New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has insisted that the fans have the right to act however they want towards quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez was roundly booed during the team's scrimmage session on Saturday after throwing an interception, leading teammate Antonio Cromartie to criticise the supporters' behaviour.
Ryan has called for the fans to get 100% behind his team, but acknowledges that they have the right to make their feelings known from the stands.
"We don't want our guys getting booed, especially from our fans because we all wear green and white, including the fans. The game is tough enough. We need to support each other. That's probably where [Cromartie] was coming from," he told reporters.
"We can't worry about what happened in the past. It's a brand new year. There should be some excitement based on that, not looking at the negatives. I like focusing on what's in front of us, the positive.
"Of course, we'd like to have a backing from 100% of our fans, but our fans can do what they want. They earned that right. They purchased a ticket and they can do whatever they choose."
Sanchez committed a league-high 52 turnovers in the past two seasons, including throwing three interceptions in his last appearance for the franchise.
Barney Corkhill
