Rex readily admits feeling extra pressure

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan didn't stand up at the podium wiping his brow with a towel, soaking up nervous perspiration.

But with the Jets' nationally televised season opener against the Cowboys a mere five days away, there's a different vibe traveling through Ryan's frame. He knows this isn't just another game. Not with the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks being relived just miles from MetLife Stadium. Not with the friendly rivalry that exists with twin brother Rob, who is the Cowboys' defensive coordinator.

Not with millions of eyes across the nation tuned in, wanting to see "America's Team" go against Ryan's brash Jets.

"I feel more pressure on this game for whatever reason," Ryan said Monday, "than any game I've ever coached."

This from someone who has won a Super Bowl as an assistant coach with the Ravens and has guided the Jets to the AFC Championship Game the past two seasons, even putting some heat on himself to get over that proverbial hump against the Steelers in last year's title game and make it to the Super Bowl.

Remember, this also is the guy who put the onus squarely on his shoulders during his January 2009 introductory news conference when he was named the Jets' coach, promising they soon would be taking a trip to meet President Obama once they captured the Lombardi Trophy.

He also made things "personal" with Bill Belichick and Peyton Manning during the postseason. Yet it's Sunday's game against the Cowboys that has him feeling as if he's inside a pressure cooker.

"I can't explain it, why I feel this way. But I just do," Ryan said. "It's different. I feel a responsibility. Every week, it's my responsibility to make sure our team is prepared. I don't know. It just feels different to me -- the significance of it. I think it's stronger than any game I've ever felt."

With that in mind, the Jets got down to business Monday, going through their initial prep for their season opener. There was a different vibe to practice and a noticeable energy present in the locker room.

"Our time is now, man," linebacker Calvin Pace said. "It's a situation where we've been waiting for this point to play Dallas and these are real bullets now. I think all the prep work is done. We've got the team assembled. I just think there's an excitement in our locker room, knowing that we've got another opportunity. We've got some new faces, but I think for the most part, the core is still here and it's time to build on what we did the last two years. We are excited."

Fellow linebacker Bart Scott added: "This is what we play for. It's about just having an opponent, have a target, have a goal."

The Jets begin their season with six tough matchups, and getting that first win would do wonders for their confidence. Otherwise, Ryan will really begin feeling some pressure to finally make good on his yearly Super Bowl guarantees.

"It starts a long journey. I think we all know that," Plaxico Burress said. "A lot of hard work has to be put in to get to where we want to get to, and everybody knows that's to hoist the trophy at the end of the year and win the Super Bowl.

"I truly believe we have all of the pieces in place -- the owner down to the training staff. We just have to go out and execute the game plan."