We caught up with Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson earlier this week. Now in his third year in the NFL, Wilson will see his role expand the remainder of the season as he will start in place of injured All Pro corner Darrelle Revis. Wilson, the Jets' first-round selection in 2010, talked with us about his new role, his pregame routine, the latest movies he's seen and more.
Obviously it's three games into the season now. What do you feel has gone well for the Jets and what are you all still trying to improve on?
Well, right now we're first in the division and we're focused on holding that lead. I think we've played well in spurts. Just looking at it, we're 2-1 right now and I think we're in a place where we want to be. You know, it could be better or it could be worse. But it is what it is right now, and we're just looking to get better each week.
What's your best childhood memory?
I'd say my best childhood memories were going to my brothers' football games in high school. My brothers were playing. My parents would come get me from Pop Warner practice and then go straight to the games. I used to love that so much, and it was just nice for all of us to be sitting together and watching my brothers playing.
Did you look up to your older brothers?
Oh, yeah. I definitely looked up to them growing up. They were definitely role models.
I remember you telling me back in Cortland that you go on a vacation every offseason. What's been your best one so far and tell me a few you've been on up to this point?
Well, I've only been on two. After my rookie year, I went to Hawaii. I went to Maui, Kauai and Oahu. Then last year, I went to the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana. It was my first time out of the country. The weather was great. I went down there for a friend's wedding and my girlfriend's birthday.
Have you thought at all where the vacation is going to be after this season?
Nah. I'll get on that soon.
You were participating in some MMA training this past offseason with a few teammates. Have you revisited that at all?
Not so much during the season. That'll be when I'm getting back into shape after the season. I know I'm going to start off with that and then continue to work that out in the offseason.
You're a movie fanatic. What's been the top one you've seen recently?
"The Hunger Games."
Did you read the books, too?
No, I didn't. I'm a movie guy [laughing]. Another one I just saw was "Drive," on the plane ride back from Miami.
Would you recommend that one to people?
It was different. I saw almost all of the movies they had on the plane, so I was kind of checking out some that I hadn't seen. I also saw "21 Jump Street" on the plane, too. That was pretty funny. I like Jonah Hill. I think he's hilarious.
Is there anything interesting about you that the ordinary person may not know? Possibly superstitious?
I'm not superstitious. I'm probably real particular. Maybe a little OCD, maybe. I don't know if anybody admits to that [laughing]. But nah, I'm just a kid having fun.
Do you have a pregame routine that you do the day of a game or the day before a game?
I listen to music, depending on what time the game is. If it's a night game, maybe something relaxing in the morning and I kind of get more up-tempo as the day goes on.
What about a favorite musical artist?
I like Slaughterhouse. It's a rap group put together. That's my favorite.
Top concert you've attended?
Actually, I don't think I've ever been to a concert.
Really?
Yeah. I'm not a concert guy. Maybe if I had the chance, but I haven't been to any.
Obviously the team was informed on the sad news about Darrelle Revis' ACL tear this week. From an individual standpoint, how eager are you for this challenge?
It's kind of a catch-22. It's a great opportunity. But realistically I'm not going to change anything regarding how I practice or doing too much. I'm definitely going to take advantage of the opportunity and continue to do what I've been doing. Just continuing to work hard, have fun and go out and make plays.
Because of the injury, a lot of people may start doubting this team. Are you individually or you guys as a team planning to use this injury as motivation?
Nah. The team, we're just looking to get better than last week and we're just taking it one week at a time.
The situation you've been placed in now with Revis' injury, would you say it's more of an opportunity or more of a challenge? Or somewhat of both?
Well, this is New York, so it's always going to be a challenge. Everybody is always going to doubt us. But we're just looking to get better than we were last week.
Do you feel like the game at Pittsburgh taught you something? In that game you were placed into the starting role.
It was nice. It was nice to have that earlier in the season. But I don't think it changed much.
At the end of the season, what do you hope people will be saying about Kyle Wilson? That he's a baller. He's a baller. That's all.
