Transcripts of interviews with Jets players on the field after today's OTA practice:
G ALAN FANECA
On his transition to the Jets and the refurbished offense …
We're laying the groundwork. We're putting the stones out and laying the groundwork for training camp when we put the pads on. That's when we're really going to come together and you'll be able to see and notice things and get a sense for how we're doing.
On how long it takes to adjust to being on a new team …
I did notice wearing green the first day. It does take a little bit of time, especially with new faces, a new routine and trying to assimilate to everything. It takes a little bit of time.
On learning OL coach Bill Callahan's new line calls as a team …
It does help me. I don't feel as far behind when everybody is learning new things. It helps me feel a little better.
On the potential of the line …
I keep saying it, but it's a hardworking group and I think that's really what is going to push us forward into being a good line and possibly a great line. We're out here laying the groundwork and we're going to see.
On having epilepsy …
I had my first seizure Christmas Eve my freshman year of high school. It was kind of like a nightmare to me more so because it took so long to find out it actually was a seizure.
On mentoring and leading the younger players on the line ...
You learn a lot by watching and that is definitely how I came into the league. You also learn by watching the older guys, like where I am at now. You push them in the right direction by helping them and pulling them aside to tell them to try this. You stick with them and watch them like a coach on the field.
On what the program has been like with Coach Mangini ...
You learn everything as you get here, but the overall grand scheme of things has been what I expected.
On adjusting from one place to another ...
I was in one place and in one offensive system for pretty much a decade. You hold on tight to your fundamentals a little bit, but you have to loosen them up and accept new ideas because there is more than one way to get the job done.
On whether or not he has met many backs with arms the size of Thomas Jones' ...
I think he rolls his sleeves up on purpose. It's an illusion. He is an animal in the weightroom. He likes to work out.
On whether working out with Jones increases the kinship between the positions ...
There is an unsaid appreciation between the running backs and offensive line. They appreciate us going out there and laying it on the line. Especially in my time, you appreciate a guy who goes out there and puts his head down, works hard and lays it out there on the line himself. You get in the weightroom and there is a little more of the same appreciation.
On the young players who have stood out on the line ...
They are all young. I wouldn't say there has been one that has stuck out much. I have been trying to give little pointers here and there.
QB KELLEN CLEMENS
On his comfort level throwing the ball …
Accuracy is one of the areas I wanted to work on and I had a productive off-season. It's nice to see the things that I was working on in February, March, April showing up out here on the field. That, to me, is encouraging.
On how he works to improve accuracy …
Throwing for a quarterback starts from the ground up. You evaluate your feet and you evaluate the foundation of your throwing platform. I did a lot of filmwork, not only on myself but on some of the other top QBs in the league; kind of comparing and contrasting and trying to take some notes on things that they do. I just work on the drills. There's an accuracy net that tells you: Did you hit it or did you not? You're just continuing to work and at the same time trying not to throw your arm out in February.
On his explanation of an accuracy net …
It's basically a great big net. It's probably five feet tall and six or seven feet wide with little pockets with little targets on them. You're out there by yourself, or sometimes I grab an equipment guy, and just throwing at targets.
On whether studying the playbook has helped improve his accuracy …
To a lesser degree, to be honest. A little bit. You understand where a guy is going to be, so you don't have to look at him the whole time. I know Jerricho [Cotchery] is going to be so many yards deep so maybe I can look a linebacker off or something. For the most part the majority of the work in the accuracy area was done out in the bubble.
On whether watching video helped him to identify areas which needed improvement…
I knew where I needed to improve. I didn't exactly know, necessarily, the means to get there. I knew the destination, I just needed to figure out a road map on how to get there. So I needed to really look at the specifics of what to improve on.
On the effectiveness of the coaching staff's evaluation overview books …
They did a lot of work and it's paying off. They did it for every position. They did it for a lot of our schemes. There's a destination in mind and there's definitely a clear road map on how to get there.
RB THOMAS JONES
On if the fit with Leon Washington will be more comfortable this year than last year ...
Leon is a great player and a great guy and we have a really great relationship on and off the field. We hang out in the off-season. He has a lot of God-given abilities and I think we work really well together.
On if he sees Washington taking on some of his work ethic ...
I wouldn't say he takes some of my work ethic. I just try to lead by example. He is already a hard worker. I don't have to show him how to work hard. He had a really good year last year on special teams and a real good year at running back making some plays. We put some special plays in for him and every time his number was called he showed up. Everyone expects the same thing out of him and he expects it out of himself.
On the way new veterans such as Bubba Franks are fitting in ...
They are all fitting in well. They are veteran guys who were just on another team. They bring the same attitude and work ethic to this team, which will make everyone better.
