"One of the most resounding messages out of the Jets locker room yesterday came from one of their most reserved, soft-spoken players.

"I think the NFL is very aware of the New York Jets right now," receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "We're starting to build something special around here. We played the way we talked about playing in the beginning of the offseason when Rex [Ryan] first got here. We'll continue to do that."

Cotchery made a plea for the Jets to keep 31-year-old running back Thomas Jones, who appeared to slow late in the year despite having a terrific 1,402-yard rushing season with 14 touchdowns.

With the emergence of rookie Shonn Greene, speculation about Jones' future has already begun."