Transcript of quarterback Mark Sanchez's news conference at his locker following Wednesday's midday practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
On the Braylon Edwards incident…
As for the issue of the day, I think we're focused on Miami. I know as for Braylon, he issued a statement, Mr. Tannenbaum issued a statement and that it's a pending legal matter so there's nothing else to add detail-wise. Braylon as a teammate and a friend, I'm supporting him, I know the whole team is. That's our stance. On the football side, we had a great day today, great tempo, we did a great job in practice like always and we're excited about this next opportunity on Sunday.
On if Coach Ryan's message about distractions hit home for him…
Sure, we took the message and we know that message needed to be said. Coming from Coach Ryan, we will go with that and understand that he's serious, he's honest with us all the time. We'll take that to heart.
On what effect the coach's message had on the team…
It was the right message at the right time, and that's it. We're moving on.
On Edwards not starting…
We'll go with the guys we have. I know Braylon will take all the reps he needs to and be ready to play if he does end up playing. We'll treat it like another game. A big-time divisional opponent, a rival, their first game at home. There's plenty going on for this to be an exciting game, so we're thrilled about that opportunity.
On if the Edwards incident will be a distraction going into the game…
I think we're moving on to Miami and we're ready for that challenge. I think they're a tough team, their defense looks great on film and they played Minnesota really well on the road. They're excited to open up their season at home and it's our job to go down there and play mistake free and take care of the football.
On if he has concerns about the Miami defense after its performance against Minnesota…
No concerns, I just know that we're playing against a great opponent. Whenever you do that, ball security is of the utmost importance. The tempo and sharp play at the line of scrimmage, no pre-snap penalties, especially in the noise in an away stadium, those become even more important against a good team. No self-inflicted wounds, we'll have a chance.
On what he remembers about last year's game at Miami…
It's a great place to play, always great weather, so we're expecting to hydrate all week, so hopefully, we avoid cramps for all the skills guys.
On what he took out of last year's game at Miami…
Knowing that it's a divisional rival, we lost to them twice last year, you can go with it.
On if it was a memorable game…
Sure. We played well. We were in right there to the end. They had a good drive and won the game. Other than that, it was a good football game and we're ready for another one. Hopefully, we'll come out on top.
On if Miami is an improved team…
I think so. I think their new defensive scheme suits them pretty well. They have a great front seven. I think Vontae Davis is playing unbelievably well. He's become a great corner in just his second year, so he's doing a good job. We'll expect guys back, like [Channing] Crowder, from injuries. He'll be ready to play and bring his emotions and energy. He's a solid football player, so we'll expect him to play well.
On playing better in the red zone vs. New England…
We really cleaned up a lot of the mistakes from Week 1 and that just gave us a chance. That's all we feel we need as an offense is a chance to play well and put ourselves in second-and-manageable, third-and-manageable. In the red zone, we need to convert, getting points before halftime, letting [Nick] Folk kick a field goal for us — that's huge for us, those points are huge momentum swings for us — and then making big plays when we needed them. Dustin [Keller] came up big last week. We'll expect him and Jerricho [Cotchery] and Braylon and all the guys to have a great game and to have solid protection up front again. As long as we limit mistakes, we'll have a chance.
On if the Edwards incident will impact the team's preparation…
No. This team is focused and prepared. We have great leadership and we're supporting Braylon 100 percent.
On if their main goal is to be supportive of Edwards…
Absolutely. That's the team's stance. That's Mr. Johnson and Mr. Tannenbaum's stance. They've all made their statements, so there's nothing else to add to the issue expect that Braylon had a good practice today and we'll move on.
On if he thinks Edwards was selfish…
I don't have a comment on that. It's a pending legal matter and we're supporting Braylon. We had a good practice and we're getting ready for Miami.
On the revenge factor in playing Miami…
I don't know if it's a revenge thing, I just know that it's a big divisional matchup. With that, there's going to be emotion and energy. It's a huge game, their home opener. That's big. We know they're going to bring their best, and it's our job to play mistake free on offense, let our defense do their usual and hopefully stop their offense. We'll be ready.
On what affect it has on the team when Coach Ryan uses words like "embarrassment"…
I think we take Coach's messages to heart. This one's no different. We'll move on and understand that he wants us to make really good decisions.
On how outside situations impact the locker room…
I think number one and what we always want is we're a family. This whole thing transcends football and we're here to support him, so that's what we're going to do.
On how much players appreciate the PlayerProtect program…
We're focused on Miami right now. I'm not here to talk about a car service program. Statements have been said about it. There's nothing else to say about it except that we're supporting Braylon.
