Transcript of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez's interview with reporters after Wednesday's midday practice:
On how he views the trade for Braylon Edwards...
I first looked at who we were giving up and we were giving up two great football players in [Jason] Trusnik, a good special teams guy, and [Chansi] Stuckey, someone who really helped me come around in the offseason and all summer. One, you are really excited to add a great football player, but sometimes like Mr. Tannenbaum said, you have to give up value to get value. I respect their decision. Rex [Ryan], Mike [Tannenbaum] and Mr. Johnson are doing what's best for our team.
It sounds like Cleveland really wanted those guys. I wish Stuckey the best. I talked to him this morning. It's my first time going through this as a rookie. I'm such good friends with Stuckey and so loyal to him and now he's gone. That's just the nature of this business. That's the first thing he said. He said, "Hey man, don't miss a beat. You're going to do awesome." That's the guy I threw my first touchdown to. I wish him the very best. He was a great player for us and I will always remember Stuckey and hopefully, I'll be with him somewhere along the line. I know that they're both going to be great and we just added a great football player. We're excited.
On what the trade for Edwards means to the Jets...
It's adding a great football player to our team and we're giving up two great football players. We just have to keep going and get him well entrenched in our system. He'll fit right in.
On what he knows about Edwards…
He's a great football player. He can stretch the field. As for the passing game, he's in the slot, he can do it all. To have him and [Jerricho Cotchery] is a great weapon for us.
On what he has done to hold the football better…
That [fumble] last week came from behind me, so that's tough. I held the ball and somebody hit it out. There isn't much you can do except try to throw it away earlier. The interceptions, those are just decision things, poor throws and I have to use my eyes a little better. That's stuff we are working on constantly, and inevitably that's going to happen to a rookie. To me, as competitive as I am, that doesn't make it right or OK. There is no excuse for things like that. I don't care if it is my first year or my 13th year, I don't want that to happen. I have a lot of work to do this week. I'm looking to bounce back and get back on track.
On if he has moved past the last game…
Sure, you have to. It's such a long season. This thing is a marathon. If I'm too caught up in last week, then my performance this week won't be to the caliber I want it to. It's gone, it's behind me. I took some valuable lessons from that game and hopefully, the next time I am on the field I will play a lot better.
On what he has seen of Edwards…
He's shown on film to just make great catches. Whether the ball is behind him, over his head, he has to dive – they are all catches. I am not planning on throwing anything too far out of reach.
On if Edwards' off-the-field issues concern him…
Not at all. He's an amazing talent. He is going to do just fine here. I am not worried about it one bit.
On what he sees from Miami…
Their linebackers are tough. Joey Porter off the edge and Jason Taylor are both great pass rushers who disrupt things in the run game. The middle two defensive tackles and nose tackles are just stout, strong guys, tough against the run. We need to be sharp with our points, Mike-declarations and landmarks in the run game.
In the passing attack, people talk about their two rookie corners. Those guys have been great. Vontae Davis I saw a couple years ago at Illinois, tough kid. The other guy [Sean Smith] is 6'3". We need to be smart about that. Then [Will] Allen on the other side, a great player. A sharp veteran guy, a crafty guy. In the secondary they are tough. It is going to be another great challenge for us. We need to be ready to play.
On the importance of the upcoming game...
It a big game for us. It's on Monday night. This one is for the whole country. We need to play smart and elevate our play as we need to every week. We need to bounce back from last week and play better.
On watching video of the fumble in the end zone at New Orleans…
I saw it on the plane. I just needed to, for me just to see exactly what happened. I had an idea what I did wrong and I was pretty much right. I know exactly what I did wrong there. The tale of that game was 14 points. They scored 14 points while we were on offense. Those mistakes, we need to clean them up. Playing smart like that will help our team. We've shown that we can win.
On the interception return for a touchdown…
He read me all the way and I'm sure he would have said that. I stared right at Dustin [Keller] and I threw it right at Dustin, but [Darren] Sharper just jumped right in front. I need to be better at watching the defense with my eyes and trust my progression.
On what Edwards means to the running game…
I think it just helps our entire offense. Throwing the ball, people can't just look to take out J-Co and Dustin because we have Leon [Washington] and now we have Braylon. In the running game, he's been great. As a run blocker and he can stretch the field. He's a definite threat out there whether he is by himself or in the slot. He's going to be good.
On teams bringing eight men in the box…
It seems in the last couple of weeks it has been the way it is going. We have adjusted to it just fine. The exception is last week, so we just have to improve and he is definitely going to help us.
On how he handled the loss…
The most important thing was to get away from the emotional side. Don't get upset, frustrated, or mad at yourself. You have to move on. One, for yourself, and for the rest of the guys in the locker room. Everybody is looking right here. The first thing that I like to do is watch the tape, and that is what I did on the plane. Trying to get an idea and then wake up early the next morning and go through my same routine. Don't change anything, don't cut any corners, don't beat myself up too much. Just keep playing. I've shown that I can help this team win the last three weeks and that is what I need to do next week.
On moving past the Saints game…
That is important for my confidence as well. The way I'm thinking, even after the third pick we are still in it. 'Don't worry, we're going to get another shot.' That is just the way I am. It's how competitive I am. Obviously, I was frustrated but it's long gone now. It's time to move on and time to have a great game.
On the hit on Jonathan Vilma…
I actually called him yesterday and got him on the phone. I told him I was running down the field, upset about the pick and said I didn't know what I was doing. I was just trying to create a pile, push somebody into a boundary. I don't want to be the guy on film that's quitting on a play. At the same time, I don't want to take that guy on head-up and get in trouble putting myself in danger. I just told him that I have to be smarter about that. He said, "No problem at all. Good luck." He was a great guy about it, real class guy.
On if he was fined by the league…
I got a little fine for that [$5,000].
On showing his emotions on the field…
I have always played with my emotions on my sleeve like that. When I'm excited it's obvious. When I throw a pick I won't be smiling. That is just something I need to control. Things have been just fine. I've thrown picks in other games and come right back. I'll be ready to bounce back this week.
On correcting the problems with his eyes…
If you know that's where you're thinking about going with the ball, you can't always look right at it. You have to mix it up with your eyes. Sometimes look right at it, sometimes look away to balance up the defense.
On how much he is looking forward to Monday's game against the Dolphins…
Knowing that it is a division opponent is important for us. It's a huge game. Other than that, just getting out on the field and playing again.
