New York Jets look for some respect in their new home

Reporting from Cortland, N.Y. — 

Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, recently walked to a place where NFL executives of his rank seldom set foot.

The farthest parking lot of his stadium.

It was before his team made its exhibition debut at the new $1.6-billion Meadowlands stadium for a game against the New York Giants, and Johnson wanted to be sure he could see the massive J-E-T-S sign in the venue’s cavernous Great Hall. He could see it clearly, even from that distance.

More than a photo opportunity, Johnson’s walkabout was a reminder that his Jets, a victory short of the Super Bowl last season, want to be sure that they’re not second tenants to the Giants in their shared stadium — and are determined to be acknowledged.

For eight Sundays a season, and maybe more, this palace is the New York Jetropolitan area.

No one understands that better than bombastic Jets Coach Rex Ryan, who not only accepts puff-chested predictions about his team, but makes them and encourages his players to do the same.

Judging by Ryan’s penchant for blue language — Rex-rated, you might say — there aren’t many “dirty” words from his perspective. And certainly not “Super Bowl,” a seemingly forbidden phrase in other training camps.

“We like expectations, and Rex makes no bones about that,” said safety Jim Leonhard, who has known Ryan since the coach was his defensive coordinator in Baltimore. “He likes attention, and if he feels like he has a good team, he’s going to let you know, whether you like it or not.”

Ryan and General Manager Mike Tannenbaum have taken more than their share of gambles this season, adding several big-name players who are either at the end of their careers (running back LaDainian Tomlinson, defensive end Jason Taylor), or wore out their welcome with their old teams (receiver Santonio Holmes, cornerback Antonio Cromartie). Plus, there’s the ongoing contract-holdout drama of cornerback Darrelle Revis, the team’s best player.

All of which makes for captivating TV, and the Jets are beamed coast to coast each week on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” the reality show that provides a behind-closed-doors look at what happens at training camp. It’s as if the show were custom made for Ryan, with his cartoonish personality, his self-effacing humor, and his unvarnished approach to players.

“His whole credo is not to spend any energy on being anything but himself,” said Ken Rodgers, senior producer at NFL Films in charge of “Hard Knocks.”

In addition to an army of photographers and technicians of every kind, there are six softball-sized “robocams” positioned in the offices of Ryan and Tannenbaum, and in the meeting rooms. No one but those operating the cameras know when they’re activated, and the sound is picked up with microphones hidden in the rooms.

“The technology is such that you really don’t notice it,” Ryan said. “It hasn’t been difficult at all…. I hope it’s an accurate picture of who the New York Jets are, how we do business and how we also have fun.

“We work when it’s time to work, play when it’s time to play, and I think it will hopefully be a great showcase of some of our individuals.”

Beyond all those characters and story lines is a very good team, one that won five of its last six games to reach the playoffs last season, then knocked off Cincinnati and San Diego on the road before losing the AFC championship game at Indianapolis.

“I love the chemistry and I love the resolve,” linebacker Bart Scott said. “This team last year, we went through a big losing streak, twice, and we came back and responded…. We’re just trying to capture that momentum and be better than we were last year.”

One new Jet who understands what it takes to win it all is quarterback Mark Brunell, who backs up Mark Sanchez after last season being No. 2 to Drew Brees on the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

“We’re very clear about what our goal is, and anything short of that would be a disappointment for us. It’s alive here, it’s fun, and it’s never dull,” Brunell said.

But not everyone thinks the team makes for must-see TV. New England quarterback Tom Brady told WEEI radio in Boston that he doesn’t tune in.

“I hate the Jets,” Brady said. “So I refuse to support that show.”

Ryan shrugged that off, saying, “I don’t like Tom Brady. I respect him, but I don’t like him.”

Love the Jets or hate them, either way is fine with Ryan. But kindly don’t ignore them.

sam.farmer@latimes.com

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