Running back Derrick Blaylock was one of several Jets players to speak with the media Friday. With fellow running back Cedric Houston listed as doubtful for Sunday's game at Jacksonville, Blaylock could be active for the week five contest. He is prepared should his number be called upon.
"Things like that happen, this is a business," Blaylock said. "Sometimes you're going to dress and sometimes you're not. You can't look at it as if you're not going to dress and then get down on yourself. You've got to keep practicing, stay in it and it'll happen. I'm just focused and prepared whenever my number is called to go out and do what I have to do."
Read below for Complete Player Transcripts
New York Jets' RB Kevan Barlow, 10.6
On Coach Mangini taking chances with the offense being a sign that he has confidence in it…
Definitely, Coach showed he had confidence in us on fourth-and-one and fourth-and-goal, that reassures that he believes in us. We have to go out and try to get it done.
On it being easy to buy in the system…
Definitely, once you go out there and see what's being done as far as being productive on the field and his putting us in position. As far as coaching on the field, you start to believe what this guy is preaching.
On what he attributes the success of the offense to…
The leadership of our quarterback, the way Chad takes of the huddle and we have two great receivers. It makes it much easier for us as an offense. I don't think we're surprising a lot of people, I think people know Laveranues Coles and Chad Pennington and what they're capable of together.
On the running game starting to improve…
Definitely, there's progress every week. We have some young guys, you have myself out there, who's new and trying to learn and get a feel for the guys. The camaraderie is starting to get together and we're starting to get positive yards and be productive.
New York Jets' S Erik Coleman, 10.6
On Jacksonville looking more explosive then they did last year…
They do, they have come together a little bit as an offense. The tight ends are getting involved. Fred Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league, he's doing a great job.
On the Jacksonville running game…
It's a great one-two punch, he (Fred Taylor) and Maurice Jones-Drew. I've had the opportunity to play against him in college and he's a very explosive player, he can break a play at any time. They have a lot on offense on their team.
New York Jets' LB Victor Hobson, 10.6
On the Jacksonville offense…
They definitely have an explosive offense. They have big receivers that make big plays, a quarterback who's going to get them the ball in Byron Leftwich and a very good running game. It's a game that we're going to have to be prepared for all plays; prepared for the run, prepared to stop the pass.
On watching tapes of Jacksonville gaining yards…
It's something you're not used to seeing, but at the same time it's something they did very well. They stayed poised and played solid the whole game.
On Jones not playing…
It helps, definitely. He's a big, physical part of their game plan and any time you lose a player like that it affects the offense, but they also have receivers behind him that are going to step up.
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On not playing against Stroud…
Luckily I don't have to play against him. That defense is a physical, aggressive defense that gets to the ball. A lot is spoken about those two interior defensive linemen Henderson and Stroud, but the defense as a whole is a good team.
New York Jets' RB Derrick Blaylock, 10.6
On practice…
Practice is great. I go out there and work hard and try to improve every week.
On getting a sense of whether or not he will dress…
I don't know, it will come down to Sunday. I'll know Sunday, right now, I don't know anything.
On preparing to play no matter what…
That's right, that's how you've got to approach it. Week-in and week-out, you've got to approach it as if you're the guy that's going in and it going to start. That way, when it happens you'll be ready, you will not be sent out there looking like you don't know what's going on. So, you have to be prepared and I take pride in doing it.
On the offense battling and overachieving…
It's the hard work that we put in since May; since we've been here. It's the hard work that we put in and it's starting to show.
On the frustration of being deactivated…
Things like that happen, this is a business. Sometimes you're going to dress and sometimes you're not. You can't look at it as if you're not going to dress and then get down on yourself. You've got to keep practicing, stay in it and it'll happen. I'm just focused, and prepared whenever my number is called, to go out and do what I have to do.
On getting notification of whether or not you'll be activated…
I'll know maybe Saturday night, or Sunday. Mainly, Sunday when I go in I'll know. They'll tell you if you're active, you'll know if you're going to play or not.
On indications from practice if you'll play or not…
You never know, anything can happen. It depends if they want to use one guy or another guy, you never know, so just be prepared as if you're going to play and that will take care of everything.
New York Jets' S Kerry Rhodes, 10.6
On Jacksonville being explosive without Maurice Jones-Drew…
They're still explosive, they're not going to miss a beat without him there. He's a great player who makes plays, but him not being there helps because of the trick play element.
On Matt Jones…
He played basketball for Arkansas, so that should tell you a little something. He's an athletic guy… and he's a great player.
On Jones-Drew…
Last year, they had Pearman back there and he was a pretty good guy too, on the ball, but Drew-Jones is a short guy, he's like a bowling ball and he's tough to tackle. He could present problems, he could take it the distance.
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New York Jets' G Pete Kendall, 10.6
On facing the defensive line that injured Chad Pennington…
There was nothing dirty about the hit. Paul [Spicer] was able to get by and hit the quarterback and Chad [Pennington} wound up getting hurt from, but that's football. We all assume a risk when we go out there and play.
On the Jacksonville defensive line…
They're a big group, very physical, very strong against the run, they get good pressure against the passer, so it's a big challenge for us.
On buying into a rookie coach's system…
As a player, it doesn't matter how long you've been a player. When a new coach comes in, either you buy in or you get shipped out.
On a surprising offense…
I think you have to give Chad [Pennington] a great deal of credit for how we've been able to play, but also Brain [Schottenheimer]* *has done a nice job with his schemes and play calling. The other 10 guys besides Chad [Pennington] haven't done too bad either.
On confidence at 2-0 on the road…
I don't think much about road record or home record, or anything like that. Jacksonville is a good team, they play well at home. We'll have to make some adjustments because of the crowd, but whether or not we feel extra confidence, I don't think anyone feels extra confidence on the road. I think we've proven that there's no reason to feel like we don't have a chance on the road though.
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