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Green Lantern: 'Play Like A Jet,' Whatever That Means

By Jeff Capellini, CBSNewYork.com

NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- So it's 3:46 a.m. on Friday and I either have no life or something is burning in the dark recesses of my brain. I'm searching for clarity on a concept that has been much talked about, but not even remotely defined.

What does it mean to "Play Like A Jet?"

Anyone?

Rex Ryan adopted the motto from his time in Baltimore, when "Play Like A Raven" really meant something, as evidenced by that franchise's full-out commitment to doing things the right way.

But with the Jets, Ryan talks about this idea like it's been engrained in all of our minds for decades. He views it as the recipe for winning football games. The fans want to believe in this pseudo-missive, want to accept the fact that because Ryan has issued this challenge his players will immediately respond.

Like they always did in Baltimore.

The problem is nobody really knows what the battle cry means because the Jets have rarely played with a true purpose in the past and, presently, need to be reminded daily how to do basic things like carrying themselves as players who expect greatness instead of as guys who talk, talk and then talk some more.

Half of the tri-state area and all points east, west, north and south are just waiting for the loud-mouthed Jets and their very different head coach to fall flat on their faces. I mean, after all, what have they done to deserve this much attention? Why did they have their own HBO special? Who are they to think they are anything more than the 9-7 team that backed into the playoffs last season before going on a run that many thought and still believe was more fiction than fact?

Ryan, to his credit, is so driven, so prepared to do whatever it takes to make believers out of everyone, he has invented a rallying cry that lacks any true definition in the hope that someone embraces his logic and it becomes infectious.

I believe Ryan thinks "Play Like A Jet" is really just another way of saying, "Enough of the crap, guys.  This thing will end up being what you make of it." That would make total sense, right?

No matter what happens this season, how the Jets finish will define who they are. Some fans will try to make excuses for losses and others will get way too excited following wins. That's sports. In the end, though, it will all boil down to how 53 guys react to Ryan's call to arms.

Beyond that, I have some ideas on what "Play Like A Jet" should mean.

First off, there's the notion of finishing what you start. All too often during their four decade-plus history the Jets have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Think about it, for a team that has lost so much more than it has won over the years, how often have the Jets gotten blown out or not been in at least half of a game? A fraction of the time. But the defeats have often been devastating because one could walk away from many of them uttering, "We had it."

That just can't happen this season. It has to be 60 minutes every week of no-holds-barred intensity.

Then there's the idea of knowing where you are and what to do at all times. How often have we seen Jets receivers run 3-yard pass patterns on 3rd and 4? They have to know where the sticks are. They have to run each route like it's their last even if the ball doesn't come their way. Quarterback Mark Sanchez must be smart out there, know when to take a sack, throw the ball away or slide. Fullbacks must recognize who's getting beat on the line and provide support, or else Sanchez will get killed. Defensive players have to know their gaps or when to help in coverage. Kick returners need to think before taking the ball out of the end zone.

From watching this team practice and from dissecting "Hard Knocks" it's obvious the coaches work overtime on all the little things. It's time for the players to be held accountable for everything, including all the action away from the ball.

Next, there's the idea of wanting to be a gloryhound versus playing it safe. I'm all for both. The Jets' "stars" must perform as such and the "role players" need to understand and perform their tasks to perfection. Because for every fly pattern that turns into six points there must be a key block. It's not so much about the end result of any one play as it is all the steps that must be followed by all 11 guys to ensure said play has a chance to succeed.

Ryan, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine need to turn these guys loose, let them do what they were bred to do. If Sanchez throws a pick, he better come out slinging the next series. If Shonn Greene fumbles, he needs to get that ball back in his hands immediately. If Braylon Edwards drops a pass, Schottenheimer needs to call his number again pronto.

It's not necessarily about going exclusively with what works. It's about keeping the opposition off balance. The only way the Jets will be successful is if the wealth is spread around on offense and guys not named Darrelle Revis, Bart Scott and Antonio Cromartie make plays on defense.

Those are just some ideas. Ultimately, "Play Like A Jet" should be about replicating success, something that has been in short supply with this franchise for far too long. For every positive snap, another page will be penciled into Ryan's handbook. For every bonehead play, another tongue lashing will be unleashed in someone's direction.

And this vicious cycle will repeat itself until the manuscript for success is written in stone.

The first chapter will be unveiled Monday night at home. Sometime after 7 p.m. we're all going to see the early returns on Ryan's campaign.

Wouldn't it be something if "Play Like A Jet" really means "Play Like A Champion Today?"

I know, wrong movie. But the message should be the same.

(Jeff Capellini is a senior editorial editor for CBSNewYork.com. He also writes under the moniker "The Green Lantern" on the Jets, Yankees, Islanders and many other things Gotham sports. Please follow him on Twitter at @greenlanternjet)

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