Transcripts of Chad Ochocinco's and Marvin Lewis' conference calls with Jets reporters on Tuesday:
BENGALS WR CHAD OCHOCINCO
On the Bengals season…
Where do I start? It's been nothing like we expected. We haven't put it together well at all. One minute, we're doing well one quarter, the next quarter we're flat. [We've had] a lot of mistakes [and] a lot of turnovers. It's always something different each week and we've yet to play a complete game. Every team has turnovers. Every team has penalties, but they're able to overcome them. We're putting ourselves in a situation where we damn near have to play perfect football and you know that's impossible.
On if the loss to the Bills was the low point of the season…
Yes, that's ridiculous. In a game of Madden, on a video game, if you're up 31-14 or whatever the score was at halftime, it's impossible to comeback on a video game. For it to happen in real life is unbelievable. I couldn't put my finger on what happened. I still put that on the offense because if the other team scores 49 [points] that means we've got to score 50 [points].
On the Jets blowing a 16-point lead against Houston…
You know it happens. They blew a lead, but who won the game? That's the difference. The Jets are able to have a mishap, but then still find a way to win at the end. We're having mishaps, but we're not winning at the end because we're not able to overcome adversity and some of the things that we're putting ourselves in. It's our own fault.
On Darrelle Revis…
He's doing the same things he's always done. He's solidifying himself as the best cover corner in the league. Again, regardless of what people think about the matchup, this is a great matchup between himself and I. If it's him and Terrell [Owens] or even myself and [Antonio] Cromartie, either way it goes, this is a matchup for all to watch. It's always a joy going against him, [with] him being one of the best corners in the league and me being probably the best route runner when it comes to running routes and getting open, separation and the whole nine yards. This is a great measuring stick for him and myself, so I'm really looking forward to that challenge going against him again. It's always fun. Always.
On Revis saying that he will be matching up against Terrell Owens…
Either way it doesn't matter. Cro [Antonio Cromartie] is just as good. Cro is actually a little more difficult because he's so freaking rangy and it's hard to gage where he's at. It's like he's five yards away from you and he sticks his hands out [and] he can still touch you, so he's at an advantage also. Those are the two guys I've studied to a 'T' man. I've put more effort into studying those two than anybody else, because in the NFL right now they're probably the best one-two cornerback tandem period besides the two guys we have.
On Antonio Cromartie being more difficult to go against…
Oh yeah man. Both of them are difficult period because they're completely two different types of corners. Cro is really difficult man. He's really long. He's fast. They're both fast. They both bring something different to the table which is really good because they're both difficult to beat. You have to beat each one a different kind of way.
On he and Owens against Revis and Cromartie being a great primetime matchup…
Most definitely. I think that's one of the highlights of this game is to be able to see not just two teams go at it regardless of the records, where I believe it will be a good game regardless of our record because we're coming to play. We're coming to play as a team and from my standpoint and Terrell's standpoint, we're looking to go out there and have fun, be productive and help us do all we can to win. What's making it interesting is that we have those two to go against, so it's going to be nice. I'm really excited.
On how much he has had playing with Owens…
I'm loving it. I'm loving every minute of it. I'm playing on the side of a legend. I have no problems [with it]. That's why when I heard the news and of course we all know I lobbied for it to get Terrell here. My whole expectations were if I could get someone of his caliber here, the skies the limit for us as a team. The expectations, it didn't go so well. OK, it didn't go so well. One of the things that I take is I've got a chance to play with one of the best to ever put on a football uniform period. I'm cherishing every moment, every game, every bit of influence, every bit of knowledge he's given me. It's fun.
On what he's learned from Owens…
On the field. I know Terrell off the field extremely well, but the thing is, we've never played together. Now I'm learning of the animal, the monster he becomes when the whistle blows at [game time]. [It's] unbelievable. I'm just enjoying every minute of it. He's cool. He's awesome. He's a great teammate. I would wish and I would hope to continue to play alongside of him for years to come.
On how he thinks Revis will do covering Owens…
I'm not sure. We'll have to see. We're not sure. It's going to be a challenge for all four of us as a whole. We'll see what happens.
On the Jets struggling against teams with losing records…
This is the NFL. A record means nothing unless you are totally dominant. There really aren't teams this year that are totally dominating week in and week out. Games can be close. It's a game of inches. Anything can happen. You can't overlook anybody because of their record. Our games have been close. Last year, we had close games, but we were on the winning ends of them. This year, we've had close games and been we're on the losing ends of them. It happens, so we're going to have to see what happens.
On Mark Sanchez being an exciting player…
Of course. We're both Mexican. Of course he's excited. That's my carnale. He's good. To be able to come into that atmosphere and environment in New York, with the monster that the media is there, and to be successful and to be able to carry that weight on your shoulders and just knowing when things aren't going well, you take the heat and when things are going good, it is what it is. He's handled it perfect. He's handled it really, really well.
