Saleh has a ritual that he has maintained on gameday since his first coaching job
Before the New York Jets‘ 1 p.m. tilt against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Robert Saleh took to the stadium seats.
No, not as a spectator. Saleh doesn’t just sit and watch the empty stadium.
Rather, he runs up and down the stairs, all the way around the lower level.
It's tradition. pic.twitter.com/SPmEd0yFQK
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 18, 2022
Saleh has been getting in his pregame workout throughout his entire coaching career, dating back to his first job as a tight ends assistant at Michigan State.
“I was looking for something to do pregame when I was still young and in a lot better shape,” said Saleh. “I was trying to get a workout in, and there’s no workout equipment and I wanted something difficult. So, I started running stadiums in college, and I just started doing it in the NFL when I got here. So, it’s been over 20 years now.”
However, Saleh says that it’s easier than running after his kids. He and his wife, Sanaa, have seven children: five boys and two girls.
Certainly, the Browns will pose a stiffer challenge to Saleh mentally than running around their stands does physically. Cleveland comes in with an aggressive run-blocking scheme and a ferocious pass rush, headlined by former No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, who has feasted on the Jets in his career.
🏈Jets at Browns:
Myles Garrett is a Jet killer. Has 8 sacks in 4 games vs #Jets, most against single opponent in career & already most by ANY player in 1st 4 games vs Jets since sacks became official in 1982.
Lined up mostly at RDE in Wk 1. Buckle up, George Fant #NYJvsCLE
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 18, 2022
Still, Saleh’s defense showed guts in Week 1 against Lamar Jackson, limiting the Ravens to 63 rushing yards on 21 carries. However, Cleveland’s offensive line is superior to Baltimore’s injury-plagued one, led by guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio.
It remains to be seen whether Saleh’s crew can hold up against the feisty Browns. However, let no Jets player say that their head coach works them without working himself.
