Transcripts of interviews with Jets players following Wednesday's afternoon training camp practice:
RB ALVIN BANKS
On learning the system …
It was hard at first picking it up in minicamp and OTAs. But I feel like I'm catching on well. The more reps you get in practice, it's kind of easier to pick up.
On if it is tough being a rookie free agent running back …
It's tough, period. Being out here in training camp, you have to come out here and work every day.
On working behind an experienced offensive line …
It helps. You come out and run good behind an experienced line, it helps you stand out, too. You just want to run good [regardless of] who you're behind.
On working hard to make the team …
I don't think I'm on the team yet. I'm just coming out here and trying to show the coaches that I belong on the team.
On the pressures of practice …
You just have to take it day by day. If I have a bad practice today, then tomorrow I'm still here and I have to improve. That's all I'm trying to do, improve every day.
On where he fits best …
I'm just willing to do whatever the coaches want me to do. They put me at fullback, they want me running routes, I'll do that. Whatever they want me to do, I'll do.
On his playing in college …
I think the coaches used me at a lot of positions. I did line up at fullback, mostly on pass plays. I lined up a little bit at receiver, so I think it kind of helped me to get where I am now, to show the scouts that I can catch the ball out of the backfield and out of different positions.
On chances of making it as a free agent …
The coaches were just saying how many tryouts and free agents made the team last year. I just want to be one of those guys.
On his work through camp so far …
I think I'm catching on, but it's still a mental strain. Coming from college and being a rookie, you're not used to this. You're not used to it being this tough and the language of the offense. You have to adjust to the college offense, how college coaches call plays to how NFL coaches call plays. That's the difference right now.
CB DAVID BARRETT
On having a bad rap for not playing healthy last season ...
Last was last year. This is a new year. I am going to come in and do what needs to be done this year and put the past behind me.
On what kind of camp is he having so far …
I think I'm having a pretty good camp. I'm feeling good and I'm healthy. That's all I can ask for.
On what Darrelle Revis is missing not being in camp …
I can't answer that for him. When he gets here, he gets here. He has to take care of his business first. After that he will be here with us.
On whether it gets easier each year fighting for a position on a team ...
Every year is a fight no matter what you're doing. It's always going to be a fight. There is always someone younger that wants to come in and play better than you or try to take your position, so you always have to be on your toes.
On doing things differently since his rookie year …
Just come in every day and get better at every little thing, whether it's man-to-man, playing off or zone coverage, whatever it is.
On goals for the team and himself this year ...
Win games, basically. That's all we want to do; win games. What lies out there, I have no idea, but whatever it is, it's out there and I'm waiting for it.
On how he feels about his camp ...
I feel like I'm all right. I'm doing what I need to do out on the field.
On the Jets sending a message by drafting another defensive back …
It doesn't really send a message, it just says we need some help and they are going out there to get some help for the secondary.
On how he feels the secondary looks …
We're looking good. We're looking like a family right now. Everybody's coming together. We're pushing each other to go out there each day.
On the defense being difficult to learn …
It depends on how you see it. If you come in and no one wants to help you, then you have to deal. But it's a more family-oriented secondary. When you don't understand something, ask one of the older guys or somebody who knows it, and we'll help you out as much as we can.
DE MICHAEL HAYNES
On the temperature during practice …
I have no idea how hot it was today. It's just one of those things where you show up, you know you have to practice and you just have to make the best of it. Defensive line-wise, we have so many veterans that we have very high expectations and we realize that the only way to meet those expectations is to come out here and work hard every single day no matter the weather — rain, thunder, heat. It's just one of those things we realize that is just the way it is.
On returning to the field after nearly a year off …
Last year, I'm very happy that it's behind me. This year I'm just very happy with so many things. This style of defense definitely fits my strengths and strong points. This coaching staff really fits the way I learn. I can ask as many questions as I want and they will plug me full of information, which is really the way I learn best.
On adjusting to the Jets' two-gap defense …
I've never done it before, but it is one of those things where I think two-gapping fits my personal strengths. It is a transition, but I don't think it is that difficult of a transition for me.
On taking a year off from football …
Actually, I think it was more of a blessing in disguise. It gave me an opportunity to get out of Chicago — they decided to go in a different direction — and it gave me an opportunity to get my back healthy and to refocus on what was the best fit for me. I had an opportunity to look around the league, look at all the defenses and look at the way the NFL was going, and where was the best fit. I definitely talked to [Eric] Mangini and the GM [Mike Tannenbaum] and realized this was the best place for me.
On training camp …
The way our coach has this thing set up really gives us an opportunity for everybody to be at our best. Especially the older guys, who have been around the league a little bit, they kind of realize the way this thing is set up really benefits the players.
On whether his back is fully healed …
It is one of those things where coming off any injury both the player and the team are always worried about it. It's one of those things where I don't think I made any concessions. It's just one of those things where you go out there, be healthy and play. That is the basic concept of everything.
