Rex Ryan flies a toy helicopter to try and lift Jets' spirits

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan took to the air on Thursday to rally his team's spirits, flying a toy helicopter with a banner reading "Go Jets" above the team's practice session.

Ryan's efforts come a day after fans expressed their distaste for the Jets' front office by flying a plane with a "Fire John Idzik" banner trailing behind it above the Jets' practice field. Idzik is the team's general manager.

The helicopter and its banner were Ryan's way of showing the team was still unified in its struggle.

"Obviously I want to make light of it, but at the same time, the message, I put 'Go Jets' on it, but the message is that we're in this together and we all recognize, hey, we're 1-8 but we're in it together at 1-8 and that's the way it is," Ryan said.

"It's not about pointing blame or anything else. We're all to blame. But we're going to fix it."

It's unlikely that the toy was the change to the team's aerial game that critics have been calling for. New York is in an eight-game losing streak after winning its season-opener against the Oakland Raiders.

Quarterback duties have shifted between Geno Smith and Michael Vick, both of whom have been plagued by turnovers. Their struggles have prompted vivid analogies from observers.

New York is hovering at the bottom of the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) and the Raiders (0-8).

Ryan's next chance to pilot the Jets out of their slide comes on Sunday, when the team plays the Pittsburgh Steelers at home.

-- Christopher Woody