On Thursday, head coach Eric Mangini said the Jets began their work-week with a good practice.
"Yesterday, we had a good day of practice. I thought it was crisp," Mangini said. "I thought the tempo was very good. I thought the execution overall was good. There are some things we need to clean up which we'll do today. I firmly believe you play like you practice, and that usually translates into good things on Sunday, and good execution."
Read below for the complete transcript of Mangini's press conference
New York Jets' Head Coach Eric Mangini, 10.12
Opening statement…
One piece of housekeeping news. Rashad Moore is traveling back, so he should be back for practice. He should be out there today.
I want to take a second to offer our condolences to Cory Lidle's family. He is part of the New York sports family, but more important he is a father and a husband and a family man, and it's so tragic and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Yesterday, we had a good day of practice. I thought it was crisp. I thought the tempo was very good. I thought the execution overall was good. There are some things we need to clean up which we'll do today, the way we move and transition, but overall I thought the tempo was good. We'll have the same tempo, same type of practice. I firmly believe you play like you practice, and that usually translates into good things on Sunday, and good execution.
On practice going well being a sign that the players have gotten over the JAX loss…
We've had pretty good tempo at practice. I thought it was even a little bit better yesterday. I think the guys are working at it, similar to the way that they've worked at it other weeks. And it has been a consistent approach. It's so important, whether it be game-to-game or practice-to-practice or meeting-to-meeting, it's always the same and it's always at a very good level, good tempo, good focus. Even if you make mistakes, which is common during the week, as you put in a new installation and plan for a new opponent, it's done in a way that's aggressive, and within the framework of what you're trying to get done.
On the team having lingering effects from Sunday's loss…
It's been pretty consistent in the way that we drove off things. It was consistent this week, as well. We were learning from mistakes and getting those corrected. We are moving on to Miami, and the guys have done a good job with their individual preparation and their work at practice. I really expect that week-in and week-out as the season unfolds.
On Brad Smith's versatility…
We went with one plan, but with the idea that we're going to explore all the different options and always try to create that versatility. So as he got a different opportunity, whether it be on special teams, which he's done a nice job of, or playing quarterback against the Eagles, or some of the jobs he's had, running back or some of the quarterback plays he's had, as he does each one of those fairly effectively, that creates another opportunity for him and some more things we can do. Ray Lucas set a pretty good precedent in terms of the things he did when I was here. You're always looking for those guys that have multiple roles.
On Smith becoming more involved with the offense…
He's just one element of the game planning, as we go into any new opponent, and sometimes the plans that we have for him may be a bit more based on what they're doing or could be scaled back based on what they're doing. So it won't be a set number we have to give him X number of plays. It's really more, this is where he can be most effective. Some weeks that is going to be a little bit higher than other weeks.
On Smith becoming a target for defenses…
I think it's one of those things where he plays enough receiver, true receiver, that when he does do some other things, he doesn't come into the game just for that one purpose. He's actually playing some core reps as receiver and then whatever other role that he has there, transitioned based off the fact that he is a true receiver.
On how many snaps Smith got on special teams and in the offense Sunday…
I couldn't give you the exact number offhand. I haven't looked at it since Monday. But I would guess somewhere in the 30s.
On if Smith's numbers are significant…
That's what you're trying to do, what's the guy's role on offense and defense. If the guy is only playing five or six plays there, he better be playing 15-to-20 on special teams because you have to balance off the whole pie. It's difficult when a guy comes to a game, doesn't really play a whole lot of offense and doesn't really play a role on special teams, as well. He's done a nice job carving out a niche in both areas.
On Smith seeing playing time at cornerback…
I wouldn't be opposed at trying him at corner, safety, rush end, whatever we need.
On Chad Pennington taking receptions from Smith…
I think it's very important for defense to cover Chad when he's out there. You never know when he's going to go deep. He has got some vertical speed there. I would say that it would be important to have somebody out there lined up for that opportunity.
On Pennington's speed…
He's working on it. It's maybe not as polished as some of the other guys, but I think he'll dig in there and refine that a little bit.
