A day after wide receiver Santonio Holmes claimed he would take a pay cut to stay a Jet in 2014, coach Rex Ryan appreciated the sentiment, but wants him to focus on 2013.
“I understand where he’s coming from, but I wish that focus was just right on this game,” Ryan said. “Obviously what happens after that is fine, we can address it then. But I just want our guys to be focused solely on this.
“Let’s just put it all here, put it into this opponent and this game, and the future, whatever that is, [we’ll comment] at the appropriate time.
“I just think he wants to be a Jet. We all do. That’s a whole locker room that wants to be Jets and they’re proud to be Jets and that makes me feel good. There’s no question about that. But, my point would be let’s finish this job, let’s put every bit of our attention to detail on Cleveland, and I’m talking to myself as well.’’
Ryan did the same thing Monday, when he discussed his desire to remain as Jets coach next season.
With the Jets officially eliminated from playoff contention, defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman admitted they will try to examine their roster as much as possible over the last two games.
“We’re going to utilize our entire defensive roster the next couple weeks,” said Thurman, who singled out Josh Bush and Jaiquawn Jarrett as youngsters they want to look at. “We’ll get a chance to evaluate some guys who haven’t played as much. That’s part of it. And yet we’re still going to go out and try to win the games. That’s what you’re here for.
“It can be difficult. But yet, we have to try and do it. It’s something that’s important to us, to get a look at these guys on tape in game action against another team’s first unit. So that’s what we’re going to try to do.’’
Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica shouldered the blame for the game-changing punt block by the Panthers’ Jason Williams on Sunday.
“We didn’t protect it correctly. I take responsibility for that. I’ve got to do a better job of training that unit,’’ Kotwica said. “It was a unit breakdown on that particular play. We were all accountable, and I’m accountable for it. We’ve got it fixed.’’
Kotwica said Gang Green used an extra gunner a handful of times against the Panthers in an effort to be aggressive.
“Hindsight’s 20/20,” Kotwica said. “Obviously, anytime you have a critical mistake like that, you regret that action. We were being aggressive. We wanted to get a guy out in coverage. That’s what we had done earlier in the game, successfully. I felt confident in our guys.’’
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip) was limited again on Thursday and safety Ed Reed sat out with a scheduled rest day. Holmes (foot/ hamstring), cornerback Ellis Lankster (jaw), defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson (finger/wrist) and tight end Kellen Winslow (knee) also were limited.