Transcript of quarterback Mark Sanchez's news conference before Thursday's afternoon training camp practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
On WR Plaxico Burress…
Just to have him around for our young guys, talking about Plax, he's someone who has played a lot of football. He's picking up the offense very quickly, which is no surprise. He and Santonio [Holmes] and Jerricho [Cotchery] in the slot is huge for us and all of those young guys, football-wise and just in the classroom, talking it over. He's been great.
On Burress' success as a red zone target…
He's just somebody who's played so much football. He's experienced, he knows how to use his body to fight off defenders, great hands, and just has a high football IQ. You can turn on his highlight tape. He's in the right places, he knows how to run a shallow cross. He knows how to run a fade, he can run it all. So, it's a pleasure to have him. I want to throw to him as soon as we can.
On how much progress Burress can make in the next three days…
We want to ease him into things. We don't want to bombard him with too much right away. He's one of these guys, like I already said, he knows offenses and he knows football. When you get down to it, pretty much every team has the same plays, we just call them different things. He's trying to learn that, the verbiage, and as much as we can do, we'll do. And then as soon as he's ready to throw, I'll be out there, wearing him out.
On if there are any concerns about the time Burress has missed on the field…
No, we'll see how it goes. It sounds like he's determined and motivated for sure, and he knows what it's like to play in New York, he knows what it's like to play under the spotlight, and he's going to really help us.
On the Jets acquiring talented free agents...
We know our management will do anything they can to get the right players for our system and the best players available, and that's what Mr. Tannenbaum, Mr. Johnson and Rex [Ryan] did. That's how I've known it since I've been here and we'll get those guys ready to play and ready to roll.
On who the team to beat is in the AFC East, the Jets or the Patriots…
We feel like it's us, they probably feel like it's them, and that's just fine. We square off twice a year, and we'll be ready to play them.
On how the first day of training camp is going…
Wonderful, just to get on the field. These walkthroughs are a little different because we can't really run around, but this afternoon practice will be good for us.
On keeping track of the last week's transactions…
I think a lot of that stuff is funny. This social media stuff has just really taken over. I was reading Lisa Zimmerman's tweets and Manish [Mehta]'s tweets to try and figure out where players were signing when Mr. Tannenbaum wasn't picking up his phone. It's unbelievable the kind of information you guys get right away. It's been fun to track and now it's time to get going. The excitement is over. Let's get rolling and get playing.
On this team's expectations…
[There is] just one goal, one goal each year for everyone in the building. From the cooks in the cafeteria to the strength staff and the training staff, it's all of us—and it starts with me. So, I will play well and elevate my game.
On if last season's final loss stays with him…
The Colts game [2009 AFC Championship] still hurts. The Steelers game [2010 AFC Championship] still hurts. There are great plays from that game that we put on our teaching tape, but at the same time, I know there's some plays we want to get back. Those kind of things stay with you forever, and you think about them all the time. That's why you want to get back here and keep playing and keep winning.
On what it is like to have free agency during training camp…
It's a bit of a revolving door around here. It's different, but that's when me, as a third-year quarterback, I've got to step up as a team captain. It's time to step up and demand the best from these guys. As soon as they get in here, convey to them what it means to play like a Jet and be a Jet on-and-off-the-field. So, that's where my leadership role steps in.
On what it was like to be named team captain…
It was a tremendous honor, and I think Coach told you guys before he told me. People on the street were like, "Hey, Captain, congrats!" And I was like, "What are you talking about?" So finally I talked to Rex about it. That means the world to me. The best captain you could ever think of in New York is Derek Jeter. So to be named captain of your team is important, especially in this city, and that's somebody you have to pattern your life after.
On if he has spoken with WR Braylon Edwards in the past day…
I have not.
On if he thinks there will be any issues with Burress on-the-field…
I think that's the most important thing—is respecting each other. We'll be competitors, I know he's a tough competitor. He wants the ball. So does Santonio. So does Jerricho. So it's my job to throw to the open guy. Don't pick a favorite from day one. Just throw to the open guy. But, it's also not my job to keep everyone happy. It's my job to demand respect and get their best. Basically, I think, when we get into those heated moments, we've got to understand that it's not personal, that we're trying to win a game. That's the bottom line.
On if he is comfortable enough as a leader to deliver that type of speech to a teammate…
Absolutely. In these first couple of years, I haven't been sure about what to say, when to say it. And now it's time to go with your instincts and mean it, and just demand everybody's respect and demand their best play on the field. I need to have all of my stuff in order, and that's what this camp is all about.
On how much the team relies on him improving as a quarterback…
That's going to be it every year, especially this year. My improvement determines any kind of ceiling this team could have, and our potential. We have all of the potential in the world, and now it's time to realize that, for me to step up my game, and up my completion percentage early in the game and cut back on the interceptions. They've got to be in single digits, and we'll go from there.
On if he focused on keeping wide receivers happy in the past…
I think that's natural, and I'm not afraid to admit that. As a young guy, you see these superstars around and you think, "Let's get so-and-so a catch in the first quarter and make sure he's happy. OK, Dustin [Keller]'s in there, let me try to get this ball down the field." I'm going to go through my reads. I'm accountable for the entire team. From our left tackle to our center, Nick Mangold—all of them. So, I've got to do my job and the catches will come.
