The Jets defense took the field with a new look Thursday.

The unit wore black jerseys instead of their usual green. Jets coach Rex Ryan explained he is going to give out the jerseys as a reward for good practices to either the offense or the defense in training camp each day.

“I stole this from Tony [Sparano],” Ryan said. “He did this in Miami. He put a team in a different color jersey. Whatever the emphasis is, like in training camp let’s say we have a red zone emphasis or we have a ball security (emphasis) or trying to create turnovers in a scrimmage or something like that, the group that I think did the best in that specific drill I’ll put that unit in the black jerseys the next practice. I put it on the defense today because I’m a defensive guy. That’s why they were out there with them today.”

Ryan said he thinks players will be driven to concentrate on what the emphasis is in that practice to beat out the other unit.

“I think it’s just something that’s a little different,” Ryan said. “One thing about football players and probably any sport, guys love competition.”