If you ask Rex Ryan why he’s been so successful in season openers as an NFL head coach he’ll look you square in the eye and tell you he doesn’t know. One could ask a follow up question offering the theory that his creativity with his scheme might offer more surprises in Week 1, but only a denial will be the reply. In fact Ryan’s mark of 5-1 in season openers is something he would prefer to credit to his players.
One player who would know is veteran blocking tight end Matthew Mulligan. He’s spent parts of three seasons with Ryan in New York and a pair of season openers.