RB Danny Woodhead, Chadron State
Transcripts of interviews with Jets rookies in the locker room after this morning's workout at the start of the rookie minicamp:
QB ERIK AINGE
On coming to New York ...
I was excited. The New York Jets have a storied franchise. You're in the "Big Apple," you're in New York City. It doesn't get any better than that. You get to play football in New York. As long as you can keep playing the game, that's what it's all about.
On the adjustments needed for the NFL …
We have to learn everything. We don't know anything about what it's like in the NFL. Day one of practice was shellshock. From how you take a snap to how you take a drop to how you throw the ball, I mean everything, literally, is different. You have to go out there and you have to have a great work ethic. You have to want to get better. All the guys I've been around in the last 24 hours really want to get better.
On his best asset …
Ultimately, it's going to be experience. You're getting reps and just coming out here and working every day. If I can be a good worker and I can learn how to work like Chad [Pennington] and like Kellen [Clemens] and like Brett [Ratliff] do right now, if I can learn how to do that at the NFL level with the coaching staff and everything else, all that stuff will take care of itself. I'm not really concerned about what I bring to the table. I just want the New York Jets to win football games and I'm going to do everything I can this weekend and this next practice.
LB VERNON GHOLSTON
On the biggest change in adjusting to the NFL …
Just learning a new system. Everything is different. Of course, playing at a pro level is different. The biggest thing is learning the system, learning the plays and getting adjusted to this new system.
On his expectations for this minicamp …
Just to learn the system. Obviously, being at rookie camp, we're all rookies here. Some guys are fighting to make the team. The thing is to just learn and grow and take everything you can from this.
On the media saying he'll either be a boom or a bust as a professional …
I don't worry about it too much. I don't get into that. I do what I can do and control what I can control. The biggest thing I'll do is to work hard, keep grinding away and hopefully I'll show them up.
On his expectations for this season …
Just to make the team at this point. I'm a rookie and some will say I was the first pick, but you still have to put your work in. If anything, you're expecting more. Just work hard, get adjusted to the guys, to the system and hopefully be able to contribute.
On how playing in multiple defenses in college has prepared him for the NFL …
It helped a lot. Just the mental capacity of the pro level was what we had at Ohio State. Also, I stood on my feet sometimes and that's what I'm doing here. It helped me adjust to [playing linebacker], something that is not new to me.
WR MARCUS HENRY
On being compared to Giants WR Plaxico Burress …
Plaxico is a good receiver. I don't think I am anywhere near him. Hopefully, I can develop my game here with the Jets and be that type of receiver.
On the pressure of playing in New York …
I don't worry about the pressure or anything like that. I just go out there and play on the field, that is my focus. I don't really worry about the cameras.
On being paid to play football …
It is pretty exciting knowing I'm getting paid to do it. I'm just out here to help out the team, help out the Jets. Hopefully, I get a playing position and help them out any way I can.
On what the fans can expect out of him …
I don't know what the fans can expect, but I think I'm the type of receiver that is a big target and can go up and get the ball.
On expectations for himself …
I don't have any right now. I'm just focused on learning the playbook and trying to get on the field.
On the transition from college to the NFL …
It's not too tough. In college we did the same kind of thing, just throwing a lot of plays in at once. I think that helped me out a lot coming up here.
On the Kansas program helping him to adjust to the pro game …
It helped a lot, just the way our offense was run. It helped me out coming up here and learning this offense.
On being anxious to go up against established NFL cornerbacks …
I'm ready to see what it's like. I think it will be fun, just to see how my skills from college are going to carry over to the NFL.
On his Kansas head coach, Mark Mangino, calling him the steal of the draft …
When I hear something like that, it boosts my confidence up a lot. I am just excited to be here and help out anyway I can.
On believing he should have been selected earlier …
I don't think I should have gone sooner or later, I am just excited that I got picked up.
On how complex the offense was at Kansas …
It was pretty complex. We had a lot of schemes we had to learn. It is kind of the same here, except it's a lot more complex.
On restoring the Kansas program to national prominence …
It was pretty exciting, just how the atmosphere on campus changed; just the publicity we got having a good year.
TE DUSTIN KELLER
On being compared to Colts TE Dallas Clark …
He's a great player. I've watched him over the years. But I'm trying to be my own player and be the best I can possibly be.
On being able to threaten the middle of the field …
Right now I think that's the thing I bring most to a team. Hopefully, I can improve on the little things as well as the big things such as blocking and become a complete tight end.
On being surprised by the Jets trading up to select him …
I was surprised by the trade. I was on the phone as the trade was going on, so I didn't know they were going to move up to the 30th pick. I had an idea that in the second round they might pick me. But it was kind of a surprise for it to be at 30.
On comparisons to Giants TE Jeremy Shockey …
Just watching him over the years, he's a great tight end. That's really good, but I'm just trying to be my own tight end. I have to improve on the little things and get better blocking and hopefully I can become a good tight end.
On his best asset …
I would say my speed and my ability to stretch the field and pressure the opposing defense.
CB DWIGHT LOWERY
On playing on the next level …
It's crazy. We're so blessed and in such a great position as football players and as athletes to play a game that we love and get paid for it. But at the same time, it puts us in the limelight a lot and we have to know how to use that limelight in a positive way. Whether we like it or not, we are an image to the public and we have to present ourselves in a presentable way, a role model type of way. That's the territory that comes with it.
On whether he is an underdog without great expectations …
Yes, to a certain extent. The biggest thing is to come in and play hard and do what got you here. Don't change anything that you've done to this point. You're taking coaching and do the best you can. As a person, you can't really change who you are.
RB DANNY WOODHEAD
On changing from being the focal point to being a role player …
I love football, that's the biggest thing. If you love to play the game, it doesn't matter. I think everybody is like that — they just want a shot. I'm just trying to take advantage of this opportunity.
On the change from western Nebraska to New York …
It's a little busy. It's something that I'm going to embrace. It's been a lot of fun even though it's been a lot of work so far.
