Transcript of Jets head coach Rex Ryan's afternoon news conference following Monday's midday practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
I know everybody is disappointed to be back here. It is unfortunate the weather never cooperated since the practice was going to be open to the public. There were only a select number of people out there. It feels great to be back here. I think coming back from Cortland, we are right where we want to be as far as building our team. It is always great to go away. I think your team becomes closer because they just have each other. I think that's where we're at right now. Now we have to get better as a football team and that's what we are working on.
On Damien Woody having a taped ankle…
I just thought he had an ankle taped. He was probably trying to get out of Sal [Alosi]'s conditioning. I don't think it's that bad because he was not on the official list. I'm sure it's nothing. The guys that were held out of practice were [Donovan] Warren with a concussion. Josh Mauga was limited today coming off the concussion he had. He seems to be doing a little better, but it's not where we really want him to be. He was supposed to be playing already. Obviously, we're always going to err on the side of caution when it comes to head injuries. One of our guards, [Charlie] Tanner, went down with a knee injury today. We don't know how severe it is, but we are going to get it checked out, he'll get an MRI. It's probably an MCL sprain, but we will see. Sometimes you think it's a minor deal and it ends up being major so we're hoping for the best. It happened in a 9-on-7 drill and he did not return.
On Tom Brady saying he hated the Jets...
He knows we hate the Patriots, so what's the difference? [smiling] My brother has a couple Super Bowl rings and he loved Tom Brady. I don't have them so I don't like Tom Brady. I respect him, but I don't like him.
On Brady making a comment on hating the Jets and HBO's Hard Knocks…
It's great. Join the club [laughter].
On the rumors that Nick Mangold's contract extension is signed…
That's news to me. My understanding is that we're close, but a deal hasn't been done. I think the two sides are close.
On how Brodney Pool fits into the defense…
Brodney's doing well. I think our first group has played really well so far in the two preseason games and all through camp. He would have all the things down, but you don't realize that he's new to this system. Some of the specific checks, he still has to see and experience it. He's doing really well for us.
On if he needs to see Mark Brunell play more…
You pretty well know what you have, but you'd still like to see him get some confidence and make a couple throws. He has confidence but to be able to get out there and make a couple throws. This guy's been in conference championship games, he went to the Super Bowl last year, he's made a ton of Pro Bowls. You know what you're getting from Mark Brunell.
On if Brunell is still slated for the number two quarterback spot…
We signed him to be our number two quarterback.
On where Kellen Clemens stands in the competition for third quarterback…
I think he's doing well. I think he clearly leads it. We'll see.
On possibly bringing in help at defensive end such as Adalius Thomas…
Adalius Thomas is more of an outside linebacker, which is probably one the strongest positions we have on the team. Defensive end though, if someone gets cut off a roster or if someone is available, our scouts do a great job of making sure we have the information. He's really more of a linebacker than he would be an end.
On if he's happy that they are close to signing Mangold to a contract extension…
Oh yeah, it's great. You lock up the best center in football. That would absolutely be a big thing for us. Nick was originally drafted here. It's funny because in Baltimore we drafted Haloti Ngata that year, but if Haloti was gone, Nick Mangold was going to be our pick. We were familiar. ... He's a tremendous player obviously and that would be a huge thing for our franchise.
On what makes Mangold the best center…
He can handle nose tackles. That's where it starts now. With all these 3-4 teams and look at our conference - you have Miami, New England and Buffalo, we'll see what they do, they're talking about a 3-4 so it could be every team in the division playing 3-4 and you better have a center that can match up with these nose tackles. You still have to have agility. If you want a description of the position it would be you have to get a smart guy because he makes most of the line calls, he's right there in the middle. You have to have physical skills where you can handle these big guys, the nose tackles. You have to have quickness to get to the second level. And Nick has all these things.
On Mangold coming to camp while figuring out his contract extension…
I was expecting him to be at camp. That's the way it is. I thought Nick was going to be at camp, I never thought for a second that he wouldn't. He goes out there and he does his job. You might not notice him until he's not in there [laugh]. I tell you what's been great is watching him against Jenkins. Those two have been battling like crazy. The best nose tackle against the best center and they go at it all the time so it's great. It's great to see, it's great for both of them. I just hope this thing gets done and it will be good for both sides.
On if there is any movement with Darrelle Revis' contract…
It would be news to me.
On how much Ropati Pitoitua's injury affects the team…
It really hurts. It does. Because here's the guy who can be a back-up end, a back-up tackle. He was really developing as a sub rusher too. The arrow's pointing up on this guy and it will still be that way. It's just an unfortunate setback for him because I bet he was going to have a big year for us. He played last year. He played about 150 snaps or something like that. In there, it showed a big huge guy that can run, play hard. He did a lot of things. You just saw him improving so that was a big loss for us.
On Pitoitua's recovery time…
We'll lose him for the season, but after that he should be fine. They're thinking six months.
