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Always focus on what a player can do, Rex Ryan says

It is important for coaches to recognize players' weaknesses, but mostly to concentrate on their strengths, the head coach of the New York Jets said on Friday.

It is important for coaches to recognize players' weaknesses, but mostly to concentrate on their strengths, Rex Ryan, head coach of the New York Jets, said on Friday.

"The team really has to be built on being a team. Every player is a valuable member," he said during a web-exclusive interview with Afternoon MoJoe.

Ryan, who is known as one of the stronger defensive coaches in the NFL, has six new faces on the starting defense in the upcoming season.

"I'm really confident in the guys we have," he said. "They might not be household names now, but I'm very confident in that group. I think we're going to have an outstanding defense, and I think we'll have an outstanding team."

Including every player in the game increases team chemistry and leads to better practices, he said.

"You can't tell me you can't play everybody," he added.

Ryan underwent lap-band surgery in 2010 after weighing almost 350 pounds. Earlier this month he participated in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, after he lost more than 120 pounds.

"I think if I was 350 I probably would have taken the bull on," he said. "Like I used to be."

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Watch Ryan's Morning Joe interview: