*Transcript of Jets QB Mark Sanchez's news conference following Wednesday's midday practice: *
On how to guard against a letdown after a big win…
Coach Ryan has done a great job this week resetting our focus, letting us know that yesterday and Monday were the days to celebrate that win. That's it. That's one game on our schedule, one divisional game, and we've moved on. It was a special day for us, it was a great day for our fans and this organization, but that doesn't mean anything if we can't do it this week. We have a great opponent again coming into the Meadowlands and we want to put on a show for our fans again. We've moved on.
On what problems Tennessee's defense presents…
Two bookends in [Jevon] Kearse and [Kyle] Vanden Bosch, an emotional leader and a guy who's in every down in [Keith] Bulluck — he's tough and flies all over the field. They're stingy against the run, have safeties that play downhill — those guys come up and hit running backs hard. Then [Cortland] Finnegan's a tough corner, just a scrappy kind of guy, a blue-collar guy. He'll hit you. He's one of those players that can really frustrate receivers, so we need to play at our very best.
On gaining confidence each week…
I'm just working on that steady climb. I'm trying not to peak too early and trying to improve every week. Each week I feel more and more comfortable with the offense and the game plan. These receivers are making things a lot easier on me, and by receivers I mean Dustin [Keller] as well. He can do it all. He can block, he can run, he can catch, so it's great having him as a weapon. The running backs and then up front, they give me a ton of time to throw. I haven't been knocked down much and they don't plan on changing that at all. It's very reassuring to have such a great group up front. I just have to keep that steady climb and improve each week.
On the Jets avoiding a late-season decline like last year…
They felt last year that they were so worn down and tired and didn't know how to finish that season. I don't think Coach Ryan will let that happen. I think he's got us to move on each week. Each week is its own big game. He gives us that week's keys to victory. We celebrate on Monday. Mondays have been a great day for us the past two weeks. We want another Monday like that this week. That's our goal. Coach Ryan keeps up on intensity and keeps our focus strong. We don't want a letdown and we can't afford to have one.
On working with the offensive coordinator and head coach…
I think they trust me to do whatever the game plan calls for. Last week we didn't throw it quite as much. The first week we put it up 31 times, so whatever it takes each week. They're confident in my ability. They know I can make all the throws in this offense so I don't feel that there's a confidence factor that needs to build. Just me improving each week helps things along and we're comfortable doing anything.
On if the Jets they will throw more this week…
We'll go with what the game plan calls for. We know we have a great running game and we want to keep that up and keep our rush attempts high. If we need to throw it, we'll throw it. We enjoy throwing that ball, too.
On if the coaches are installing more plays each week for him…
Everything is in. They're not holding anything back. I've asked Kellen [Clemens] too. I said, "Am I doing everything right? What do you think? Are we holding back on a lot of plays?" He said, "Dude, this is all we've got. We're throwing a lot at you. Man, you're doing an awesome job with it. Keep it up. Keep studying." What we're doing is working. If we need to hand if off 50 times or put it in the air 50 times, I feel like this offense is prepared and it all starts up front. Those guys can do it all.
On if he's more comfortable knowing that all the plays are in…
Absolutely. In each game, our playbook is huge. It's a monster playbook and each week we just take a small sliver of it and that's what we want to use this week. I feel comfortable doing that and nailing down a game plan, zeroing in on exactly what plays, routes, combinations, runs and checks we want each week. I've felt great about each week's game plan. It's giving me more and more confidence.
On where he thinks he's at right now after playing in two games…
I feel great. Each week I've felt even more comfortable. I have a great routine down. Tuesday nights, that's our off day, but as soon as they finish that game plan, they email me the passes right away and I print them off at home. I've read through them probably 15 times before I even come to the office. I've got my questions written down. I've got my notebook filled out. I'm coming to Schotty [Brian Schottenheimer] early in the morning asking a bunch of questions. I feel more and more comfortable each week. I'm just on that steady climb, improving each week.
On how it felt to have 80,000 fans cheering him on at the Meadowlands…
That was a pretty special feeling. To play at home like that, have the fans support and to hear them all game long just giving opposing quarterbacks fits for us, that was huge for us and we're going to need them every week. We want to thank them and encourage them to be there again this week and support us like they did, but that was a great feeling, hopefully, early in a long career, and hopefully, [there will be] a lot more of those.
On how Clemens has helped him…
Kellen is like your big brother. The best way to describe Kellen, to be totally honest, is if I had a sister, I would want her to marry Kellen. That's totally honest because he is a great guy. When it comes to football, he is well-versed in this offense. He knows exactly what I'm thinking out there. Before the game, he asks, "Hey, is there anything you want me to look at?" I said, "Hey, if you get any tips from the secondary, signals, anything."
When I come off the field, I talk to Schotty and look at the pictures, but I'm talking to Kellen. I say, "Hey, what did you see on that third play of that drive? Was that corner squatting out there? I thought I saw that." Or "Did the Sam tip off his blitz back there where he got me on the fumble? What happened there?" So he's all you could ask for when you want somebody to talk to about football and then anything else. If you need a ride somewhere or need to borrow five bucks, that's the guy Kellen is, just a great guy. I'm very fortunate to have him helping me.
On if he will throw it more because Tennessee has struggled in the secondary…
You said that, not me. They're still a good group and it's been uncharacteristic of a Jeff Fisher and Coach [Chuck] Cecil defense these first two games, but these guys are very capable of turning those stats around. If anything, they're probably licking their chops at a rookie quarterback trying to get after me.
They're going to apply a tough pass rush, I know that, with Kearse, Vanden Bosch, Bulluck is going to be there over the middle and then those guys on the outside. Finnegan, he just shows up more and more on the film. These are guys that we really need to prepare for, another formidable opponent. There are no letdowns each week. We need to be on our game and play smart.
On one example of a play where Clemens really helped him out…
I just know that it's not a one-play thing. It's an every-down deal. He's not afraid to help you. He's not afraid to coach you. He's meant the world to me. He's really helped me along.
On if, with the success of Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, starting rookie quarterbacks will become a trend...
I have a long way to go before I'm compared to Ryan and Flacco. They've played a lot more games than I have at this point. I'm still working. But who knows what other teams will do? When you have a great team like we do and a confident rookie quarterback, it could work out real well for the squad.
On the toughest thing about coming in and starting right away…
One, getting the playbook down. You want to be sharp with that. In between meetings, in the huddle, those in-between situations on and off the field just commanding the respect from the guys. You are focused, ready to play and have the team's best interests in mind and that you are a hard worker. Getting in early and staying here late.
