Transcript of Geno Smith's news conference following our Monday afternoon practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
QB GENO SMITH
On his play after watching the game tape…
I had positives and negatives on both sides of the ball. But that's in the past. We were able to win a tough, hard-fought game and it was a complete team victory. Every single man pitched in and now we have to move on and prepare for a short week. We've got a tough one ahead of us with New England. We've got to prepare our minds and our bodies to go into a dogfight.
On how he deals with having to face New England on a short week…
You've got to do it. That's the schedule that we were handed. We're going to prepare. We're going to do our best to prepare ourselves and we will be ready come Thursday night. That's all we can do is control what we can control. I'm going to go at it and watch film. I've already watched a number of plays on those guys, watched a series of games, so I'm going to go in and study some more and then prepare.
On if he's excited to be a part of the Jets-Patriots rivalry…
Absolutely. I look forward to it. I know all about it. I want to be there to help my teammates on Thursday night.
On the importance of being decisive as a quarterback…
It's extremely important. Being decisive, it comes with a lot of hard work and preparation. You've got to be able to know what you're seeing out there. You've got to be able to know and trust that what you've been coached to do is the right thing. Like I said, we prepare hard all week and that's something that we pride ourselves on, so that when gametime comes around, you can't be out there second-guessing yourself. That's something I'll never do. Like I said, we're just going to go out there and play hard.
On what the short week of preparation is like for him right now…
Every day for me is pretty much the same. I'm coming in every single day and trying to get better. Trying to be the best teammate, best leader I can be. Just stay the same. Nothing's changed for me. I'm still going to prepare the same way as I've always done from day one. Like I said, we've got a tough game ahead of us and we've got to stay focus and just stay the course.
On his ankle…
I mean it's steadily getting better. I wouldn't say its 100 percent, but you're never going to be 100 percent in this league. When I'm out there on the field I'm never thinking about anything other than getting first downs, moving the chains and possible scoring. I'm not focused on anything else other than doing my job.
On if was happy with the way with his mobility on Sunday…
Yeah, I was fairly.
On how he felt about his play against Tampa Bay…
Yeah, I was fairly happy with my performance. Obviously, those two turnovers were on me. I've got to do a better job of taking care of the ball and not putting us in tough situations. That's something I'll learn from and get better from.
On what he knows about the rivalry with New England...
From an outside view, it's always been one of the best rivalries in the NFL. It's always going to be a good game when these two teams match up, always physical, a chessmatch between both coaches. Looking to see who can come out and be the toughest team and hopefully we get the victory. From being on this team now, I know it means a lot to everyone around here. Like I said, we need to prepare our minds and bodies for a hard-fought game.
On the challenge of facing a Bill Belichick defense…
Yes, I embrace the challenge. I know Coach Belichick is one of the masterminds in this league. I have a ton of respect for him and his team. I expect everything, every single look. I'll appreciate it because it'll help me out in the future. Like I said, every single look I get from here on out is going to help me out. I look forward to it. I look forward to every single challenge. I'm going to prepare myself for pretty much everything because that's what you can expect coming from that team.
On leaning on Mark Sanchez to help prepare for New England…
A ton. Mark's always going to be there for me and he's a guy I can count on to give me some good information. Like you said, he's faced this team a number of times, two times a year with us being in the same division, so Mark has a ton of information for me. It's going to be extremely helpful. We're going to prepare and do this thing together. Work as a team as we always do and prepare ourselves for Thursday night.
On if anything stood out to him on film from his performance against Tampa Bay…
Not in particular, but every single thing needs to improve. And that comes with time, that comes with preparation, and that comes with more reps in the games.
On if Tampa Bay's defense caught him by surprise in any situations…
No, not at all. I think we were pretty much prepared for everything. Marty [Mornhinweg] and Coach [David] Lee do a great job of preparing us for every single scenario. We were able to actually check out of some plays and do some things that weren't scripted and I think it helped us out.
On if he called any audibles during Sunday's game…
We did, as an offense, yeah.
On if it's strange to him that Rex Ryan has not named him the permanent starter…
I'm not worried about that. My job is day-to-day. I focus on every single day and every single rep. I take it one day at a time and that's all that matters to me. I'm not worried about anything else.
On if he feels a sense of relief after playing in his first game…
No relief. Like I said, we're in this as a team. We've got a mission and we've got a goal in mind and we're going to work at it every single day. It's going to take a lot of hard work and effort from every single one of the guys in here. I know every one of us has bought in and everyone's working hard. We're all preparing ourselves to go out and try to win every single game.
On Tom Brady…
Good quarterback. Obviously, one of the best there is in this league. I look forward to facing him and his team.
On if he watched Brady when he was younger…
Yeah, I watched Tom. On the field every single quarterback is different. I think everyone has to have an amount of respect and leadership within a locker room, especially to be a good quarterback. I think he definitely has earned that around the league. It's something that I hopefully could do the same.
On if he remembers New England's first Super Bowl run and how old he was…
I don't know. I don't remember. I was 11 in 2001.
On if watched film of EJ Manuel against New England from Sunday's game…
Yes, I have.
On New England's defense…
Tough defense. They got athletes all around. They're very smart, a well-coached team. They fly around for the ball.
On his relaxed celebration after Nick Folk's game-winning field goal…
I can't explain it. It's just my nature.
On if anything stood out about Manuel's performance against New England…
I think he looked calm. He stood in the pocket tall, he stayed strong. I was impressed.
On when he transitions from celebrating Sunday's win to preparing for Thursday's game…
As soon as Nick made that field goal and we walked off the field. I put it right behind me and started preparing myself for this week.
On how he was able to transition that quickly…
Simple, I just did it.
On what he did after the game…
Watched some tape and then went home, hung out with my mom and dad. That's about it.
On if his parents moved to the area or if they are just visiting…
Just visiting. Good question.
On if he reviewed game tape or film of New England …
Both.
On Kellen Winslow…
Kellen is great, not only from a leadership standpoint, which is something I think he brings to the table every single week, but a physical standpoint, he's one of those tight ends who constantly gets open. He can be a safety valve for me. He communicates well. He's extremely smart, he knows defenses. He's just a wily vet. It's good to have a guy like that on your side.
On where he watched film…
I watched it at home.
On if Winslow was open when he ran…
I saw him. He was open. That's another example of him, like I said, being a wily vet. He found a way to get open once again.
On how he communicates that he is open in a situation where he is running…
You can't speak in hypothetical terms. I didn't see him but we won the game. We're past that, we're moving on.
On if he can look downfield when he is running…
Yes.
On if that is something he would have done…
No.
On the atmosphere that he expects in Foxboro Thursday night…
It's going to be tough. I expect it to be a packed house, a full, full house, a loud crowd. Everyone is going to be excited and amped. Everyone is going to be watching. It's a Thursday night game, two rival teams. It's going to be a great game. I look forward to it.
On if he enjoys road games…
I enjoy all games, road or at home. It's just a great opportunity to get out there once again, try and get a victory with my teammates.
On how much of the touchdown pass to Winslow was a designed play…
That was the design but he did do a great job at finding a window. Two guys were in the vicinity but he found a way to slip around them and got into my vision. It was a good play.
On if the play resembled "schoolyard ball"…
Well, I wouldn't say schoolyard ball because we practice every scenario a ton of times. That's just his way, like I said, of being a vet. He knows how to get open, he knows how to read coverages. He saw an opportunity right there and he found it.
