FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—Rex Ryan stood in front of his team for one last time and teared up.

This wasn’t exactly how the New York Jets pictured their season to end. But with his bold Super Bowl hopes dashed, Ryan couldn’t help but get emotional.

“I’m Irish. What do you want?” Ryan said Monday, trying to lighten the mood. “It’s hurtful and I’m extremely prideful. I want to be the best. I want to win. Sometimes it comes out like that.”

He had what some players called a “harsh” talk, telling his guys they needed to get back to being a team and not just a group of individuals.
“He was crying because he loves us,” guard Matt Slauson said Monday. “He respects us, he knows what we are capable of and we didn’t even come close to our goals.”

That’s for sure. This was the year the Jets were going to deliver the franchise its long-awaited second Lombardi Trophy. Ryan guaranteed it. And after two straight trips to the AFC championship game, who could doubt the possibility?

But the Jets (8- never really put it together and it was a somewhat surreal setting a day after a loss at Miami ended a disappointing season as the players cleared out their lockers.

“It’s not fun losing,” quarterback Mark Sanchez said.

Added Slauson: “We’re sick, we’re disappointed and we’re hurting a lot.”

And Ryan placed the blame squarely on himself.

“I don’t think I had the pulse of our team the way I’ve done in the past,” he said. “When I met with players as well today, I think that became clear to me.”

Several players were already gone when the media got to the locker room, and a few—including the normally media-friendly Darrelle Revis and Nick Folk— chose to not speak.

Linebacker Bart Scott bristled as he was walking out and was asked about a report that he likely wouldn’t be back next season. “All I know is I’ve got a guaranteed contract for $4 million,” he snarled. He then used an expletive at a photographer and stuck out his middle finger, adding: “Take a picture of this.”

That wasn’t all. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes, benched Sunday after arguing with teammates in the huddle, went to his locker, grabbed a box and a helmet and was then escorted out of the locker room by a public relations staff member without talking.

Holmes was still the hot topic Monday after he was yanked by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer—a move Ryan supported, but didn’t know about when it first happened—as the Jets tried to rally in the fourth quarter. He was held without a catch for the first time in his 88-game career and sulked while standing alone on the sideline as the team lost 19-17, ending the Jets’ playoff chances.

“I wouldn’t single Santonio out like he was the sole problem,” receiver Patrick Turner said. “It’s a team sport and one’s wrong, we’re all wrong.”cheap jersey

Sanchez declined to comment on what went on with Holmes, saying it was an “in-house” issue that shouldn’t be discussed through the media. But ESPNNewYork.com reported that the two clashed at a meeting last week, and several players questioned Holmes’ captaincy throughout the season.

The Jets won’t have to worry about that next season. Ryan acknowledged that he “made a huge mistake” naming six team captains—he previously only had game captains—and no one will wear the captain “C” on their jersey anymore.

“I think that pulls away from the team a little bit,” Ryan said of having captains. “It may work for other franchises, but it doesn’t work for me.”

Holmes and guard Brandon Moore went back and forth earlier this season when the receiver criticized the offensive line for not protecting Sanchez or giving him enough time to throw long passes. Moore said that kind of talk could have “a fracturing effect”—and it appears he was right.

“There’s a lot of reasons we didn’t have the kind of season we wanted, and chemistry can go down on that list,” Moore said.

He declined to discuss whether a team could accept a player who was deemed by some to have “quit” back next season.

“I don’t really have anything to say about 10,” Moore said, referring to Holmes by his jersey number.

Ryan said there are “a lot of positive things about Santonio,” but acknowledged that there are also things that need to be improved and believes Holmes will return next season. Still, most players seemed to think there would be plenty of changes this offseason.

They could start with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who has been criticized all year for failing to develop Sanchez and run an effective and consistent offense, which finished 25th overall.

Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum reiterated that they expect Schottenheimer to return next season—unless he’s hired as a head coach elsewhere. Tannenbaum, who said Schottenheimer has done “a really credible job,” confirmed that New York gave Jacksonville permission to speak to the 38-year-old coordinator for the Jaguars’ head coaching vacancy.

“I think the criticism specifically about Brian,” Ryan said, “I believe, is unfair.”

Sanchez has also been the subject of lots of criticism as he didn’t progress in his third year as many had hoped, but Tannenbaum said he’ll be the starting quarterback next season.

“I think Mark’s work speaks for itself,” Tannenbaum said. “I think it’s more good than bad and far from perfect. It has to be more consistent and I think if Mark was sitting right here he would be the first one to tell you.”

That vote of confidence came despite Sanchez throwing three interceptions against the Dolphins and doing little to cement his role as the Jets’ long-term answer at quarterback. He threw a career-high 26 touchdown passes, but seven of his 18 interceptions came in the last three games—all losses.

“My job is to come back a better quarterback, a better leader,” said Sanchez, who was unsure if he’d need further tests on his neck and right shoulder which bothered him late in the season.

The Jets will also have several major decisions to make on potential free agents, including Plaxico Burress, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jim Leonhard and Sione Pouha.

“My job is to build a team,” Ryan said. “For whatever reason, I don’t think we were as close as a football team as we were the first two years and now we are sitting on the outside looking in. We’re watching other teams in playoff games that we think we should be in. And I think that’s painful, beyond belief.”2012 pro bowl jerseys

Notes: Tannenbaum said the team will speak with offensive line coach Bill Callahan over the next few days about returning. His contract is up after this season, but Tannenbaum said “we hope to have him back.” … Slauson said he’ll have an MRI exam on one of his shoulders Tuesday to check out the nature of an injury that initially occurred late last season.

