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It’s one thing for a second-year tight end to continue to yap about former Jets coach Rex Ryan.

But when someone with a bit more institutional gravity chimes in, you get a better sense of how deep the Jets’ issues might have run there during the end of the Rex Ryan era.

Via Darryl Slater of NJ.com, none other than Joe Namath had some hard words for Ryan, even if he didn’t mention the Bills coach by name while praising new Jets head coach Todd Bowles.

“I like the aggressiveness [of General Manager Mike Maccagnan and Bowles], and I believe that they’re bold and they know what the hell they’re doing,” Namath said. “I know with Todd Bowles, bringing in a different kind of leadership, in a sense, than the team’s had. It’s a different kind, and more so that I can relate to.

“So many times, we hear coaches say they’ve got their players’ back: ‘I’ve got your back. I’ve got your this.’ Excuse me. There was a time when Tom Landry didn’t have a friend in the locker room. And there was a time when Don Shula wasn’t liked at all. Vince Lombardi was not a sweetheart to his players, and all that kind of stuff. No buddy-buddy stuff.

“I can understand ‘I’ve got your back,’ to a degree. But discipline is critical. Poise is critical. How he operates on the sidelines is very important throughout the game. And most of all, those coaches I mentioned and those that are gone and those that are here, they’re only as good as their record. It’s a win game, or see you later.”

Of course, Bowles is subject to that as well, and if he doesn’t, Jets fans will pine away for the days they were at least interesting, if not good.