Jets No. 1 'D' seeks Super Bowl win

Jets Blog

By MARK CANNIZZARO

Last Updated: 1:51 PM, January 6, 2010

Posted: 2:42 AM, January 5, 2010

Comments: 53

Make no mistake, Rex Ryan is positively bubbling about getting the Jets into the playoffs, but the coach's hearty appetite hasn't been sated by his team's entrance into the postseason.

"Making the playoffs is special, and the way we did it with the ups and downs, it feels pretty good right now," Ryan said yesterday, hours after the Jets' 37-0 rout of the Bengals on Sunday night. "But our goals were not to make the playoffs. You know what my goals have been since I got here. We're just one step closer.

"Our goal is we're trying to win the thing [Super Bowl]. To get to this point and not have that as your ultimate goal, I don't think you're going to be successful. I think you have to visualize yourself succeeding and then go out and make it happen. I know that's my goal."

N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

BUSTING LOOSE: Jets safety Jim Leonhard shows why the team ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total defense as his hard hit forces a fumble by Bengals quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan.

The Jets (9-7), who play the Bengals (10-6) on Saturday in Cincinnati in their first playoff game since the 2006 season, appear to be peaking, having won five of their last six games with a suffocating defense that finish the season ranked No. 1 in the NFL in multiple categories.

ODDSMAKERS: JETS ARE SUPER BOWL LONGSHOTS

They enter the postseason with some veterans, such as guard Alan Faneca, tackle Damien Woody and running back Thomas Jones, who have tasted Super Bowl nectar.

But they also enter with a rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez, and some veterans who have been starving for a first playoff berth, notably linebacker Calvin Pace and receiver Braylon Edwards. Pace is in his seventh season and had never been the postseason, Edwards is in his fifth without a playoff game.

"When you realize how good a player Calvin Pace is and how good Braylon Edwards is and this is their first taste of it . . . ," Ryan said, his voice trailing off. "You can try to explain being in the playoffs, but until you get in there and get that feeling . . . it's awesome. Once you get that taste, you have to go back.

"Whenever friends tell you how good it is to be in the playoffs, it's actually better than they can describe it. I know it's better than I can describe it."

The Jets intend to make it an extended stay, and they plan on doing that by putting their formula to work: Defense and running the ball.

A number of Jets defensive players have taken offense to outside suggestions that their defense is a statistical paper tiger, having gaudy numbers but also having given up several leads late in games.

Safety Kerry Rhodes said he believes the Jets "got to validate our defense" in the blowout of the Bengals

"People were taking shots at it, saying we were the No. 1 defense," Rhodes said, "but . . . there was always a 'but' involved. I don't think anybody wants to face us right now."

Defensive end Marques Douglas has taken umbrage to those who don't believe in the Jets' defense.

"Over the past few games, we got [ticked] off on our side of the ball because no one was recognizing who we are," Douglas said. "We might be a no-name defense. Granted, we don't have some of the more recognizable names in the league, but we have the No. 1 defense, not Baltimore, not Pittsburgh.

"We get tired of being overlooked and analyzed about what we don't have."

Ryan understands the defense's annoyance.

"We've given up a couple of leads, but every other defense has done that," Ryan said. "Looking at it from a statistical standpoint and on the field, this defense has outperformed every defense in the league.

"It took us a little while to get our stride, but I think we're there now. I don't even know if I thought we could be No. 1 [in the first year]. I believe in the system, I believe in the group of players and I definitely believe in our coaches. This is the New York Jets defense, plain and simple."

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com

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Golfer9150

01/06/2010 2:15 PM

Where did the Phillis end up, second place like the city they live in. How many Super Bowls have the Feagles won = ZERO To the other comment regtarding Brady being a rookie, he sat behind an experienced qb for a year and a half. Sanchez did not have that luxury and something that should have been corrected. we have Kellens behind him, enough said. lets's enjoy the ride as long as it last and we will be back in the playoffs with this core of players. Enjoy it and ignore the idiots from the second class city down the turnpike.
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AZJets

01/06/2010 11:11 AM

K I S S - Keep It Simple for Sanchez

Hand off left, hand off right, hand off middle, when thinking of pass, bring in Brad.

If they follow the above-easy win in Cincy...
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PhillyOwnsNY

01/06/2010 10:06 AM

MAN..ARE THESE NY FANS IRRITATING WHEN THEY GET A LITTLE BIT OF SUCCESS..

I CAN'T WAIT TILL MONDAY WHEN WE CAN STOP HEARING ABOUT IT...

CAUSE THEY WILL BE WITH THE GIANTS..LMFAO
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Yankees Pride

01/06/2010 6:24 AM

Go Irish.

Signed,
Jets Pride
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Irish

01/05/2010 9:17 PM

johnnyb,Flacco was technically the first rookie to win 2 playoff games,but Tom Brady was a "rookie" in 2001 also.He sat on the bench for almost all of 2000.He was the third string qb.And we all know what he did.(Brady actualy took a nap before that SB,showing that rookies don't know any better and dont feel the pressure)He actually didnt start until game 3 of 2001,when Mo Lewis took Bledsoe out in game 2.I remember because it was right after 9-11,and the Pats/Jets game was postponed for a week.The Pats O.L.Joe Andruzzi(from Staten Island)ran onto the field with his FDNY younger brothers carrying the Stars and Stripes. So a rookie can win playoff games(Wasn't Marino a rookie when he played the 49ers in the SB?) Anyway,don't discount the Jets.The pressure will be on every team that has to play the Jets,because they are not expected to go far,just like or 2001 Patriots.(sorry for the rambling)
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Irish

01/05/2010 8:53 PM

C'mon Fluke,give the Jets credit.I'm a Pats fan,and it was clear to me that the Jets were kicking the living u know what out of the Colts and the Bengals.The Jets should be 10-6 or even 11-5.Bad play calling cost them at least 2 or 3 games.This team scares me.I wouldn't want to play them.They look like our 2001 Patriots.Rookie qb,and strong in special teams,defense and the running game.To recognize another team's abilty,doesn't make u any less of a Patriots fan.
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scjoe

01/05/2010 7:01 PM

What a FLUKE this guy "fluke" is. He would rather have his patsy's lose every game then win "like the Jets did" well FLUKE, just what does that say about your CHEATING years with your CHEATING SB win? Your team is a total disgrace!
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jet4ever

01/05/2010 6:17 PM

How about the "genius" Belicheat. 2 years ago rather than sitting his starters in the last game against the Giants he goes for the win. What happens, the Giants realize THEY CAN play with the mighty Patriots, gain a ton of confidence and go on to beat them in the Super Bowl. Smart move.

This time he plays his starters again in a meaningless game and losses his best receiver and one of the best receivers in football. Smart move.

How great is it that the Jets benefit from other teams "playing it safe and smart" and at the same time benefit from the Patsies playing it "hard and stupid"