Rex, Jets Rib Scott Over 'Can't Wait' Interview
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (WFAN/AP) — Fired-up Jets linebacker Bart Scott set the tone early in the buildup to Sunday's AFC championship game against the Steelers.
"Can't Wait!" the never-shy Scott shouted when told 'Congratulations, see you in Pittsburgh' after New York's 28-21 victory over the New England Patriots last Sunday.
The win sent the Jets into the AFC title game for the second year in a row, and the "can't wait" theme was back in vogue Thursday at the Jets' training facility. The one-minute emotionally charged interview is a YouTube sensation, with over 350,000 hits so far.
Rex Ryan opened his news conference saying he knows everybody "CAN'T WAIT" for what's usually a boring injury report. Laughter followed, and the coach went on to call the video a 'classic."
Jets Fans: Send Us Your Photos | Getting To, From AFC Championship Game
In it, Scott sounds off on all Jets "nonbelievers" and called the win over the Patriots "poetic justice."
"It's kind of funny. I saw it the other day. It's a classic, no question about it," Ryan said, noting he was impressed with the way Scott managed to turn palms up while imitating a jet landing as he approached the interviewer.
Scott's take?
"I'm not really savvy on the technical tips," he said. "My wife has teased me a lot. She uses that in case I ever get mad at her or something. She says she'll get me locked up; she'll use that video as a reference."
Scott, who came to the Jets from the Ravens just after Ryan was hired from Baltimore two years ago, wasn't angry at anyone Thursday. But he's charged up for his third straight AFC title game and a chance to play in his first Super Bowl.
He lost out when the Steelers beat the Ravens in the AFC title game two seasons ago, and when the Colts beat the Jets last season.
"No team has really taken as much from me as the Pittsburgh Steelers," Scott said. "Ben Roethlisberger has taken a Super Bowl appearance from me just three years ago. I know what a tall task it is to go into Pittsburgh and try to win. He's experienced at it. They are comfortable and they know how to win in these type situations. I've yet to cross that threshold. Hoping that we can do that this week."
Scott has been taking a ribbing all week from coaches and teammates about the interview. Asked if he'd seen it, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said "only about 50 times."
Scott is cool about it.
"It's something funny that happened, spur of the moment," he said. "I probably won't live it down for a while. It comes with the territory. I don't mind it."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
