Transcripts of news conferences and interviews following the Jets' 38-7 victory over the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on Sunday:
HEAD COACH REX RYAN
This was a great win. We talked last night about how this was going to be a special win for us if we could accomplish it because it was going to take the complete roster. We were able to get a lot of guys rest, especially some of our veteran players. We wanted to keep Mark [Sanchez] in a rhythm, and we did that. Obviously, we never threw a single pass with him. We were not going to risk that.
I felt great about the performance of our entire football team. It was great. We got some pressure on their quarterback and forced a lot of turnovers. I think we had six turnovers on defense today. Obviously, it was a tremendous performance. We really got exactly what we were shooting for leading into the playoffs. As far as the playoffs are concerned, it kind of looks like Indianapolis right now. We practiced all last week assuming that we were playing on Saturday night, so we'll see if that's true of not. If not, we're ready to go. It's not going to appear to be a short week to us. That's the way we approached things. We're just ready to go. I think our team feels good about ourselves being only the fourth team in New York Jets history to win at least 11 regular-season games. It's something I'm very proud of, and I know our team is proud of.
I really want to tip my hat to Joe McKnight. We were kidding Joe. I said, "You're going to carry this thing 40 times tomorrow," and I was mistaken. He only carried it 32 times. I said, "The thing I want to see is how you play on special teams," and sure enough, he was running and running and there he is covering kicks and things.
I thought our whole team did a great job. We played New York Jets-style football, with passion and intensity. Those were things we really stressed. I thought the fundamentals and our technique was so much better than it was the last couple of weeks, and I think it showed today. I am very proud of the way we played today and we're excited about going into the playoffs.
On the Jets defense, particularly Calvin Pace and Jason Taylor…
They were tremendous. It was great. I believe Jason tied LT [Lawrence Taylor] on the all-time sack list. He gave consistent pressure. I thought Calvin played an outstanding game. He had the big interception. It was a great catch. All of those guys did a tremendous job. The guys in the back end really stepped up without the two big guns [Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie]. I'm just really proud of the entire roster.
On the possibility of traveling to Indianapolis for the playoffs…
I don't know if you can get more excited about the opportunity that we have in front of us, regardless of the fact that we're playing Indy again. I know one thing: We're going to give them everything we have. I feel confident in our football team. I'm excited to get dialed in. Let's see what happens. We're going to have terrific game plans, there's no question about it. If we just go out and play New York Jets-style of football, we'll be just fine.
On his comfort level with this team heading into the playoffs compared to last year…
I was excited last year. I thought we'd win it last year. I think we're going to win it this year, so we'll see. Regardless of who we play, we think we're better than any team out there. We have to go prove it, though.
On limiting Sanchez' playing time…
I never wanted him to get hit or anything else. It was one of those things that we weren't going to throw the football with him. We accomplished everything we wanted during the week. We kept his preparation the same way. We actually set up our schedule where we're assuming that we play on Saturday so it's not going to feel like a short week for us. We're just going to be ready to roll. That was it. I wasn't going to drop him back there and see if he gets hit.
We just feel good where we're at. We just feel fresh, we're healthy. We were able to rest some great starters like Shaun Ellis and Trevor Pryce, our corners and our two running backs. We got a lot accomplished. We kept [Nick] Mangold, and Brandon Moore in there for the one series, but then we brought them out. Brad Smith, I thought was exceptional as well.
This football team is ready. We have no excuses, not one excuse. We're going to Indy or wherever and our goals are intact. We want to win a Super Bowl and we want to do it right now.
On mental preparation heading into the postseason…
Going into the postseason, we're excited about it. The fact that our players did gain experience last year, going through it, how to prepare going into the playoffs, things like that can only help us. That's what it's all about. We'll see if the Giants make the playoffs or not, but we know that there will be more media but we're ready to handle it. We're just excited about this opportunity. To be honest, I can't wait to get started. Let's find out who we're playing and let's go.
On preseason acquisitions intended to improve team for playoffs…
We're confident. There's no question. And you're right, Mike Tannenbaum and everybody, we want to win the Super Bowl. That's what our fans want and all that. They're not happy just getting to the playoffs, even though it's a heck of an accomplishment to get here. That's not what we signed up for. I said the day I took this job, that I came here to win Super Bowls. That's the truth. I have none right now, but I know one thing, whoever we play is going to get my best shot. They're going to get this team's best shot. And let's see if we're not good enough to win this whole thing.
