NFL fans want the lockout to be resolved for a myriad reasons, but one of the primary ones is we’re all anxious to know where key free agents will be playing in 2011, and subsequently, what rosters will look like. No team may be faced with more tough choices in free agency when the lockout finally ends than the New York Jets. At the wide receiver position, the Jets must decide whether to re-sign Braylon Edwards or Santonio Holmes or both. There are mixed opinions amongst Jets fans about what the prudent decision would be over the long haul, but it’s fair to say that the vast majority hope both are back provided the Jets wouldn’t have to break the bank to do so.

Holmes granted a lengthy and interesting interview recently with ProFootballFocus, a stats-centric website that has published some interesting studies of late. The interviewer wisely avoided bugging Holmes about the lockout or his uncertain future as a free agent during the labor impasse.

The interview topics included Holmes’ charity work, his statistical output in 2010 from various formations, playing with two young quarterbacks — Ben Roethlisberger and Mark Sanchez — to begin his career, playing for Rex Ryan and what areas of his game he feels need improving. Holmes was also asked about his workout schedule during the lockout. Here’s what he had to say:

Steve Wyremski (SW): How’s the offseason going so far? What have you been up to?

Santonio Holmes (SH): Mostly laying low. Training as usual throughout the mornings… every day five days a week. [I’ve been] spending some time with the family. Just sitting back and resting, man. Waiting to see what’s going to happen with the season.

SW: Your workout schedule right now. Take me through a typical day.

SH: I arrive at workouts at about 8:30 in the morning. I go through normal lift days [and] depending on what day it is… upper body or lower body. The workout is about an hour / hour and a half in the weight room. We leave the weight room and go out to the football field and do football specifics whether we’re cutting, doing agilities, running through cones, doing bungee cords, working on the track, speed work, going through the sand pit, [and] jogging 2-3 miles a day. That’s pretty much it.

SW: I saw you’re out training with a bunch of other guys – Chris Johnson, William Gay – you guys all training out there together?

SH: Yeah, we’ve been training together for the past three years. I’ve been in the league six years now, so I’ve been there the past six years. It’s myself, Ike Taylor, James Farrior, just to name a few guys I’ve been training with.

I encourage you to check out the rest of the interview. Plenty of good stuff in there while we patiently wait for news on the lockout front.

By Joe Caporoso – Contributor

Read More: Kellen Clemens (QB – NYJ), Drew Coleman (CB – NYJ), Jerricho Cotchery (WR – NYJ), Darrelle Revis (CB – NYJ), Mark Brunell (QB – NYJ), Santonio Holmes (WR – NYJ), Bruce Gradkowski (QB – OAK), Braylon Edwards (WR – NYJ), Antonio Cromartie (DB – NYJ), Billy Volek (QB – SDC), Dustin Keller (TE – NYJ), Dwight Lowery (CB – NYJ), Mark Sanchez (QB – NYJ), Kyle Wilson (CB – NYJ), New York Jets

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Mar 23, 2011 - With the uncertain labor landscape in the NFL, it is hard to project what will happen in terms of personnel moves with any team in the league. However, the rumblings coming out of the league meetings this week from Rex Ryan and some of the local media are concerning.

First off, Ryan has confirmed the Jets won’t be adding a quarterback this off-season, which means the offense will again rely on Mark Brunell as the primary backup, with Kellen Clemens likely being the third stringer. Unless you have faith in a 41 year old who hasn’t thrown a meaningful pass since 2006 (back when Eric Mangini was the Mangenius and appearing on Sopranos episodes, just so you know how long ago that was), or the very definition of a mediocre NFL quarterback in Clemens, it is clear the Jets would have a major issue if Mark Sanchez was hurt for any period of time.

Sanchez and hurt in the same sentence, shouldn’t jump off the page to you. The guy is heading into his third year and has already hurt both knees and his throwing shoulder. Kind of sounds like the type of guy you’d like quality insurance for, no? The Jets need to do the right thing, which is go sign a better veteran option like Bruce Gradkowski or Billy Volek and then draft a development quarterback to be a long term backup for Sanchez.

Second, it is sounding more and more like Antonio Cromartie has been placed as the Jets third priority after both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. Listen, I know at first glance many people would agree with this line of thinking. We all know Holmes is coming back and many people think Edwards should be brought back also before worrying about Cromartie. Yes, Edwards did have a great year for the team in 2010 and yes he provides a rare blend of size and speed. However, bringing him back before Cromartie is simply the wrong move.

