Transcript of quarterback Mark Sanchez's afternoon news conference in front of his locker following the Jets' Thursday afternoon practice at the Atlantic Health Training Center:
On what he thinks of the change at right tackle…
I trust Coach's decision. I think both guys are going to help us. Austin [Howard]'s earned his shot to play and I know that's a good role for Wayne [Hunter]. Ultimately, its Coach's decision and both of those guys have my support, so whatever works best for the team.
On if he thinks Hunter has been a scapegoat for the offensive problems this preseason.…
I don't know. I'm sure on the outside it might look that way but we all had our share in not scoring a touchdown yet. We're in the red zone and I had a pass picked off and taken back for a touchdown. So, we all had our share of mistakes and we've all had games where we haven't played our best. It's not just one guy's fault, we all had a hand in it.
On his goals for Sunday's game…
I think the most important thing is just being sharp. On Sunday night, we want to play well, we want to play fast, keep up our tempo. And then when we get down into the red zone, we have to execute a little better. We can't have penalties. We have to avoid penalties and turnovers in the red zone. That's what has been keeping us from scoring. Other than that, we move the ball fairly well between the 20's. We have to keep that part of it up.
On what he liked about the offense from the Giants game…
There were a lot of good plays, some catches out on the edge by Patrick Turner. Stephen [Hill] got involved with the second unit pretty well. I thought the running game looked great. I thought Matt Slauson and Nick Mangold and Shonn Greene, the three of them probably had one of their best 30 plays of football that they've ever had on film. It looked awesome. So there's been flashes. Now we just have to put it all together.
On how it would feel to score a touchdown this preseason …
Well, it's nice. Obviously, I've said it before, we're an offensive unit. The point is to be on the offensive and score points. It obviously helps the defense and our team, so that's the overall goal. We just have to keep on improving and the points will come.
On the decision to make a change at right tackle…
I think Coach had a good pulse on it and felt that this is the right time. I trust Coach Ryan and Coach Sparano in that decision, a personnel decision. Both of those guys are going to help us a lot and both of them are going to play a lot. They both have my support and I think we'll do alright.
On Howard's progress…
Well, I know last year he showed some flashes on scout team and stuff when he had chances to play with the starting group, he did a good job. All he's been doing is improving this camp, this preseason. He's a tough competitor, a guy who wants to get it right, who wants to work hard. So it's been good to watch him mature a little bit and keep growing.
On how it feels to have Jeremy Kerley and Santonio Holmes back in some of the practices…
It's great. I love JK. He's quick and explosive. We got a mix of a little Santonio again out there today and it just felt like things started to click again. You get explosive playmakers like that back, it really can boost your offense.
On if he feels that he's had enough reps with Kerley and Holmes…
Well, you know, this game's coming no matter what. We can't turn back now. Those guys have to listen to their body and come back as soon as they're ready. But we're pushing them hard and our training staff is doing a great job getting them back as soon as possible. So, ready or not.
On Hunter playing the Jumbo tight end role…
He's done great in that role before as swing tackle. I know Rex was quoted saying that. Then that Jumbo tight end role, both of those guys work really well together. I think Wayne knows that position better than anybody. If that's the right fit for our team, then that's the direction we'll go. We have full faith in both of those guys and Coach Sparano and Rex's decision.
On if he will be concerned if they don't score on Sunday….
I don't think like that. I just don't think in hypotheticals like that. All I can see is us doing well, and preparing well like we are, having a great practice again like we did today and staying positive through the whole thing and not worrying about it. The points will come.
On what the offense needs to get out of Sunday's game…
I think most importantly is just being efficient, keep up the pace and tempo, take care of the football, and once we get into the red zone we can't hurt ourselves with penalties and a turnover like last week.
