New York Jets: Coach Rex Ryan Names The Five Permanent Team Captains Of Gang Green

Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon

With the preseason already on full display, the NFL 2011-12 season is officially upon us. As sports fans, the excitement that we have all been waiting for is now here!

Back in Florham Park, New Jersey, coach Rex Ryan has finally announced the team captains of the New York Jets. Earlier in the week, coach Ryan had informed the media that the team’s 3rd year quarterback, Mark Sanchez, will be one of the team’s captains for the upcoming season.

This past Saturday during a Jets press conference, Rex Ryan had made his decision to name the rest of the team’s leaders. The five captains that will be representing the New York Jets starts with QB Mark Sanchez, DB Eric Smith, WR Santonio Holmes, DT Sione Pouha, and last but not least, CB Darrelle Revis.

On the Jets official website, coach Ryan discussed the team captains of the green and white.

“You’re going to see the captains, the guys that are going to wear the “C” on their jersey, Ryan said.” “Okay, we already know about Sanchez and then we’re going to have Eric Smith as the special team, you know, he’ll be representing that unit… Santonio Holmes will be our other representative on offense, and then on defense, you’re going to have Darrelle Revis and Sione Pouha. They’re going to be our captains for the season.”

Coach Ryan had made it clear that the captains that were chosen for the team was ultimately, his decision.

“It was not voted on, it was something that I chose, Ryan said.” “I chose these guys based on what I see on the practice field, the game field, the classroom, their leadership, what they mean to their units, and the pride and everything else… that’s what I’m looking for in those individuals.”

Out of all the captains mentioned, one guy that was somewhat a bit surprising was Eric Smith. The easier decision would’ve been possibly C Nick Mangold, LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, or even LB David Harris. Eric Smith was one of the important pieces of the team last year and in the playoffs. Coach Rex Ryan definitely knows how important Smith is to gang green.

“Eric Smith, been there and done that, Ryan said.” “We don’t have the Smith brothers anymore [pertaining to WR Brad Smith who left the Jets to go to the Buffalo Bills], we just got one Smith, but he’s tremendous and he’s an extension of Mike Westhoff [Jets Special Teams Coach] so I think it was just a natural thing to give Eric and he’s certainly deserving.”

The New York Jets make their final preparations gearing up for the team’s first preseason game against the Houston Texans on Monday, August 15, 2011.