On RB Joe McKnight's progress…
It's funny. It takes some guys time. I understand that Leon Washington struggled, too, when he was younger. That happens with backs. The thing is, you have to give this guy all the credit. He's the one who made himself better. He got with [RBs coach] Anthony Lynn and humbled himself. He played defense and did all of this other stuff. He's a good football player. Now you see why we were so excited to draft him. He just needed an opportunity and we saw the kind of talent he has.
On success helping their morale heading into the postseason…
I don't think there's any doubt. We have 11 wins in the regular season. That's hard to get. It's hard to accomplish. We're fresh and we're healthy heading into there. We have two backs who are fresh. We have a quarterback who is ready and he's had experience. We have some top-notch receivers who, both of them, play better in big games. I'm excited to see this team play in the playoffs. We have no excuses - not one excuse. We are ready to go do what we set out to do. If somebody is going to beat us, then they must be really good.
QB MARK SANCHEZ
On the offense's performance today…
It was great. It was fun for me to watch. As much as [Mark] Brunell has taught me, I'm still learning. I saw him play really well. I saw him lead our guys. I saw Kellen [Clemens] get in there and make a big play. Joe McKnight and a lot of the younger guys who haven't gotten the chance to play, played well. Rex promised at the beginning of the year that everybody would contribute to our season, so I'm happy for them and I was proud to back up Brunell today. That was very fun.
On if he and the team are ready for the playoffs…
We're excited for this next step. We made it in and we'll take it from there. This was a good week to rest and I got as much rest as possible. It's just going to be about trying to win four games in a row.
On what the offense has to do to win four-straight games…
We have to take care of the football, run the ball like we have the last couple of weeks, and be efficient in the passing game.
On possibly playing the Colts
It will be a great challenge for us. They're a good football team, so we'll be ready for it.
On if last season's playoff experience will help the team this postseason…
We're a solid football team. We're ready for another big challenge this year. It's a new year and we want to play well in a tough environment against a great quarterback and a great team.
On positives he can take out of today's start…
I was keeping the streak alive. Look out, Brett. It was nice just to get out there, being with the guys and going through my routine. Pregame, stretching out like a real game. We're in a good place on offense right now. Even with some of the backups in, we're still in a really good place. We just want to keep that rolling and keep the momentum going.
On his shoulder…
It's alright. I'm ready to play. Ready to go.
On when he found out about the offensive game plan…
Rex talked about it at different points this week. I didn't know exactly what we were going to do, but he let me know fairly early in the week, just be ready to play, but this is probably what we're going to do.
On what he knows about Kansas City…
Not too much. We have Indy film and Kansas City film ready, so we'll know tonight and start studying.
On if it helps him prepare this postseason knowing he raised his level of play last postseason…
I think the entire team did. It just stood out a little more when all of us play well so that's what we're planning on doing. We wanted to hit this thing in stride and I think today helped. A lot of these guys are going to have to help us should anybody go down and these guys showed they can play today. It's important for the starters to get ready to go, take this week of rest, and play well next week.
On if he feels he's a better quarterback than this time last year…
I'd like to think I know a lot more. Hopefully, I play better than I did last year and take care of the football. I know that if we do that, we'll always have a chance to win, so that's the game plan.
On what he has seen from Joe McKnight's this season…
I think he's had great help from LaDainian [Tomlinson], from tying his ties on the road games to talking about inside and outside zone footwork, carrying the ball the right way and talking to Anthony Lynn about the three points of pressure. His attitude, he was so thrilled to be out there today and it showed. He really played hard. He deserved it. He's worked really hard, contributing on special teams first. He got his chance to play today and he did a heck of a job, so I'm proud of him.
On offensive struggles after long layoffs this season…
I think we've had two pretty good games on offense the last two weeks and all we can do is practice hard this week and get ready to play. I wouldn't think the team would let down in the playoffs. We want to play our best and there's a lot at stake. It's lose and go home, so we need to bring our best. If that isn't the case, then we'll all be sorry, so we want to play well.
On if he knew the game plan was not to throw the ball…
I had a pretty good idea.
On if they found a good balance today of gaining momentum and resting guys…
Absolutely. I think today went as scripted. A lot of people might have been worried about guys getting rusty, other guys not playing well, but it worked out great. We got a chance to rest LT and Shonn Greene and give my shoulder another week to feel even better. We'll be ready to play.
On if the offense can be more explosive this postseason than last postseason…
We do have the tools. We know we have the tools in this locker room to play well on offense, defense, and special teams. It's going to be about a great week of preparation, staying focused, bearing down and having a good week.
