Transcript of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's news conference following Monday's midday practice:
On the win…
It feels great. Spirits are high, guys are excited. It was a big time win for us and exactly what we needed at this point in the season. We're excited about the win and practice went well today.
On the most challenging part of a short week…
Just getting all of the film preparation in. Making sure we go through our preparation like we would in a normal week. That means extra time tonight and tomorrow and Wednesday, studying things in the hotel. Not taking a break just because we had a game, and a good game. We really need to come back and hit this thing hard. Guys are excited. It was a big time win and we're ready for another challenging opponent in a big time game.
On if it helps that he's played Buffalo before…
Yes, a little bit. I know there personnel quite a bit. I got to know them pretty well, actually. That helps, but at the same time things change in what they do from when they played you last time. They might throw a new wrinkle in and we need to expect that. Expect to have another great matchup with them.
On if he will color-code his wristband again…
I don't know. We'll see.
On if the wristband was helpful…
Sure, very helpful.
On how important a win on Thursday would be…
It's huge. We're taking it one week at a time. We're looking at it, as of last week, as a six-game season, doing our best each game and preparing everyday and taking it one day at a time. This next one can be huge for us, especially in such a quick turnaround. To have a win like that back-to-back is huge for us. We're up to the challenge and ready for it.
On if Buffalo is the same defensively with a new head coach…
They're doing some similar things from what we've seen last time. They've had a couple of injuries, like at the linebacker position. They've been moving guys around. [Jairus] Byrd has played well the entire time. Both corners look good. Depending on whether the other cornerback comes back, we'll see. It's a great defense and their D-line just seems to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. They are relentless up front. They won't take downs off. They play to the whistle and are a well-coached group. We have to be ready to play our best.
On how his knee feels…
Good, real good. I took all of the reps in practice today. We're just going through precautionary steps, but it's doing good. Hopefully things work out for Thursday.
On if he is looking for revenge vs. Buffalo…
No, that's not good for a quarterback to think like that. You just have to play these plays smart like I did last game and take care of the football. It's not, 'This guy intercepted me last time, I'm not throwing at him.' It's not like that at all. It's just about winning the game. Whether we throw it or run it or I have to run, whatever we have to do. Just win the game and put the other one behind us and learn from it and move on.
On his assessment of how he took care of the football…
It was good when I scrambled. I tried to attack it as best as possible. The interception, that got away from me. I missed Braylon [Edwards]. We can't have that in that situation. It's second down and I need to make a better decision there. It was the right read but has to be a better throw. Those kinds of things happen even when you're trying like heck to take care of the ball, those things can happen. [Chris] Gamble made a heck of a play. It's important to understand that those things can happen, but you really want to stay away from them. The guys did a great job rallying back converting on a big third down to [Danny] Woodhead and then winning the game.
On his thoughts when he was injured during the game…
We just want to be cautious with it and make sure I'm ready to play. I was itching to get back onto the field. I felt a little awkward falling and getting tackled from behind like that. I got back in and the trainers did a great job with it and got me back into the game.
On the checkdowns against Carolina…
Those underneath passes really got us some yards yesterday and TJ [Thomas Jones] did a heck of a job just fighting for extra yards after the catch. It really hurts the defense when they cover everything and you throw it underneath. It's kind of a back-breaker for them. That was important for our offensive attack. That's something I haven't done previously. It's important to remember those guys underneath.
On if they planned on it going into the game…
No, we didn't plan on it, it just sort of worked out that way. It was one of those things where if things weren't wide open and things didn't look great, there's no need to take a chance, especially in a game like that. When our defense is playing well, there is no need to force the ball down the field.
On preparing for a short week…
It's pretty intense. This is huge turnaround for us and it's quick. We have to make sure we don't get caught up in the aftermath of last game. We're excited about the win, but we need to move on. We can't get too excited about it. We need to move on and prep like we do in a normal week which means extra preparation time, extra study time in the next couple of days and get ready for this next game.
On the last time he played two games in a four-day span…
Probably early in high school. I played a JV game on a Thursday and ended up playing a varsity game on the Friday. That was kind of weird. This is a lot higher level than that. These guys are a lot better. I just really need to get ready. My sophomore year, I think. I played JV and then started a varsity game. We did win. That was before I transferred high schools and we played two games.
On the difference between the transition from college to NFL and high school to college…
Similar in the change in speed, but the athletes in the NFL, there are none better. They are so good and fast and strong and they know what they're doing. There's nobody that you can pick on anymore. In high school or college you can find somebody that you can throw a deep ball on, this guy can't cover this route. They can do it all. You saw the ball to Gamble, I missed that by a fraction of an inch and this guy makes an awesome play. The room for error has decreased quite a bit, but it's a very similar transition.
On if playing in the NFL is what he expected…
And more. I don't know how to say it, this has been the coolest year of my life. Running around with these guys and being in a great organization, fighting for a chance at the playoffs here, fighting for another win. This is what you always dream of doing. Learning along the way, learning on the fly has been fun at times and difficult at times. It is a learning process and you're growing this entire year. I've really enjoyed it, but it's everything I've expected and more.
On if he feels more comfortable now than the previous game against the Bills…
I feel good about each week. You're confidence grows as the year goes on. You get more reps, you see things more, you feel more comfortable with disguises and blitzes and all of our reads and our offensive packages. This is a great team. Taking things from last game and knowing about protecting the football and how important that is for us to win. We played these guys down to the wire and we gave up the ball six times. Without those interceptions you'd think we win the game. That's the way we need to play, mistake-free and just go into this game with confidence and momentum from this week.
On his knee…
It felt really good. The training staff looked at it this morning, stretched me out and we went through the walkthrough, pretty seamless. It feels fine, we'll see how it goes as the week goes on and make sure we take it slow and be smart about it.
On not trying to do too much against Buffalo…
I think a lot of that is going to be with Coach Ryan and our little system that we have going. Talking over situations, be smart, preparing like I have. Really being smart and understanding what we need in certain situations and protecting the ball at all costs.
On if there is extra emphasis on this game after what happened the last time against Buffalo…
What game? [laughing] Somebody asked already if it was a revenge game, I don't take it like that. It's our next opponent and they're a great opponent, so we need to prepare like we always do and be smart. The biggest emphasis of last game, of the last few weeks, of the whole season, really, is taking care of the football. We handle that and it will give us an opportunity to win.
On if playing Buffalo serves as a reminder of the mistakes made the last game…
I remember all of the plays and have been over the film a couple of times since then. It's an important learning process and it will be a big step for us as a team and me personally. Just coming back and playing smart this game against a tough defense. Learn from the mistakes and move on.
On if he's ever been to Canada…
No, I've never been to Canada. My first time. I have my passport, gave it to Dave Szott. I'm ready to go.
