Transcript of quarterback Mark Sanchez's news conference this morning at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
On Mike Tannenbaum…
He came in and addressed the team. It was just a heartfelt speech and he wished us all the very best. That's tough because he's someone who drafted me and we've had some success together the first couple of years and it's hard to see changes like that. We really do feel for the guy, but at the end of the day that's a Mr. Johnson decision. That's what he thinks is best for the team. We'll move on from there, but I wish Mr. Tannenbaum the best of luck. He has a great family and they've always been good to me.
On the season…
It did not go as well as we had hoped, not what we expected. There are a lot of things to be proud of, guys going to the Pro Bowl, Shonn Greene rushing for 1,000 yards for a second straight year, but in my opinion, I underachieved and didn't play the way I'm capable of playing. Unfortunately, that led to some losses and things like that. We just have to get better and take some time and get away from the game a little bit and come back strong next year. I just had a good talk with Rex [Ryan] and I know we're destined for great stuff here, I know we can be successful here. That's what I'm focused on. I'm excited to come back next year and do my very best.
On if he believes he can lead the team…
No question, absolutely.
On if he thinks he will be back next year…
That's what I'm planning on. Until I'm told differently, I'm a Jet. That's what I always thought would happen. I don't see anything different. I just want another crack at this thing.
On Coach Ryan…
I know he has the passion and I know he has the drive to take us where we want to be and to get us into the postseason and make another run at the Super Bowl. He's my head coach. We've had a lot of wins together and I know there's plenty more to come.
On his meeting with Coach Ryan…
Those things are between Rex and me but it was a positive meeting. I'll be ready to go next year.
On outside distractions…
I'm not going to get into any of that stuff. I was just proud of the way guys stuck together and really supported each other. As far as media policy, that's the coach's decision and management decision on how they want to handle that. I do my best to be positive about other guys and look at the glass half full. I know we have a lot of great talent here so we'll be back.
On his message to fans…
Just hang in there. They've been through tougher times than this and there are good things to come on the horizon.
On improving the offense…
Speaking from my perspective, that's what I can control. There are some situations where I need to play better. There were some great plays and some great throws and then there were some not so good things. Those are the things I need to focus on this offseason and try and fix those and put us in a better position to take care of the football.
On how he can improve…
I don't know. I'll maybe have a little better idea when I sit back and cut up all of the film and look at it. It just wasn't my best. That's unfortunate because you don't want to let any of these other guys down. I have some stuff to prove and I know I can do it.
On the addition of Tim Tebow…
I'm not going to make any excuses about anything like that. He worked his butt off while he was here and he tried to come in and help this team. That's all I'm going to say about that. He's a good teammate.
On if he was relieved to hear Coach Ryan would remain head coach…
Everybody's just kind of looking around waiting to hear the next bit of news and move on from there. But I'm confident that Rex can take us to where we need to go. He can inspire this team and bring us back from where we are now.
On Coach Ryan's message in the team meeting today…
Just that all of us are going to need to improve individually for us to be a better team, that we're going to need better execution. Like I've said, there are plenty of things to be proud of. He addressed some of those things, just like Coach Sparano did. And it's a tough day and it's really too bad. It's never the way you want to feel. There's only one team that feels good after the season. So we'll be ready to go next year and get away from this thing for a little bit and move on and improve and come back strong and ready to play.
On if he met with Coach Sparano…
Yes.
On what Coach Sparano is working on…
He's working his butt off and starting to go through player evaluations and things like that that coaches do right after the season ends, and these next couple days I'm sure they'll do that. But he's a fighter, he's a tough guy, and he's doing his best to try and help the team.
On if Coach Sparano is in the building today…
Yes.
On what it would mean for him as a quarterback if he were to have three offensive coordinators in three years…
I mean, I'm not going to speculate until something like that happens, then we'll go from there.
On his offseason plans…
There are some decisions to be made on that. I know for sure, no matter what, whether you win the Super Bowl or lose the AFC Championship Game or only win a handful of games, you get away from it for a little bit. Just get away, see your family, relax and then get back and hit it hard.
On if there is a different feeling this year compared to last year…
I think guys handled it a little better this year and learned a lot from last year. The way guys went out media-wise last year wasn't as professional as I think we are. I don't think it represented the team very well. And I don't know what other guys have said yet, but I do know that I'm sure they've learned from last year. So we'll stay strong and be proud of the guys in this locker room. Although things didn't go well, we're proud of their effort and just keep building up the team, try and stay positive through this whole thing and work our way out of it.
On if he thinks the team had enough playmakers to succeed this season…
Yeah, we had plenty of guys to win. We were in a lot of games until the very end, we just didn't execute as well as we would have liked. And that starts at the quarterback, so that's what I can control and I'll improve that next year.
On if he's exhausted from the distractions this season…
There are distractions anywhere. I think being the media capital of the world, it's highlighted a little more here and there's a brighter light. But you do your best to navigate your way through those things and avoid them and ignore the noise outside the building and try to focus on the guys in here and the game plans and things like that. So that's how I go about it.
On if he wishes he could play somewhere else where the public criticism is less…
No, when it's not going your way, it's made to be a lot worse on the outside. When it is going your way or you win nine games and get in the playoffs your rookie year, it's like you're the next Joe Montana and you can do anything and you're the best in the world. And that's it, that's just the way it goes when it's going well. So you have to do your best to kind of stay even-keel and, like I said, navigate through those situations, not get too high, not get too low.
On not having Dustin Keller and Santonio Holmes for most of the season…
You'd love to have all your guys out there. One, just because of the way they play the game, how excited and passionate they are about playing, and then obviously their ability. They're tough for a defense. Even when you have the right coverage, you have the right scheme, those guys find a way to make plays, those are the guys I've thrown to the most. But when they're not there, you have to do everything you can and that's what we tried to do.
