Jets must back up their boasting against Ravens

The Jets finally can begin a journey they all believe will lead them to Jerry Jones' palatial stadium in February, a point they've been pounding home with the force of a jackhammer.

They'll hit the stage on "Monday Night Football" against the Ravens, kicking off their "Super Bowl or Bust'' campaign. It's time to start backing up that bravado in their regular-season debut at New Meadowlands Stadium.

"We've been waiting for this moment, just to be able to get back on the field and make that run for the Super Bowl," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "A lot of people hear us talking and all those things, but we are a hungry team right now. Last year, realistically we thought we were going to make the Super Bowl. But we fell short of that goal.

"So when you are that close, you realize you have to work that much harder to get to the Super Bowl. And that's where we are at right now. You hear guys talking - that's because we are hungry and we are just trying to get there."

That was evident in the Jets' headline-grabbing offseason that included the acquisitions of LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor. Holmes has to sit out the first four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, but the others are expected to play integral roles immediately, with Taylor starting at outside linebacker for an injured Calvin Pace.

"We're so ready to play an opponent, for real, to get things going in our new stadium," quarterback Mark Sanchez said. "This is huge for us, so we just can't wait. Our guys are so excited.''

As is Rex Ryan, who's going up against his old team, an organization that also used to cut checks for linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard.

"I can't wait," said Ryan, who is in his second season at the Jets' helm. "We're playing against an outstanding football team. There are easier opponents than the Baltimore Ravens, but again, it's going to be great. This one, you talk about a knockdown, drag-out, here it comes.

"The three most physical teams in the league, in my opinion, would be us, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and shake them up any way you want. We want to be the most physical team, so we'll see."

In other words, expect the Jets to pound away with their ground game, which looks a little different from their top-rated rushing attack from a season ago. Second-year man Matt Slauson has replaced the released Alan Faneca at left guard. Shonn Greene slides into more of a No. 1 role with Thomas Jones gone, but the addition of Tomlinson gives the Jets two big-time threats in the backfield.

Tomlinson looks rejuvenated and eager for that coveted ring. He's also been bitten by that infectious championship bug.

"It's the beginning of the season and expectations are high for all of us," he said. "So it's the first opportunity we get to see what we're made of."

An opportunity that, after almost eight long months, must be seized immediately.

"All those hours are for 16 regular-season games, and you can't overlook any of them," Leonhard said, "because you just don't have that many opportunities in this league. If you start off slow, sometimes it's hard to get that momentum. So you have to put a lot into that first game and you want to get off on the right foot.

"I'm just excited to get this season kicked off. There's been a lot of talk and seems like the offseason has taken a long time. Now, we finally get to play for real."