Jets-Texans: Will Rex Ryan Define the New, New York Jets in Houston?

The best first step will always be the one that supports your preferred stance. For first-year coach Rex Ryan and his New York Jets, the time to tie laces is rapidly drawing to a close.

Gang Green will kick off their 2009 season in Reliant Stadium when they take on Gary Kubiak and his Houston Texans. But this isn't the same expansion team the Jets defeated in all three of their previous meetings.

The Texans are a team no longer interested in learning curves. They are a talented team, starved for respect in a competitive AFC South with hopes of sending an early message to the NFL.

For the Jets, Houston represents an immediate challenge in a schedule loaded with ever-present danger.

While all eyes will be on rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, fans should realize that the fifth-overall draft pick is not expected to be the actual star of the show. It's Rex Ryan who has to prove his value through the tenacity of his defense on Sunday.

Ryan is a big man with an even bigger shadow cast over him. Ryan must shoulder the burden of his father Buddy Ryan's reputation—a brilliant defensive mind, but mediocre head coach—in his first season.

The architect of Baltimore's defense cannot show any signs of being overwhelmed with the responsibility of commanding an entire team.

Ryan's first task places him in the unenviable position of standing behind his own strong words. The loquacious coach has to back up all of his offseason bravado or suffer the wrath of the media as they analyze his rhetoric.

The only way Ryan can avoid any criticism will be if his Jets support his confidence, and remain relentless at all times.

He must become the complete anti-Mangenius, so to speak.

One of the chief criticisms of ex-Jets coach Eric Mangini rested upon the flat performances his teams brought forth when the game was on the line. Under Mangini, the Jets were never devoid of true talent; their strategies simply lacked creativity when victory was imminent. 

Fourth-quarter leads were blown when Mangini and former DC Bob Sutton defaulted to a prevent-style defense with a bland, four-man rush. No pressure was applied to any offense as sub-par players looked like reincarnated Hall of Famers against the Jets.

Mangini failed to counter any and all adjustments his opponents made at the half. That's the brand of football that Rex Ryan cannot subscribe to if he hopes to be successful in New York.

New DC Mike Pettine joins Ryan to make sure the Jets' new-look defense doesn't crumble when there's a game to be won. But the new style and improved personnel face a direct challenge from the Texans.

Starting the season with a hackneyed expression may seem premature, but Sunday's match-up should be determined by the ultimate battle of wills. Both teams match up against one another fairly evenly.

Second-year running back Steve Slaton looks to build upon a stellar rookie season where he rushed for over 1,200 yards. But he has trouble in front of him with All Pro nose tackle Kris Jenkins and the bolstered front seven he leads with linebacker Bart Scott.

Complementing Slaton is wide receiver Andre Johnson, one of the best players in the NFL—on and off the field. Johnson led the NFL with 115 receptions in 2008, yet remains underrated for his relatively low media profile.

"He really flies under the radar because he’s a soft-spoken individual who just goes out, plays, and performs. He comes to work every day to get better," said Texans' QB Matt Schaub last month.

"He’s not one of those, 'typical' receivers you see in the game today who’s gonna have the camera in his face all the time with the media," continued Schaub. "He goes to work and whatever it takes to win is what he wants to do."

All of Johnson's hard work will be put to an immediate test when he lines up against Jets' star cornerback Darrelle Revis. The third-year pro is regularly acknowledged as one of the best defensive backs in the league, blanketing top receivers at every opportunity.

On top of having to throw against Revis, Schaub has been hobbled by a preseason ankle injury that's brought his status for Sunday's game into question.

If the sixth-year pro cannot play, Kubiak is prepared to start the season with ex-Bears QB Rex Grossman.

Ultimately, the only matchup of significance is the one between Rex Ryan and his Jets. The sooner the players can synch up with Ryan's vision of Jets football, then the sooner the New York can produce results and fulfill some of the coach's promises.