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Rex Ryan and Woody Johnson spoke to the press today, nine days after the Jets concluded a 6-10 season with a loss to the Bills in Buffalo.

(Photo by John O'Boyle/The Star-Ledger)

It's been nine days since the season ended but Woody Johnson, the Jets owner, and Rex Ryan, the team's head coach, finally broke their silence today, speaking at the team's training facility in Florham Park and expressing optimism that sweeping changes this offseason will raise the Jets closer to an NFL title.

Wrapping up a disappointing 6-10 campaign, the two hit on a wide range of topics, including the search for a general manager, the search for new coordinators on offense and defense a quarterbacks coach on the move and a quarterback situation that remains muddled.

Ryan and Johnson stepped before reporters shortly after 11 a.m. today, with Johnson opening the session by apologizing for the delay in speaking about the myriad questions surrounding the team following the season. Johnson said "we should have got back earlier," but he hoped time would bring clarity to his comments, as well as Ryan's.

Soon, when Ryan began speaking, that became evident. Ryan said the Jets will part ways with Mike Pettine, the team's defensive coordinator for the four years of Ryan's tenure with the team, and Tony Sparano, the offensive coordinator hired last year to restore a measure of power and control to the struggling unit.



Ryan said his aim is to infuse the team -- offense, defense and special teams -- with a philosophy that is attack-minded and unpredictable. He said the offense is lagging behind the Jets defense in that respect, Ryan said, but would not comment on player personnel changes until the team names a general manager and coordinator.

"I'm approaching this day like its the first day, period. Like my first day as a head coach," Ryan said. "This is a new chance for me. this is a beginning, certainly not an end."

Johnson judged the Jets' failure over the last two seasons fell on Mike Tannenbaum, the Jets' general manager fired Dec. 31. Johnson praised Tannenbaum, but said the club needed a new vision.

Ryan also praised Tannenbaum, but alluded to why, after 14 seasons in the organization, he was let go.

Ryan said he collaborated with Tannenbaum on many decisions personnel and coaching decisions. "Not all of them we right, but i know the intent was," Ryan said.

Ryan last met with reporters during his postgame press conference following the Jets' season finale against the Buffalo Bills, opting for a vacation in the Bahamas last week instead of speaking to the media as players departed for the offseason. He returned from vacation on Sunday, when he decided to let Sparano go, and returned to work with those that remain of his coaching staff Monday.

Johnson, in a statement issued Dec. 31 announcing that Tannenbaum had been let go, declared that Ryan's job is not in jeopardy, despite two seasons devoid of the playoffs. The team's new general manager will inherit Ryan, entering his fifth year as Jets coach.

Mark Sanchez, the Jets quarterback who lost his starting job before Week 16, has a cloudy future with the club. Ryan, who was admirable in his long-time defense of the struggling quarterback, began backing down at the end of the season and even benched him twice -- once in-game against Arizona and once after a dismal five-turnover performance that knocked the team out of playoff contention.

Sanchez turned the ball over 52 times over the past two seasons, more than any other quarterback in the NFL.

"It is way too early to say what any of our players' future is," Ryan said.

The Jets' next general manager will face a decision: To stick with Sanchez as Ryan had, or change direction, an admission the Jets wasted a first-round draft pick and millions on a project that did not work out despite two AFC Championship game appearances.

Tim Tebow, Sanchez's backup for much of this season, also faces an uncertain future with the Jets. Tebow had little effect on the Jets offense and expressed frustration late in the season he was not chosen to start in place of the ineffective Sanchez.

League insiders predict Tebow will either be cut or waived, though it is uncertain how and if those plans will change under a new general manager. Johnson was adamant in his support of Tebow this season and expected him to remain with the Jets through the life of his deal.

Ryan stated that Tebow is still under contract with the Jets but again deferred comment on player personnel.

For Ryan, the questioning did not just focus on football. Tabloid photographers that followed him on vacation snapped a picture of a tattoo on his right biceps, one that seems to depict his wife wearing what appears to be a No. 6 Jets jersey, the uniform number of Sanchez.

"It's a tattoo i've had for three years now," Ryan said. "I know what you're thinking: Obviously, if Sanchez doesn't play better that number is changing. I've been married 25 years and in my eyes my wife is the most beautiful woman in the world."

Conor Orr: corr@starledger.com; twitter.com/ConorTOrr

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