Transcript of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's informal news conference following Tuesday's midday practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
On if the team has began looking ahead to the Baltimore Ravens…
Sure. We're looking at a lot of Baltimore film and preparing for that. As we expected, they're a great team, fly around to the football, they're coached really well so we need to bring our best and study.
On how it will feel sitting out the game on Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles…
It's a little different. I know we're working on some conditioning. A lot of the starters that aren't playing are doing stuff before the game during warm-ups to get a workout in, which is, I think, smart. It's good for us to get moving a little bit. Then it's about supporting the guys that are playing, helping them when they come to the sideline, if there's anything we see we can help them with, just like they do for us when we're playing on Sunday. We need to do our best job.
On if he would like to play some of the game on Thursday…
It doesn't matter, either way. Sure, we'd all love to play, but Rex [Ryan] wants to be smart and Rex wants to get a look at the other players on the team and give them a chance to play, so this is an important one for them. I think Philadelphia is viewing it the same way, as well.
On the last time he sat on the sidelines and didn't play in a game…
At SC, so only a couple of years ago.
On what he'll be looking to do when he's on the sidelines…
Just like [Mark] Brunell helps me and Kellen [Clemens] helps me, I'll be looking at coverage, wearing the playcaller headset, focusing, paying attention and helping out as much as I can. Hopefully, they'll let me make a few calls or something like that. That'd be nice.
On if he believes the offense is progressing…
I think so. I think that'll just depend on my continued growth and maturation. I think, after this training camp, we feel a lot better about it than we did last year, that's for sure. I have to keep growing. I can't stop, and each week we have to go with what we feel good about. Things that are questionable and we feel like we don't need them to win, throw them out and do what we do best—be able to run the ball always and hopefully, it will open up a little bit.
On if he thinks the offense will be still be simplified like it was last year…
Well, I think it will be a little different, but that's because I've shown so much improvement. Now, it's just when we get those extra plays and different packages that we still make the right decisions, like I did towards the end of the year, even though we didn't make the Super Bowl. That's going to be the most important part of it.
On how the team has been preparing for Baltimore…
This is the good practice week with our routine and study for Baltimore. That's what I've been doing, watching first and second down, third down, red zone and goal line, going through my routine all the way through and practicing that way, and scripting for that, so we're ready to go.
On if he's happy the way the preseason has gone…
Sure. I think we would've liked to perform a little better in a couple of those preseason games, but that's behind us and we have to learn from those mistakes and be ready to go when it counts.
On if there has been too much focus on the offense's struggles this preseason…
I don't think we're too worried about it. We're confident. We're excited about this next challenge and we know that it's time to get going. We have a little over a week to prepare, so we need to play that way and show that we're ready.
On Santonio Holmes playing on Thursday…
I think he has a chance to show a lot this game. He knows that. The coaches have explained that to him. He'll be a big help.
On what Holmes can do on the field…
The guy is unbelievable. As a player, that just speaks for itself, the way he's able to take a hitch route and 60 yards or something like that. The guy is explosive. He's smart, he has a great football IQ. He knows when to sit down and went to get moving through zones. He knows when the defense is near him and how to adjust his routes, accordingly. Most importantly, he fits into that receivers room really well. A seamless transition.
On not having Holmes for four games…
I think the best part is that, hopefully, we're sitting at 4-0. We come back, he's here, and we get a little boost in that room. It will save a guy's legs. It'll help out Schotty [Brian Schottenheimer] with the play calls. It only helps.
On getting to know Holmes…
He's cool. He's great, a good guy, always has questions about practice, about the script. We talk through routes and really getting to know each other. He's a sharp guy, and he does a great job on the field. A really good communicator, so I'm definitely pleased with the way our relationship has grown and it's only going to get better.
On starting to look at film of Baltimore…
Absolutely. That's what this week has been about since we're not playing in the Philly game. We're ready to cheer our guys on and help them during the game, but we've simulated a game week, preparation-wise, in the film room, on the board and even in practice for Baltimore. It's been a good week so far. We'll get after it again next week and make some final changes and tune-ups, and be ready to play.
On comparing the Ravens defense to the Jets…
It's very similar, but they have their nuances that differ from our guys. It's important to see those, identify those, see if there's any tips that we get, and not to get confused with the two because there are differences.
On being on the cover of "Sports Illustrated" with Nick Mangold in the Northeast…
All right. Nick? That's really cool. I'm excited for him, the contract and the cover. Very cool.
