Jonathan Vilma leads the Jets with 109 tackles
The Jets have completed 15 rounds of their regular season schedule. This weekend there will be one final 60-minute round at the Meadowlands. The Green & White aren't about to overlook the Raiders because they know a wounded opponent can be a dangerous one.
"We definitely aren't going to walk on that field expecting them to lie down," said linebacker Victor Hobson of the Silver & Black. "They have a lot of pride, they are a well coached team, and they are a team that we are going to have to be prepared for. It's going to be a fight, and we are going to have to go into the game prepared to fight if we want to win."
*Read below for complete locker room transcripts from inside the Jets' locker room
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New York Jets' RB Leon Washington, 12.27
On his improvement catching the ball…
I attribute a lot of that to my running backs coach Jimmy Raye and Coach Mangini. They do a great job of preparing us to play throughout the year. It started way back in training camp. That's definitely helped me out in my game, helped me become better as a receiver and also catching punts. Staying on top of me has definitely brought the best out of me.
On running a lot of laps in Training Camp…
There were days I got home and called my dad and said, "Dad, I ran more laps today then I actually ran the ball at practice." Those types of things make you aware of the consequences. Some people might take it lightly at practice when you drop a pass or drop a punt, but in a game it's something critical. Once you run a lot of laps, you get tired of running laps. When you get to the game, it's a lot easier to concentrate, because you know the consequences if you drop the ball.
On being a good receiver in college…
You get to the NFL, it's a new level and balls come differently, balls come a lot harder, the punts are a lot harder to catch. I am developing that and getting stronger in my habits. When I got better at my habits, I became a better player.
On the screen pass vs. Miami…
People asked me after the game and I didn't remember right after the game. I came in yesterday to check the film. Basically, I just used my God given ability, my talents. We did a great job making that call in the game and Chad (Pennington) got the ball to me. I just try to go out there and make plays to help my team out. It feels good to go out there and take advantage of my God given ability.
On being the primary running back…
My goal is to come out and help the team win, no matter what. That's the type of player Coach Mangini wants on his team, the guys who come in and want the team to win; selfless players who don't care about individual goals.
On not seeming overly excited after the game…
I get it from my Mom. Regardless of the situation, you have to always stay humble. Like I said before, I'm blessed just to be in a situation to make that play. It's not over, we have a long way to go, we have a goal in mind and we want to continue to do what we want to do. You have to stay humble in your approach and you'll be okay.
New York Jets' LB Victor Hobson, 12.27
On the Raiders' offense…
The numbers can fool you. When you watch them on film you see a lot of explosive players; a lot of talent. You don't know who you're going to get at quarterback; those guys (Andrew Walters and Aaron Brooks) are two very different quarterbacks, who present problems in their own right. They have a lot of good skill positions, especially at receiver and (they have) some fast tight ends that present a problem. It's a team that we definitely have to be ready for.
On maintaining focus…
We definitely aren't going to walk on that field expecting them to lay down. They have a lot of pride. They're a well coached team and they are a team that we are going to have to be prepared for. It's going to be a fight and we are going to have to go into the game prepared to fight if we want to win.
New York Jets' LB Jonathan Vilma, 12.27
On preparing for a team with uncertainty at quarterback…
It doesn't make it more difficult, it just requires a little more work for us. We've seen film on both the quarterbacks, so we have to get ready for both of them. Whoever does play, we have to be ready for them.
On needing one win to get into the postseason…
We feel good. Obviously, we are not there yet, so we can't sit here and jump for joy right now, even thought it feels good in this situation. You can tell in the locker room the mood is a little lighter, especially from last year. We just need to go out and play.
On the team being very "coachable"…
We all have the same objective in mind and that is to win. When you have a bunch of guys that just want to win, you can take anything. You can take the good and the bad, just move on and go forward.
On everyone being on board from the start of the season…
Everyone was on board; it was just a matter of getting used to a new offense, a new defense and new coordinators. Once you get past that and you start getting into the groove of the game and into the season then you start playing better.
