Jets Carry On as Time Winds Down on Season Rex Ryan's future as Jets coach could hinge on how his team does in its last two games, against the Browns and the Dolphins. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - David Nelson arrived at the Jets" complex at 6:30 a.m., same as any other Wednesday. He attended the special-teams meeting, as usual, then gathered with his teammates for Coach Rex Ryan's morning address. No one moped around, Nelson said, but "it didn't feel the same this week as it did last week." The Jets reconvened for the first time since being eliminated from the playoffs Monday night, when a late 61-yard field goal by Justin Tucker secured a Baltimore victory in Detroit. The Jets" postseason prospects have been slimmer than kite string these last two games, but now there are no more possibilities or permutations. A sense of finality has set in. The charade is over. A finite number of games remain, with no chance for more. "I felt like I got kicked in the head," Ryan told his players. Many of his players watched the game Monday night - Nelson tuned in for the final drive and, when Tucker's kick slipped inside the right upright, he said he felt sick. But Ryan reminded them of the game's playoff implications anyway. Which was probably a good thing, because Santonio Holmes was unaware. "It didn't bother me," Holmes said, adding, "They did what they had to do, and we didn't." The Jets found themselves in this position last season - eliminated by a result in the Monday night Week 15 game, staring at two meaningless games ahead - and crumbled. How the Jets fare Sunday against Cleveland and Dec. 28 at Miami may not influence whether the owner, Woody Johnson, and general manager, John Idzik, elect to retain Ryan, but another three-game losing streak would not reflect well on him. "If we do what we have to do the next couple of games, I don't think we have to worry about that," said Nelson, a wide receiver, when asked about Ryan's job security. I think we're in good position to save him and propel ourselves into a good position for next year. Nelson said no coach he had played for was better at "flipping the switch from Monday's heartbreak to Wednesday's opportunity," and he said Ryan imparted that message of positivity to the Jets on Wednesday. Not once, Nelson added, has Ryan revealed a hint of tension or anxiety about his uncertain status. "I've been on teams where you can feel it with coaches," Nelson said. But with him, absolutely nothing. There is no disputing what Ryan, aside from resounding victories, would like to see over these next two weeks: continued progress from Geno Smith, the rookie quarterback, and a return to prominence by a defense that has allowed an average of 409.3 yards (135.3 rushing) the past three games. But Ryan finds it counterproductive to discuss a future beyond Sunday, so he has deflected all questions that even remotely pertain to it. Some players, like Antonio Cromartie and Holmes, said it would be encouraging if the Jets won their last two games - they have not won consecutive games all season - to finish at 8-8. "We're playing for something bigger than just the playoffs," Holmes said, "and that's our jobs and executing and understanding that with these next two wins, we can have a great start for next season and we have something to build off of." The Jets, regardless of how they finish, are likely to build without Holmes, whose injuries, minimal production (38 receptions) over the last two seasons and high cap number ($10.75 million) make him a strong candidate to be released as Idzik continues to reshape the roster. But Holmes, who took a $3.5 million pay cut after last season, said he would be willing to restructure his contract again if it allowed him to remain with the Jets. "Anything for the team," said Holmes, whose release would save the Jets $8.25 million against the salary cap. Holmes, who has missed 17 games over the last two seasons because of foot and hamstring ailments, has not performed at a level commensurate with the five-year, $45 million contract he signed before the 2011 season. He said he wanted another chance - with Ryan. "He brought me here, gave me an opportunity to play for him," Holmes said. I would love to play for him for the next couple years and even retire here, he and I both.