Play Like You Mean It: Passion, Laughs, and Leadership in the World's Most Beautiful Game (37 page)

Finally, it’s on to Pittsburgh, just like I predicted after we beat them in December. Now, a lot of people say that we were flat in that game because we didn’t have any swagger during the week. We didn’t talk much. Really, what was I going to say? We had already spent everything we had those first two weeks and the Steelers are different. Yeah, I lost to them a few years ago in the AFC Championship Game when I was in Baltimore and that sucked, but my players didn’t have anything to do with that. At least not most of them. There was no real connection like there was with Indy and New England.

People have made a lot out of us deferring after winning the coin toss and allowing Pittsburgh to have the ball first, like we somehow challenged the Steelers and got them psyched up. Look, with our defense, we’re going to defer all the time. And it wasn’t that we were flat. What really happened is that we didn’t execute. Defensively, we get a penalty on the first third down of the game. If they go three and out, it’s going to be a different game, but they don’t. They go right down the field with a long drive and that sets the tone for the first half. We couldn’t get anything going on offense—in fact, that sack-strip for a touchdown by Pittsburgh to make it 24-0 really hurt at the end of the first half—and they keep pounding away because we can’t tackle. There was one play where we have them stopped for a two-yard loss in the backfield and they break free for a nine-yard gain. Just sloppy.

At halftime, we’re down 24-3 and I just ripped the defense, tore into them. I said, “How about this for a halftime adjustment—how about tackling some motherfucker, because there’s nothing wrong with the scheme!” I put in one or two different calls, but really it was like, “Let’s go play like Jets and tackle someone. How about we do that?” Then, I said, we can still win this game. This isn’t the first time we’ve been down. Let’s go win this. So we go out there and we started coming back. The Steelers are going to be tight as hell over on the other side, and that’s what happened, and the game really started to flip. We had 50 yards of offense in the first half and 239 in the second half. Same goes for them. They had 231 in the first half and only 56 in the second. Roethlisberger’s quarterback rating for the game was 35, and Sanchez’s was 102. Everybody talks about the great game Ben had, but the facts are way different.

Of course, Roethlisberger did hit that huge pass on third down that allowed them to run out the clock on us. Funny thing is, we had a guy come off coverage and let that happen. Ben couldn’t have found black in a field of white mice at the time. He was throwing passes up all over the place at that time. Again, I was thinking about blitzing, but then I thought no. They came out in five wide and he wanted to throw it to the open side. Sure as shit, he threw it to the open side, and we should have had two guys there, but one guy came off coverage. If he stays in coverage, it’s either intercepted or Ben has to throw it away. I don’t know why our guy came off coverage, but he did. Maybe he thought Ben was going to scramble because he did earlier in the game, but the rule is that you stay in coverage until the quarterback crosses the line. Our guy just came up too quick. That allowed Ben to make the throw, and that’s what I have to live with. For the third year in a row, I lost in the AFC Championship Game.

After that, I just watched the Super Bowl at home. I’m only going to the Super Bowl if my dad or my brother is in it. It’s too painful. We don’t even do a party at the house. I thought Green Bay was going to have the upper hand on Pittsburgh. Their passing attack was giving everyone problems. But I truly believe we would have beaten Green
Bay. We only lost to them 9-0 during the season, and we gave them two of the field goals because of mistakes.

The bottom line for me and the Jets is, we’ll get there. We’re right there now, and everybody knows it. That’s why I don’t back down when people ask if we’re going to win the Super Bowl. The answer is yes. We’re going to do it. I don’t think we need anything. I said when I took the job that I want every player in the National Football League to want to play for the Jets, and I want every coach in the league to want to coach for the Jets, and we’re well on our way. There’s not a player in the league who wouldn’t be happy to play for us in New York. I think that’s going to give us some opportunities.

I’ll go into next season with the same mind-set I’ve had since I got here: We plan to win. I’ll underline it. I go into every game thinking that. There’s no way, as a competitor, that you go in thinking that you can’t win. In fact, the day I stop wanting to compete—to be the very best—I’ll know it and I’ll get out.

