Transcripts of selected interviews with Jets players during the locker room session before Monday's midday practice:
LB CALVIN PACE
On where he thinks this defense is at right now…
The cliché is "We have a long way to go," and we do, but I think we are moving in the right direction. We have some good pieces to the puzzle right now. Everything is moving towards the Dolphins and I think we made a big stride Saturday.
On if the defense showed its potential vs. the Giants…
Yes, and I think with the versatility of our defensive players it shows. Drew [Coleman] got a sack. It was a situation where a lot of guys contributed and it wasn't just from the defensive line or the outside linebackers. Cody [Spencer] recorded a sack coming and rushing from the middle. It was good for everyone to go out there and put that together.
On if he felt comfortable in the system Saturday versus the first couple of games…
I think Saturday was what I've been building towards. The first game I didn't feel comfortable. In the second game I felt a little bit better. In the third game it was coming together for me. Like I was saying before the Giants game, it was a good test for us with going out there and trying to stop the run. They have a pretty good offensive line.
On if he thinks he should be blitzing more often…
It's one of those things where you always want to rush, especially at the outside linebacker position. You definitely want to become more of a dropper but you want to have a good mix. You don't want to be labeled as "Oh, he's always going to blitz" and that will help the offense.
CB DWIGHT LOWERY
On if it's daunting for him to know he might be out there on opening day…
It's not a daunting thing. Your teammates depend on you. Regardless of who is in there, they expect you to contribute as if no one ever went down, and I think that is the biggest thing I place upon myself. I don't want to let my teammates down and that is the biggest thing about it.
On if he has liked what he has been able to do on special teams…
Yes, I have liked what I have been able to do. There are things that I can improve on. I've been put into positions I haven't really played before, but you have to do it for the team. You have to place it upon yourself to do the things that are necessary to put yourself into a position to help this team. That is kind of what special teams is all about. It can be argued that special teams is the most important phase of the game. If you don't take it like that, you are going to end of getting beat and lose games.
On how comfortable he feels in the defense…
I feel pretty comfortable with the defense. I think that comes from understanding what the other guys are supposed to do, too, and understanding where you fit into the defense and understand what we are trying to execute and what we are trying to get done with the defenses that are getting called. You get to a certain point where you feel like you can anticipate what our coach is going to call. I feel like we have a good understanding of what we want to do on defense.