Sanchez is garbage. That is their problem

Fuck the Jets

Sanchez is garbage and Ryan is an overrated coach. I also like that we are taking a spam thread to talk about how much we hate the Jets. I look for Miami to take the division next year, but then again I look for that every year.

They need a lot of things to go right, and i doubt they will be able to pull it all together in one year. Along with finding a head coach and quarterback they also need some defensive secondary players. They were i believe one of the worst in the league when it came to pass defense.

The only way I see the Jets improving on their .500 record next year is if they can get Peyton Manning. There have been a lot of rumors lately that The Jets will make a serious attempt to acquire Peyton, if Indy winds up drafting Andrew Luck. Speaking of, if the Dolphins can secure a new QB in the draft, by making a move for Luck or (more likely) drafting RG3, I can see them making the playoffs as a wild card at best. Even though Matt Moore was good, I don't see him as a long-term savior like Luck and Griffin are. It's a QB-driven league, and mediocre gets you nowhere these days unless you're the 49ers lol.

The above poster was spot-on when he said that no one but New England is winning the East as long as Brady is still around. I see the Jets sinking even further, especially if Rex sticks with Sanchez, and the Bills are always going to be the Bills.

I think the 'fins will get Jeff Fisher as head coach, Pick up either Peyton or RG3, and will have a decent year. That being said they still have a lot to work on in the meantime. I think Indy would be smart to keep Peyton AND Luck - use Luck in an Aaron Rodgers/Bret Favre role. If they get a good passer, and don't rush a rookie into a starting role which seems to be the fad nowadays - they could have a great passing game with Marshall leading the WRs and Bush out of the backfield. Hell a guy like RG3 would be a perfect fit with his run and gun abilities. The wildcat could be very successful play option for them with him at the helm. To be honest though, I'd rather see him have a couple years to develop under a solid passer and then become the league MVP when that passer either retires or gets traded (ala Rodgers). Course that's just how I feel about all rookie QB's.

Miami abandoned the wildcat and there is no way they will go back to it.

Miami should actually keep Matt Moore, their offense picked up so much when he became the starter. that being said, they'd need to be 12-4 to have a shot at winning the AFC East, as long as New England has Bellicheck as head coach.

But, the Jets suck. Rex is a big pussy, and he can't even bring defensive talent onto his team anymore. Sanchez is their biggest problem though. Typical USC qb, tears it up in college, sucks asshole in the NFL. He can't throw, make wise decisions, and just can't hang on to the football.

fuck them, I needed them to beat the Giants so the birds could make the playoffs and Sanchez choked on a giant dick. GARBAGE.

Andrew Luck does not need to be used in an Aaron Rodgers/Brett Favre role. The reason it worked so well with Rodgers was because the Packers completely rebuilt his throwing motion and thinking in the game. Luck doesn't need to do that, he's game-ready. It would honestly be a better move at this point to

A. Trade the 1st pick for a shit ton of great picks/players or
B. Draft Luck and trade Peyton Manning

People also said Jimmy Clausen was "NFL Game Ready" - Was a complete dud and they wasted a pick on him. People said Ryan Leif was "NFL Game Ready" - where is he? People argued that Picking Peyton Manning over him was the biggest mistake in NFL Draft History when it first happend. Jamarcus Russel was "NFL Game Ready" when he was drafted. Reggie Bush was supposed to be "NFL Ready" to make the biggest impact at RB in decades - has been a great disappointment. It takes more than just being a great college QB/Player to be a good NFL Starting QB. Yes there are exceptions to every rule, but it's better to give a guy a year or so to develop, learn the system, learn the offense, build a repertoire with his receivers and build towards a future, rather than take the chance on someone who is getting used to the NFL pace, makes a miss step gets injured, and is out for a year from a torn ACL. I'd rather see him develop under a good QB - like they're doing in Tennessee with Hasselbeck/Locker. Then if something happens during the year, where the starter gets hurt, you've got a guy who is ready and able to step in right away, as opposed to cutting his growth short.

And for some quarterbacks, they get nothing from sitting on the sideline and will only get better by playing more and learning the game through experience like Cam Newton and Sam Bradford. Andrew Luck is the real deal and the total package. He has no personal issues, is a freaking genius, and was calling plays at Stanford sometimes while at QB. I would not sit him behind a quarterback and I think it's a waste of a year if they do

^ really depends on the QB. Are you telling me there's nothing Luck can learn by playing back up to Peyton Manning? I think that is a fool hardy stance if that's the case. If he's back up to a Matt Moore, or Curtis Painter, then yes, he is absolutely better off being the starter. However if he gets to a team with a good, solid Veteran QB - then there is a lot he could learn to play at the next level.

Maturity, intelligence, poise, size.

Out of those four traits, the college QBs who Rag listed (Claussen, JRock and Leaf) lacked at least one, if not more, of those. Whereas Luck is top-notch in all of them. Once I learned that HE was calling plays and making line adjustments, was when I realized that he was way too good for college. That is A LOT tougher than people realize. No other QB I've seen has had those kind of responsibilities, a lot of pros don't either.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7450014/report-not-all-new-york-jets-love-mark-sanchez-eye-peyton-manning