Jets' Pettine still rues loss to Steelers

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Mike Pettine still isn't over it yet.

Pettine, entering his third season as Jets defensive coordinator, hasn't come to grips with the sluggish performance turned in by the Jets' defense in their 24-19 loss to the Steelers last January in the AFC Championship Game, which ended their bid for a Super Bowl berth.

"Any time you get to within one game -- and unfortunately for Rex [Ryan] and I, that's three in a row now that you get to within one game -- those really stick with you," Pettine said Tuesday. "It's tough. It took me a while to sit down and stomach the tape. And when we finally watched it, it was hard to watch."

The Jets fell into a 24-0 first-half hole as Pittsburgh racked up 231 yards, including 135 on the ground.

"We come out, coming off an emotional win and as a unit, we were flat for a half," Pettine said. "To me, you can't justify that. Here you are in the biggest game and you are one game from the ultimate. We were flat and we were uninspired. That's hard to take."

No practice for Plax

Plaxico Burress participated in the morning walk-through, but didn't get on the field for the afternoon padded practice. Ryan wants to be cautious with the Jets' new wide receiver.

"I'm just trying to avoid that big setback," Ryan said. "But he is doing more and more."