It comes down to this, the Jets can’t afford to have Kyle Wilson, Drew Coleman, or Dwight Lowery starting at corner in their defense. They don’t have the pass rush to protect being thrown at constantly as teams try to avoid Darrelle Revis. You need physical corners who can handle man to man coverage and consistently being put on an island, and say what you want about Cromartie, he can.

The Jets can afford to run their offense without Braylon Edwards. Dustin Keller is more than capable of taking on a bigger role and flexing out at wide receiver to provide size at the position. Also, Jerricho Cotchery has proven throughout his career to be a good starting receiver and he’d be just fine opposite Holmes.

The Jets are a run first offense and a defense that is built around their corners playing to man to man coverage. Why would you ever bring two receivers back before bringing a quality starting corner back?

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By Joe Caporoso – Contributor

Read More: David Harris (LB – NYJ), Darrelle Revis (CB – NYJ), Damien Woody (OL – NYJ), Santonio Holmes (WR – NYJ), Braylon Edwards (WR – NYJ), Vernon Gholston (DE – NYJ), Dustin Keller (TE – NYJ), Shonn Greene (RB – NYJ), Mark Sanchez (QB – NYJ), Matt Slauson (G – NYJ), New York Jets

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Despite appearing in two consecutive AFC Championship Games, the New York Jets roster could use plenty of tweaking this off-season. Unfortunately, it appears they will likely be very limited in the maneuvering they will be able to make, although after the last couple of years it would be foolish to put anything past Mike Tannenbaum.

 

It is likely an injunction will be ruled on April 6^th, which should bring a start to some form of an off-season. The Jets will be cuffed by the same “Final Eight” rules they were last year, which will keep them from having a spending spree on free agents. It remains to be seen how trades will be able to work, considering how fluid the situation could end up being in the coming months.

 

In April’s draft, the Jets only have six selections and are without a second round pick. This is a scary prospect considering this team has only drafted seven players over the past two years. It is starting to affect their depth and age on the roster. Beyond that, last year’s draft class was on the whole very disappointing. Tannenbaum needs to leave this year’s draft with a few contributors and at least six total players, although I wouldn’t be surprised if he traded down for more picks.

 

On the defensive side of the football, the Jets badly need an infusion of age and speed on their line and at the outside linebacker position. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets ended up spending three picks on their defensive front seven. You could also never count out a Rex Ryan coached team to avoid taking a safety or corner, especially when the Jets only have one of their top four safeties under contract as of right now.

 

On offense, more depth is still needed on the offensive line after the release of Damien Woody. A developmental receiver would also make sense, if either Braylon Edwards or Santonio Holmes doesn’t return in 2011. Finally, the Jets need a long term answer at backup quarterback.

 

Looking back the past few years, Tannenbaum struck gold in 2007 with Darrelle Revis and David Harris. He whiffed in 2008 on Vernon Gholston and most of his late round picks, although he did grab Dustin Keller at the end of the first round. In 2009, he went three for three with Mark Sanchez in the first round, Shonn Greene in third round, and Matt Slauson in the sixth round. As we said before, his 2010 class didn’t look all too promising last year. Hopefully, this means he is due for a big year and will make the most of the Jets six selections.

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Updated Mar 7, 2011 3:35 PM ET

NEW YORK

New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards made a brief appearance in Manhattan criminal court Monday before the judge decided to adjourn his case until May 16.

The 28-year-old free agent told reporters he still wants to play for the Jets this coming season, and his attorney filed legal motions challenging the accuracy of the blood alcohol exams that show Edwards was at twice the legal limit.

“I talked to Rex … a couple of days ago, more a catching up type of thing,” Edwards said after the hearing, referring to Jets head coach Rex Ryan. “The interest is there on their side. The interest is there on my side, so we have to wait to see what happens.”

Last Sept. 21, police in Manhattan pulled over Edwards’ Range Rover for having excessively tinted windows. Cops said he appeared intoxicated and blew a 0.16 (twice the legal limit) on a Breathalyzer test.

His attorney, Peter Frankel, filed routine motions challenging the accuracy of the two tests Edwards was given, one in the field and one back at the precinct, that indicated the star player was drunk.

Edwards and all other NFL players cannot sign new contracts until the league’s labor situation is resolved. The deadline on the expiring collective bargaining agreement was extended one week to this coming Friday, and negotiations resumed Monday in Washington.

