INDIANAPOLIS — Jets owner Woody Johnson has dinner plans next week.
Johnson said yesterday he will dine with quarterback Mark Sanchez as the two surely will discuss what went wrong in 2011. Johnson said he also plans on meeting with coach Rex Ryan.
Johnson arrived here yesterday along with general manager Mike Tannenbaum for NFL meetings. Johnson is also scouting how the city has handled the Super Bowl in preparation for the 2014 Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium.
One person Johnson has not connected with is running back LaDainian Tomlinson. After the veteran made harsh remarks about life with the Jets, Johnson said he would reach out to Tomlinson.
“I called him but I didn’t get him,” Johnson said. “But LaDainian’s amazing. I hold him in the highest [regard]. Everybody was frustrated at the end of the season. We won’t hold him accountable for that.”
Johnson said that he, Tannenbaum and Ryan are working hard to figure out how to improve the Jets for 2012.
“That’s all we talk about,” he said. “We’re preparing for everything. That’s our job. We’re trying to make our team better. We’re using every ounce, every nerve cell we have, 24/7 trying to improve this team.”
He also praised the Giants for making it to the Super Bowl.
“That’s what we’re all shooting for,” he said. “The Giants, hats off to them. They’ve done a great job in the last decade really. This is their third time in the last 12 years.”
When it comes to choosing between the Jets’ in-state rival and their divisional rival, Johnson said he won’t be rooting for either.
“I’m rooting for the NFL,” he said.