Until then, you can count on my teams to play like they mean it. And to have a lot of fun doing it. I look at my career so far and I feel tremendous pride. A lot has been accomplished. I also feel like one hell of a lucky guy. I’ve loved football since I was a kid, and here I am, the head coach of a great NFL franchise with a fantastic future. I’m grateful for the players I’ve been able to coach, the coaches I get to work with every day, and the unbelievable fans who energize the Jets in ways they probably don’t realize. I’m grateful that I have guys like Woody Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum next to me.

I’m ready to start a new season right now … today. I know the New York Jets are an elite team—a team to beat—and I know I’ll have a hard time sitting still until we can get out there and start bringing some huge hits and making big plays. Certainly, there will be more changes and more challenges as we get ready for next season. There will be roster moves, tough decisions. There will be coaching staff changes. Over these first two amazing years as head coach, I’ve learned that change is a guarantee. How we handle those changes will define us.

But if you’re a Jets fan, there’s one thing I will promise you: Everything we do, everything I do, will be to make sure that we bring the Lombardi Trophy home. I said it the week after we lost to the Steelers and I’ll say it every time I’m asked.… This team is soon to be Champs!

This book would not have been possible without the time, talents, and patience of a lot of people.

First and foremost, I’ve got to thank everyone at the Jets organization for supporting me and this project, and for making themselves available to meet with my writing crew as we crafted this book.

Woody Johnson, the greatest owner in the NFL, made time in his busy schedule to talk with us and offer some great glimpses into the inner workings of the team. He also trusted me enough to write this book, and I respect that.

Mike Tannenbaum, our general manager, was also great about giving his time and sharing his insights, and I’m very grateful to him for that.

Bruce Speight, the public relations director for the Jets, was a huge help as well. I really need to thank everyone in his department; they do a phenomenal job for us every day and they don’t always get the credit they deserve.

Laura Young, my right hand, has got to be one of the most long-suffering and accommodating people on earth. The work she put into lining up all the interviews and meetings is really what allowed this book to get off the ground.

My assistant coaches and players were wonderful, too, and I know I’m the luckiest SOB in all of professional football for the people I work with every day. I am so proud to be a Jet, and I hope that each one of my guys knows how happy I am to have him on my team.

I need to thank the folks at HBO for all their work on
Hard Knocks
, which really helped our season start off with a bang. The show gives fans a great look into the inner workings of a team, and I’m so glad they decided to profile the Jets this year.

Ian Kleinert, the agent for the book and a hell of a nice guy, did a bang-up job matching me with Doubleday, the best and bravest publishing house out there.

Jason Kaufman at Doubleday is the best editor ever, and I want to send out a huge thanks to his crew: his able assistant Rob Bloom, and the talented legal and copyediting team. I know this wasn’t the easiest project you’ve ever had to work on, and I just wanted to let you know how deeply I appreciate everything you did. This book would not have happened without you, and I really can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your patience and dedication. You went above and beyond. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

There are some great writers who cover the Jets for the New York–area media, and their good work served as quite an amazing foundation for several portions of this project.

The writing team Don Yaeger put together of Jason Cole, Kalil Conway, Tiffany Brooks, and Jim Henry really attacked this project with all their energy, and it shows. Their help was instrumental in bringing together all the different parts needed to make this book work.

To my family: Michelle, Payton, and Seth—thank you all for your love, patience, and support. You’re the greatest family anyone could ask for, and you’re a hell of a lot better than I deserve. I love you all more than I can put into words.

To my brother Rob, who is now with the Cowboys—I am so proud to be your twin (and I’m sorry, again, about that press conference). To my brother Jim, thanks for putting up with all my antics and for being such a strong figure and someone I was always able to look up to. To my mom, Doris, you are the single most patient mother I know, and I am so thankful for everything you did to help me get to this point. To my step-mother, Joanie, for taking us in and treating us like your own. And to the one and only Buddy Ryan, you have been not only an amazing father but an amazing mentor. Thank you for teaching me all you know about coaching and for opening so many doors through your brilliant mind and unique leadership.

And, finally, to all the Jets fans out there: Thank you for your tireless support and enthusiasm. You are the greatest fans in the NFL, and without you, I don’t have a job. Thanks for believing in your Jets. We’ve got a championship coming, and I can’t wait to celebrate it with you!