Transcript of head coach Eric Mangini's news conference with the New York Jets media before Thursdays' practice:
I thought yesterday was a good practice overall. This obviously is a different week because of the extra time, it being the first game of the season, so we are able to move forward with some things. We were able to move forward with some things yesterday that normally would be reserved for a Thursday and Friday. Today we'll reinforce those. We will also look at some different areas that we want to touch upon with the extra time and move into more of a standard practice tomorrow. Today, we'll continue on the path we've been on.
On how he and his coaches avoid overpreparing for a season opener ...
It's always a delicate balance because you do have the extra time. Coaches with extra time typically watch extra tape, think of extra things to do. You have to go back later in the week and really look at the volume of calls you have, look at the things you really like as a coordinator. Bob [Sutton] and Brian [Schottenheimer] are examining that, I'll look through it, Chad [Pennington] will look through it. That type of thing. Try to cut out some of the extras that you might have put in because of the extra time and boil it down to what you really think is going to give you the best shot. You may go through some more, add some more, then later in the week pull back.
On the emphasis placed on the Jets-Patriots matchup …
Buffalo and Miami are important division games, just like New England's an important division game. They count the same in the standings. Each week is a consistent approach. Regardless of the first game, the last game, the opponent, you're trying to prepare the same level, the same way regardless of the situation. The same thing is true with the result or the outcome of the game. Whether you win or lose, you have to take the same approach. Otherwise you just have peaks and valleys in your preparation.
On whether Justin Miller's absence from practices could affect his kickoff returns …
Justin has a very good natural feel for that. He's got good instincts. With him missing time, it's allowed some other guys to get opportunities back there. Brad [Smith], Leon [Washington], those players got some reps that they may not have otherwise gotten through the course of the preseason, which is always valuable. I'm comfortable with the group of returners we have.
On how he'll handle the handshake with Coach Belichick after the game …
I haven't reviewed the tape of the handshake. I don't have that much free time right now [laughs]. But I'm pretty comfortable with where my handshake is. I'm focusing more on the actual game [smiles].
On his relationship with Belichick …
It's the same as it has been. My feelings are the same as they have been. The focus really is the same as it was. He's preparing the Patriots. I'm preparing the Jets. That's where we are.
On the Patriots' game plan for the Jets …
With New England, each game plan is specific to the opponent and each game plan is specific to that game at that point in time. Unlike some other teams where there may be consistency with their approach week in and week out, the thing that's consistent with this opponent is change, and something you have not seen or is new because of a player that was added, a scheme that was added, whatever the case may be. That's really the consistent element of their approach.
On whether he expects the Patriots to try to exploit the Jets' younger players …
I don't think that element is unique to New England. Typically, if you have a player that's new or an area where you've shown some kind of issue or problem, everybody attacks it until you show that issue's been fixed. That's pretty common. You talk about that with the players, the need to correct the problem and correct it quickly because once it's on tape, everybody gets the tape, everybody sees the same thing, and you've bought it long-term until you correct it.
On any advantage to having a heavier DT than Dewayne Robertson …
I think there's some real value to streamlining some of the things you can do. I've seen a lot of different nose tackles playing this system, just like I've seen a lot of different linebackers playing the system and different safeties playing the system. In the system, the core things that you have to do stay the same, but built into it is versatility with what you can do with the types of players you have. Each player really establishes his way of playing that spot. Especially with the linebacker spot, you'll see a lot of different guys. Ted Johnson was different than Tedy [Bruschi], Jonathan [Vilma] and Bryan Cox. They're all playing the same core system, but their style is put into it.
On Robertson …
I thought Dewayne did an excellent job last year, and Dewayne creates some problems that bigger men don't create. He's got that very good first step, that very good short-area quickness, the ability to transition from a two-gap run-pass-read mentality to a pass-rush mentality, the ability to offset to either side to get to over/under, a 4-3 type concept, and do that effectively. There are pluses and minuses in both areas. Even though there may be something you can't do, there are a lot of things you can do and other problems you can create. It's just how you want to incorporate it.
On preparing rookies for their first pro game …
It's always the goal to prepare everybody for opening day. It's different because it's something you have to experience. It's a special day throughout the league. Everybody goes through the emotions of starting a new season — I don't think that's unique to young guys. It is just such a different time of year. You get into a routine or you have a way of handling that. The rookie group has been very good in talking to the older guys, discussing not just this element but the element of all the preparation for the season.
On his second opening day as Jets head coach …
There were a ton of firsts last year and being able to draw on those this year, look at them, look at the notes we had and draw on actual experiences is always positive. When you don't have that, you're able to draw on the experiences you shared as either a position coach or coordinator. For the rookies, it could be the first game of the college season or a bowl game, whatever would be emotionally similar to that person.
On the emotions surrounding opening day …
It's exciting. You're always excited to get the regular season going because you've been building throughout the off-season, the off-season program, the draft, free agency, OTAs, minicamp and training camp. You're building and working to get to the regular season. That's a fun time of year. To be at home with our fans and the energy level they create, that always makes it that much better.
On whether there is added pressure stemming from higher expectations for the team …
It's really the same. It's exactly the same. Each year is its own unique year. Each game is its own unique game. The important thing is to focus on the next task at hand, not worry about three days from now, three weeks from now and what happened in the past. That will get you off track. What keeps you on track is doing the best you can at the job you have in front of you at that time.
On how long it took to recover from January's playoff loss to the Patriots …
We have the five-second rule. You have to move on. I think through the course of the season and throughout the course of a career, you experience highs and lows. The important thing is to enjoy them and review the ones you weren't successful with and move on from both of them.
On New England's new personnel …
Each year it's going to change. They've added some good players. They're a very good team that's been a good team for a long time. They're well-coached. They have a nice mix of veteran and young players. It's pretty consistent with the challenges we face each year against them.
On familiarity with the Patriots …
The one thing you know really well is that things are going to change. That's the approach from this team — it's going to change each time you face them. Familiarity with players, familiarity with the system, still the constant is change. There are certain teams in the league that you can count on that to be the case when you face them. [At New England] We faced Denver it seemed like every single year, and each time it was different. That's the approach that Mike [Shanahan] takes. He's also a very game-plan-specific coach. That's the consistent thing you could get from him or would get from him — something different for you.
On former Patriots LB Ted Johnson …
I really like Ted Johnson. I loved the way he played. I loved the professionalism he always showed and the type of person he is. We've spoken at different points since I've taken the job. I think he's a great guy. I support him completely.
On how often a team like the Patriots can change their scheme …
You can change it up quite a bit each week. It could be more pressure one game, it could be the type of pressure that's coming, it could be the front that you're facing, it could be 4-3 versus 3-4. It could be the 3-4 building a 4-3. It could be the approach of the offense, whether it's going to be more quick-pass, more max-protection or more screens. There are a lot of different things you can do each outing. You've just got to see what that will be.
On whether he enjoys the "chess match" part of coaching …
It's great. It's why you spend so much time during the off-season building flexibility into the system. It's why philosophically when we draft players or bring players in, we want the players to be smart, be able to adjust quickly to what you haven't prepared for. Every opponent has the right to give you whatever they want, and you have to be able to then see those things and determine how you want to respond.
On Ted Johnson's physical condition …
I don't know enough about that aspect of it in terms of his condition. What I was really commenting on was the way he studied the game, the way he helped nurture the younger players, the way he consistently came to work every day and just took his craft so seriously. You enjoy working with those players. I've been fortunate enough to work with a lot of players like that. That's really what I was talking about in terms of his professional approach.
