After shocking the NFL world with a 30-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome, Jets offensive lineman Willie Colon spoke about what has changed for Gang Green from last season's disastrous group.
"They care about winning and they care about being a better franchise, and not being a circus group," Colon said to Pittsburgh reporters on a phone call. Colon previously played for the Steelers.
I think having the Tim Tebow circus out of here, and having different things that were kind of holding this team back, are starting to go out the window. I think we're all starting to care about football and only football, which is a good sight to see."
Last season Tebow was traded to the Jets for a third-round pick, but only wound up throwing eight passes all season while stuck behind Mark Sanchez. When Sanchez eventually was benched for his poor play, Rex Ryan turned to third-stringer Greg McElroy over Tebow.
The Jets removed general manager Mike Tannenbaum after the season, and new GM John Idzik cut Tebow a month into his tenure. "I came here with the attitude that this team was missing a lot," said Colon. "They were missing chemistry and they were missing that fight and belief in one another."
Rex Ryan, who was believed to be sitting on one of the league's hottest seats, seems to have cooled it down. One Steelers player not surprised by that turn of events? Ex-Jet wide receiver Jericho Cotchery.
"I've said all along that coach (Rex) Ryan is a very good coach," Cotchery said. "People are getting to see it, that's just it. He can coach his tail off and that's why you see the team play the way it's playing. He knows how to motivate guys. He just know how to tap into whatever a guy has, getting them to respond."
Despite their 3-2 start, and the Steelers entering Sunday's game at 0-5, Colon knows better than to take them lightly. "I see a desperate team."
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