On how Pennington has been in practice this week…
He's been great. He's competitive and passionate, which is one side of it, but he's also extremely smart and analytical. So, as much disappointment that comes with any loss, he moves past that pretty quickly and then dives right into the next opponent. And as always, Chad's car is parked out there pretty much -- well, everybody else's car is parked out there every night, so he's been diving into the Dolphins.
On Leon Washington's performance from last week altering the game plan for MIA…
He's done a pretty good job with the opportunities he's had. You always try to put those guys in the best position to succeed, whether it be through packages or scheme or whatever it is. I like the way that he's approached things. I think he's done a good job with the chances that he has had.
On the possibility of one running back distinguishing himself as the premier back…
Week-in and week-out, we are going to go in with the best plan to beat that opponent and the best guy to execute that plan. If one guy carries it 30 times, that would be fine. If three guys carried it 10 times, if we passed the ball 60 times, whatever it is, it's really catered to that week.
On Washington's progress…
He's made a ton of progress. From early on there, the work in mini camp, he struggled a little bit with some ball security things and really getting into the flow. He's concentrated. He's worked a lot with Jimmy Raye, Sam Gash, Richie Anderson and Curtis Martin, and really tried to soak up as much as he could from those guys, and still does. And his preparation has improved. All those things combined have really helped him as a player and sped up his development.
On if there is added pressure on Pennington to get off to a good start Sunday considering the slow first quarter starts the Jets have had…
It's the whole package. It's important to execute in the first quarter the same way as it is to execute in the fourth quarter. We're looking for consistency. And that's the goal across the board. So early on there I think there has been some good opportunities and we've just missed some plays, whether it's been execution with the actual throw or the catch or the protection or whatever it is, there have been plays to be made and we've been close on some of those that we end up getting later. We want to be consistently executing throughout the four quarters.
On Curtis Martin being eligible to start practicing…
He always wants to be out there on the field. He's working as hard at this as he possibly can. He's also very smart and understands that the important thing is when we do move forward, that he's ready to perform at a level that he likes and that we like and it's a smart, well thought out part of the plan. He'll be available once we see that that's where his progress is.
On the challenges presented by the MIA defense…
It's always tough. These guys do a lot of things defensively. They have very good players. They are effective against the run. They are aggressive in terms of the passing game. They create a lot of opportunities defensively. I think that any time you face a multiple defense with really good players, it's a challenge. A premiere pass rusher, as well as some other guys there that are also extremely effective in terms of rushing a passer. Zach Thomas in the running game, and right on down the line. It's a solid group. And Miami, historically, has been a very good defensive group. And Nick does a really good job, having a defensive background, getting those guys ready and attacking schemes.
On being shut-out last Sunday being worse than a 41-3 loss…
There's a field goal to be kicked there, but at that point you're trying to score touchdowns. I think losing is something that is disappointing, whether it's by one point or whether it's by 41 points. And it's something, as competitive guys, you work very hard during the week to play on Sunday and you want your level of execution to be at its highest at that point. Any time you don't execute well enough to win the game, it's something that's disappointing and it should be. It should be because we're all working to win and we're all working to make progress and we're all working extremely hard. That's what we're working for.
Thursday Injury Report Jets
Questionable: FB B.J. Askew (foot), CB David Barrett (hip), WR Laveranues Coles (calf), RW Tim Dwight (thigh), RB Cedric Houston (knee), OL Pete Kendall (thigh) & OL Trey Teague (ankle)
Probable:*DL Dave Ball (hand), *RB Kevan Barlow (calf), *LB Matt Chatham (foot), *OL Anthony Clement (shin), *DL Bobby Hamilton (knee), *FB James Hodgins (knee), *OL Adrian Jones (thigh), *CB Justin Miller (hip), *DL Rashad Moore (personal), *QB Chad Pennington (calf), *S Kerry Rhodes (thigh), *TE Sean Ryan (Chest), WR Brad Smith (thigh), *S Eric Smith (knee), & *DL Kimo von Oelhoffen (knee) & *RB Leon Washington (hip)
Dolphins Doubtful:WR Marty Booker (chest) & QB Daunte Culpepper (knee)
Questionable:CB Travis Daniels (knee), TE Justin Peelle (knee), & LB Derrick Pope (hamstring)
Probable:*TE Randy McMichael (ribs)
- Denotes players who participated in practice
