Transcript of Mark Sanchez's and Geno Smith's news conferences with Jets reporters following Wednesday morning training camp practice at SUNY Cortland:
QB MARK SANCHEZ
On what he is looking to accomplish against Jacksonville…
Just improve on some of the things from the last preseason game, be real sharp with our personnel stuff and continue to improve as a team. I think we're on the right track and I think the games are a good test for us to see the depth of our roster, what guys are going to help us come fall.
**
On Marty Mornhinweg calling more passing plays in the first preseason game…**
I'm cool with that. That's cool. I like it. He's got a good feel and a good pulse of our team. We trust Marty to make the right calls and run exactly what he's calling. So I'm comfortable with whatever we do. In some games, you know, you've been around it enough, some games you end up running the ball to win, some games you end throwing it to win, some games it's balanced. So whatever happens we need to be ready to handle all of that.
On if he knows if he is starting against Jacksonville…
I have no idea. Ask Rex [Ryan].
On if it affects him not knowing if he is starting…
Not really. I mean, it doesn't change anything. I'm just focusing each day on the reps that I get. Preparing the night before, just trying to stay sharp. I feel like I have throughout the duration of camp, so we'll see what happens.
On how he feels the quarterback competition went during training camp…
I think it went about as well as it could. I felt good throughout the duration of camp. I thought I threw the ball well. I was accurate. I did my best to take care of it and move the team down the field. I thought we did that really well in spurts. I thought we got a little more consistent as things went on. We just have to keep improving. I felt fine with the rotation. Hopefully soon they'll make a decision and we'll roll.
On if it would logically make sense for Geno Smith to start the second preseason game since it's an open quarterback competition…
I have no idea. And I didn't really think about it. So whatever.
On if the team would name the starting quarterback for the regular season before the third preseason game…
I don't know. That's the way they did it before, so I have no idea. It's up to John [Idzik] and Rex.
On maintaining his professional working relationship with Smith after the regular-season starting quarterback is named…
Nothing's going to change. Just keep practicing hard, playing hard, supporting each other. If you approach it that way, you just handle it. It'll naturally take care of itself.
On Ryan Spadola's performance in training camp…
Ryan's a baller. He's a really good player, he's sharp, he's savvy, he runs hard, gets in and out of his cuts well. I think he's got a little better speed than people think.
On practicing against all the new faces on defense…
They still look sharp. They still look as aggressive as always, as tough as always, in their front seven. Then some of the talent like [Dawan] Landry coming in, he's a tough guy and a rangy guy and he plays really well. I know Rex loves him. I know Rex was fired up about getting Barnesy [Antwan Barnes] in here, too. That's another big pickup for us that can help our pass rush. I think a lot of those new faces are really going to help us and then a lot of the talent that we already had in Antonio Allen. He looks a lot bigger, stronger, faster. He just looks like a more developed player this year and he had a great camp. I'm proud of those guys and the way they competed and excited to go play together, finally, for the rest of the deal here.
On if he feels that the defense is faster this season in practice…
Guys aren't open for long and they never are at this level. If somebody does make a good play on offense, it has to be a good play. Nothing's just, screaming wide open and a laugher. These guys have played really well. They really tightened things up and on defense they look sharp. That's just a testament to Rex. He knows defense really well and knows how to get guys to play for him, motivate them and they look good.
On if his experience has made learning the new offense easier…
I think experience only helps. I don't want to speak for Geno. I'll speak for myself and just say that I thought the offense came pretty naturally. I think Marty does a good job of mixing up calls and keeping the quarterback comfortable and Coach Lee does a great job of just keeping us accountable every day for that install. Whether it's a test in the morning on protections or routes or whatever it is, we had more tests, I felt like I was back in school.
On how he has done on his tests…
Good, I do well. I feel good.
On if the tests are different now…
We've had them before but not like pop quiz in your face, right after lunch, bam and just staying sharp, but that's good, it's good to keep your mind sharp.
On if he noticed how Smith performed on those tests…
No, I don't care. I'm not worried about it. I just get mine and turn it in and that's it.
On if there is something in the offensive scheme that is helping the receivers…
Well, I know Marty just does a good job of putting guys in the right spot, trying to get guys in a place to be successful in that position, but I think a lot of it has to do with the talent we have too. Guys, they really understand how to run routes at the receiver position, especially being with Sanjay [Lal] for two years. That's when you get a feel for your coach and I think it helps a lot having him back. But I think [Jeremy] Kerley is only improving, Jeff [Cumberland] is only improving. The longer they're around, the more experience they get, the better those guys play, so it's a good thing. Hopefully, we have a good thing going and we'll just keep building on it.
On Chris Ivory…
Chris is a great player. He works hard, he's just going to be fun to have and hopefully that will be a good change up for us to have a big power back like that, a guy that can run hard like that, so he'll definitely help us.
QB GENO SMITH
On how his ankle feels after today's practice…
Things are feeling good. I've been getting progressively better. I'm feeling pretty good. I was able to go out there and push this week and get some good work in.
On if his ankle caused him to have any limitations in practice…
Hasn't been any. I haven't really been trying to use it as an excuse. I've been going out there and giving it my all. I think I've done a good job of just pushing through this week.
On if he knows who's going to start the preseason game against Jacksonville…
We don't know yet. We'll find out in a few days to come and then we'll go from there.
On what he thinks it means to his teammates that he was able to practice on a hurt ankle…
I wasn't trying to really show them anything other than get out here and just continue to practice and gel with my teammates. I hate the fact that everybody tries to make this about me, because it's not. It's about this team and these guys out here and we all work hard together. Everybody is out there battling injuries. We've all got to come together and just continue to do as we've always done, which is to go out there and just work hard and get better.
On how he felt his first training camp went…
It's the first of many. I think I did a great job of just picking up the offense. As an offense, we're going to continue to get better. Everyone's going to continue to gel. We have many practices ahead. A long schedule ahead of us and were going to continue to get better at everything single thing.
On if he will get more chances to throw downfield in the second preseason game…
I don't know. It's up to Marty [Mornhinweg]. It's the preseason and I'm not sure exactly what he wants. Whatever the play that's sent in to me, I'll go out there and execute. Marty calls the plays. He calls the shots and we do as he says.
On if he feels like he will get more chances in this game…
I just run the plays as they are called. I don't know exactly what Marty is going to call. It usually differentiates between down and distance, and exactly what he wants to see. So whatever the play is called and when it's sent into me, I'll go out there and execute it. That's what it's about. It's never about me. It's always about every single guy on that field getting out there and working hard, and that's what I try and do every single time. I try and go out there and lead this offense and take advantage of every single opportunity.
On what caused his interceptions today…
I don't know. You have to watch the tape. I'm pretty sure you have it, just go ahead and watch it [joking].
On the most important thing he has learned up here at training camp…
I've learned to continue to push no matter what. I'm not going to have the best days every single time, but that's what we practice for. You want to get every single look, every scenario, and you want to just continue to work hard and progressively get better as an offense, and I think that's something we've done overall. I think every guy is getting more familiar with the offense, and getting more comfortable in their roles and it's only going to get better.
On if he wants to start against Jacksonville…
No comment, next question.
On if the statements from West Virginia teammates questioning leadership on the team are an indictment on him…
Not at all and I'm pretty sure everyone has cleared that up by now. As I stated, I hate the fact that you guys try to make it about me. It's not about me, it never was when I was in college, junior high school, high school. It's a team sport, it's a team game when we all go out there and compete together as a team. It's the same thing here, so that's what it's all about. I love my teammates at West Virginia, I love those coaches, I had a great time there and I wish them the best.
On balancing getting along and competing with Mark Sanchez…
We've done a great job having a great working relationship. We're good friends off the field. Mark's a very cool dude. He's taught me a lot in my short stint here. He's a consummate professional, he's been through a lot and he's handled it very well and that's something that you can respect about the guy. He comes out there daily [and] he competes and that's something that makes me better and makes him better as well.
On if he would have a reaction if the fans booed Sanchez against Jacksonville…
I wouldn't. Hopefully they don't. I don't think he deserves that. I think our fans should come out and always support the guys on the team, but I wouldn't have a reaction to it other than to continue to support him and be his teammate.
On having limited interaction with Sanchez on the field…
I don't know how you could see that from two guys in helmets. We talk out there, we interact. I think that's just your assessment of it.
On if it was beneficial for the team coming to Cortland for training camp…
Oh yeah. It gives us a great opportunity to bond. Every guy gets out here, kind of gets you out of your comfort zone. It lets you know what we're about here, all about football. It's been football school 24/7 on the field, off the field and it's helping every single guy grow.
On if Sanchez's experience gives him an edge learning a new offense…
I think you'll have to ask Mark that. That's not really a question for me to answer. My only job is to go out there and when it comes to the playbook, I study the playbook on my own with the coaches and we all get together and study at times, but that's really just his assessment. You have to ask him, I can't really answer that.
On a percentage of how much more comfortable he is with offense now than in rookie mini-camp…
I wouldn't say a percentage. I'm a lot more comfortable. That just comes with repetition. It comes from studying the offense. It also comes from beginning to gel more with your wide outs, with your offensive linemen and everyone just coming together. We come out here and we practice hard every day, and that's made us better.
On if he will have the same relationship with Sanchez when the competition is over…
Of course, you have to. You don't want to allow the competition to affect you as a teammate. You have to be able to be a professional and do your job.
On if his ankle is limiting him…
Not one bit.
On if the ankle will be a hindrance for playing Saturday night…
If I'm out there, no. I can't make any excuses, I won't make any. If I'm out there on Saturday night, I'm going to give it my all and just go out there and not think about it.
On if he has heard any plans for playing time on Saturday…
Not yet.
On if the health of the ankle will factor…
Not one bit. As you've seen, I've been out here practicing. I haven't missed a rep. I haven't missed a drill. I haven't sat out one bit. I'm just continuing to get treatment and get better.
