Mike Francesa vs. Rex Ryan, Thursday on WFAN

The match-up that football fans have all been waiting for is set to take place Thursday afternoon at One Jet Drive in Florham Park, NJ.

For two years, WFAN host Mike Francesa has been one of the severest critics of Jets coach Rex Ryan and his football team. Always raising a scornful eyebrow over Ryan's bombastic behavior and proclamations of Super Bowl glory, Francesa has made it a habit to rip the Jets, belittling their accomplishments, and reminding Jets Nation that they have not won the Super Bowl.

On his show on Tuesday, Francesa said that the Jets used to be a tight-lipped organization until Rex Ryan came along, drawing the analogy that Ryan gave everyone "leather jackets" and they believe that they are now "cool." Even echoing, as he's done many times in the past, that the entire Jets persona has changed from the top down, including his once "good friend" Mike Tannenbaum because of Ryan's cockiness.

In April when Ryan's book came out, Francesa felt it nessecary to rip the book as a bust.

Francesa and the Jets have had a rough relationship the last two years. Woody Johnson hasn't allowed players onto Mike'd Up, because of their contract with another radio channel, at least according to Francesa. As a result, it seemed at times that the Jets didn't exist in the New York market.

Listen to these excerpts from Francesa's show on Rex Ryan and the Jets.
LISTEN to CUT 1!
LISTEN to CUT 2!
LISTEN to CUT 3!
LISTEN to CUT 4!

So on Thursday afternoon Francesa and the Jets will put their differences behind them and do a show together. Francesa didn't venture out to Jets camp at all last season, so this is his first trip to the camp in over two years.

He will have Rex Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum, Darrell Revis, Mark Sanchez, and Mike Westoff on the program beginning at 3:35 pm on WFAN.

It should be interesting to see how Ryan reacts to all of the criticism Francesa has heaped on him over the past two seasons. One hopes that the two sides can find common ground and end this bizarre run of strained silence.

So, be sure to grab a "*** damn snack!" for this will be great radio.

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