Rex Ryan Tattoo

Rex Ryan has tattoo of wife in Mark Sanchez jersey

Just when you think the stories around the New York Jets couldn't get more bizarre, the New York Daily News took things to another level on Friday.

The cover of the New York Daily News shows a shot of Rex Ryan's tattoo of a woman wearing a Mark Sanchez jersey. (New York Daily News)

The paper is apparently following Rex Ryan around the Bahamas and photographing him. They noticed a tattoo on his right arm with a photo bearing a "striking resemblance" to his wife wearing a Mark Sanchez jersey ... and nothing else.

The cover of the newspaper is rolling with "Kinky Inky" on the front page and "Marked for life" on the back cover.

We're not sure what is sillier: The tattoo pictures or the semi-serious column by Gary Myers that tries to analyze what this all means about Rex Ryan's credibility and how it affects his future. (The same column includes a not-so-subtle plug for Myers' book.)

Ryan came out swinging last week at a report by the Daily News, and the paper is swinging back. This is the type of old-school, attack-style true tabloid stuff that was more prevalent 50 years ago than today. (Think Boston during the Ted Williams era.)

The tattoo is good for some laughs, but the Daily News ultimately looks worse. Even though it should sell some papers on Friday.

Is Rex Ryan's Tattoo Real Or Fake?

The New York Jets' quarterback controversy has entered uncharted waters -- as crystal clear as they may be.

A vacationing Rex Ryan was spotted and photographed Thursday sporting a tattoo of a woman who appears to be his wife, wearing only a green jersey with Mark Sanchez's No. 6 on it and posing in a way many would say resembles a crouching Tim Tebow.

More on Ryan And His Ink

Just when you thought life with the Jets couldn't get any crazier, Rex Ryan had a QB controversy up his sleeve all along, writes Rich Cimini.Commentary

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Regardless of whether Rex Ryan's tattoo of a woman who appears to be his wife in a Mark Sanchez jersey is permanent, it sends a strange message, writes James Walker. Blog

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Rex Ryan's tattoo has kept the Jets in the news even after a disappointing season. SportsNation asks, how weird is Ryan's ink? Cast your vote!

A shirtless Ryan, sunbathing poolside at the Cove Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, quickly left the scene with his wife after being approached by a reporter.

According to a story in the New York Daily News, Ryan cursed at the reporter while "storming away," but not before an image had been captured of Ryan lying prone with a book in his left hand with the illustration on his other upper arm. Above it is another tattoo of a green shamrock featuring the names of his wife and children.

There was no indication in the report whether the tattoos were permanent, but a person close to Ryan told ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini that Ryan's "had it for years." A few people in the Jets' organization have known about it, but not many, the source said. Even some of his assistant coaches apparently didn't know.

Sanchez was drafted by the Jets fifth overall out of USC in 2009, four months after Ryan was hired as coach.

Ryan took the trip to the Bahamas as the Jets prepare to begin interviews with general manager candidates, and with his coaching staff in limbo. Ryan and the assistant coaches had the week off.

Ryan and owner Woody Johnson have come under fire for not being available to discuss the Jets' disappointing season and the firing of general manager Mike Tannenbaum. The team announced Wednesday that Ryan and Johnson will conduct a "season-ending" news conference -- nine days after the season ended.

By waiting that long, the Jets will be in violation of the league's media policy, which states that the coach and a team official must conduct a news conference during the week after the season ends. The NFL will look into the matter, a league spokesman said.

Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Baby and a Cat