FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Pick up the phone! Rex Ryan is calling, and he wants you.

The coach of the New York Jets is using a bit of unorthodox strategy for Sunday's game, recording a 70-second message that was sent to every season-ticket holder. His plea is simple: He wants their help in making life "miserable" for Tom Brady and the Patriots.

"Isn't that just something Rex would do?" defensive end Mike DeVito said yesterday. "He likes getting everybody riled up. I love stuff like that."

"This is definitely a first for me to hear something like that," nose tackle Kris Jenkins said with a big smile.

And a first for thousands of fans who either picked up the phone Wednesday and heard Ryan's voice or found the message light blinking on their answering machine.

With a big game against the Patriots, coach Bill Belichick and star quarterback Brady coming up, the Jets kicked around the idea of having Ryan send a personal message to the faithful. When they mentioned it to him, he jumped at the chance.

It's not a bad idea, considering the Patriots have beaten the Jets eight straight times at the Meadowlands.

"Hey, this is Rex Ryan, the head coach of the New York Jets," the message began. "I just wanted to let you know how much we need you this week. You know, I've already admitted that, hey, the Patriots have a better head coach and they've got a better quarterback than us. But we're going to see who's got a better team."

Belichick and Brady, of course, have won three Super Bowls together, while Ryan has one victory as an NFL head coach with a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez.

"Again, I admit that I'm not as good as Belichick, but at the end of the game, I want to be 1-0 against him," Ryan said at the end. "So, help me out if you don't mind. That's my challenge, OK? Thank you. Bye."

CHARGERS

TOMLINSON, TWO OLS MAY NOT PLAY SUNDAY

The San Diego Chargers are inching closer to playing the Baltimore Ravens without three key offensive starters.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, center Nick Hardwick and right guard Louis Vasquez all missed their second straight practice yesterday, decreasing the chance they'll play against the vaunted Ravens defense.

Hardwick and Tomlinson have sprained ankles and Vasquez a sprained knee. Today, the team will officially update their status for Sunday's game.

"The odds go against you," coach Norv Turner said. "The guys that practice today have a better chance. For the other guys, their chances go down."

EAGLES

QB MCNABB'S STATUS REMAINS QUESTIONABLE

The Philadelphia Eagles aren't giving up hope of having Donovan McNabb on the field when they play their home opener Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

McNabb made a brief appearance on the practice field yesterday afternoon but did not take part in any drills, after fracturing his rib on a touchdown run late in Philadelphia's 38-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers last weekend.

"Donovan is working very hard," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "You know Donovan, he's doing everything in his power to get back out there, make it to this game. He's played with a broken ankle, a broken sternum and all these things. Donovan is a very tough man."

If McNabb isn't available, the Eagles will go with Kevin Kolb, the team's second-round draft pick in 2007. Kolb would make his first NFL start ahead of veteran Jeff Garcia, who signed Tuesday as an emergency backup.

TEXANS

CB ROBINSON FINED $25,000 FOR CONDUCT

Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson has been fined $25,000 by the team for the "pay me Rick" shoes he wore during Sunday's game.

Robinson was given the fine for conduct detrimental to the team. It was first reported by the Houston Chronicle.

The shoes targeted general manager Rick Smith. Robinson has been angry because he and the Texans were unable to reach a long-term contract despite signing his franchise tender more than a week ago.

He says he won't appeal the fine, but told The Associated Press yesterday that he wants to talk to Smith about the money being donated to a Boys and Girls Club or a needy family.

SHORT SNAPS

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh missed his second consecutive practice yesterday because of back spasms. ... The Chicago Bears have placed cornerback Trumaine McBride on the waived/injured list and claimed cornerback DeAngelo Smith off waivers. ... Defensive tackle Chris Canty, who left Dallas to sign with the New York Giants as a free agent, missed practice and is uncertain for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.