By ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Jets coach Rex Ryan said in an interview with a New York radio station this year that he didn't want to coach the Jets to "kiss Bill Belichick's rings."

"I came to win, let's put it that way. So we'll see what happens. I'm certainly not intimidated by New England or anybody else."

So Belichick was asked during his Tuesday night conference call if anyone has ever kissed his Super Bowl rings.

He said he can't remember anyone ever doing so.

"They're in a box somewhere," Belichick said.

Both Belichick and Ryan said that Sunday's game in the Meadowlands is a statement game.

"We respect them and all, but they're going to respect us as well," Ryan told ESPN 1050.
"I know it's only the second week of the season, but playing a division game on the road, at this point [with] both teams 1-0, it's a big game," Belichick said.

When asked about the comments that Ryan has been making about Belichick and the Patriots over the last four months, Belichick said: "The most important thing to us is we are playing a division game on the road. That pretty much says it all. Whatever you want to write -- big game, or important game, or however you want to say that, put it in capital letters, or put it in italics -- phrase it however you want to phrase it. I think division games are big games on our schedule and when we're on the road, those are huge. So we know it's a big matchup and I'm sure they do, too."