Transcript of Jets WR Santonio Holmes' late afternoon informal news conference following the afternoon practice of training camp:
On the first day at camp…
I actually didn't think I was going to be ready for it. I've been doing a lot of traveling, a lot of family time and family issues. I think it's just a mental thing. I got back in the groove, and I was ready to go. Coach [Rex Ryan] had to pull me out of the two-minute today because he said, "It's only your first day and you have to play it safe." I had to watch myself a little bit. The first day was great.
On the touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez…
That's what we're here for. To make plays and continue what we started back in OTAs. To continue it in training camp right now is a big start, through my departure, and we want that to translate right to the season.
On coming back after the four-game suspension…
I think it's just a mental thing. It can be as easy as taking a four-game ankle injury. With an ankle injury, I had to sit out four games, but this time, I get an opportunity to continue training. I'm going to take full advantage of that.
On the first impressions of the Jets' offense and defense…
Today we had a pretty good practice. We just didn't end practice the way we should have. On a good note, I think everybody is in the right spot. I made a few bad mistakes here and there on the offensive side, but those things can be corrected anytime.
On if he thought his catch was a touchdown...
I knew it was a touchdown. I felt good that it was a touchdown. Any opportunity to get into the back end, my mental toughness will fight through. My legs go dead, hands concentrate, eyes stay focused on the ball.
On rookie TE Jeff Cumberland's touchdown…
I knew that was a touchdown when Jeff caught it over here. I think he got both feet in. I was watching the whole time. I think the referee made a bad call. We'll see it on film, and we'll be the judge from there.
On missing the first few days of camp…
It's kind of like the guys didn't miss me. They were out here getting work. I was getting text messages from a lot of guys, the coaches and players checking up on me, letting me know everything was OK on their end, that I'm welcome back as soon as I get back. The coaches threw me right into the fire today ready to work.
On the experience with his son…
It was touching. Just knowing that he's 8 years old and has to deal with the surgery at that age, you kind of lose track of everything. I didn't want to think about football. All of my attention was definitely pulled towards him. I gave him all the support that he needed throughout that time.
On how his son is feeling now…
He's doing great right now. He's up, walking around right now. It's still going to take him a couple of weeks before he can be active with anything. Other than that, everything's been going pretty well.
On if his son gave him any parting words…
We asked him at the hospital on Saturday night if I could leave on Monday morning and he told me no. That showed me right then that he really admired my support and me being there for him at this time. I wound up staying until Wednesday before leaving. That's when I ended up here.
On if he will speak to his son…
Once I get home, I'm going to check on him. That's the daily routine from here on out because he's going to be on medication for the rest of his life now. It's definitely going to be tough, but we'll deal with it.
On what surgery his son had…
He had removal of his spleen. It was really bad because he had to get four holes punched into his stomach. It's tough being an 8-year-old with marks all over your body and in a critical point in his stomach.
On where the surgery took place…
We did it in Atlanta.
On why his son needed his spleen removed at this time…
Having his spleen removed was needed at this time. Over the years the doctors told us they can't remove it until he turns about 8 years old because he really needs it at a young age. It was subtly increasing through the years inside his stomach, getting larger, so it was definitely time to do it.
On what his son told him when he left…
He said, "I'll just see you later." That was it. He gave me a hug and told me he loved me and that was it. I think we have a special bond that we understand each other. He knows that Dad works his butt off when I'm here and when I come to practice during the offseason, then the season shows up and I'm done with practices, so he knows what I do. He's excited about me being back to it.
On if his son was at Super Bowl XLIII when he made the winning catch…
He was definitely there. He's the one who ran down the stands and grabbed me right after the Super Bowl.
On how his football career helps bring in money for other children with sickle cell anemia…
My foundation that I started, the Ill & Long Foundation, was more to help raise awareness of sickle cell and raise money to donate to the Sickle Cell Disease Association.
On if it's hard to concentrate because of his son's complications…
No, I have to come to work. Today is a work day, strictly a work day. I think about him throughout my time off the field. Once I'm off the field, that's when my time goes back to my family.
On if his son will be well enough to visit while he is at training camp…
No, he can't get on an airplane and fly here.
On if he "Skypes" with his son…
We Skype all the time. Sometimes he sends me about three or four messages before I can actually get back to my computer to give him a call back. We do it all the time. I think when you stay in contact with your children it helps, it's mental. You have to respond, especially since I'm not there with him.
On how good the Jets' wide receiving team could be…
It's going to be fun. I think everyone is taking on their own role. It's not anybody trying to be bigger than the team or bigger than the group that we have. We're always talking to each other, we're always making fun of each other, even if it's a good catch. Although we're making little smart comments on the back side, it's only kidding. It lets everybody know that we're going to be a group that's tough to beat.