On the problems the Miami defense presents…
These guys are a heck of a team. They're playing with a lot of emotion. [Defensive coordinator Mike] Nolan has done a great job with their defense putting a new scheme in and it suits them really well. We're expecting guys to come back like Crowder and other players. Their front seven is tough, I think Vontae Davis has done a great job, so it's going to be a great matchup for us.
On if it's too early to talk about the importance of this game…
It's never too early to talk about stuff like that. We need to treat this football game like we always do, understand all that's riding on the game, but at the same time, not get caught up in it. There's plenty of external game factors going on. It's their first home game, it's Sunday night football, weather, its going to be hot, you need to hydrate, little things like that. We just need to play our game. Take care of the football and play mistake free.
On if he thinks they owe Miami for the two losses last year…
I don't know about that. Everybody in the division owes every other team a good game and that's the way it'll be. I know both sides will play up for the occasion. I think they're going to bring their best and it's our job to do the same.
On this week compared to last week when the team was being criticized…
Either way, we don't pay too much attention to it. We're focused on what's going on in this building. I thought we had great tempo at practice today. I thought guys looked sharp, excited, into the game plan and I'm feeling comfortable with it already and that's a good sign. So we're thrilled about the opportunity, but we haven't paid much attention to the external.
On if he's had a chance to look over the game video…
It was a good performance for the offense. We didn't have any presnap penalties. That was huge. One holding penalty late in the game and the game was pretty much in hand. When we play mistake-free like that, we don't turn the ball over, either fumbles or interceptions, score like we do in the red zone, we've really got a chance, so I was pleased with our performance as an offense.
On how much they think about the fact that Miami beat them twice last year…
They're a tough team. They did a great job against us last year and there's nothing else we can say except they beat us. It's a new year. We want to start off the right way. We did that in the division last week by beating the Patriots. Now we need to move on and hopefully do the same this week. I don't think there's any revenge factor. They're a division opponent.
On how much not knowing the amount Edwards will play affects his preparation…
I don't think it affects it too much. We'll have guys that will fill in and we'll go with the guys we have. We're supporting Braylon and we expect him to play well when he does play.
On the challenges Miami presents…
Their front seven is great. Their new scheme and Coach Nolan have been really effective. They're playing with energy and emotion. It's their first home game. This is going to be huge for them. We need to match that intensity and be ready to play well on the road. I'm thinking Crowder is going to play. He's a gamer. He's a tough guy. He's a competitor. Vontae Davis has done really well this year already. I think they have six sacks in a couple of games. They're tough.
On if the Jets defense has similarities to Miami's since Nolan came from Baltimore…
It's a stretch. They do their own things and have their own tendencies and that's what we're focused on. There's not too many.
On if Patrick Turner has helped since he was with Miami…
I don't know if he's talked to the defense at all.
On being able to roll out of the pocket…
I've done it forever. I've thrown on the run. I think it makes it tougher on defense when you're not nine-and-a-half yards directly behind the center every time you throw. You just move the quarterback around a little. It changes their angle of attack. It's just a nice change-up for us. I'm comfortable doing it, so Schotty [Brian Schottenheimer] likes calling it. This is a team that has tough edge rushers. When they threaten the edge like that, it's hard to get around them, so sometimes it might be stepping up and then moving out or staying right in the pocket and then trusting your protection. Either way, we need to be ready for their pass rushers.
On a pass from last game that he wouldn't have completed successful last year because of inexperience…
Maybe the flip pass to LT [LaDainian Tomlinson]. The only reason I say that is because Nick [Mangold] is holding up [Vince] Wilfork. He did a great job against him all game. Inevitably, Wilfork will get pressure. He's just one of those guys who has the ability to get pressure. I started to feel it a little bit, moved out of the way and instead of panicking or throwing the ball downfield or trying to force something, I just knew exactly where LT was going to be. He did a great job of sliding in my vision. That's just knowing the protection, knowing the route and exactly where your outlet is. It's almost second nature. I wasn't in position to throw it, so I just flicked it underhand it to him. Him being in the right position is huge, but just knowing he was there, I don't think I would have felt that or clicked in as quickly.
On what he would have tried to do last season…
Maybe try to throw it downfield, late, over the middle, which is never good. That's a huge improvement. Whether LT gets tackled or it's incomplete, that's our ball. We can come back and live to play another play.
On how Edwards not starting affects the offense…
I don't think it does. As soon as he gets in, he'll be ready to play. We know that. We're going to trust that he'll prepare well, just like always. We have guys that will step up in [David] Clowney, Patrick Turner, Jerricho, Dustin. Those guys are going to have to shoulder the load and I know they'll do a good job with it and we'll be ready.
