Jets hope rested Greene, LT run well

INDIANAPOLIS - Rex Ryan doesn't mind saying outrageous things, but when the notion was advanced that the Jets lost last year's AFC title game to the Colts because running back Shonn Greene left with a rib injury early in the second half, even the Jets' coach wouldn't go there.

"I'm not going to tell that lie," Ryan said. "They beat us. Simple as that."

Still, as the Jets approach their first-round playoff rematch with the Colts on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, running the ball effectively with Greene and veteran LaDainian Tomlinson remains the best way for the Jets to win. That's how you play "keep away' against Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Greene is no more inclined than Ryan to discuss the injury that took him out last year after back-to-back 7-yard runs to start the third quarter.

"That's out of my mind," he said. "Obviously, it was frustrating when you can't finish a game when your team needs you."

But ask Greene about the importance of ball control and he says, "Us controlling the clock is going to be a key factor in this game, and I think we'll be able to do it."

The question for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is how he intends to divide the workload. The Jets have deferred to Tomlinson as the starter all season in a marked contrast with how they handled veteran Thomas Jones last season.

Jones rushed for 1,402 yards to rank second in the NFL, but he wore down and was shuffled behind Greene, who justified the move by powering for 135 yards in a playoff win at Cincinnati and another 128 in a win at San Diego. The Jets rested Tomlinson and Greene in the season finale against Buffalo, so they enter the playoff game with fresh legs.

Tomlinson's production declined in his past six games. Each running back carried 78 times, with Greene outgaining Tomlinson 303 yards to 258. Because Tomlinson is the better receiver and Greene is a power runner, using Tomlinson as a third-down back makes sense.

Greene steered clear of any conflict when asked if he needs more touches, saying: "I just go out and play. If that happens, it's great. If it doesn't, I do my best."

The Colts' run defense has improved dramatically of late. Schottenheimer said the defensive line is slanting to create piles that leave their swift linebackers running free.

"Mix that with the fact it's a heavy eight-man box on most first and second downs," Schottenheimer said. "It makes it hard to run."

Hard-charging Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are anxious to get upfield, so it's possible the Jets might take advantage by hitting up inside the ends and trying to seal off inside pursuit.

"I think we can run inside as well as outside," Greene said. "We're not going to let them stop us from what we do. We think that we can run anywhere we want to on the field."

If that's true, it gives the Jets their best chance to win.