On what Santonio Holmes has meant for Sanchez…
Santonio is what he's always been, clutch. Santonio's no different than giving Kobe Bryant the ball with 2.4 seconds to go with the Lakers. Period. That's what Santonio is. Clutch. It's always been that way.
On if he knows Santonio Holmes…
Yeah, I mean we're from two different parts of Florida, but dealing with Santonio for years while he was in Pittsburgh, we grew to know each other. I'm fond of his game and I'm sure there is a respect [that] he has for me [like] I have for him.
On if the team wants revenge on the Jets after last season…
We look to win every game. Focusing on last year is not going to help us this year. I haven't thought about last year at all. I'm studying film of this year and seeing what the Jets have done this year and that's been my focus. As far as them beating us twice last year, last year's team is gone. I think last year's team was 10-6 going into the playoffs. Right now, this year, we're 2-8 and we're trying to get a win.
On the atmosphere in the Cincinnati locker room…
It's upbeat, trust me. As long as I'm here, it's going to be upbeat. I don't care if we were 0-15, I'm going to make sure everybody is smiling on this end. I bring that positive energy. I'm smiling every day and keeping everybody going. Everybody feeds off my energy and they still the same. Terrell [Owens] is the same way. You're getting a double-dose of positivity even though things aren't going well. We're keeping everybody heads level [and] focused. There's no formula to it except to go out and work hard, and that's what we continue to do.
On Terrell Owens saying the team was "terrible"…
[It was] 31-14, [but] you lose 49-31. I mean, that's like playing Madden on 'all-pro.' That doesn't happen. It shouldn't happen.
BENGALS HEAD COACH MARVIN LEWIS
On what it's like preparing during a short week…
I think it's a difficult thing. It's hard on guys' bodies. This will be, I think, our fourth game in 17 days. To play on Sundays for some of the guys, as physical as the games are on Sunday, a lot of times they're not back on the practice field until Thursday. To have to do that on short notice, it's difficult.
On if playing a team you faced twice last year helps you prepare on a short week…
If it were a division team, I would say yes. Since we don't play them regularly, the Jets are not someone that you see week-in, week-out in our video exchanges that often, so it's a little different that way. I think sometimes, to play a division team, [is better]. We've done this before. We've been in a maybe, three or four week turnaround. I think that makes a bit of difference. Last year was a long time ago and obviously they've changed some of their personnel and added to the things they have, both offensively and defensively. They're a little different and playing very well.
On what he has seen this season that makes this Jets team different from last season's team…
I think they're very confident. I think they're playing with confidence. Obviously, that's evident in them, the way they've won over the last three or four weeks. They expect to win and they're making plays to win football games at the end.
On Mark Sanchez…
We saw, I think, the best of him last year [laughing]. From our standpoint, he kind of picked up where he left off.
On the matchups of Terrell Owens and Darrelle Revis and Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Cromartie…
I think our guys have to do a great job of being very disciplined in routes. Those guys, Darrelle [Revis] and [Antonio] Cromartie, they're playing very well. We have to do a very good job of being disciplined and on-point. [We have to] do a good job and try to create some space and some separation from those two guys because they are playing very well.
On keeping the team focused when they seem to be out of playoff contention…
You draw upon guys being professional [and] guys going out to get their job done to help further their career and make sure that they continue to play at the standard they set and go beyond. That's the thing. This is a big thing for us. It's a good opportunity, Thursday night. It comes quickly and they better to go play and put their best stuff out there. Everybody's watching.
On Terrell Owens this season…
I think Terrell's come in and he's really worked hard to learn a different offense [and] to learn to try to get to the right spots as much as he can. I think he's led by example and he's done a good job that way. He's very, very tough and he plays through pain, he plays through injury. He doesn't like to miss time. I think that, to me, is a part that you don't know about this guy. Obviously, he's been nicked up a little bit this year, but he doesn't want to come out of practice, doesn't want to miss time and just keeps on going.
On Chad Ochocinco's up-and-down production…
I think, at that position, you can't dictate what happens with coverage and so forth. You just have to be diligent, be disciplined and be at the right breaks at the right time. Based on the coverage and what's going on, that's where the ball is going to get delivered. I don't think you can predict it and that's the difficult thing.
On the challenges the Jets offense presents…
First of all, you have to be able to stop the run. We have to do a good job of tackling. They're two very good runners in [Shonn] Greene and [LaDainian] Tomlinson. We have to do a great job of that, playing good, sound gap-control defense. Secondly, [we have to] do a nice job in leverage on the wide receivers because they can make big plays. They can turn short catches into big gains and we need to do a good job that way.
On playing on Thanksgiving in front of a national audience…
It's exciting. As I said, it's a good opportunity. We've had a lot of bad this football season, thus far, that we're not happy with. We have a chance and another opportunity to go out there and put our best foot forward.
