Jets' O-line was up to Rex's challenge
The Jets' offensive line, led by center Nick Mangold (74) and guard Brandon Moore (65) piled up the rushing yardage against New England while allowing zero sacks. Credit: David Pokress, 2010
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - It was direct. It was true. And it stung.
That is how Brandon Moore remembers Rex Ryan's pregame speech the last time the Jets played in Pittsburgh. Before the Dec. 19 game at Heinz Field, Ryan called out Moore and the rest of the offensive line, daring them in front of the entire team to play better than they had the previous week in a 10-6 loss to Miami.
The line had allowed six sacks by the Dolphins, so it was understandable that their coach was upset. And they decided to rise to his challenge. The line allowed only one sack in the 22-17 win over the Steelers, holding the devastating duo of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley without a sack.
"He said if we wanted to be a champion, we had to play a little harder," Moore said Monday. "It was hard. All of a sudden, your coach says, bam, you need to pick it up. So that's what we did, and I think it's paid off."
It's possible that the Jets wouldn't be where they are today - getting ready to play Pittsburgh on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game - if Ryan hadn't given the offensive line that poke four weeks ago.
"One of the first things Rex said when we came in is we have to have skin like an armadillo," center Nick Mangold said. "If you are not playing so hot, he is going to let you know. I don't think Rex disliked us or anything. I think he saw a little kick to say we had to get back on track.
"I think it came at a good time. We had had back-to-back losses, and we hadn't played so hot. Going up against a great defense, it was a great time to get our act together."
The Jets' offensive line certainly had its act together Sunday in the 28-21 win over New England, holding the Patriots without a sack and giving Mark Sanchez enough protection to throw three touchdown passes.
A week earlier, it created the holes for the Jets' ground-and-pound rushing attack to gain 169 yards, chew up the clock and keep Peyton Manning off the field in the Jets' 17-16 wild-card win at Indianapolis.
The offensive linemen know they could play a pivotal role again in Pittsburgh on Sunday. And they don't think they will need a challenge from Ryan this time to be ready to play.
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