that. I think I've got the courage," said Ryan. "Now granted, I can't hit anywhere close to Babe Ruth and I'm not as good a coach as Babe Ruth was a player. But I still feel the same way. I still feel like, why wouldn't I say it? It's easier for me to say it because I have people with me."

The Jets are the only team to play in a conference championship game each of the past two years. Ryan said his team made major strides last season, and he believes it is natural to expect the Jets to take the next step.

"Babe Ruth had to walk up there by himself. But if everything was up to me and that we were going to win I'd hit one out, I believe myself I'm going to hit it out," Ryan said. "More importantly, I believe in everybody - our players, our coaches, the fan base we have established here, everybody in the organization."

This isn't the first time Ryan has promised a title. During last season's training camp, Ryan was asked to sign his team's logo sticker on the back of a media tour bus. Instead of just signing his name, the brash Ryan wrote: "Soon to be Champs."

Do you take offense to Ryan's comparison, or do you like the swagger? Sound off in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.