Rex Ryan On Giants: 'You Can't Go Up Against Anybody Better'

During his tenure as New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has consistently poked the New York Giants. He has, among other barbs, said the Jets were the big brother in their inner-city rivalry with the Giants. With the Giants coming off a Super Bowl title and the Jets a playoff-less season, however, it seems Ryan has finally learned to sing a different tune.

The two teams meet Saturday at MetLife Stadium in their annual preseason game. Asked Wednesday about the Giants being a 'measuring stick', Ryan didn't brag or talk about the Jets owning the city. He gave the defending champs their due.

"You can’t go up against anybody better than them. They were the World Champs last year, so we will see. Obviously, it will be a great test," Ryan said. "They rush the passer about as well as any group in the National Football League so that will be a challenge. Offensively, Eli (Manning) and all of the weapons that they have, it will be a great challenge."

The coach has been trying to temper some of his braggadocio this preseason. That statement, however, is a slice of humble pie that could not taste good to Ryan.