In their first match-up, Mangold and company allowed the Bills' defense just one sack
One of the adjustments rookies need to make after taking the leap from the college ranks to the NFL is the preparation for divisional play. In college, teams rarely – if ever – play an opponent twice in one season. In Week Nine, the Jets' rookie class responded well to their first repeat performance of the season when the Green & White defeated the Patriots 17-14. This weekend, the Jets hope to be equally as prepared against the Buffalo Bills, a team who will present a much tougher attack than they did when the Jets dropped them 28-20 in Week Three.
"It's weird playing a team two times," said rookie center Nick Mangold. "It's different; in college you rarely ever play a team twice in one year. It gives you a great opportunity to learn from your mistakes and see what they tried to learn from. It still presents the same problems that you had last time; they're going to be running around fast and they're real aggressive. It's going to be pretty difficult for us."
Read below for complete transcripts from inside the Jets locker room
New York Jets' G Pete Kendall, 12.6
On the difference between now and when the Jets were struggling…
I think we're playing better in all three phases, playing a bit more consistently in all three phases. Our defense has really played significantly better in the last four or five weeks and we've been able to compliment them by taking advantage of the turnovers and the good field position they give us. That, in turn helps them, because we're able to score points and maybe they can play with a lead.
On Buffalo's momentum…
Every division game is always difficult and Buffalo is no different. Buffalo has had some good success against us in my short time here. They're playing a lot better ball; they played San Diego close, before that they won two-in-a-row and have been on a bit of a role. They have an explosive offense, they're quarterback is playing well. Defensively, it's a very fast defense and they really get after the quarterback very well. They are good in the defensive backfield as well, so we'll just have to be balanced and take advantage of our opportunities.
On how this December feels compared to last December…
Things have obviously, gone quite a bit better for us all around, but I would say especially on the health front, on the injury front. Knock on wood, most of the guys we broke camp with are still here playing and contributing with the roles that I think everybody envisioned that they would have.
On the Jets' starts being more effective…
I just think it's repetition within the offense. Not only for us having a feel for what's going to be called, but I think Brian [Schottenheimer] and the coaching staff having had four or five months with us, have a feel for what we're capable of, some of things we do better than others and what our strengths and weaknesses may be.
New York Jets' DE Bryan Thomas, 12.6
On what to attribute his recent success…
I attribute it to getting my technique better. Going out there, Mangini stresses a lot about technique, footwork, hand placement and getting on the edge. It's just a lot of technique work and getting involved.
On his thoughts about this year…
I was talking to Eric [Mangini] and he told me, "Just go out there and work hard, don't think too much. Go out there, play fast and work hard and things will come together." And now, each and every week I'm getting a lot more exposure to the defense and it's helped me out.
On Willis McGahee's success against the Jets…
I can't answer that. He's a good runner and every time we've played him, our technique has broken down in certain places. We sat down and looked at the big runs that he's hurt us on and we're trying to fix it. Each time we play him, we get better.
On his new contract…
It's great knowing that I'm wanted here and that Eric [Mangini] and Mike [Tannenbaum] have a lot of confidence in me. Now I can go out there and earn it and continue to play.
On being 7-5…
It's great, but it's the Buffalo week. We just have to go ahead, game plan, get better this week and continue to get better each and every week. Buffalo is a good team, so we're not going to get past them, we're going to go ahead and game plan like we do each and every week and get better.
New York Jets' S Erik Coleman, 12.6
On a common denominator to Willis McGahee's success against the Jets…
We'd like to get him stopped. He's a good running back, they have a good offensive line and they have had some success against us. At some point, it's got to stop.
On the improved defense being successful against Buffalo…
I hope we carry this momentum on to this Buffalo game. It's a huge game for us, they're our division rivals. We haven't played well against them, so it would be nice to have a good game against them.
On what makes Willis McGahee so good…
He has great vision; he sees the whole field when he's running. He cuts back, he can make you miss and he's strong, he can run through tackles and stiff-arm. He has a good line in front of him also.
On Andre Dyson…
He's a tight corner. He makes plays and you tend to not worry about him. He can lock you down over there. He's been doing that for years in this league and it's great to have him on this team.
New York Jets' WR Jerricho Cotchery, 12.6
On why he had blossomed…
I talked to Justin McCareins and he told me a lot of things start to come together in your third year. I felt like I was getting better over that period of time, each day I feel like I'm getting better and I still have a long way to go as far as improving as a football player. It motivates me every day, the opportunity to get better, and I'm just trying to do that every day.
New York Jets' C Nick Mangold, 12.6
On taking each game on at a time…
In my mind, you can only go as far as seven days in advance. With that, that gets us to Buffalo.
On playing a team twice in one season…
It's weird playing a team two times. We played New England twice and now, Buffalo again. It's different, in college you rarely ever play a team twice in one year. It gives you a great opportunity to learn from your mistakes and see what they tried to learn from. It still presents the same problems that you had last time; they're going to be running around fast and they're real aggressive. It's going to be pretty difficult for us.
On the togetherness of the offensive line…
Anything good we have, comes from our older guys, guys like Pete Kendall, Anthony Clement and Brandon Moore. They get us going and they keep us going. It's really just making sure that we all execute and that we're all on the same page, which I think they've done a great job of keeping us there.
Wednesday Injury ReportJets
Questionable: FB B.J. Askew (foot), CB David Barrett (hip), LB Matt Chatham (foot), Eric Smith (foot) LB Bryan Thomas (shoulder) & S Rashad Washington (illness)
Probable:*RB Kevan Barlow (calf), *CB Andre Dyson (neck), *DE Shaun Ellis (ankle), *RB Cedric Houston (knee), DB *OL Pete Kendall (knee), *WR Justin McCareins (foot), *DL Rashad Moore (hand), *QB Chad Pennington (calf) & *WR Brad Smith (shoulder)
Bills Out: LB Angelo Crowell (fibula)
Questionable: LB John DiGiorgio (ankle), RB Willis McGahee (ankle) & CB Terrence McGee
*Denotes players who participated in practice
