Rex Ryan looks on before a game against the New...

Rex Ryan looks on before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. (Oct. 20, 2013) Credit: Lee S. Weissman

The Jets' surprising success hasn't altered Rex Ryan's expectations for his future.

"It really never has been an issue for me," the coach Wednesday, when asked if questions about his job security have motivated him en route to a 4-3 record. "I'm telling you the truth. It's not how I think."

It was assumed Ryan would be a lame-duck coach working for a new general manager in 2013. But so far, he's quieted the critics and turned them into believers.

"A guy of Rex's quality, he's going to be fine either way," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, who coached several seasons with Ryan in Baltimore, said on a conference call. "I don't think he's worried much about that. He's done a great job there getting that football team into the [AFC] Championship Game two years in a row. He's really done a fine job."

He and Ryan will be on opposite sides of the field Sunday, when the Jets travel to Paul Brown Stadium. But, said Lewis, "I'm a fan of his all the time."

Green's the greatest

As the Jets see it, A.J. Green is the best wide receiver in the AFC. "He can do it all," Calvin Pace said of Green, who ranks in the Top 10 in receiving yards (619) and receptions (43). Said Ryan: "What does the kid not have? He has size, speed, athleticism, route-running [ability] and a great catching radius . . . There's some good receivers, but in my opinion, he's probably the best."

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Added to the injury report: Nick Mangold (ribs), Antonio Allen (groin/finger) and Jeff Cumberland (hamstring). Though Cumberland didn't practice, Ryan expects him to play. Mangold, who was limited, also expects to play . . . Santonio Holmes (hamstring) warmed up with the team but did not practice. Konrad Reuland and Greg Salas (knees) also were limited and Josh Cribbs (knee) practiced fully . . . The Jets added ex-Pats cornerback Ras-I Dowling to the practice squad.

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