Jets feel at home at New Meadowlands Stadium

The fireworks illuminated the dark sky in shades of green, ushering in a new era in East Rutherford.

The $1.7-billion New Meadowlands Stadium is equal part Giants as it is Jets, marked by the neutral concrete gray of the stadium seats. And it fosters a feeling of equality that never existed in the old building.

"Having something like this, it almost gives you a sense of responsibility," said former Jets running back Curtis Martin, who was one of six players inducted into the team's Ring of Honor at halftime. "You see how the owner has went out on a limb for you and it makes you want to go out on a limb for him and the organization."

By virtue of its name, Martin said he and his teammates never could embrace Giants Stadium as their own.

"It just became a place that you went to play a game," he said. "You didn't look at it like your home. I don't remember too many times in the locker room where guys would say, 'This is our home' or 'No one's going to come in here and beat us.' But now, that word home is frequently used."

The fog machines billowed white puffs of smoke as the home team raced through the corridor and onto the field, greeted by scores of fans and their signature staccato J-E-T-S chant. For the Jets, who have long been in the shadows of the Giants storied franchise, last night's preseason opener was an opportunity to - at least for one night - to level the playing field with their hometown rivals.

But instead, the Giants - who had 13 players unable to suit up - defeated the Jets, 31-16.

"It's a hard knocks life, man," Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said, playing off the title of the Jets' preseason HBO television show. "We solidified who the stadium really belongs to."

On the Jets' first drive, Mark Sanchez threw an interception and Antrel Rolle returned it 59 yards to the Giants' 5. Jacobs' 1-yard run on third down put the Giants up 6-0.

"The first drive, obviously, was not the way we wanted to start off but I think we came back pretty well," Jets tight end Dustin Keller said. "It's kind of a fluke thing . . . But you just bounce back."

The trash-talking had reached epic proportions in the weeks leading up to the game. The Jets said they're here to stay. And the Giants bristled at their counterparts' bravado.

Joe Klecko, who also was inducted into the Ring of Honor, cautioned the Jets about being too boastful. "The one bad thing about when you go out there and profess about greatness is, you better perform as greatness," Klecko said. "You can't start guaranteeing those things. To get started on winning this town over, you have to win the Super Bowl."

The outcome of the game mattered little, given that it is preseason. But the one thing that is certain is the New Meadowlands is a hit. "I was really excited to hear the crowd," linebacker Bart Scott said. "The way it's built, it feels like a bowl and the fans are on top of you. I think we're going to have a lot of fun this year."

Said Martin: "I think it's the best in the NFL."