NFL

Rex defends Jets beleaguered offensive coordinator

Despite the Jets offense being ranked 30th in the NFL, coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano both said they see signs of improvement.

The Jets failed to score an offensive touchdown in Seattle last week and have scored six touchdowns total in seven of their nine games. Even with those struggles, Ryan said he is happy with the job Sparano has done in his first season as offensive coordinator.

“I’m not happy with our results, but to say I’m going to pin that on Tony, there’s no way,” Ryan said. “I see how he works. … There’s a burning desire [to get better]. Sometimes, we’ll have what looks like is going to be a big play and the execution is just a little bit off.”

Sparano said the Jets have improved in running the ball, protecting the quarterback and in short-yardage and goal-line situations, in particular.

The Jets face Sparano’s predecessor this week, Brian Schottenheimer, who holds the same position with the Rams. Schottenheimer’s offense in St. Louis is ranked 24th in the league.

* CB Darrelle Revis appeared on the NFL Network last night and gave an update on his rehab from surgery last month on the ACL in his left knee.

“My range of motion is back to normal,” Revis said. “I have all of the flexion and range of motion back. Right now it’s just to continue to focus on my knee. I do have a little bit of swelling; it’s going down rapidly but just continue to focus on that. Then head out to Arizona with my personal trainer to finish there with the rehabbing and lifting on my leg.”

* QB Tim Tebow injured his ribs in Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. He said he got hit at the end of a play. Tebow has not missed any practice time this week.

Teammates have been kidding Tebow about the anonymous quotes about him this week. Ryan was playing scout team defense in practice yesterday against a Tebow-led offense. When Ryan messed up he said to Tebow “now you can call me terrible.”

* WR Stephen Hill missed practice for the second straight day with an illness, but Ryan feels he’ll be available for the game. RB Bilal Powell (concussion) did not practice and is unlikely to play. The Jets should have NT Kenrick Ellis (knee) and RB Joe McKnight (ankle) back for Sunday. … The Jets have begun doing pushups in practice every time they commit a penalty. Everyone drops to the ground, even Ryan, whose form is not from a textbook.