Jets DT Steve McLendon was fed up. And he let his teammates know it.
The Jets have only had a few practices early on at training camp, and rust is expected as the players get acclimated to the game once again. But what McLendon saw on Wednesday wasn't acceptable in his mind, and he let the team know.
"I didn't feel the vibe at practice. I just blew up, man," he told The Post's Howie Kussoy.
McLendon wasn't feeling the intensity level coming from his defensive unit, as sloppy play was seen too much too early.
"I took a stand," he said. "And I wanted the defense to understand that, 'Look, man, we are here for a certain period of time, and we are here for one reason, and that's to get better every single day.' In order to go where we're trying to go, it's gonna take however many guys on that defense and however many guys on that offense to clock in every day."
The 32-year-old is one of the elders on a young Jets defense that is full of great potential. McLendon sees that potential and understands that if they can tap into it, the Jets could be a dangerous squad.
But that isn't what the public sees. Instead, many believe the Jets to be a developing team once again this season. McLendon isn't buying it.
"I tell everybody, when I come to this building, they got that [Super Bowl] trophy right there," he explained. The last time they won the Super Bowl was in 1968 [technically 1969 after the '68 season]. I touch that trophy every day when I come in, 'cause I know what I'm working for.
"I work with a purpose. So if I have that same purpose, I want my teammates to have that same purpose."
In 16 games last year, McLendon tallied 30 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He is entering his third year with the Jets, and hopes a playoff berth is in the cards sooner rather than later.
If everyone buys in like he is, McLendon believes they can accomplish anything.
"I love this game and I believe in this team," he said. "I believe in these guys that we have, I believe in this organization to do something special. And in order to do something special, man, at one time it takes 11 guys on each side of the ball to do their job."