NFL: New York Jets' Rex Ryan talks about losing 105 pounds

NEW YORK — Rex Ryan still loves Mexican food.

Before, he'd eat as many as 12 tacos in one sitting. These days, it's more like one.

The New York Jets coach with the big, boisterous personality never hid that he underwent weight-loss surgery in March 2010. Normally happy to talk — and talk — about anything, Ryan was tight-lipped about the details for more than two years. He wanted to reach the milestone of shedding 100 pounds before he opened that famous mouth.

From a peak of 348 pounds, Ryan is now down to about 243.

"I feel good because I know I look better than I did," he said Thursday, before quickly adding in typical fashion, "which is not saying much."

At a high in his coaching career, he was also hitting a high on the scales. The Jets were about to face the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game after the 2009 season when Ryan happened to weigh himself. He would get short of breath going up stairs but never expected to see the number that left him "mortified": 348.

The 49-year-old Ryan thought a fellow coach was playing a trick on him, putting pressure on the scale while he stood on it.

"There was nobody there. It was just me," Ryan said. "I was shocked. I thought I was about 300 to maybe 310."

He had tried all sorts of diets in the past, losing lots of weight only to gain it all back — and more. Ryan decided to have Lap-Band surgery after hearing the success stories of former players Jamie Dukes and Tony Siragusa.

The device can be adjusted, so Ryan had it loosened a bit when he and his wife recently went to Paris for their 25th anniversary so he could fully sample the French cuisine.

COLTS SIGN LUCK, SHIRLEY: The Indianapolis Colts have signed No. 1 overall pick Andrew Luck.

The quarterback's agent and uncle, Will Wilson, confirmed Thursday that the deal had been completed. Terms were not immediately released.

Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters in late April he expected Luck's deal would be almost identical to the four-year, $22 million contract last year's top pick, Cam Newton, signed.

The Colts also say they have signed free agent defensive tackle Jason Shirley.

A fifth-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2008, Shirley has played in seven career NFL games for the Bengals and Carolina Panthers. He has eight tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

MINNESOTA GUV APOLOGIZES: Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton apologized Thursday for comparing NFL players in trouble with the law to veterans returning from war.

The first-term Democrat said in a statement that he made a poor analogy when he used the comparison in an interview Tuesday with Minnesota Public Radio.

In that interview, Dayton theorized on the troubles of professional football players, including Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and said that football was "basically slightly civilized war."

RAMS' QUINN CHARGED WITH DRUNKEN DRIVING: St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn has been charged with drunken driving in suburban St. Louis, police and court officials said Thursday.

Florissant police Capt. Tim Lowery said Quinn was involved in a one-car accident on an exit ramp along Interstate 270 at 5:38 a.m. on July 10. Lowery said the responding officer suspected Quinn was intoxicated and arrested him without incident.

"He cooperated fully," Lowery said. Quinn posted bond that day and was released.