FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Add yet another chapter to the long-running saga that is the New York Jets-New England Patriots rivalry. But, heres a new twist: Rex Ryan actually defended Bill Belichick. Wait. Say what? Well, it started Thursday when a profile on Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine published on Sports Illustrateds theMMQB.com site included a revelation from the former Jets defensive co-ordinator that suggested New England might have obtained a copy of New Yorks playbook a few years ago. Pettine said Ryan, his longtime buddy, once gave Alabama coach Nick Saban a playbook -- and Pettine warned that Belichick and Saban are close friends. At the wedding of then-Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker a few years ago, Tom Brady bragged to former Jets assistant Mike Smith that New England might have gotten its hands on one of its rivals playbooks. "It didnt shock me," Pettine told the site, "because Rex would give them out like candy anyway." After the Jets completed their final minicamp practice, Ryan became agitated at times when asked about the story. The Jets coach refuted the suggestion that Saban -- who is also friends with Ryan -- might have given Belichick and the Patriots a sneak peek. "One thing I know for a fact, No. 1, I think its disrespectful to New England to say, Oh, they did this," Ryan said. "I can tell you every single game weve ever had with New England has been decided on the field. Nobodys had a competitive advantage. Nobodys had anything else. And thats a fact." The Patriots have won seven of the 11 games against the Jets since Ryan became New Yorks coach in 2009. Ryan said in the Jets losses, Belichicks bunch simply "outperformed us." So, this is, of course, not quite a scandal such as Spygate. Then, came the bombshell moment. "To discredit somebody like Belichick, who is a real coach, studies his butt off," Ryan said, "is ridiculous." Ryan explained that every team frequently changes its playbooks, tailoring plans to specific opponents. Theyre also coded in ways that would be difficult for opponents to completely decipher. "To me, I think its ridiculous," Ryan said. "But I think it sounds like everybody needs to talk to Pettine, because apparently hes got all the information." Alabama associate athletic director Jeff Purinton confirmed that Saban has a copy of the playbook Ryan gave to him -- and it has remained in his office at the school. Belichick opted to not comment after the Patriots practice. "Talk to Mike Pettine," Belichick said. "I dont know." In the interview, Pettine used the anecdote to explain why he doesnt have thick playbooks -- just in case they end up in the wrong hands. Ryan acknowledged he wasnt sure if Pettine was just displaying his dry sense of humour, but was clearly irked by the whole situation. "I dont understand what hes trying to gain by it," Ryan said. "Thats up to Mike and hes certainly free to do whatever he chooses." Pettine and Ryan have been friends for years, dating to their days together in Baltimore. Pettine was Ryans defensive co-ordinator in New York before he left to take the same position in Buffalo in 2012. Cleveland hired Pettine as its head coach this off-season. Ryan was asked if a first-year head coach such as Pettine might consider staying out of the spotlight. "Yeah, he needs to learn to be quiet," said a smiling Ryan, whose mouth certainly has gotten him in trouble over the years. "Absolutely." The Jets coach then continued to lighten the mood, saying the story was being "a bit overblown" and analyzed his relationship with Pettine. "Its in a bad spot right now," a laughing Ryan said. "Like, really dude? Seriously?" Ryan later praised Pettine for his work by his side for so many years and acknowledged that he was proud of him for becoming a head coach in the NFL. So, will Ryan reach out to Pettine to smooth things over? "I dont need to," Ryan said with a grin. "Im going on vacation." Hmmm. Picture it: Ryan and Belichick having fun in the sun on Cape Cod. Now that would be some plot twist. NOTES: The Jets signed a pair of "camp legs" -- K Andrew Furney and P Jacob Schum -- and released TE Terrence Miller, putting their roster at 90 players. ... LB David Harris sat out with a hamstring issue that isnt serious. Ryan joked that Harris absence was a result of "the playbook issue." ... Ryan said hes "pretty optimistic" that RB Chris Johnson will be ready to participate in training camp next month. Johnson is coming off off-season knee surgery. Ryan suggested the Jets could use "pitch counts" for Johnson to limit his practice days. Sione Takitaki Jersey . - Because they didnt go into Beast Mode, the Seattle Seahawks found themselves in Spin Mode. 