" With the possible exception of a quarterback throwing repeated mindless interceptions, there is nothing worse for a team than an important player thinking he is playing better than he really is.

That's when an established coach -- or a coach who has a chance to become one -- hooks up the jumper cables and turns the ignition but not without being careful to line up positive to positive.

"I know how much this hurts [Kerry Rhodes]," coach Rex Ryan said yesterday of Rhodes' demotion. "I believe football is first to Kerry.

"I know he's embarrassed by this, as am I, quite honestly. But I think he's gonna respond, I really do."

Of course, if Rhodes does not, Ryan's message will be lost, along with the team. Rhodes is too talented and critical to a Jets turnaround to not sooner or later be a starter again. But if he doesn't return as the old Kerry, there can be no pretending otherwise by Ryan.

The players know before the media knows before the fans know just who is pulling their weight. This can't be a move made just for show or inevitably Ryan will be shown the door.

A lot of things crossed the reeling Rhodes' mind Tuesday night about his future here, some of them dark, all of them natural and ultimately healthy. Yesterday he said mostly the right things about having to do better ("I haven't made the big plays I have before") mixed with at least one impolitic thing about being singled out because of his status."