EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Josh Cribbs may have only been a New York Jet for a week, but the kick returner was as enthusiastic as his teammates who turned the locker room into a postgame party after a 30-27 OT win over the New England Patriots.
“The vibe that’s here, it’s a winning vibe and it’s different for me and I’m loving it,” Cribbs said. “And in crucial situations when the game is on the line this team didn’t falter. They showing that they can advance and I’m glad to be a part of this team because I was in Cleveland and we had a lot of tight games that didn’t go our way and I’m glad to be a Jet.”
Cribbs returned kicks and punts in his Jets debut, but he also was used as a wide receiver and took a direct snap on a wildcat play. He had three carries for 14 yards in addition to returning three punts for 44 yards and a kickoff for 17 yards.
“He looked pretty good,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said, “like the old Josh Cribbs. I was just happy that he was on my sideline and not the other one. For a guy that’s been out, you see those great return skills.”
Cribbs said the team wanted to mix it up as much as possible to confuse the Patriots. The Jets and Patriots have now split their regular-season meetings this year.
“We’re going to make a run for this thing,” Cribbs said. “I want to take it game by game but it’s hard to overlook.”
Cribbs also was impressed by the way Jets quarterback Geno Smith rebounded from an interception in the first half.
“For him to come back (from the interception),” Cribbs said, “and show this team everyone that, ‘Hey I’m a winner, I’m going to get it done, I’m a playmaker,’ and to be stout in the pocket and deliver good balls and come back lead our team to victory is great.”