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Denzel Ward Womens Jersey . -- David Freese is starting to pick up his run production, which is something the Los Angeles Angels have been waiting half a season to see.ORLANDO, Fla. -- Baseballs annual gathering of general managers began Monday when $14.1 million qualifying offers were turned down by all 13 free agents who received them from their former teams, a group that included Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Napoli and Stephen Drew of the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Three New York Yankees also said no thanks: Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Hiroki Kuroda. The others turning down the offers were Atlantas Brian McCann, Cincinnatis Shin-Soo Choo, Clevelands Ubaldo Jimenez, Kansas Citys Ervin Santana, St. Louis Carlos Beltran, Seattles Kendrys Morales and Texas Nelson Cruz. "I dont think its that particularly surprising that all the offers were turned down across baseball," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson interpreted the turndowns as an indicator a bull market is possible. "That ought to tell you a little bit about their expectations," he said. If a player who turned down the offer signs with a new team, his former club would receive an extra amateur draft pick at the end of the first round next June. All 22 players given qualifying offers have said no during two offseasons under the new system. "When we made the qualifying offers, we did not expect anyone to accept. We would have been happy if any of them did," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. Cashman was an early arrival at the sessions, with some GMs due to check in on Monday night. In addition to early talks with agents and trade feelers, GMs will hold rules discussions, such as whether there should be any limitations on bowling over catchers. Owners then arrive for their fall meeting on Thursday morning, with expanded instant replay on the agenda. A baseball official familiar with the deliberations, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said management probably would approve the additional video review by umpires in phases. The go-ahead to spend the funds probably will occur Thursday. Approval of the rules likely would be put off until the January owners meeting. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. For expanded replay to start next season, agreements with the World Umpires Association and Major League Baseball Players Association would have to be reached. "Both parties are working diligently to iron out every possible scenario that could occur with a replay," WUA President Joe West said. These meetings usually are the spark for trades and signings later in the off-season. The pace figures to increase during the winter meetings, to be held in nearby Lake Buena Vista from Dec. 9-12. "These meetings will probably be mostly about just getting information," Cheerington said.dddddddddddd "Id be surprised if anything actually happens in the next three days." With many clubs seeking top starting pitching, Tampa Bay is expected at some point to trade 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner David Price, who is eligible for free agency after the 2015 season. Detroits Max Scherzer, favoured to win a Cy Young on Wednesday, can be a free agent in 12 months and the Tigers may try to gauge what he would bring in return. Texas would consider offers for middle infielders Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus to clear a starting spot for Jurickson Profar. After missing the playoffs for just the second time in 19 years, the Yankees figure to be a central figure in the market. Cano, an All-Star second baseman, has been seeking a 10-year deal in excess of $300 million. Re-signing Cano is a top priority, but at some point the Yankees would have to move on. "Those type of players dictate the dance steps," Cashman said. "So well do the dance as long as we can but, yeah, at some point you cant do that forever. But were in the very front end of this thing, so the music hasnt even started yet." While New York wants to get its payroll under next years $189 million threshold for the luxury tax, the Yankees may not be able to unless Alex Rodriguez serves a major part of his 211-game suspension for violations of baseballs drug agreement and labour contract. The players union filed a grievance to overturn the penalty, and arbitrator Fredric Horowitz is expected to rule during the off-season. New York would be happy to save much of Rodriguezs $25 million salary if he misses a significant part of the season, but the Yankees would need to find a third baseman. "I have question marks clearly with the controversy at third. I have a question mark at short with Derek Jeter coming back from his ankle, a free agent in Cano," Cashman said. "So ultimately, I need to look and be open-minded to improving aspects when I can." With more cash available because of the increase in national broadcast contracts, more teams could be bidders. After cutting payroll by about 33 per cent over two years, the Mets may be ready to spend. And they could be interested in some of the players who turned down qualifying offers, because they wouldnt forfeit their first-round draft pick -- the top 10 selections in the opening round are protected, and those clubs would lose their second-round slot. "The fact that we only have to give up a second-round pick may give us a little bit of an edge," Alderson said. "Well see." He even joked about his newfound financial flexibility. "I was upstairs stacking our money," he said. "Dont get excited. They were all fives." ' ' '