"At the end of Tuesday's practice, when the Jets gathered for their huddle breakdown, Rex Ryan searched for one 14-year veteran.

"Jason Taylor," the Jets coach said, "when's the last time you won a playoff game?"

The answer? Ten years ago.

Days before the Jets' first-round playoff game, at Indianapolis Saturday night, Ryan resonated this message through the Florham Park fieldhouse.

"This guy has had a Hall of Fame career, and yet it's been 10 years since he won a playoff game," Ryan said. "Our players have to understand that this is an unbelievable opportunity; this may be the best opportunity you ever get."

The date of that game was Dec. 30, 2000, a 23-17 Dolphins victory against the Colts and a third-year quarterback named Peyton Manning. The last postseason game Taylor was even on the field for? Nine years ago, a 20-3 Dolphins loss to Baltimore, where Ryan was then a defensive line coach for the Ravens.

As the Jets begin what they hope is another deep postseason run, the appreciation deepens for those veterans who are still without the elusive Super Bowl ring. Among them: running back LaDainian Tomlinson, in his 10th season. Fullback Tony Richardson, in his 16th.

But Taylor's 3,282-day gap between postseason games, which will end on Saturday, is the longest on the Jets — and, give or take a few days, the lengthiest among the rosters of this year's 12 playoffs teams. Taylor, Seattle kicker Olindo Mare and Atlanta backup quarterback Chris Redman each last played in the postseason on Jan. 13, 2002. "