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Inside the Locker Room: 9/25

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New York Jets' RB Leon Washington, 9.25

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On making a big contribution on offense…
It was definitely exciting. Just getting out there in the NFL and getting an opportunity to play more snaps. It was very exciting to go out and help the team, contribute and get a win.

On bringing something to the team with his athleticism…
I just try to use the ability that I've been blessed with and go out there and try to have fun and just try to make plays with my legs. That's what I'm blessed with, that's what I've done to the best of my ability. It's one of those things where you get a chance to make a play, you go out there and make the play, whatever it may end up being, if it's making a nice cut or whatever.

On knowing what he's going to do before he does it…
No, it's all instinctive. I just try to pick up a (defender's) eyes and make a cut and whatever happens after that is instinctive.

On the predictions that this team would not be very good…
We're just pushing it and pushing it, trying to take one game at a time. We still have a lot of mistakes that we need to correct as a team. It's the third game of the season, it's a long season and there's a long way to go. We have to take one game at a time.

On his improved blitz pickup…
That comes with confidence and getting a chance to get out there. With most rookie RBs that the most difficult thing, adjusting to pass blocking. Recognizing looks, getting comfortable with it and I've been practicing it a lot throughout training camp and now in the season, so I can get better and better.

On becoming a Brian Westbrook, Dave Meggett type of RB…
We're a long way from that right now. I'm only in my third game in the NFL. It's an honor to be mentioned among those guys. I'm just going to work hard, keep my head down and who knows what will happen in the future.

On how valuable working with Curtis Martin has been…
Very valuable, Curtis is one of the guys that has helped me a lot, helped me established my role on this team, helped me practice harder. He's given me those small points that I need as a young RB. Instead of being so instinctive with all my runs, he's helped me learn to read defenses and how to pick up blocks. When you read defenses when you run the ball, it helps you out a lot more. He's been very helpful.

On the RBs knowing what their role will be before the game…
When you're called and you have an opportunity to go out there and make a play, go out there and make it. We're just told to practice all week long as hard as you can because you never know in the game when you'll have the opportunity to make a play. That's the way we look at it and that's the way it has been and we're comfortable with it.

On the team's resiliency…
We have a lot of character, we have a lot of fight in us. We're going to fight for four quarters. That's the thing with Buffalo, we knew they'd come out early so we tried to match their energy as much as possible. Once we had a chance to do that we were more comfortable in the game. We did a good job, despite the defense giving up a lot of yards. We got the win, that's what counts.

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New York Jets' G Brandon Moore, 9.25

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On Sunday's win at Buffalo…
Yeah, I thought it was one of our better games, we all came out and played hard. That's what we've been asked to do all year. We came out with that attitude, let it show on the field and earned a win.

On the offensive line leaving room for improvement…
We have room for a lot of improvement. This is the same feeling we had when we beat Tennessee, everybody said that we (the offensive line) were on our way and the next game we didn't play so well. We try to improve each game.

On doing anything specific to stop Buffalo's pass rush…
We had help on the ends. The backs and the tight ends did a good job of neutralizing (Bills' DE Anthony) Schobel. That took them out of their game a little bit. A lot of credit goes to them (the RBs and TEs), you guys don't know it but we saw it on the film, the backs and ends were giving Chad some time.

New York Jets' S Kerry Rhodes, 9.25

On making big plays when his team needs it the most…
It's just being in the right position. Coach is calling good plays in certain situations. When I've been free, I've been able to make the play when I got there, not just the sack by trying to get the ball out. I've been able to get it out a couple of times and it's been good for the team.

On his plays being a boost for the team…
The second one (forced fumble) was huge, it changed momentum, we went up by two scores. It gave us a little cushion to work with.

On being impressed with LB Victor Hobson's speed…
No, not at all. Vic is not a 4.4 guy by any means. He was able to get the job done, he got in the end zone and it was big for us.

On the team's resiliency…
It's indicative of our whole staff. That's the mentality that Coach has brought to us from the beginning. He's just given us the confidence to know that we're never out of a situation. We believe in him, we've taken to his advice and we've been able to work and get some wins here.

On taking solace that they're tied for first…
No, not at all. It's early. We've only played three games. It's nice to be tied for first but we have a long season left and we have a lot of work to do. Two games won't get you into the playoffs or anything. We have work to do.

On picking Coach Mangini's brain to stop QB Peyton Manning…
I was thinking about it right after the game. The Patriots always played the Colts well with the schemes they had. I have no idea what they did, but I hope he uses this week for us, so we can make plays like they did. They made a lot of big plays and had a lot of picks against Peyton, so hopefully it will good for us.

On team's figuring how to slow him down…
I'm sure they're talking about it right now. In the game (vs. Buffalo) their sideline said "watch 25", so they are aware of it. They're going to put more time into it. It's good for us because I can disguise now and maybe somebody else will come free.

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On if he blitzed a lot in college…
Sometimes, but I was more of a centerfielder. I'm adjusting my role now to do whatever Coach wants me to do or whatever the team needs me to do. Whatever is better for us, like I said, it's a win, that's the big thing.

On adjusting the run defense…
Just have everybody in the right spot. Just in the scheme of the defense, we have to make sure everybody get the scheme down. It's new to us and we have to get all the things right at the same time. Sometimes we play it great, sometimes we don't.

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