Transcript of second-round selection Geno Smith's conference call with Jets reporters Friday evening:
On if he knew the Jets were going to pick him today…
I had a feeling, I didn't know anything for sure but once I received the call, I was just extremely elated.
On what it was like not getting picked in the first round…
I think it was a test of patience, a test of character, and I wanted to make it my duty to come back today and still represent for my family and all of those who support me.
On if he had a good feeling through the interactions with the Jets in the pre-draft process…
I had pretty good meetings with them and when I visited, it went well but as you can see nothing is really 100 percent. But, right now I'm just proud to be a Jet and I'm ready to get to work.
On what kind of quarterback New York Jets fans are getting…
Well, I want to come in with the right mentality, I want to come in and work and I'm going to make sure I put my best foot forward. I'm going to be dedicated and try and come in and be a leader, try and help my team get better and win games.
On how he feels about playing in the New York market…
It will be extremely fun. New York is a great place, a great city and I look forward to it.
On if he expects to compete to be the starting quarterback this year…
I just want to come in and compete. I'm going to come in with the right mentality, as I stated. I'm a competitor and I'm going to accept my role on the team, whatever is handed to me, but my job is to compete day in and day out.
On being in a quarterback competition with more than one player…
That's up to Mr. [John] Idzik and Coach [Rex] Ryan and what decisions they're going to make there, but like I said, I'm coming in with the intentions to compete and we'll see where it goes from there.
On if he believes he should have been a first-round pick…
Right now, none of that matters. I wasn't and I'm just excited to be a part of the NFL. I'm excited to be a Jet. My time has come now, so I'm going to accept it.
On if the Jets have informed him of any competition for a starting job…
Not yet. The only thing they guaranteed me is that I'm going to be a Jet today and now it's time for me to go in and meet with them and see where all of that stands.
On if the Jets told him that he would be drafted today…
No, they didn't. Right about now, teams like to keep things close to the vest, but they didn't alert me today.
On the criticism he's received…
Whether it was just or unjust really isn't in my control. Everything that I've done up until this point is really getting thrown out the window. I'm stepping into a new league and I'm moving on with my career.
On if he thinks he's a franchise quarterback…
Yes sir, I do believe so and for a number of reasons, but the main thing is that I'm not only coming into practice, I'm going to come into work and I'm going to compete daily and I'm going to also do my best to better my teammates in order for us to win a Super Bowl.
On what qualities he possesses that make him a franchise quarterback…
I possess many qualities and I just think that it's up to me to continue to improve daily. My game is not based on one single thing, but I think it's based on a number of things. So as long as I can continue to improve and prepare I think I'll be fine.
On if he has ever met Mark Sanchez…
No, I haven't.
On competing against Sanchez and Tim Tebow…
I love to compete. Mark is a guy who I watched at USC, I watched him in the NFL, and I think highly of him as well as Tim and all of those guys over there. As I said, I'm coming in as a rookie and I'm going to compete and I'm also going to accept my role whatever it is.
On what he can learn from Sanchez…
Well, we'll have to see. I'm not in that situation yet, so those stones have to be unturned, so once I get there then I'll figure that out.
On if he will use it as motivation that a lot of teams passed on him in the NFL Draft…
It's in the front of my mind, as of right now I will, but it's not a thing that [I'm worried about]. I'm just excited to be living out my dreams right now. I understand that there is a lot of work to be done. If it needs to be used as motivation then it will, but it's not a situation where I'm bitter.
On if he was aware that the Jets were interested in him with the 13th overall pick…
I had received word, but a lot of that is just hearsay and until you get selected you really do not know much.
On if he has spoken with Woody Johnson…
I spoke to him on the phone and he congratulated me that I was going to be a Jet.
On if he is sticking to his prediction that the Jets will make the playoffs this season…
I am. Even if I wasn't on the team, I think the Jets have a really good team. Speaking with Rex and Mr. Idzik and the direction that they are going, I think they are headed in the right direction.
On if he thinks the Jets will make it to the Super Bowl…
That's a tough one [laughter].
Transcript of third-round selection G Brian Winters' conference call with Jets beat reporters Friday night:
On his reaction on becoming a Jet...
I couldn't ask for a better situation. I'm really excited for what's to come, to go out there with a great team and I couldn't be more excited. I'm really thankful and grateful for this opportunity that's ahead of me.
It was a little stressful obviously the situation was a little tough. But once I got that phone call from a New Jersey number I was in so much excitement and happiness. Really, words can't describe how happy I was.
On if he expects to play tackle or guard with the Jets...
I really am just going to go in there and whatever they need help on and whatever they need me to do, I'm going to do. I'm not really picking the position or anything that I'm out there for. I just want to do whatever I can to help our team succeed.
On his hometown of Hudson, Ohio...
It's a small town. Obviously we haven't produced many players out of this town. We have Bill Nagy who plays for the Lions. It's a slow run town. It's a great town, big on football. Not many players, like I said, come out but it's awesome to have and I'm sure everyone there is really excited.
On QBs Sanchez and Geno Smith...
They're both great players. I'm not going to pick on who should be starter and who shouldn't. I feel like they're both talented players and with the right weapons they can both be dominant.
On what it's like to play for a coach who has a tattoo...
Hey, it's nice. It makes me feel at home, right?
On how many tattoos he has...
The way I look at it, I have actually three tattoos. My whole one right arm, a half of my left and my back.
On if he feels he has a chip on his shoulder coming out of MAC conference...
You know there were some other offers on the table (coming out of high school) obviously and the situation, but I feel obviously coming from the school that I was coming from, I always had something to prove. I'm always going to have that motto that I still have something to prove coming from where I'm from. You know, we weren't spoon fed, we fed ourselves. So I guess I do have a chip on my shoulder then.
On if he was hearing more guard than tackle from teams...
Yeah I have, which is perfectly fine for me. I got thrown in there at the Senior Bowl and I felt that was real comfortable for me as days went on. I feel that's where I can excel in at the next level.
On whether he played any guard in college...
I did in some situations. Like I said, at the whole Senior Bowl I was in it.
