K NICK FOLK
On his reaction when he received the franchise tag from the team...
It was exciting. Anytime that could happen, it's pretty exciting. Most of the time when you get a franchise tag, things tend to work out and you get a long-term deal. I think there was mutual interest there from both sides and we both wanted to get something done. I think they just wanted to make sure with all the frenzy that went on the first day of free agency that nothing crazy happened. They wanted to make sure that something would get done and I'm happy it did.
On if he was confident he would get a long-term deal…
There was no real reason not to be confident, but there is always something crazy that could happen. I've seen crazier things happen, let's put it that way. I was happy that it happened. It might have been that they wanted to try and give it one more year, but we ended up getting something done and I think both sides are happy with it. I'm excited to get back there in a couple of weeks to get rolling with everyone.
On if he would have been disappointed if he did not receive a long-term deal…
Yes and no. I mean, it's a pretty nice pay raise from what I was making, so I think it would been all right either way. I'm just happy something got done and we're excited to get back there. My wife and I are ready to get back to New Jersey. When do we start? We start the 21st of April, so around then.
On if there is any guaranteed money in his deal beyond the first year…
I don't want to get into the specifics of the whole situation, but we felt it was a good deal for both sides, so it was something that we both wanted to do and both felt comfortable doing. With the situation the Jets are in this year with how much room they have with the cap, and you can see, I think some teams are leaning towards doing that more, giving the roster bonus as guarantees instead of signing bonuses. It was good for both sides, we both felt comfortable with it.
But with just about any deal that anyone has got, you have to go out and perform; you have to make sure that you're doing your part to hold your end of the bargain up. I'm just excited to be back with the Jets, excited to be back wearing green and white and ready to rock and roll.
On if his approach will change now that he has a long-term deal as opposed to a one-year deal…
No, not at all. I actually just got off the field kicking. I won't [change my approach]. You know, you have to be prepared every day. In this league, one kick could be your last kick, so I don't want to be that guy. I would like to play for a long time here in New York. I would like to keep going with this and hopefully we can put a good team together and go out and win a bunch of games and make a good playoff run this year. That would be a lot of fun. I think that's the ultimate goal for everyone, just to go out and win a championship.
On if he had conversations with other teams…
No, I didn't personally, no. I think it's against league rules to talk to them until you get to that [three]-day window there. I think once we got the franchise gag, most teams are, especially for a kicker, not willing to give up two first-round picks for it. I think you can look at [New Orleans TE] Jimmy Graham's situation at that point, too. I mean, someone might think about that, but I don't think someone is going to give up two first-round picks for one player.
DL LEGER DOUZABLE
On if any other teams expressed interest in him during free agency…
Yes, there were a few teams, but ultimately, me and my family decided this was the best place for me. I enjoy playing for Rex [Ryan]. I love him and John Idzik and definitely [DL coach] Karl Dunbar, which made it easier for me to come back.
On how many other teams showed interest in him…
It was actually quite a bit of teams, at least four or five that we were eyeing. Like I said, at the end of the day I felt like this was the best deal for me. The familiarity with the coaching staff and Rex made it an easier decision for me to come back.
On if he got more playing time than he expected to last season…
I don't think I got more than I thought. Talking to Coach [Dunbar], when they were thinking about bringing me in, they were looking for somebody that could play behind Sheldon [Richardson] and Muhammad [Wilkerson]. That was a role I felt that I could play. I pride myself on being a versatile player. I think I showed that last year. I think we are just going to take bigger steps this year with the same group. It's funny because I spoke to the guys before the Miami game and said, "No two groups are the same every year." We actually have the chance to have the same D-line group, which is a blessing.
On if Coach Ryan spoke to him about coming back…
Yeah, he did. Right at the end of the season when we had our meetings he and [Idzik] specifically both talked to me and really wanted me back. It is always good to be wanted somewhere. Like I said, that played a part in me coming back, too.
On which other teams reached out to him…
I really don't want to say, because I am a Jet right now and none of that really matters. Like I said, it was four or five teams.
On being the most experience man in the group and how he sees his role…
It worked out really well coming in with a lot of experience already. I just tried to give them any experience I had, help in any way. It is a great group of guys. We all work hard every day in the room and on the field. You can see that we really work well together. It has been a blessing to play with those guys. I feel like we are going to be the best D-line in the league this year.
