CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Not every player on the New York Jets thinks they're the best ... the greatest ... the (insert your favorite superlative). Linebacker Demario Davis, keeping it real, refuses to buy into the premature hype.

In an interview Tuesday with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller of SiriusXM NFL Radio, Davis -- one of the young leaders on defense -- didn't seem all that thrilled with the boasts from teammates. Davis also seemed to be questioning the team's work ethic. He said they have the potential to be the best defensive team, but there was a qualifier.

"... What it seems like is that, it seems like too many people are saying we can be the best defense or we are the best defense, but the work has to show it," he said. "You know, as far as me seeing it, have we been putting in the work to be the best defense? I would say no. In the first couple weeks, we’ve got to work a lot harder. Guys have to put more individual time in, you’ve got to watch a lot more film, you’ve got to stay on the field a lot longer, you’ve got to come out a lot earlier.

"It’s not just what is mandatory," Davis continued. "If you want to be the best you’ve got to do more. Being the best doesn’t just happen. So I’ve seen a lot of people saying that. I’ve said it myself, but personally, I don’t feel like we’re putting in the work right now to be the best. We have a long way to go and right now we’re not on pace to be the best. We’ve got to start fast this year. We can’t afford to try to catch fire late in the season. We’ve got to start fast.”

Wise words from a young player.