On making the sure the offense stays positive…
Overall, it was a tough experience. But at the same time, you take away a lot of the good things as well. We were the No. 1 offensive team in the league [in the red zone last season]. We ran the ball really well at times when we got back to our identity with our two-back stuff. We can run the ball really well. We have the guys up front that can move around on the offensive line and protect really well. Now, we've added a couple more receivers and some of our guys are coming back. We're really in a good spot. I know it doesn't look like it from the outside, but that's OK. The most important thing to learn from last year, other than taking care of the football, was stick with the guys in here. Don't worry about outside opinions. Stay focused on our goals and our preparation and keep supporting each other, because that's where I think some of the breakdown was last year.
On if it's unusual for him to have so many snaps in the preseason…
No, I think that's pretty normal. Pretty much what we've done before.
On the amount of time the third and fourth QBs get…
I mean, I'm sure that fourth game will be theirs. So that'll kind of even things out I'd assume. But playtime, that's a coaching decision all the way.
On how Holmes looked today…
He looked pretty good today. He was moving around well and our guy's back, JK's back too. That was awesome. It was good to see him running around making some great catches. I know he's got some fresh legs so that was nice.
On if it's important to get some reps with Holmes on Sunday…
Sure. Hopefully, Santonio will be on the field. We're all pushing for him play. And he's a competitor. He'll do the right thing and get out there.
On how comfortable they are running the Wildcat without running it in the preseason…
I feel good about it [laughter]. It's cool with me.
On what he feels good about…
I feel good about our tempo.
On areas where he's grown…
I think a good example is just like today. Today was hot, it was a long practice and the temptation is to "All right, I can kind of put one in here, I can go 90 percent. I can do this, I can double reset and wait on a route." Little things like that. Then they start becoming habit. So today was a great chance for me to pull Stephen aside, and pull a couple of the young guys aside, "Hey, don't put one in today. Fight it. I know. I know it's hard, I know it is. Trust me, I've been there. Just fight through it, man. Stay positive. Smile. Run from drill to drill. I know you're exhausted, but we're going to get in that cold tub after and it'll be fine. And we'll go study and get ready for tomorrow and get some good sleep. But don't fake it." I think that was a good example, just drawing from today. Every day it's a new challenge. With different personnel in here and new guys around us, it all presents a new challenge. And now, I think one of the most important things I'm trying to do, with all this stuff, is just attack it. Whether it's a blitz, I'm trying to attack it. Whether its coverage, lets attack their coverage. Whether it's a run check, I'm going to attack that. Even if it's an interview, whatever it is, I'm really trying be proactive about it and prepare and do my best.
On if he talked to Hunter after the change his position…
Yes.
On his reaction to the change at right tackle…
Well, we trust coach's decision and I have faith in both those guys. I know both of them can play well. I know Austin's really working hard. I know Wayne knows that swing tackle position better than anybody. And he's comfortable in that position. The most important thing I think both of those guys would say it is, what's best for the team. Coach said that was it and that's it.
On the pressure of being a quarterback…
Like you said, it is a good thing. For me it's always been a good thing. There's more pressure in the playoffs. That's where I played my best. Now this year, each year, it seems to grow, so that's good. When expectations are high, usually performance is better. I'm OK with that. I understand that's part of the territory. Anytime you ever feel that pressure, you just look around at the guys we have. The guys that are going to take the pressure off you. That's where I'm pretty fortunate here to have a Nick Mangold and the offensive line we have. To have Shonn Greene who can carry the rock 30 times a game. Have receivers that can go out and make plays, a Dustin Keller, who I've been with for four years now. So it's a good spot even though there's a lot of pressure.
On if he has to give himself pep talks…
I'm confident in my ability. My confidence never waivers. I've said it before when I get out on the field I'm the best there's going to be. That's just the way you've got to play. No matter what. Anytime something bad happens, I got this from Coach Carroll, if you know your shooting percentage and you miss your first twelve shots, but you're a 58 percent shooter, than lookout because your next 20 are going to be pretty good. So it's just the way things go, but I'm confident.
On this season…
It's a big year for all of us. We're all ready just to start playing again. I think the guys are excited. I said it earlier in spring, there's just a good vibe around here. So regardless of any outside pressure, we're putting a lot of pressure on each other, on ourselves, so it's good.
