Jets get back to work with improvement on their minds

The Jets went back to work on Monday after returning from both their bye week and Hurricane Sandy. Coach Rex Ryan had originally scheduled the players to work for the first two days of the bye week, but canceled that when the storm came in. Ryan's house in New Jersey, along with many others in the organization, remains without power.

The Jets need all-around improvement, especially on offense, but Rex Ryan hasn't gotten desperate enough to put himself in at quarterback. (US Presswire)

The New York Jets went back to work on Monday after returning from both their bye week and Hurricane Sandy.

Coach Rex Ryan had originally scheduled the players to work for the first two days of the bye week, but canceled that when the storm came in. Ryan's house in New Jersey, along with many others in the organization, remains without power.

Jets coaches spent the bye week doing their annual self-scout. Offensive coaches review the defense, and vice versa, to give a different perspective to help each other's units find flaws and make corrections.

Ryan was positive and excited to get back to work, preparing for the team's trip to Seattle on Sunday. He pointed out some of the glaring issues that he hopes they will be able to fix before that game.

On offense, Ryan said, "We’re turning the ball over, we're fumbling the ball away. We’re turning the ball over in the red zone."

And on defense, he said, "Things on defense that are really not up to our standards," and highlighted the run defense and red-zone defense.

The Jets have long prided themselves on defense, strong special teams and desire to be a "ground and pound" offense. Said Ryan: "We have to be who we say we are."

But that's not what they've been of late.

"We’re not where we want to be," Ryan said."We’re not even close, we’re not even sniffing the playoffs. We're not sniffing anything."

However, Ryan said he remains optimistic and that everyone is "popping out of their skin" as they start the second half of the season.

One thing that will help is the week off allowed many of those dealing with injuries to get in some extra healing time. On Monday, only NT Kenrick Ellis (knee), RB Joe McKnight (ankle) and LB Bart Scott (toe) were expected to miss practice. S LaRon Landry (heel), S Eric Smith (knee), NT Sione Pouha (back), TE Jeff Cumberland (hand), C Nick Mangold (ankle), RB Bilal Powell (shoulder) and RG Brandon Moore (hip) will be limited, but that could improve as the week goes on.

The Jets also currently have two open roster spots. Ryan said the team has plans for them, which GM Mike Tannnenbaum will be addressing.

Stay dialed in on the New York Jets by following correspondent Lisa Zimmerman on Twitter @CBSJets and @LisaZimmerman.