Veterans raising the bar for Jets: ‘We expect to win’

Perception and bravado sweep by means of the locker room of the crew that has been on the skin of the playoffs wanting in for 11 straight seasons.

There's a cornhole sport ongoing within the center with Joe Flacco and C.J. Uzomah, and Mike White and Dan Feeney retrieving and lobbing again to them.

Exterior, expectations are “Identical Previous Jets” low.

Inside expectations are one thing dramatically completely different.

The 2022 Jets: Nice Expectations.

Jordan Whitehead is a Tremendous Bowl winner who comes over from Tampa Bay, Flacco received a Tremendous Bowl with the Ravens, Laken Tomlinson and Kwon Alexander reached the Tremendous Bowl with the 49ers, Sheldon Rankins skilled the playoffs in New Orleans.

Every of them know what a profitable tradition seems and feels and feels like. “We count on to win. … Our aim is to win and get to the Tremendous Bowl,” Alexander advised The Put up, “so we’re gonna take that a day at a time, and simply construct the tradition.”

Coach Robert Saleh talks of sooner or later profitable Tremendous Bowl championships, however within the meantime, the primary steps are proving that his crew has closed the hole on the remainder of the formidable AFC East, and profitable in September so there are significant video games to play in December.

“Everyone in right here understands the stigma that goes together with the Jets, the previous I don’t know what number of years,” Rankins advised The Put up, “however understanding that you may’t management the previous … and everyone on this locker room expects huge issues. … Each time we take the sphere, we count on to win, to flat out dominate and simply impose our will on folks.”

Jordan Whitehead (left) Joe Flacco (top right) and Kwon Alexander
Jordan Whitehead (left) Joe Flacco (high proper) and Kwon Alexander
Invoice Kostroun; Noah Ok. Murray (2)

C.J. Mosley is hardly the lone playoffs-or-bust proponent.

“I second that wholeheartedly, and I believe you'll be able to ask any man on this locker room, they might stand behind that as nicely,” Rankins mentioned.

The Jets’ tradition beneath Saleh is evolving and ascending. “I believe you get to a sure level the place a number of stuff isn’t mentioned, however once you activate the apply tape, guys operating round at full velocity,” Flacco advised The Put up. “Sometimes you see a bunch of defensive jerseys across the ball, however I believe good groups, even on offenses, you see a bunch of individuals across the ball, serving to their man up, trying to see if they'll get better a fumble if one thing unhealthy occurs, stuff like that. I believe it simply turns into that sort of tradition, the place guys are continuously working exhausting, after which you find yourself getting the camaraderie from all that.”

I requested Flacco if this present Jets tradition reminds him of his outdated Ravens tradition: “I believe we’re a bunch of fellows which have a extremely constructive feeling about how good we may be, however we haven’t but carried out it,” he mentioned, “so I believe we’re within the course of proper now the place we’re constructing some momentum, and it’s simply as much as us to go on the market on Sundays and sort of hold that going.”

Tomlinson is happy by the vibe within the room.

“Clearly having proprietor, good GM, good head coach, they sort of set the tempo for the gamers, after which bringing in the best gamers clearly setting the vibe for the room, it creates an vitality that’s contagious, after which it simply takes over,” Tomlinson advised The Put up. “The vibe is basically, actually, actually good proper now.”

Playoffs or bust.

“Have a look at the fellows we've within the room,” Tomlinson mentioned. “We've got a number of guys with a number of playoff expertise.”

Laken Tomlinson
Laken Tomlinson
AP

Then GM Joe Douglas received the NFL draft. “I really feel like we’re actually a extra proficient crew than we’ve ever been,” Douglas mentioned.

Alexander factors to the seven Jets roster cuts who had been claimed by different groups.

“We received some canine on this constructing, and guys that may make performs in huge video games in big-time conditions,” he mentioned.

Whitehead sees similarities between this Jets tradition and the one he left behind in Tampa … provided that he may have introduced Tom Brady with him to Florham Park.

“How they run apply, apply is environment friendly, it’s fast, walk-throughs are up-speed similar to Tampa, it’s not no bullcrap interval,” Whitehead mentioned.

A lot, after all, rides on Zach Wilson. Saleh and his “All fuel, no brake” mantra has helped enhance the tradition. Now he must dramatically enhance his 4-13 file.

“When you have got a head coach that brings the vitality and the juice, the real love of the sport that Coach Saleh brings, his communication talents, after which along with his workers of lecturers, high-energy lecturers, after which it simply goes from there,” Douglas mentioned, “then you definately’re bringing in the best kinds of folks. … You attempt to get as many good folks within the constructing as you'll be able to, and good issues are gonna begin to occur.”

Flight 2022, anybody?

“We’re turning this factor round,” Whitehead mentioned.

“It’s time to win.”

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