[gmf1369]

The 2011 Jets offense struggled to find its identity, but more than three months before NFL opening day, tight end Dustin Keller said the offense already has a clear, set idea of what it will be in 2012.

"Last year, we were more than anything a really game-plan specific team, so things may have switched from game to game," Keller said. "You may see a heavy running game one game and throwing the ball 70 times the next. But I think we know who we are now: we’re a power football team that can throw the ball and we’re just trying to sharpen that up now."

The Jets struggled last year after starting the season as a pass-friendly team and then trying to reclaim its trademark ground-and-pound identity mid-course to mixed results. In the Christmas Eve loss to the Giants, quarterback Mark Sanchez dropped back an unbelievable 67 times in 89 plays.

The product last year was an offense that finished 25th in the league. Keller joked that he wouldn't count out passing 67 times again, but that's probably not in the cards under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.

Keller said Sparano emphasized being a physical, pounding team from the first day he met with the players.

"More of a physical mindset," Keller said. "Just knowing we’re going to go in there, we’re going to get physical with these guys, run, we’re going to punch the ball in there, we’re going to throw it every once in a while, but we are going to be a physical football team."

He added that a set identity can help the players be more comfortable in a system.

"Week in, week out, you know exactly what you are going to have, and the guys know what they have to do week in and week out," Keller said. "Obviously every week you're going to have to restudy the plays that are in and learn it all. But you know for the most part what you're going to be doing. You're probably going to be a little bit more comfortable with it."

Coach Rex Ryan was careful not to be critical of former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer when asked about the differences between last year and this year. He again said that Schottenheimer did a "tremendous job" last year and pointed out that the Jets led the league in rushing in 2009.

"Last year, it wasn’t as good," Ryan said. "I never thought we found a rhythm, especially earlier in the season, running the football. I think for us to be successful as a team, we have to be able to run the football. Sometimes is it going to be tough sledding? Absolutely. But that has to be who we are. It’s just kind of like us blitzing on defense, that’s who we are. Part of our identity is going to be to run the football and that’s going to open up our playaction game, going to open up our guys on the outside and that’s what we want to do."

Good read by Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

[GaelicJet]

"A more physical mindset"? This obviously shows that Shotty never really spent much time listening to Rex because all Rex was always about physical football. I think Sparano suit's Rex's vision of football more. Shotty liked to throw and run a complex offence, where as Sparano likes to keep it simple and run the ball. I like it.