Mark Sanchez Interview Transcript 1/24/11
On Monday New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez addressed the media.Β Here is the transcript courtesy of the Jets.
On his development this seasonβ¦
“The most important thing, personally, was trying to cut down on interceptions. I cut down on turnovers (and) ball security (issues). To improve like we did, to jump as many spots as we did in third-down conversions, on red zone efficiency, everything we improved in as an offense. That just comes with experience. Iβm really proud of the coaches and the players for improving like we promised each other we would on this day last year. We talked about getting a little bit better and we did. At this point, weβre right there. Weβre so close. As hard as it is, weβre just knocking on the door. Weβre the only team to make it back in that final four of teams and thatβs unbelievable. There is something to be said for that. Itβs just really too bad that we didnβt make it all the way.”
On the importance of re-signing Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmesβ¦
“I felt great with both of them. They both have big play-making ability, obviously. They both can change the dynamic of a game. They helped me out tremendously in their own ways, by just talking or playing, theyβve helped me. Iβd love to get them back. This is the worst part because you go from, growing closer together, weβre as tight as we can possibly be right now, then you move to (the) business side of things and itβs harder. It becomes black and white. Thatβs just the way it goes. Things happen. Guys change teams. Who knows? Itβs really too bad, Iβll stay positive and I hope we can get everybody back, but I know that is not realistic. Weβll work with what weβve got and stay in contact with them and Iβll do everything I can possibly do to help.”
On if he feels there will be a lot of changes to the team next seasonβ¦
“I donβt know. I just feel like there are probably more than a handful of guys, at least 10, that wonβt be playing (here) next year because of contracts deals or age. Guys have played a long time and theyβve had great careers. LT (LaDainian Tomlinson) and Jason Taylor, I mean those guys are great competitors. They are nearing the end of their career, (but) I hope we get them back, I hope they have one more year in them because theyβve helped me. The reality is this is a tough game and these guys have played a long time, so weβll see what happens.”
On if this team is built for the long-haulβ¦
“Absolutely. The nucleus of this team will be here and weβll keep as many guys as possible. I know theyβll do that, management wise, weβll be smart about it and do whatβs best for us. Iβm confident in Rex (Ryan), in Mike Tannenbaum and Mr. Johnson doing the very best they can to keep our guys.”
On the status of his shoulderβ¦
“Iβll still talk to the doctors about it, we did our exit physicals and they are thrilled about the progress Iβve made in the last couple of weeks. Things are pointing in the right direction. If there was something serious, I think (things) would have declined. Things could have gotten worse, I wouldnβt have been able to practice. If anything, it just got better. Thatβs a good sign. Iβll just take it from there, talk to the doctors, get a couple of opinions on it, try to get it looked at and weβll take it from there. Iβm optimistic about everything and hopefully nothing needs to be done. A little rest and Iβll be ready to go again.”
On if he has an appointment set up with Dr. James Andrews for his shoulder yetβ¦
“No, not yet.”
On if he has plans to set up an appointment with Dr. Andrewsβ¦
“I donβt know, last year it was definitely something that needed to be looked at, kind of hands on. This is something that can be looked at through an MRI or X-Ray (slide), so weβll see what happens.”
On what exactly his shoulder injury isβ¦
“I think itβs just sore and recovering. (laughing) It feels good. I think itβs healed now.”
On next seasonβ¦
“I feel like weβre so close. You just canβt start that slow in a game (AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh) like that. Iβm proud of our guys for the way that we improved last year but weβre going to need a little more. Thatβs the only thing I can think of right now, just a little bit more, out of me, as a leader, as a quarterback, just getting completions and taking care of the ball even better next year. There is going to be more of an emphasis on taking control and assuming command of this team and this organization, thatβs just the way I feel. (We have to get) everybody on board, the new guys that we bring in, weβve got to get them right, weβve got to get them playing like a Jet from day one. Thatβll be our goal, but weβve got a great group. Iβm thrilled about playing with these guys. I definitely got better from playing with them and being around them. Iβm wearing gang green with pride, Iβm thrilled about being here and weβll take it one game at a time.”
On what the playoff run did for his developmentβ¦
“I donβt think Iβve been more focused, maybe in my life. I donβt think Iβve been more prepared. I just felt good about the plan. I was seeing things before they happened. The game started to slow down. I felt great. It really did and it just felt good being with this team and just being in the team meeting rooms. Every time we would get in the team meeting rooms and Iβd see Rex talk, it was just like, βThis is it. Weβre going. This is our year. Itβs going to happen,β and itβs just too bad.”
On how badly he wanted the ball in his hands with a chance to win the gameβ¦
“Thatβs all you want. Itβs a tough way to go out, but we fought hard in the second half. It was too bad we didnβt have that effort in the first half. Weβll regroup, figure it out and get a little better all offseason. We have a great group, so weβll take it from here. It is too bad. We wanted that one last opportunity.”
On what the team needs to do to reach the next levelβ¦
“Weβre so close. Itβs going to be about everybody committing to this team with an unsure future. Thatβs hard, but I think we have the guys that can stay committed. We have the guys that can work out on their own if there are no offseason workouts. Who knows whatβs going to happen, so weβre going to need guys to get together on their own, study on their own and be ready to go as soon as the season starts up again. Hopefully, itβs right on schedule, but weβre just going to have to get a little better individually. Weβll make the right changes on offense, defense and special teams. Weβll get better, but Iβm proud of our effort. Iβm proud our coaches and our players. It was a great year, a tough way to go out, but Iβm proud of our guys.”
On whether the loss is something you have to shake off or something you have to rememberβ¦
“Inevitably, youβre going to think about it. Iβll think about it tomorrow morning and for the next few months, but itβs supposed to hurt. It canβt feel good. Itβs too bad. We have a good group.”
On whether he worries the window of opportunity is closing for this teamβ¦
“I donβt think that, not with Rex (Ryan), not with the kind of management we have (and) not with the players we seem to get every year. I know there is a lot of turnover each year. Who knows who is going to be back? Who knows when the season is going to start? Iβm confident we have the right people in place, from the trainers to the equipment managers to the coaches, and weβll get the right players and weβll figure it out. Weβll get a little bit better. Weβll be ready to play next year.”
On Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmesβ¦
“Theyβre a quarterbackβs best friend. Them, a great defense (and) a good running game like we had, it makes it easy on a quarterback. Weβll do our best to keep them. I know itβs not totally realistic to be able to keep both, but weβll figure it out and Iβm confident in Mike Tannenbaum trying to get the best players back.”
On how his shoulder is feelingβ¦
“Iβm feeling good. The exit physical went really well. The doctors are pleased, so weβll just take it from there. Iβll probably get it looked at these next couple of days, but the most important thing is that it got better every week. Thatβs huge. Weβre very positive about it. Weβll just get it looked at and move on from there, but Iβm optimistic.”
On whether it is too soon to put his first two seasons in perspective and be proud of themβ¦
“Sure, Iβm proud to be a Jet. Iβm proud to be in this building and come to work here every day. There is nothing to hang our heads about. Itβs a tough way to go out, but we have a great group and weβll be right back next year and, hopefully, weβll be a little better. Itβs a little too early for me to reflect on everything, but Iβm happy to be here. I love it here. (Weβll) get a little better.”
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