Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Monday his dad was diagnosed last week with a form of cancer “in his gland that’s right through his neck.”
Brother Rex, the Jets coach, said through a team spokesman that it was the parotid gland, the largest of the salivary glands.
Having already beaten melanoma in 1968 and 1980, and another form of the disease earlier this year, the 80-year-old Ryan said this was “less serious” except that “whenever you go under anesthesia, you never know what’s going to happen.” So he told doctors to postpone the operation until he returns from the Meadowlands to see Rob and the Cowboys play against Rex and the Jets. He said he’ll fly to New York on Friday and will return to his Kentucky home on Monday.
“They said to go ahead and go,” Ryan said during a telephone interview. “I’ve got to be able to do something” while waiting for the operation.
Meanwhile, Rex Ryan said he feels more pressure coaching in the New York Jets’ regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks “than any game I’ve ever coached.”
He called it “a responsibility” to make sure his team has a good showing in the game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just across the river from Manhattan.
“It just feels different,” he said, maybe because he believes the Jets will be representing “this whole region, this whole area.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Indianapolis Colts said in a statement that quarterback Peyton Manning is “likely … doubtful” for the opener Sunday at Houston and will not practice this week while he rehabilitates from offseason neck surgery. … Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Aug. 19, probably will miss the New York Giants’ opener against the Redskins. … The Saints said coach Sean Payton, who coached New Orleans to its first Super Bowl championship two seasons ago, has agreed to a contract extension through 2015. …
Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway has agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $41 million, with $20 million guaranteed. … Redskins coach Mike Shanahan announced that Rex Grossman will be his starting quarterback in Sunday’s season opener against the New York Giants. The nine-year veteran won the nod over John Beck. … The Chicago Bears waived cornerback Joshua Moore, clearing a roster spot to claim Pro Bowl safety Brandon Meriweather from waivers. …
Cleveland signed veteran offensive lineman Artis Hicks, a potential starter at left guard, after he was released by the Redskins on Saturday. … In a move to add depth, Arizona signed 10-year veteran running back Chester Taylor to a one-year contract.