On if the team has Rex Ryan's mentality that they are the team to beat in the playoffs…
That sounds like Coach. He tells us how he feels and we're proud of that, but that doesn't mean we win. We need to play well. We know we have a lot of talent, but we need to show up next Saturday or Sunday.
On how much he did in practice last week…
We just did as much as the doctors and trainers thought I should and took it like a regular week preparation-wise. The shoulder feels good, so we'll be ready to play.
On how sore his shoulder is compared to how it felt after the Chicago game…
Pretty sore. I'm going to play. It's not a big deal.
On if the injury is something he's going to have to manage throughout the playoffs…
It sounds like it. I can do it for four weeks.
On if he will need any treatment in the offseason…
I have no idea. Nothing yet.
On if he's jeopardizing himself by playing…
No, the doctors would have said something about that first.
On if the doctors have told him that surgery might be a possibility in the offseason…
They've bounced ideas around, but it's so far in advance. Hopefully, we're not talking about it for another month or so.
RB JOE McKNIGHT
On having an opportunity to play…
I feel like I still have more to do. This was just one game. It felt good to go out there and play ball without worrying about anything.
On how he feels physically after playing…
I feel good, but I won't be able to tell until tomorrow morning. When I got in the shower, my body was burning from all the cuts and burses. I'll wait until tomorrow to see what happens. It was a good feeling I haven't felt since college.
On playing most of the game…
At one point I came out because Coach Westhoff kept calling me back for special teams and I knew I was getting really tired. I fought through it to show the coaches that I could do anything and just play.
QB MARK BRUNELL
On how it felt to be out on the field today…
It was good. It was good to get out there and compete a little bit. The young guys stepped up and played well. The defense certainly helped us, but it was a win that we feel good about. The defense played great. The offense was pretty efficient. Some young guys stepped up and really allowed us to put some points on the board.
On Mark Sanchez's growth from last season…
That is a question for the guys that were here last year. The growth he has made since the beginning of training camp I think is very impressive and he will continue to get better. I'm excited to see him in the playoffs because that's when he played some of his best football last year.
On how this game helps him prepare for the playoffs…
It was good to get out there in the regular season and get your feet wet so if there's an opportunity to get out there in the postseason, being out there today only helps. If I'm out there in the postseason, I'm hoping we are just trying to kill the clock and get a victory. It was good for a lot of us, but our supporting roles haven't had much time during the regular season to get out there, so it was good.
QB KELLEN CLEMENS
On the backups' role in today's game…
I think it says something about the guys that aren't playing every single week. Joe McKnight certainly showed that he is busting his tail, as he has, but a lot of the times you don't get credit for it. He's done a lot of really good things for us on the scout team and on special teams and now he had an opportunity to prove himself tonight and he rushed for over 150 yards. I think him and a lot of other guys showed
that they can play in this league.
On the touchdown run…
We had a regular quick pass called. Buffalo was in a max coverage, so I had a little bit of extra time and then the offensive line did a great job of giving me even more time. Then it just parted like the Red Sea, so I just took off.
On Mark Brunell's play…
When he first took the field and they flashed his stats up on the board – 182 touchdowns and 31,000-something yards, I can't remember the exact number — [Mark] Sanchez and I both looked at each other and went "Holy Cow!" Time passes a little bit and you forget, but obviously he's still got it and he played well. He had those two nice throws to Santonio [Holmes] and Braylon [Edwards] for touchdowns and just made a lot of other plays with his feet. He played well.
On Mark Sanchez's demeanor on the sidelines…
It was neat because he's started every game he's played, and he'll start again next week and hopefully, lead us through the playoffs and onto the Super Bowl. To see a guy like that who could just kind of kick his feet back and say, "Alright my work here is done." He was up, he was excited, and he was cheering the rest of us on who don't get to play that often. I think that meant a lot.
On getting to play…
It just nice to be back out there. When you haven't done it in a while, just being able to get back out there with the guys and just throw it around a little bit, even just handing it off, it's the little stuff that you miss. Calling the plays in the huddle, being out there, hearing the crowd roar, it was great. Rex didn't have to do that. A lot of coaches in that situation don't put their third quarterback in, so I really appreciate Rex doing that and giving me an opportunity to go out there and play.
CB MARQUICE COLE
On if the game felt surreal for him…
Not really. You play and you expect to make plays, so when it happens, it's not like a big deal to you. It's not like I've never had an interception before. It's just part of the game. You go out there and that's what I try to do, so to be surprised would be ridiculous
On what it was like to see reserve players shine today…
It feels good. Like Rex said, everybody on the team is going to make some type of contribution throughout the year to help us win. We know we have playmakers on our team, and they might be behind guys like Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor and guys like that. We have those guys who can make plays. It's just that they're great players. We know we have it in us. To be able to go out there and show it is awesome.
