Hobson insists that staying healthy is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL
Ben Graham let loose with an 80-yard punt during Thursday's practice. Jets head coach Eric Mangini compared the punt to a "rocket." But Graham, a second-year punter from Austrailia, spoke rather matter of factly about the accomplishment on Friday.
"It was one of those situations where everything came together on that one kick," Graham said. "Every day I seem to be able to let some of those rip and I guess the challenge is to get those constantly in a game."
Read below for complete transcripts from inside the Jets locker room
On memories of playing in Cleveland…
I don't remember playing in Cleveland. It's another ball game and that's the way we look at it. We're not playing against the fans, we're playing against the players. Anytime I step into a stadium my focus is on who's facing me and what they are going to try to do to stop me or take me away or whatever their game plan might be. Getting to understand what they're doing is my main focus.
On what 5-3 means…
It means nothing, it's 5-3. You always look at what you could have done better to be in a better position than 5-3. I think that's the way we should all look at it, it means nothing. We could go 5-3, but we still have to capitalize on the 5-3, because there are still eight more ball games that we need to go out and try to execute a win. I think that's the most important thing, just taking it one game at a time.
New York Jets' RB Leon Washington, 10.27
On the importance of keeping up the running game…
It's very important. Whenever you can run the ball well, it just gives your offense an edge. Just like any other week, we're going to approach it the same way; work hard during the week at practice, try to get better, go into the game and try to do the things we need to do to give our team the best chance of winning. If it's running the ball, if it's throwing the ball, we're going to do what we need to do to give our team the best chance of winning.
On having a way of finding holes…
I didn't give credit to my team, they earned it. We all earned it out there, we all had a great effort in last week's game. Just like you said, coach is doing a great job of putting us in the right position and the players are going out there and executing the plays. It's my job as a running back to find the holes that the offensive line creates for me in order to make plays. It's all a collective effort, the running backs, wide receivers, offensive line, fullbacks… and we're doing a great job and hopefully, we can keep improving.
On chemistry with the offensive line…
Oh, definitely. The more experience you get, and especially me as a young guy only playing seven games in the National Football League, the more opportunities I get, the more times I run the ball it helps the team out in the running game. The more experience the offensive line gets, it helps a lot and we think we have a chance to go out there, run the ball and get better.
New York Jets' P Ben Graham, 10.27
On how the kicking game in America differs from the Australian game…
The kicking game is different. Everyone in our sport in Australia kicks the ball and every team has about 200 kicks per game and they can be anything from 10 yards to 60 yards. We kick the ball like quarterbacks throw it, we pinpoint players down the field.
On an 80-yard kick at practice…
Yesterday, I had a good day at practice, I had a little wind at my back. We were a little backed up in the four-minute drill and I wanted to put the team I was punting for, at that particular time, in a good position.
On how often he kicks 80-yard punts…
It was one of those situations where everything came together on that one kick. Every day I seem to be able to let some of those rip and I guess the challenge is to get those constantly in a game.
On if he was surprised to kick the ball 80 yards…
No. It was one of those situations where I know what to expect of myself and if it doesn't go 50 yards it would be a surprise.
New York Jets' G Pete Kendall, 10.27
On the importance of establishing a running game …
It's always important to at least try to establish a running game. Cleveland plays the run very well, they're well stacked with Ted Washington and the rest of their front does a very good job with it.
On how hard it will be to keep up the running game…
Every week it's hard, it's never easy. Sometimes you get lucky and you have a week like we did last week, but you can never plan on that.
On more tension in away games…
Sure, particularly if it's a close game, or if you're down, because you always have to deal with crowd noise which makes everything that much more difficult.
On the chemistry with Leon Washington…
Leon has done a nice job. He was patient and waited his turn, he worked hard and her seems to have a nice feel for the way the offense is running.
On the challenge of Cleveland's big defensive line…
They're big, but its not just size. Technique-wise, they're very sound. Everybody talks about Ted Washington, but their ends play well, their outside linebackers are doing a nice job. They're inside linebackers play the 3-4 very well.
On where the offensive line is right now…
I think it's where we thought it would be at this point in the season, which is better than we started and hopefully, not as good as it's going to wind up.
On chemistry amongst the offensive line…
It's good. D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold have come in and they're bright kids, they've learned the X's and O's very quickly. I think they're making steady progress every week and getting used to playing against NFL players
New York Jets' LB Victor Hobson, 10.27
On what it means that Cleveland has a new offensive coordinator…
It just adds to the level of uncertainty for us. What do we expect, we don't know, but we do know that we can't give up big plays and we have to stop the running game. We're going to have to be disciplined in what we do.
On how he looks at the team's record…
We've always had good expectations of ourselves. What everyone else thought we were going to do is not something we've ever focused on. We just focus on what we know we're capable of doing and trying to go out and accomplish that.
On why the team has been able to bounce back…
Staying healthy is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL. We've been fortunate for the most part and that always helps.
New York Jets' WR Laveranues Coles, 10.27
