Rex: NFL pressured me to play QB in meaningless game

DOES the NFL pressure teams to play their key players in the final week even when the game means nothing? Ask Rex Ryan. According to Ryan, the NFL leaned on him to do just that in the final game of the 2010 campaign. The former Jets coach said he was “encouraged” to start Mark Sanchez vs. the Bills despite the Jets having clinched a playoff spot.

Ryan dished on the league during ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show as the panel debated the value of resting players.

“I said OK, we’re gonna play,” Ryan said, “I’m gonna start Mark Sanchez at quarterback and I said ‘and here’s what we’re going to do — we’re going to run the ball 100 percent of the time.’ ” And that’s exactly what the Jets did. Sanchez handed the ball off nine straight times to start the meaningless game and then gave way to backup Mark Brunell. Gang Green routed the Bills 38-7 on Jan. 2, 2011, with many backups seeing the bulk of the action.

“Did the league actually say to you we want you and need you to play your players?” Adam Schefter grilled Ryan.

“Officially I’m going to say absolutely not because I may want to coach in this league one day again.”

He added: “I was encouraged to play my guys, but I did it my own way.”

Charles Woodson then said “(the league) gave you a little ...” and then proceeded to give Ryan a light shove in his back. “Absolutely,” Ryan responded. The Jets finished 11-5 and were the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. They beat the Colts in the wild card and then upset the Patriots in the divisional round before falling to the Steelers in the AFC title game. — Andy Clayton