Transcript of interviews with selected Jets players during the locker room media period before Thursday's afternoon practice:
P BEN GRAHAM
On his relationship with Eagles punter Sav Rocca …
When you play against someone like that [in the Australian Football League], it's not like here where you play some teams every four years. We played them twice a year. When you are in the league for that long, we got to know each other on and off the field. Since he's been over here, we've caught up on numerous occasions. It's important for him, but also for his family, to understand what my family went through and the advice my wife could give to Rosie, his wife. A lot of people take it for granted that a player comes over, makes the team and goes to work. There is a lot that goes on.
On whether Rocca sought his advice before coming over to the NFL …
He did. We had dinner on numerous occasions and had several phonecalls, similar to what I did with Darren Bennett when I was in that same situation. I wanted to find out as much as I possibly could about the game, the country and things that I would have to deal with along the way.
On the NFL's growing popularity in Australia …
We have definitely raised the awareness of the NFL greater than it has been before. Everyone knows about the NFL in Australia. They watch the Super Bowl and the Monday Night games that are played on Tuesday morning in Australia. Now there are more athletes over there that think, "There may be an opportunity for me." That's up to them individually to say that they are able to make the sacrifices and get over here, find an opportunity and make the most of that opportunity.
On whether there will an Australian player in the NFL who is not a punter …
You'll have to ask the coaches. When I first came over here I saw that opportunity for a lot of players to at least come in here and see what it was like. Now, understanding the game and the specifics of each position, I think it is going to be tougher because the best athletes in Australia are growing up wanting to play Australian Rules football. They make it in that system. The athletes that don't make it aren't equipped enough to make it over here. You might find one or two later on down the track. Colin Scotts did play a few years back.
LB BRYAN THOMAS
On the Jets' defense …
I can't really say what isn't going right. I can speak for myself and say that I have to work harder, be more productive and go out there and take care of business. I take a lot of that responsibility, but as far as anyone else in this locker room, I can't speak for them.
On not having any sacks …
The main thing is going out there and being victorious. Individual accolades come as they are. The main thing is trying to be successful on the field as a team.
On Wednesday's practice …
A lot of the things we worked on were a lot of fundamental stuff that we worked on in training camp. This previous game we struggled against the run, so we took a lot of that stuff that we weren't successful with on the field, brought it into practice and tried to work on the things we needed to work on. I feel like yesterday's practice was really productive.
RB LEON WASHINGTON
On the Jets' running game …
It's just a turn of events with the way the games have turned out. We have to improve on the running game. The players, coaches and running backs have to improve on that part of the game. It's a team effort. There's not one thing you can point out. It's just collectively getting better. We're working on that.
On the importance of having success with the running game …
We all know how important it is to run the football in the National Football League. It definitely gives you an edge if you can run the ball well. We're working hard and getting better. When that snowball does accumulate and roll on, we should be ready for it and be prepared for it when it happens.
