After spending last week trying to sniff out anonymous sources, and defending themselves from accusations that the clown car was beginning to role again, the Jets are on a different track this week.
Coach Rex Ryan was notably humble early in the week, and was downright gushing about his opponent when asked about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
“You can almost say he’s a machine back there,” Ryan said of Brady, via Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.
“The thing about him, he’s a machine yet he’s passionate and a fiery leader. You wish he was just a machine. His competitive side elevates his team as well. That’s what you get from those once-in-a-generation-type quarterbacks.”
He looked human for 58 minutes of the October meeting, before leading a comeback and winning in overtime.
“When it mattered most, he delivered and got the victory,” Ryan said. “We know each other so well. We know enough of Tom Brady to know that if he knows exactly what [defense] you’re in, you . . . are . . . in . . . trouble.”
Brady’s been on a bit of a roll lately, winning four straight games, with 11 touchdowns and no turnovers.
This week will be a different challenge without tight end Rob Gronkowski, but the way Brady’s dealing, paying proper respect is probably the right approach.