Jets coach Rex Ryan was almost at a loss for words earlier in the week regarding how poorly the team played in the first half of the AFC Championship.
NFL Films’ Sound FX captured New York’s struggles during the game and there was plenty of talking going on hen.
Jets defensive lineman Sione Pouha as he walked off the field: “I’m tackling like a little baby man. I’m playing like I’m in Pop Warner.”
Ryan on the sideline: “We’re playing about as bad as we can play.”
Braylon Edwards, in the huddle: “Hey, It’s no time to panic! Let’s get our football together, put some points on the board, and get it steamrolled that way. Let’s go!”
One interesting sequence came on an attempted verical pass to Santonio Holmes in the end zone. Before the play, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer knew the ball was going to Holmes.
“Go ‘Tone, go ‘Tone” he yelled. “Touchdown c’mon,” Ryan screamed. Holmes then seemed to pull up on his route.
“He stopped running!” Schottenheimer yelled. “Keep running!”
Holmes tried to explain he couldn’t see the pass, and he was looking for a fade, but couldn’t see it. Schottenheimer just shook his head.
As Ryan walked off the field, talking to CBS’ Steve Tasker, he was furious with the team’s tackling, but had not given up.
“This game is four quarters, so we’ll see,” Ryan said. “It would be the greatest f***ing comeback ever and that’s what we’re focused on.”
The Jets almost pulled it off, but the Steelers held on. Mike Tomlin couldn’t help a little trash talk in the post-game locker room.
“Next time we play these guys, I’m sure it will be personal for them. And that’s OK.” Tomlin said.