Jet defensive end Marques Douglas is one of three ex-Baltimore Ravens who followed Rex Ryan to New York this year. The nine-year pro helped ruin the Colts’ perfect season in Week 16, when he recovered a third-quarter fumble for a touchdown, a win that kept the Jets’ playoff hopes alive. Douglas detailed the week leading up to the biggest battle of his career — a rematch against the Colts — in this diary.
SUNDAY
This was the day of the 17-14 upset of the San Diego Chargers, bringing the Jets one win away from their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969.
“On game days, I like to get [to the stadium] early. That allows me to stretch, to put on my pads and get taped early. I don’t have a favorite pair of socks or a lucky shirt. I make sure I’ve eaten early — some chicken or pasta, so I’m not belching out there or anything.
“After the game, I fielded a lot of calls and texts from family and friends. My parents flew in from North Carolina. We stood outside and just soaked it all in.”
MONDAY
Douglas returned with the team to New Jersey for a well-earned day off and time to reflect on his coach.
“I think Rex Ryan’s personality is infectious,” he said. “He doesn’t want pretty guys who talk about themselves. He made it clear from Day 1: If you’re talking to the media, you’d better talk about teammates and the coach.”
Despite a noticeable paunch, Douglas is undersized for his position — he’s 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds.
(Ryan said, of Douglas: “I always say don’t judge him by his appearance. He’s not a real good-looking kid.”)
Douglas spent his day watching game footage: “I watch four to five hours of film a day.”
TUESDAY
Another day off and a chance to tend to aching muscles. Douglas uses a device he calls his “ice” machine. “You put it on places that are sore.”
He also stocked up on some of his favorite foods. “I like to cook. Anything on the grill, from chicken to ribs. I like quiche. Fried stuff, too.
“I love fried fish. I have a special place back home [Libby Hill, in Greensboro, NC] where I get it. I’d eat it every day if I could.”
He also began to think about how to stop Colt QB Peyton Manning.
“He’s the best quarterback in the league. I played against him five times or so. Did I ever sack him? I don’t know. I know I’ve hit him.”
WEDNESDAY
The first day the team got together since returning from San Diego.
“My day started early. I was up at 6. I had to be at a 7 a.m. workout. For breakfast, I just grabbed a pre-made chocolate shake. Worked out for about 30 minutes — the upper body, bench presses, four sets of four, with, like, 300 pounds. Just maintenance.
“Then you go see the chiropractor to get ready for the day. He checked my neck, hips. He adjusted me — a crack here and there.
“Our first meeting wasn’t until 8:30. It’s a special-teams meeting. That’s where you learn what Colt players you’re going up against.
“At 8:45, we had a team meeting. That’s everybody — coaches, players. It’s family business: how we’re going to beat the Colts. The coach has his musts. It’s a goal sheet, our DNA on how we’re going to beat teams.
“We went over our goal sheet from last week. We actually met all of our goals. And we went over guys who had good games.
“Coach Ryan was more impressed with us as a team than anything. He has this saying, ‘You play like a Jet,’ and that’s fast and physical.”
Douglas gave a press interview — and caught some flak for his comments.
“There’s a lot of chatter coming out of the Colts, saying they let us win their Week 16 game against us. Maybe we should get an asterisk beside the win.
“It’s a long day. All I wanted to do is go home and eat. I stopped at a place and picked up some chicken, potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Then I watched [game] film till 10 p.m.”
THURSDAY
Douglas’ first meeting of the day was at 8:50.
“It was offense and defense. We stayed for about an hour. Then we work off yesterday’s practice, making corrections. Then we hit the field at 10:30. We ran 50 to 70 plays. It went good, but there are definitely things I could get better at.
“It’s all work this week. Guys are trying to cram down food in 10 minutes between meetings.”
He did find time to catch up with his family.
“I talked to the family on Skype. My wife is pregnant; she’s due in February. She and my two daughters are back home in North Carolina with their routine. I speak to my wife at least four times a day.”
That night, Douglas studied his playbook. “Got some epsom salts and soaked a little bit. I watched Kobe and LeBron go at it last night in an NBA TV game, trying to get my mind off football.”
FRIDAY
“It’s the shortest day of the week. We only practiced, like, for an hour and 20 minutes, and it was fun, man. You work through corrections and make sure everything is fast.
“We have a common saying around here; it’s called ‘fast Fridays.’ You’re not given that much time. Coaches don’t like to have you on your feet that much. You get your work down, and now it’s time to mentally and physically get ready.
“I’m going to do a light workout and get a massage. We’re trying to squeeze in a haircut. I’ve got to look good for my mommy and daddy.
“I’m enjoying this week. It’s definitely a blessing to be in this situation. Guys realize this is the most important game of our careers.
“I want to go down [to the Super Bowl in Miami after an expected victory against the Colts] and experience the better side of the NFL.”
YESTERDAY
A focused Douglas and his teammates got a raucous send-off as they left the team practice facility in Florham Park, NJ, en route to Indianapolis. More than 5,000 fans screamed and waved posters, cheering Gang Green before the showdown with the Colts.