The drunken driving charge isn’t Edwards’ first brush with the law. Two days before he was traded to the Jets in October 2009 he allegedly punched a local party promoter at a Cleveland nightclub.

He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge and was given probation.

Edwards is coming off a solid season in which he posted 53 catches for 904 yards and seven touchdown s to help the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year.

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NEW YORK — New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was in a Manhattan courtroom Monday trying to get his drunken-driving case thrown out.

His attorney, Peter J. Frankel, was going to file motions to suppress the field sobriety test from Edwards’ DUI arrest on Sept. 21.

Edwards was assessed by police to have a blood alcohol level that was roughly twice the legal limit, from breath tests administered both at the scene of the arrest and later when he was taken into custody. Frankel has already filed to suppress the second test in the event of a trial and will file a motion to suppress the first in the next few weeks.

Edwards was already on probation from a dust-up in Cleveland when New York police said they pulled him over in September because his luxury SUV’s windows were too dark. Officers said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

He denies driving drunk. He’s challenging the basis for stopping him, the reliability of the test and other aspects of the case.

Prosecutors say his arrest was lawful, the test was fine and there’s enough evidence to support the charges. The most serious is a misdemeanor.

If Edwards is found guilty of the DUI, he could be compelled to return to Cleveland and face six months in jail for violating the terms of his probation there.

Frankel said he is having ongoing discussions with the district attorney’s department about the possibility of a plea bargain, but that no offer has been made.

Although the day was brief and mostly procedural, Frankel said Edwards is aware of the impact the outcome can have on his career. Edwards will be a free agent in the NFL under a new collective bargaining agreement.

“He understands that it’s a very important time in his life and he wants to get through this the best way he can,” Frankel said. “He’s doing all the right things.”

Edwards is due back in court on May 16.

After the appearance, Edwards said he has been in contact with both general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan.

“Just catching up more so, wasn’t anything about football,” Edwards said. “The interest is there on their side. The interest is there on my side we just got to put it together and see what happens.”

Jane McManus is a reporter and columnist for ESPNNewYork.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Follow Jane McManus on Twitter: @janesports

NEW YORK (AP)—New York Jets star wide receiver Braylon Edwards is due to get an answer to his bid to get his drunken-driving case tossed out.

Edwards has a court date Monday for a Manhattan judge’s decision.

Edwards was already on probation from a dust-up in Cleveland when New York police said they pulled him over in September because his luxury SUV’s windows were too dark. Officers said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.

He denies driving drunk. He’s challenging the basis for stopping him, the reliability of the test and other aspects of the case.

Prosecutors say his arrest was lawful, the test was fine and there’s enough evidence to support the charges. The most serious is a misdemeanor.

Updated Mar 1, 2011 9:29 AM ET

The New York Jets are parting ways with Vernon Gholston — the disappointing sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft — in an offseason purge that will include the releases of outside linebacker Jason Taylor, right tackle Damien Woody and nose tackle Kris Jenkins, the New York Post reported Monday.

The four moves will save the Jets between $20 million and $24 million on their salary cap, money they will need with receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, special teams ace Brad Smith and cornerback Antonio Cromartie all set to become free agents pending the lockout looming Friday.

One or more of the released players could eventually be signed back, for reduced salaries, although it certainly appears as if 24-year-old Gholston has worn a Jets uniform for the last time.

Taylor, 36, completed his 14th NFL season — his first with the Jets — and likely is headed to retirement.

Woody, 33, started 45 games the past three seasons but injuries to his knee and Achilles late in the year put him on injured reserve. An NFL source said “It’s being discussed” when asked about a possible return for Woody for a lesser contract whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is agreed upon.

If Woody is out of the picture, the Jets might be inclined to see if they can turn the starting right tackle job over to Vladimir Ducasse, last year’s second-round draft pick.

Woody wrote on Twitter: “Just informed about my release. I want to thank the Jets and all the fans out there. It was a great ride!”

Asked if he would consider re-signing with the Jets for less money, Woody wrote, “It could happen.”

Jenkins, 31, was the anchor in the middle of the three-man defensive line but he has encountered severe and repeated injury issues. He missed 25 games the past two seasons with a pair of torn ACLs. He went down in the season-opener this past season.

