Transcripts of selected interviews with Jets players during locker room media availability after Friday's midday practice:
S KERRY RHODES
On what he expects from LaDainian Tomlinson…
He's going to be one of the best players on the field. He's one of those type of players. If he is 90 percent or 85 percent, it's better than a lot of people at 100 percent. He's one of those dynamic guys in the league that you have to face.
On what he expects from Philip Rivers…
He has an ability to get the ball out at different angles. He could be falling down and get the ball out. He has a little Brett Favre in him with the fact that he will be looking one way and come back the other way. He has the arm strength to do it. Everybody is live with him. You can't sit on one guy.
On being in a shootout with the Chargers…
We don't want that defensively. We hope we don't give up many points so it's not a shootout.
On if Brian Schottenheimer has helped the defense out this week…
Yes, a lot of the stuff they still do now is a carryover from when he was there. He gives us some hints of what is going on and what to look for.
WR JERRICHO COTCHERY
On if the Jets will try to establish the passing game more with Brett Favre…
We have been taking the same approach since we have been here, adding different things each and every week. That is the basis of this offense. We add things each and every week. Favre is learning the same thing we are learning each and every week because there are new plays. I think the more he becomes comfortable he will be able to do more things, but with the basis of our offense, we create new stuff each and every week.
On if there will be more pressure on Brian Schottenheimer with the playcalling because of the Chargers' offensive weapons…
I don't think so. I think he will go into the game calling plays the way he has been. It's going to be up to us to execute. We have made some mistakes in the first two games. We have been working our tails off to correct those mistakes. Hopefully we can continue to finish up tomorrow and take care of those mistakes before we get out there on Monday.
On his comfort level now with Favre on the field…
I am getting more comfortable with him each and every day. We have been communicating day in and day out. He has been communicating with everybody on the offense making sure everyone is on the same page. We have been having that same approach each and every day. We are on the right path right now. If we continue to go in that direction, this offense can do what we want to do and that would be special.
On if playing on Monday night is special…
Yes, it's going to be special. I stayed up and watched a lot of Monday night games when I wasn't supposed to. It's going to be a lot of fun. You sit around and watch college football all day Saturday, NFL games all day Sunday, and then you have all day to think about the game on Monday night. There will be a lot of energy built up by the time Monday night comes. It's going to be fun.
WR CHANSI STUCKEY
On establishing a connection with Brett Favre…
It's great because of who Favre is and all the things he has done over the years. For him to come here and for me to catch my first two touchdowns from him has been great. I am trying to build a lot of trust with him.
On what has helped his connection with Favre…
It's being in the right place at the right time. Favre does a great job of improvising and finding people.
On how much Favre improvises…
A lot. Most guys, when receivers aren't open, they sit there and wait for them to come open, but Favre seems to always do the right thing. He always scrambles to the right side or just avoids a tackler. He does the right thing at the right time.
On how Favre will do on Monday…
I think he will do his thing. The more comfortable he gets with us and with the offense, he will start letting loose and really feel comfortable behind center.
On if he imagined catching touchdowns from Favre…
I envision myself catching touchdown passes. You have to envision yourself doing that, but I never imagined it would be from Favre. It was kind of surreal when he came here. We have a chance to do something special with a really great quarterback. I never thought about it.
