Erratic Jets rookie McKnight impresses Rex

Rex Ryan noticed one thing about Joe McKnight's performance Saturday night, something that demonstrates that the highly scrutinized rookie running back is improving.

"I was shocked that he never threw up after that long punt return," Ryan cracked after the Jets' 9-3 preseason win over the Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. "That's what I told him. But he did a great job back there, and I thought he hit it up in there better today."

McKnight, three days after he was featured being roasted by running backs coach Anthony Lynn and wide receiver Santonio Holmes on HBO's "Hard Knocks," was one of the Jets' few offensive stars against Carolina. He led the team in total yardage, turning in an electrifying 67-yard punt return that nearly went for a touchdown and rushing 11 times for a team-high 28 yards.

Still, perhaps showing gradual signs of maturity, McKnight wasn't ready to have his cleats bronzed and put up on a mantelpiece, not after initially likening his postgame emotions to those after his uninspiring debut a week ago against the Giants.

"I feel about the same," said McKnight, who lost a fumble early in the third quarter Saturday on a 6-yard run. "I've still got some more work to do - the fumble I had. The punt return was OK. It was just the blocks were there at the right time."

At times, the USC product shows the flashes of graceful brilliance that led to initial comparisons with Reggie Bush. However, that brilliance gives way to lackadaisical effort - a reputation that has followed McKnight around - and leads to questions about how much he's motivated to be great. That's the maddening thing about the Jets' fourth-round pick.

"I'm not sure how hard he's been pushed throughout his life, throughout his career," Lynn said. "But he's being pushed now and he's with the best of the best."

Having future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson around should help McKnight, and he's already heeding some of Tomlinson's advice. That's partly the reason McKnight ran better between the tackles against Carolina than he did against the Giants.

"First game, I was just being too patient and was waiting on things to open," he said. "L.T. basically told me just attack the defense, and that's when I just went on the attack and attacked the defense north and south, don't go east and west."

Lynn also has one particular pointer for the 23-year-old: Keep that boulder on your shoulder blades at all times, kid.

"That chip comes and goes," Lynn said. "I wish it stayed on his shoulder more than not. But yeah, he did come in with a bit of a chip because a guy of his caliber and talent could've been drafted sooner. So yeah, he needs to keep that chip on his shoulder and use it.''

McKnight said Lynn's tough love on "Hard Knocks" motivated him more and "it kind of -- me off, but not at him, at myself."

Just call it more fuel on the fire for a guy who's been drawing wrath from every direction. Before being skewered on "Hard Knocks,'' McKnight had a pair of vomiting episodes during rookie minicamp and initially failed his conditioning test.

"I'm just really focused on proving everybody wrong," McKnight said. "I feel like everybody is counting me out. So that's good. I like that feeling. I've always thrived on these feelings. That's why I'm liking everybody doing that.

"So when I do get into the rhythm and get things going, then it's all the better."