Jets' lack of discipline reflects poorly on Rex Ryan

The Jets have a discipline problem.

The latest example came Sunday in Green Bay, when typically mild-mannered Muhammad Wilkerson was ejected for throwing punches in the third quarter of an eventual 31-24 loss to the Packers.

Right when his team needed him most, Wilkerson was being escorted off the field by two police officers.

But the most troubling aspect of the incident is that he embarrassed himself by waving his hands and grinning at the crowd. It showed a lack of awareness for the situation, a loss of self-control and total disregard for his organization, which touts its "Play Like a Jet" motto every chance it gets.

The off-field circus is long gone from Florham Park, New Jersey. But for some reason, there remains an undeniable lack of restraint and discipline shown by Rex Ryan's players in the most crucial situations.

The Jets managed to eke out a 19-14 win over the Oakland Raiders and rookie quarterback Derek Carr in Week 1, despite 11 penalties for 105 yards. And on Sunday, the Jets had a meltdown for the ages at Lambeau Field. It featured a blown 18-point lead and seven penalties for 82 yards, including a 12-men-on-the-field infraction that negated a David Harris interception, a 15-yard personal foul on Jason Babin that helped set up a Packers touchdown and the unsportsmanlike-conduct call on Wilkerson and his subsequent ejection.

Everyone knows Ryan is the ultimate players' coach. But if he's so good with his players, why do his messages often go unheeded?

Every year, Ryan stands behind the lectern and points the finger at himself. He takes ownership of mental errors ("I know where to look, and it's in the mirror. It starts with me, and I've got to get it fixed," he said Nov. 16, 2009) and poor technique used by his players ("It's my job to get the team ready to go," he said Jan. 24, 2011).

To Ryan's credit, he restored pride to the franchise and infused a no-holds-barred, tell-it-like-it-is attitude within the walls of One Jets Drive. As a first-year head coach, he led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in 2009 with rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. He followed it up a year later with a second straight appearance in the AFC title game.

But the Jets haven't made the playoffs the past three seasons, finishing with 8-8, 6-10 and 8-8 records, respectively.

There's a reason blown leads and late-season collapses have become an ongoing theme under Ryan. And in his six years as the Jets coach, he repeatedly has acknowledged his role in how his team performs.

But all too often, there seems to be a disconnect between what is said in the locker room and what transpires on the field.

And Sunday's performance in Green Bay was just the latest example.

"We have to figure out why it is not getting done to the way we expected it to, especially when your players are committed the way ours are," Ryan said Monday.

"If you're worth a darn as a coach, you look at yourself first and that is certainly what we're doing."