Rex Ryan Sorta (but Not Really) Has Input on Brett Favre's Return to Jets

The Jets wasted little time in offering Rex Ryan the head coaching gig. In fact, Ryan accepted the job roughly an hour after the Ravens had been eliminated from the playoffs. It's good to know what you want, I guess.

And while owner Woody Johnson hasn't given the new guy free run of the place (pretty sure general manager Mike Tannenbaum wouldn't go for that), the Newark Star-Ledger's Dave Hutchinson writes that "Ryan is expected to have input on whether Brett Favre returns next season." Before adding, "... but it appears the ultimate decision will belong to Favre, especially with owner ... Johnson's seeming desire to want him back."

Ugh. Look, I like Favre, I think he's good for the league, shoo-in Hall of Famer, and he makes life worth living for Peter King. But when did he become the de facto player/coach/GM? Shouldn't the ultimate decision be Ryan's since, you know, he's the coach? Obviously, Johnson can do what he wants -- it's his team -- but just because he's fond of Favre's gunslingin' ways doesn't automatically mean Johnson's qualified to make personnel decisions. (Plus, not every owner can have Jerry Jones' or Dan Snyder's keen eye for talent.)

During Monday's NFL Total Access, Adam Schefter indicated that the team expected Favre to retire, and that third-year quarterback Kellen Clemens might be a viable short-term option. And today, the New York Post's Steve Serby was dispensing the free advice:

Ryan has made his living sacking the quarterback. His first order of business must be sacking Favre.

Ryan should pick up the telephone in his new office and put in a call to the Favre farm informing the quarterback politely but firmly that the organization has decided to go in a different direction, whether Favre eventually decides to return or not. The last thing Ryan needs is to be held hostage by one of Favre's "To Play or Not To Play" dramas.

Works for me. Of course, I'm not a Jets fan and I haven't given much thought to who the quarterback might be if Clemens falls flat on his face during the first month of the season. But there will be plenty of serviceable options via free agency.

And at this stage of the proceedings, I'd think Kerry Collins or Byron Leftwich would be a better fit for the Jets than Favre. Added bonus: they'll actually commit to playing sometime before Labor Day.