Updated Feb 28, 2011 11:43 PM ET

NE W YORK

The New York Jets are parting ways with Vernon Gholston — the disappointing sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft — in an offseason purge that will include the releases of outside linebacker Jason Taylor, right tackle Damien Woody and nose tackle Kris Jenkins, the New York Post reported Monday.

The four moves will save the Jets between $20 million and $24 million on their salary cap, money they will need with receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, special teams ace Brad Smith and cornerback Antonio Cromartie all set to become free agents pending the lockout looming Friday.

One or more of the released players could eventually be signed back, for reduced salaries, although it certainly appears as if 24-year-old Gholston has worn a Jets uniform for the last time.

Taylor, 36, completed his 14th NFL season — his first with the Jets — and likely is headed to retirement.

Woody, 33, started 45 games the past three seasons but injuries to his knee and Achilles late in the year put him on injured reserve. An NFL source said “It’s being discussed” when asked about a possible return for Woody for a lesser contract whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is agreed upon.

If Woody is out of the picture, the Jets might be inclined to see if they can turn the starting right tackle job over to Vladimir Ducasse, last year’s second-round draft pick.

Woody wrote on Twitter: “Just informed about my release. I want to thank the Jets and all the fans out there. It was a great ride!”

Asked if he would consider re-signing with the Jets for less money, Woody wrote, “It could happen.”

Jenkins, 31, was the anchor in the middle of the three-man defensive line but he has encountered severe and repeated injury issues. He missed 25 games the past two seasons with a pair of torn ACLs. He went down in the season-opener this past season.

The New York Jets have a few big names to worry about in free agency this summer and the collective bargaining agreement troubles don’t help things at all.

Still, NFL Network reports that the Jets are going to let 26-year-old cornerback Antonio Cromartie(notes) walk this offseason rather than try to re-sign him, according to ProFootballTalk. Cromartie had 42 tackles and three interceptions in his only season of work in the Big Apple after four years with the San Diego Chargers.

According to ProFootballTalk, NFL Network reports that the Jets will put their energy toward re-signing the two big wide receivers the team will lose to free agency: Santonio Holmes(notes) and Braylon Edwards(notes).

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Source: ProFootballTalk

Related: Braylon Edwards, Antonio Cromartie, Santonio Holmes, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers

Antonio Cromartie’s future with the New York Jets remains uncertain after conflicting reports emerged Wednesday night.

Citing anonymous league sources, Michael Lombardi reported on the NFL Network that the Jets are likely to part ways with Cromartie, a free agent cornerback.

Antonio Cromartie’s future with the New York Jets remains uncertain after a pair of conflicting reports Wednesday.

Cromartie’s contract has expired, but the Jets are more interested in re-signing wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, according to Lombardi.

Manish Mehta, Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News, later wrote on Twitter that sources told him Cromartie is still a priority for New York once free agency starts.

Cromartie has been in the news lately for off-the-field issues – he threatened Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on Twitter (the tweet has since been deleted) and chimed in on the NFL labor issue, to the dismay of NFLPA president and former Jets center Kevin Mawae.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Jets placed the franchise tag on playmaking linebacker David Harris on Tuesday, the first time the team has used the designation since 2006.

Harris, who made a base salary of US$550,000 in the final year of his rookie deal, was voted the team MVP by his teammates after having 99 tackles and three sacks in his fourth season.

General manager Mike Tannenbaum recently said re-signing Harris was a priority, and the Jets could still lock him up to a long-term deal once the NFL’s uncertain labour situation is cleared up despite placing the franchise tag on him.

By using the tag, the Jets must pay Harris the average of the top five salaries among linebackers. Last year, Harris’ position was worth about $9.6 million, meaning he could be in for a payday of $10 million or slightly higher.

The Jets last used the franchise tag five years ago on Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham, who was traded a month later to Atlanta for a first-round draft pick. Harris was the latest NFL player to have the franchise tag placed on him this off-season, joining New England offensive lineman Logan Mankins and Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.

A person with knowledge of the situation indicated to The Associated Press last week that the Jets were leaning toward using the designation on Harris, who is a valuable signal-caller in the middle of Rex Ryan’s aggressive defence. Since being a second-round pick out of Michigan in 2007, Harris has 422 tackles, 15 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions.

He will be the last of the team’s “Core Four” players — including Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson — to get a new contract. The other three players received new deals before the season, and Harris acknowledged in August he wouldn’t get his until after this season because of constraints due to the collective bargaining agreement.

“It’s out of my hands and a lot of other people’s hands,” Harris said before the season. “That’s the rules and you’ve got to live by them.”

Teams were able to start using the franchise label on Feb. 10, but it is still uncertain whether the tag will stand because of the labour situation. Jeff Pash, the NFL’s lead labour negotiator, recently said he expected the franchise tag to continue to operate as it has previously. But NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said the 2011 season doesn’t fall under the current collective bargaining agreement that expires March 3.

The Jets were busy last off-season by making a series of high-profile signings, cuts and trades on their way to a second straight trip to the AFC championship game. New York will again have several players to address this off-season in addition to Harris, including wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

What a year it’s been for the New York Jets.

No, I’m not referring to Gang Green’s 11 regular-season wins, upsetting victory over the Patriots in New England during the playoffs or their five edge-of-your-seat wins within five points or fewer.

I’m talking about feet, HBO, text messages, catcalls, DUIs, the teenage dating scene and more.

From Hard Knocks clips to a potty-mouth head coach to 17-year-old Eliza Kruger, the Jets made headlines in every way possible. It started with a Braylon Edwards‘ DUI. Then came Ines Sainz, followed by the Jenn Sterger/Brett Favre saga. Shortly thereafter, the world found out about head coach Rex Ryan‘s favorite extra-curricular activity.

Thanks to Eliza Kruger, the Jets’ whirlwind season came full circle, as the tri-state teenager came clean to Deadspin and the New York Post about “hooking up” with Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, earlier this week.

Luckily for you, NESN.com was there every step of the way for the Jets’ 2010-11 sideshow, as seen in the links below.

Photo from New York Post

DALLAS — The New York Jets face several tough personnel decisions this offseason, and one of them is cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who will be a free agent.

Darrelle Revis, for one, believes Cromartie is a must-sign.

“It will be very important. We need him,” the Jets’ star cornerback said Thursday at the Super Bowl XLV media center, where he made promotional appearances. “He’s made a lot of plays for us. We’ll see. I don’t know the situation. I know he’s free, but I hope we really sign him back because he’s a great corner.”

Cromartie is one of the Jets’ key free agents. The others are wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith and linebacker David Harris.

Despite the labor uncertainty, teams still have the franchise tag at their disposal. The Jets haven’t revealed their plans, but Harris would be the leading candidate to get the tag.

Just last week, general manager Mike Tannenbaum offered a less-than-effusive assessment of Cromartie’s season. He said he’d be interested in re-signing Cromartie, but league insiders say the organization is wary of a long-term commitment.

Tannenbaum noted that Cromartie “had a good year for us on the field,” a veiled reference perhaps to Cromartie’s recent inflammatory remarks. He made profane comments about New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady before the AFC divisional game, and he blasted the union and the league over the labor situation with similarly off-color comments.

Cromartie tied for the team lead with three interceptions, and his coverage statistics ranked among the league leaders. But he also was prone to allowing big plays, as he surrendered a team-high seven touchdown passes, according to ESPN Stats and Information.

The Jets acquired Cromartie in a trade last March, surrendering a second-round pick to the San Diego Chargers — a steep price if it turns out to be a one-year rental.

For what it’s worth, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward said Wednesday at a Super Bowl news conference that the Revis-Cromartie tandem is the best he faced this season.

Revis is hoping that management can keep the team’s foundation intact.

“There are going to be changes — there are changes every year — but we need to keep the core group of guys, and make sure those guys don’t slip away,” he said.

Revis arrived in chilly Dallas after a week at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, where he was joined by teammate D’Brickashaw Ferguson and coach Rex Ryan. The Jets coach likes to visit the Pro Bowl as a show of support for his players. Revis said it was tough to visit the Super Bowl site after coming so close to reaching the championship.

“Yeah, it’s kind of a tease,” he said. “If I didn’t have to come here, I wouldn’t come here, just because you wish to be here and we were one game away.”

Rich Cimini covers the Jets for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

PITTSBURGH – This was not how the season was supposed to end for the New York Jets.

Not in Rex Ryan’s mind, at least.

But there was the brash coach, red-eyed and disappointed, trying to make sense of a 24-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game Sunday night.

“We were one game away again,” Ryan said. “It cuts your heart out.”

Especially when you’ve told everyone who’d listen that your team was destined for greatness.

