"From the low of being demoted less than two months ago to the highs, literally and figuratively, of his performance against San Diego, Kerry Rhodes has remained the same.

And the Jets' free safety believes that attitude is what got him through what he now refers to as the "situation."

Rhodes said Wednesday, "my confidence never wavered. I'm a confident guy. … I knew in my situation I was going to break through just because of the type of person I am. I'm not going let any situation bring me down.

"Even when things like that happen," he added, "you never know at the end of the day what can come from it. So you want to play your best and show other people that may take interest in you that you can still get the job done."

There was a lot of speculation at that time that perhaps Rhodes and the Jets would like to part ways, even though Rhodes only is in the second year of a five-year contract. But that doesn't seem likely anymore.

"I'm happy right here, man," Rhodes said. "We have a big thing right in front of us right now. It's all about this team and trying to help this team win."

That's something Rhodes did against the Chargers, finishing with eight tackles, including a strip-sack of Philip Rivers in the fourth quarter. With 2:12 left, Rhodes leaped high in the air to snare Nate Kaeding's onside kick, enabling the Jets to gain possession and ultimately run out the clock.

"I'm happy that we have Kerry Rhodes on our side," coach Rex Ryan said after the game."