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.

Ryan was beloved in Baltimore, and many Ravens players wanted him to be the coach after Brian Billick was dismissed in 2007.

Baltimore’s interest in the Jets grew when Ryan began plucking some of the Ravens’ free agent defensive players almost immediately. 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 highly anticipated by both teams.

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

The rivalry is without the animosity that characterizes every Ravens-Steelers encounter. 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 Jet linebacker Bart Scott’s now iconic interview following 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!!!!!!!!”
–Tweeted by former Raven Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth)