CORTLAND, N.Y. -- With the first cracks in team unity appearing in the New York Jets' locker room as wide receiver Chaz Schilens called Antonio Cromartie's comments about the team's receiving corps a slight, coach Rex Ryan responded with a clear statement about who was in charge.

"I'm going to say this right now, listen to me when I tell you this," Ryan said, "I'm aware of what was said. OK? I'm on top of it, I'm telling you that right now. I'm on top of it, and it will not be a problem. And that's all that I'm going to say about the whole thing."

A source confirmed to ESPN NewYork's Rich Cimini that Ryan addressed the matter in the mid-afternoon team meeting Wednesday, as reported by The Star-Ledger of Newark. The coach told the players to be careful with comments to the media.

Cromartie, who declared that he would rank himself as the team's No. 2 wide receiver on the depth chart, clearly chafed his teammates who make a living playing the position. Schilens said after practice that he hasn't addressed the "slight" with Cromartie in person, but he isn't going to let it go.

"We'll address it on the football field," said Schilens, the 6-foot-4 former Oakland Raiders receiver who signed with the Jets this offseason. " I think it's a slight, I'm not going to lie. I just wouldn't say it, it's not something I would say but I'm not him I guess."

Cromartie, the Jets' No. 2 cornerback, was asked Tuesday on "ESPN First Take" where he would place himself on the depth chart after coach Rex Ryan said Cromartie could be asked to play at wide receiver this season. He responded seriously that he was behind Santonio Holmes, which puts him in front of Schilens, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley, Patrick Turner and a number of others.

On Wednesday, Cromartie shot quickly by reporters who wanted to speak with him, telling the team's PR staff that he would speak Thursday. In his wake, rookie Stephen Hill said he wasn't offended by Cromartie's declaration.