On a potential matchup against Peyton Manning and the Colts next week…
It's a big challenge. Everybody knows how Peyton Manning is and the things he can do with the ball, so it's going to be a big challenge for us, but we're ready for it, hope to get some payback from last year. I think he came out and won the game for them. It's a big challenge and we're ready for it.
T D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON
On the Super Bowl talk before the season putting pressure on the team in the playoffs…
I don't think of it as pressure. I just think it gives everybody a goal, not just to win one, two or three playoff games. We're in it to win it all. I think when everybody understands that and hears that, we can really dial in and say, "OK, this is our mission. This is what we're here for. Let's continue to play hard and let's make sure that we have the opportunity to be in the hunt for weeks to come."
On blocking for four quarterbacks today…
We're fortunate we have a lot of talented guys back there that can step up and do the job when their number is called. Everybody had a chance to shine today: Brad [Smith], [Mark] Brunell and Kellen [Clemens]. We're excited about those guys and now we're getting ready for our next run and hopefully, we can extend it.
On Joe McKnight's performance…
A very talented back. He made our job very easy the way he went out there and played. We're excited to have him on the team and now we know what kind of threat he can be in game-time situations.
S DWIGHT LOWERY
On building momentum going into the playoffs…
I think it's really important, especially coming into the last game. Granted, we didn't line all our guys up and everyone wasn't playing that's accustomed to playing. You can kind of think, "Oh, we didn't have everybody up," but we didn't take that approach. We had to have momentum going into the playoffs. It's the best to go into a tournament having momentum. We have momentum as a football team. I think we have confidence and more belief that you get from games like this. Like I said, when we get back in, we'll prepare for our playoff game. It's going to be totally different. This game is in the past and it doesn't matter. It really doesn't mean anything because we're trying to win the Super Bowl.
On if he thinks the team has captured the balance on both sides of the ball they were looking for…
You could say that, just by the way we played this football game today, but it really doesn't matter until we play in the playoffs and how we prepare and take the experience we had last year and apply it to this year. I don't think you can say we have this or we have that. The playoffs, it's a whole new season, so that's how you have to approach it. We have to continue to get better and understand how opponents are going to attack us and what we need to do to win.
On if he feels comfortable at safety…
Definitely, since I've been here, I haven't really played one position. I shouldn't say that. My rookie year, I did, but that's a whole new experience in itself, being a rookie. Last year, I was playing corner, nickel and back-and-forth with that. This is really the first time since Rex has been here that I've played one position week-in and week-out and when you do that, you become more comfortable with it and understand it, understand the calls, understand what offenses are trying to do, so I'm in a groove.
LB CALVIN PACE
On playing the Colts in the first playoff game…
We have to go get them. It is going to be tough wherever we go. It's a playoff environment on the road. It's always difficult, but I think we will play well.
On playing well in the final regular season game…
It's a big game, but I don't look at it as the best game. It's another game and I tried to end the game on a positive note.
On getting back to the basics…
We're trying. Things happen and adversity strikes. It's easy to get down and point the finger, but the reality of it is collectively, we haven't done a good job. Every man needs to step his game up. Moving forward, we have to be even better. This game was about getting back to what we do, stopping the run, getting turnovers and getting some pressure on the quarterback.
LB JASON TAYLOR
On tying Lawrence Taylor and Leslie O'Neal on the all-time sack list today…
It became a theme. When I came in the league, it obviously wasn't a goal, but as I got closer to it, it means something to me. [Lawrence Taylor] is a great player, an all-time great, probably the greatest to play. To be in the same area code ... I'm not the same kind of player. He always did it in a different way and was probably the greatest ever to play, but it's cool.
On resting players and seemingly gaining momentum entering the playoffs…
Some guys got the rest. I played the whole game, more because I refused to come off. We wanted to play well and we did, defensively. I think we rushed the passer pretty well. I thought we played the run very well. We had a lot of turnovers, and if we can take that with us on the road next week, wherever we go, then I like our chances for sure.
On a possible first-round matchup with Indianapolis…
It's cool. [Peyton Manning] is obviously one of the top two, three quarterbacks in this league, but wherever we need to go, let's go. We'll prepare during the week and have a great game plan. We like our chances in the playoffs, against whoever it may be, but we understand we need to work at it and bring our A-game every week. This is a time of year where 90 percent of the league is at home watching it. This is our chance to go out and do what we set out to do at the beginning of the year.
