CORTLAND – Rex Ryan may be out of the guarantee game, but that doesn’t mean he's lost any confidence.

The Jets coach showed that Friday when talking about his defensive acumen.

"I look at myself as the best defensive coach in football," Ryan said. "That's saying something because [Steelers defensive coordinator] Dick LeBeau is pretty darn good. [Patriots coach] Bill Belichick's pretty good.

"But that's the way I've always believed. … I'm going to be more involved over there whether it's calling games or whatever. Obviously, [defensive coordinator] Mike Pettine that's my right-hand guy. He's always been my right-hand guy and that's the way it's always going to be."

Ryan has said he will be more involved with the defense this year after turning it over play-calling to Pettine last season.

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Rex Ryan speaks to the media during a news conference after Jets training camp practice in Cortland, New York.

Ryan said the doubters have fueled him.

"All the negative things, the fact that we're picked fourth in our own division by most publications, third some, it's like, 'oh really? OK.' That challenges me," he said.

"Any competitor likes to be challenged or bet against. Bet against me. This isn't the first time there's been people that don't believe in me for whatever it is. I'm going to come out and compete. I believe in myself. I believe in the men that I coach and I believe in the men who coach with me. That's why I'm like, 'we're going to be successful. I don't care what you think.' That's the case. If it was a spelling bee, I'd bet against me. Anything else, a fight, coaching football, I'm betting on me."

Ryan said he believes the Jets could have been successful in the playoffs last year if they didn't fall short.

"I was sick because I knew, and I told our guys, if we get in that's the main thing," Ryan said. "You get in, everybody forgets what happens. I still think we could have done damage. It hurt me because I believed it. I almost felt like I was the only one who believed it. I know that wasn't the case but I kind of felt that way."