Somehow, optimism remains for Jets

Compound that with all kinds of gaffes — missed blocks, poor tackling, penalties, wrong routes run by receivers, blocked kicks — and the Jets have the look of an also-ran heading for a losing record under Ryan for the first time since he arrived in 2009.

"Week after week, we continue to punish ourselves," safety Yeremiah Bell said. "Self-inflicted wounds, time after time. That's something that as players we have to get corrected.

"We're going out there, being competitive, we're playing hard. But in this league you can't help teams win."

All the losing has ramped up calls for Tim Tebow to get more action at quarterback — he was in for 11 plays, although three wound up as penalties, in the 28-7 loss. It's also brought into question the play calling by new coordinator Tony Sparano; whether Shonn Greene is a No. 1 running back; if any of the receivers are capable of consistently getting separation; and whether the defense can avoid yielding big plays.

There doesn't seem to be a groundswell seeking Ryan's job, and it's not something that enters his mind anyway.

"With me, I will never waver," he said. "I am not going to make a decision to save my job. I am in it to win games.

"I'm not sitting back concentrating on how do I save my job. I am concentrating on how do we win."

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