"Rex Ryan was known as the "Mad Scientist" when he was with the Ravens. Now, we get to find out how much he knows about chemistry.

The coach vowed to fix the schisms in the Jets locker room yesterday, saying it is his top priority.

"It's the biggest thing we can fix, but I also think it's the easiest thing we can fix," he said on a conference call. "When I look at the things we can fix in a hurry, that will be the No. 1 thing."

Since the season ended on New Year's Day, the Jets have looked like the most dysfunctional team in the NFL. From Santonio Holmes' benching to anonymous players ripping quarterback Mark Sanchez in a published report, it has been messy.

Ryan backed Sanchez yesterday, saying everyone does not share the opinions expressed by those anonymous Jets.

"I'll tell you this: If it's not all of them, the majority of our team has a great deal of confidence in Mark," Ryan said. "When he walks through that door, his head is going to be held high, there's no question about it."