Rex Ryan on the Steelers D: “There are some tough dudes over there.”

From Rex Ryan’s press conference today:

New York Jets Head Coach, Rex Ryan spoke to the media today about the upcoming game:

On the Steelers defense:

“The thing that I love about them is that they are smart, instinctive and tough asses, all those guys. That makes up the Steelers team, this Mike Tomlin team, and that’s what you expect from them. That’s what those guys bring.”

On Brett Keisel and James Harrison:

“Those guys, they still play. These guys are Steelers. I know Harrison went other places (Cincinnati), but he is as much a Pittsburgh Steeler as they get. He has four sacks. He plays his butt off. He might not be as good as he once was, but he was coming from the mountain top. He is still doing a great job. Keisel is the same way.”

Ryan lost to the Steelers in the AFC title game with the Jets and the Ravens. He said several antagonists from those games — James Harrison and Brett Keisel — are adding a toughness element now that they’re back with the Steelers– (Alan Robinson, Trib Live).

On the Steelers’ toughness:

“It shows up every day. It shows up every game. It shows up in their mentality and the way they play, you name it. They bring that mentality to it. Once you establish that kind of tradition, they don’t let go of it and they won’t let the young guys let go of it, either. It’s the same thing we established in Baltimore when I was there with that defense. You still see it.”

On defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and the staff:

“They have Dick LeBeau, one of the guys I really respect and admire. He’s still there heading up the defense. And they have (assistant head coach/defensive line coach) John Mitchell and all their coaches. It’s a great staff. They are well coached. They are disciplined. And I would say they are tough. There are some tough dudes over there.”