Transcript of quarterback Mark Sanchez's news conference in front of his locker following Wednesday's practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center:
On what he thinks Sunday night will be like…
I think it's a great opportunity for us to really show our stuff and show our respect for our country for this 10-year anniversary, and respect the firefighters and rescue workers and police officers, pay tribute to the lives that were lost, and give the respect and honor and attention to those families who lost loved ones. Remember them and what they meant to us and remember how strong our country is from a tragedy like that, how we've rallied, and play our best football, and have fun.
On if he remembers where he was the morning of Sept. 11, 2001…
Sure. I was on my way to school. I was a freshman in high school and my dad was dropping me off at school. I remember hearing it on the radio. We were listening to sports radio in the morning. They talked about a plane hitting one of the World Trade Center towers. We watched it all day at school, and that's kind of when I learned, but never in a million years did I think that 10 years later I'd be here playing for New York. So it's a great opportunity for me to respect those people in this area who have done so well with such a tough tragedy.
On what he thinks the atmosphere will be like…
I think it will be emotional, and guys will remember exactly where they were at the time of the tragedy. They'll give thanks to the officers and rescue workers. We want to do all that, and respect that atmosphere and that process and all the ceremonial stuff, and at the same time, we want to play a good football game, and be focused and ready to play. So that's important as well.
On preparing for the Cowboys' new defense installed by coordinator Rob Ryan…
There are similarities and maybe a little crossover between Rex [Ryan] and Rob, but it's its own scheme, it's got its own identity, and they have a lot of different personnel than we have, so we just need to be smart. Our offensive goals are the same each week — take care of the football and we've got to score points when we have the chance. We know our defense is going to try to get us the ball back and our special teams will put us in a good position, so we just need to focus in on our keys this week and play well.
On if he watched video of the Browns defense from last year when Rob Ryan coached there…
It's hard because they have such different personnel in Cleveland, but we go with what we can. Our coaches are coming up with a good game plan for us. We had a good day today, and that was a good start.
On the importance of the offense performing well after struggling in last season's regular-season opener…
Opening at home and putting a real emphasis at playing at home, winning two preseason games, that's been a real push for us. It's our job on offense, whether we receive the ball or get it on the second possession of the game, we need a score. That will be our intention each time we touch the ball and we'll go from there.
On if anything can be learned from the 2010 opener against Baltimore…
I think last year we were just trying too hard. You get that impression from "Hard Knocks." You have to show the world everything you got. We have all of these new players and we want to do so much. Let's be ourselves. Go with what you do well. We're a good rushing team. We can throw the ball when we need to. We're going to have great field position with our special teams. Our defense is going to get the offense the ball back, and that's it. Don't get too cute. Don't make anything up on gameday. Just play and have fun.
On the transition going into his third season…
I think having a new group of wideouts has been a good challenge for me, to try and demand out of guys that are much older and much more experienced. They've been around this league a long time. They've played with a lot of quarterbacks. It's my turn to really take charge. I think that's been a good challenge for me. And they've responded well. They know I'm working hard. They know I mean well, that my intentions are good, that when I get on them, it's never personal, that I just want the best out of them. They understand that. They're competitive guys. So that's been a fun challenge for me. We'll see how we do on Sunday.
On what it will be like to see his alma mater, Mission Viejo High School, take on Don Bosco Prep this weekend in New Jersey…
Mission Viejo. I won't see them in person. I know they're playing at night, so we'll be in the hotel, studying up for Dallas. I think they came by the facility today. That's great. If I get the chance to see Coach [Bob] Johnson, great, if not, I'm wishing them the best and I know they'll play well.
On if he will see Mission Viejo play this season…
I don't know. We'll see. I'm focused on the Dallas game first. I'm with those guys and hoping they do well, but that's their job to play well, and it's my job to play well on Sunday.
On trying to take advantage of the injuries and inexperience in the Dallas secondary with his veteran wide receivers…
We don't want to change too much. I think we have a good plan going into it. Whoever suits up for them, we need to be ready to play. We have plenty of clips of all of their defensive backs, and they all look really good. So we just have to be smart, be accurate with the football and don't give them a chance to make too many plays.
On what he has done or what he will do to improve his completion percentage…
I think there's been an emphasis on when things aren't open with your first and second read, not to try and force it in, either back to your first read or your second and try to make a great throw or a great play. Just be ready to run the ball a little bit and just get back to the line of scrimmage, maybe scramble for 2 or 3 yards, throw it away right away, or just get it down to your back. Don't pass up early completions.
If we call a "shot" play, it doesn't mean you have to throw it 50 yards down the field — there could be a guy wide open underneath. I found myself last year just hanging on those deep calls and waiting and waiting and waiting, and then you end up throwing the ball away, when I could've just dumped it down to LT [LaDainian Tomlinson] or something. So just going through my progression, being confident like I am and getting completions when I can.
On the pressure to produce with the talent that is around him…
It seems like that's the emphasis every year, and with every ballclub the quarterback's got to be good and got to be solid. This year's no different. If anything, it's only gotten more intense and more important for me to be accurate. You get playmakers like that, just get them the ball and be accurate with it. Give them a chance to catch and run. That's my focus going into the game and understanding the game plan. I feel good about it already.
