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Jets' Pryor Says He Has 'A Little Chip On His Shoulder' Over Benching

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Calvin Pryor has two goals for the second half of his rookie season: make more plays — and make meetings on time.

The New York Jets safety, the team's first-round draft pick last May, was replaced Sunday in the starting lineup by Jaiquawn Jarrett, who had two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery in the Jets' 20-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Meanwhile, Pryor played only on special teams and it was revealed that the rookie has missed a few team meetings during the season — an issue that veteran teammates have addressed with him.

"I'm pretty sure it's not the first time it happened. Guys have been late," Pryor said after practice Tuesday, downplaying the matter. "Just have to learn from it and move on."

It has been a frustrating first season for Pryor, who was expected to come in and make an immediate impact with his hard-hitting style and ball-hawking abilities. Instead, Pryor has had to play more in deep coverage rather than closer to the line of scrimmage — his strength — because of issues at cornerback.

"I've got a little chip on my shoulder right now," he said. "Kind of my back is against the wall, so to speak. Because everything, just expectations and just me personally taking it upon myself, I haven't been playing the way I should. That's something I have to look at myself and tell myself to just go do better."

When asked how he'll improve, he said simply: "I'll let my actions speak."

Pryor declined to comment on why he has been late to some meetings or how many times it has occurred, but he said that he was responsive to chats with teammates.

"They just told me they've been there before, and they were in that same situation," he said. "This isn't the first time that it's happened to a player. They just told me the ways to go about it and how to get over it and just become better. Those guys are my big brothers. They want what's best for me."

Coach Rex Ryan said Jarrett earned the start Sunday because of his efforts in practice and meetings. The Jets also planned to rotate both Pryor and Jarrett, but Ryan left Jarrett in the entire game because he had such an outstanding performance.

"Jarrett had a hot hand, so why not leave him in?" Pryor said. "I wouldn't have taken him out."

Ryan also announced Monday that Jarrett would start at safety when the Jets play at Buffalo next weekend after they return from their bye-week break.

"I'm fine with that," Pryor said.

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