Jets coach Rex Ryan.

AP photo / David J. Phillip

FOXBORO — Mark Sanchez calls it "blunt-force trauma."

New York Jets first-year head coach Rex Ryan has caused a stir with several of his comments since taking over the reins last January, but Ryan doesn't know any other way to be, and he's not about to change.

He won't mince words, and he won't say the so-called "right" thing just to spare some feelings.

"He doesn't hide anything under the rug — he's direct," said Sanchez, the rookie quarterback New York traded up to get in the draft last April. "Blunt-force trauma, I guess you would call it, because he tells you exactly how it is and he doesn't hide anything. When you throw a pick, when you make a good play, he'll let you know.

"The most encouraging thing is he's got a lot of faith in our offense, our defense, our special teams, and he's conveyed that to us. He's a great leader, and he's someone you want to play for. He knows how to take care of his players, and this is coming from a rookie, so this is all I know so far, but I think he's been great."

From saying he didn't take over in New York to "kiss Bill Belichick's (Super Bowl) rings," to his war of words with the Dolphins' Channing Crowder, to then standing by his words, saying he wasn't intimidated by Belichick or anyone else in the NFL.

During a conference call on Wednesday, Ryan continued to say he didn't regret his statement about Belichick.

"It's how I felt, and it's how I feel," he said. "I have a lot of respect for Bill Belichick — my twin brother (Rob, the defensive coordinator for the Browns) won two Super Bowl rings under Belichick, but against, I'm not his friend on Sunday. I'm going to compete against him; I'm a competitor. I have a great deal of respect for him; I have a great deal of respect for his team, but we're in the win business, and we're going to go out and compete and try to win."

For Jets players who were with the team the last couple of seasons, Ryan is the complete opposite of his predecessor in terms of demeanor. Whereas Eric Mangini seemingly forbade freedom of expression and wanted everything to be a secret (including a fairly significant injury to his starting quarterback last year, for which he was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Wednesday), Ryan encourages his players to speak their minds, just as he does.

They have welcomed the change.

Ryan comes by his pull-no-punches nature honestly. His father Buddy was considered a master defensive strategist, perfecting the 4-6 alignment, and also was known for his colorful ways. Most famously, Buddy had a sideline altercation with Houston offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride during a 1993 game when he was defensive coordinator for the Oilers.

So it was appropriate that when Buddy Ryan visited the Jets' mandatory mini-camp in the spring, he quickly declared his son's team was nearly guaranteed a Super Bowl if all of its key players stayed healthy.

His propensity for ruffling feathers may have raised some eyebrows, but Rex Ryan has no plan to censor himself.

"I don't think I can coach any other way. I think I have to be myself to be successful," he said.

On the road against Houston in Week 1, the Jets put on a performance Belichick called the best of the weekend. Sanchez was solid, the team rushed for 190 yards, and the defense pitched a shutout (Houston's points came on a fumble recovery), holding the Texans to 38 yards on the ground and All-Pro receiver Andre Johnson to four catches for 35 yards.

Sanchez threw one interception, but as soon as he came to the sideline after the mistake, Ryan was there to meet him, telling him it was one bad throw and the Jets weren't about to abandon the passing game because of it.

New England linebacker Adalius Thomas, who played for Ryan when he was defensive coordinator in Baltimore, could see after just one game what kind of impact the Kentucky native has had on the Jets.

"He's a fun guy; that's just how he is. He has those guys playing well — high energy, flying around. The defense especially is flying around," Thomas said. "He's a smart coach, a very smart coach; he's a players' coach, so I think that's why they're responding to him as well as they have."

Ryan has called Thomas the most humorous player he's ever coached, and on Wednesday called him a "special person and a special player." He had no qualms about being termed a players' coach, though he wasn't totally sure what that means.

"I know one thing. I care about my players, and I know the sacrifices those guys make to play in this game. This is a game that has almost a 100 percent injury rate, which is unheard of … At one time or another, you're probably going to get hurt, and that's just the way it is," he said.

"It takes special guys, special men, mighty men to play this game, and I certainly respect that. A ‘players' coach' or whatever, I respect the players. So whatever that means, I believe it would be a compliment," Ryan added.

smanza@projo.com