Ryan has led the Jets to consecutive AFC title games in his two seasons as coach, and this made-for-TV journey was marked by a reality-show appearance, controversies, scandals, big talking and some terrific plays.

It ended a win shy of the franchise’s first Super Bowl trip since 1969, and with Ryan firing one final shot at all of his team’s critics. And there are plenty of them.

“Our goal for next year, I’ve got news for you, it won’t change,” Ryan said. “It will never change. We’re going to chase that Super Bowl. We’re going to chase it until we get it. Then, we’ll chase it after that again.

“But that’s it. If you want to criticize us, then go ahead, but you have no right.”

That was the type of fiery talk that was mostly missing in the week leading up to the game. The Jets were uncharacteristically quiet after a loud run through the postseason, and not much changed once the game started.

By the time they made some noise, it was simply too late.

Ryan’s big-mouthed bunch was shut down and shut up in the first half, and the Jets’ defense was dominated by Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall and the Super Bowl-bound Steelers.

“It’s the toughest loss I’ve ever been a part of,” linebacker Jason Taylor said.

New York was silenced until a second-half comeback attempt fell short. And it was because of a stunningly slow start that lacked the intensity of the Jets’ first two playoff victories.

And the reason was inexplicable.

“We just came out flat,” cornerback Darrelle Revis said.

Added defensive end Shaun Ellis: “They came out and out-tempoed us.”

Ryan’s aggressive defense was leaky from the beginning, allowing Pittsburgh gain after big gain as the Steelers jumped out to a 24-0 lead that the Jets couldn’t recover from.

“They made plays when they had to,” Ryan said, “and that’s why they’re moving on.”

That’s not the only reason. New York’s run defense allowed 166 yards rushing, including 121 by Rashard Mendenhall, after giving up only 91 yards a game.

“It came down the most basic lesson in football, man: tackling,” defensive tackle Sione Pouha said.

Added Ryan: “The tackling was not up to our standards to any stretch of the imagination.”

Pittsburgh held the ball for more than 21 minutes, outgained New York 231-50 and outrushed the Jets 135-1 in the opening half. New York’s defense had a solid second half, keeping the Steelers off the scoreboard. But the Jets needed to make one more stand to give themselves a chance at a late comeback.

With the Steelers facing third-and-6 with 2 minutes left, the Jets got pressure on Roethlisberger. But the big quarterback rolled out and got a pass off to Antonio Brown, who went down and grabbed the toss for a first down, allowing the Steelers to run out the clock.

“Ben is Ben,” said Pouha, who smacked into Roethlisberger as he threw. “I was just hoping it would deter the throw, but that’s second nature to him.”

Ryan then slammed down his headset, knowing his team’s season again ended one win short of where he told everyone it would.

“There’s no tomorrow,” Pouha said, almost whispering. “We’re going home.”

That wasn’t in the script.

Ryan said all season he thought his team was going to win the Super Bowl, even boldly scribbling “Soon To Be Champs” on an ESPN bus during training camp. On Friday, he reiterated that he wanted to see green and white confetti fall, wanted the celebratory hats and T-shirts and to raise the trophy as AFC champions.

It wasn’t to be. Again.

“Think about the worst thing that can happen to you,” center Nick Mangold said. “That’s the feeling.”

Ryan called the Jets’ first-round playoff game against Indianapolis “personal” against Peyton Manning, and the defense bottled up the Colts’ Pro Bowl quarterback.

The next week, Ryan said it was between him and the Patriots’ Bill Belichick, declaring he needed to outcoach his counterpart. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie fired things up by calling Tom Brady an expletive, and the trash talk escalated from there.

The Jets backed up all the big talk by stunning the Patriots 28-21. But things took a silent turn last week when Ryan heaped praise on Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, using words such as “respect” and “like,” and his players followed suit.

Turns out, the Jets might have needed to keep that mean streak going.

“I would change the outcome of this game and that’s the only thing I would change,” Ryan said. “We don’t need to apologize to anybody. We’ll be back, you’ll see.”

But how many of the players who walked off the field will be back?

Jason Taylor was teary-eyed after the game, sounding as though the end was near for him. It’s uncertain if LaDainian Tomlinson will be back. And the Jets will have plenty of other decisions to make on players such as Cromartie, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith and Shaun Ellis.

“This team as you see it tonight will never be together again,” Taylor said. “Whether Jason Taylor’s back or anybody else is back, it will not be the same football team again. It just can’t be. It’s sad in its own right.”