On the differences between this camp and other camps he has been through …
Obviously, every camp is a little bit different. This is really nice because you are closer to home. In case anything comes up, you make a phone call to your girlfriend, wife, whomever, and have them handle it so you're not all stressed out about it. There is nothing worse than being five hours away from home and next thing you know something happens at your house. You have a flood or something like that and you can't take care of it. By the organization having us here it really puts everybody at ease. Plus you can have your family at practice, so after practice you can hang out with them and interact with them, which really takes a load off of your mind.
On whether it was difficult to watch the Bears play in the Super Bowl …
Yes, I'm not going to lie about it. It was very difficult, but it was also a good thing because I still have a lot of friends on Indianapolis and Chicago, so it gave me an opportunity to kind of root for them. It was very difficult, but it is always difficult to watch the Super Bowl, especially if you're not playing. It's always difficult to watch them. I hate watching any championship game that I'm not in. I use that as motivation because I want to be playing in those games.
On growing up in a military family …
[His father, Michael, was in the Air Force and his mother, Catherine, was in the Army.] There is no overtime in the military. There will be some times where your parents aren't coming home until seven, so you have to be very organized. My parents had a list of things on the wall that no matter where they were or how late they came home, these things needed to be done. That really gave me an edge up on life because I don't need to be babysat. You can give me a list and tell me the things I have to do and I'm going to do those things whether they are watching or not. That really helps me in this organization and throughout life in general.
On moving around during his childhood …
It really forced me to adapt to any situation because you never know where you are going to go, where you are going to be, and a lot of the time you don't have a choice. It's one of those things where Mom would come and say, "By the way, in two months we're leaving." That's pretty much it. You don't have a lot of choices or options. It really brought me closer to my family. Even now I really appreciate them. When you move to a new place, the only friends you have are your brothers, so whether you like them or not, you have to learn very quickly to put any past aggressions aside and hang out with one another.
On whether growing up in a military family has helped his football career …
It helps with football because Coach runs a very tight ship. Be on time, pay attention, all of those things. If you are going to a foreign country, you have to pay attention because you don't know the language and where you are going, so you have to keep your wits about you.
On his siblings …
I have one older brother [Curtis], he is a year older, and one younger [LeShawn], he is 5 years younger. My older brother and I would always pick on my younger brother, whether he was running around or who knows what he was doing. We always had to keep tabs on him.
DE ERIC HICKS
On his first training with a team other than Kansas City …
Being older and having a little bit of a reputation around the league, guys know who you are, so it's not like being a rookie coming in, but it is different. Having spent nine years in Kansas City, that's really all you know, that's where I raised my kids. It's everything we've always known. It was tough the first couple of days, but the guys really embraced me and I'm having a lot of fun.
On knowing Coach Mangini before becoming a Jet …
No, just through reputation. He won the Super Bowl with the Patriots and then did a great job in going to the playoffs here with the Jets. But I didn't know him personally at all.
On his relationship with Dick Vermeil …
Yeah, I think it was almost more of a father/son relationship. I was one of his type of players, one who would put everything out on the line on every snap. Those first years were hard trying to acclimate to his system. He really respected the guys that hung in there with him and adapted to his way of football. We stay in contact frequently, and like I said, he's a father figure.
On leaving Kansas City …
It was tough. I have a lot of friends there and it was my home. The team dynamic there was changing, moving a lot more to the younger generation, if you will. It was just time for me to move on. Luckily, the Jets came calling.
On the 3-4 defense …
When I was younger, obviously I could move around better. That's pretty much how it goes. As you get over 30, everyone says your skills start to diminish. I started over 100 games there and just the way you prepare and the running and cutting really wears down on you after a while. In the 3-4, you get to be a little more stationary, just a kind of more in-line fighting with the guy in front of you. It kind of suits me a little better.
On having to prove himself …
I just want to go out and compete for a position, compete for playing time. I don't think I have anything to prove to the Chiefs. I left everything at Arrowhead Stadium. We had some great years there and some bad years. Last year I gave 100 percent every time. I know it sounds kind of cliché, but I have no regrets there. I'm just going to come out here and do what I'm told and try to play well.
I was well known in Kansas City and I have a reputation throughout the league as a tough guy. Guys in this locker room don't really know me. This team is very young, a lot of second-, third- and fourth-year guys. So I have to come in and try to reestablish myself. I have no problem doing that. I was a free agent coming out, so I've been hungry my entire career. I had to battle for every dollar I've earned and every play I got. I have no problem with fighting for a spot.
On if the rookies have called him Mr. Hicks yet …
No, no. I think I'm going to go home and shave tonight if we get a few hours after meetings tonight. I have to shave my head too. I have some gray hair, too, and I don't want these guys to know how old I am.
On his comfort level in a new locker room …
I think I'm a little more reserved. I felt I could speak up a little more in Kansas City because I had such a reputation and was viewed as a team leader. I was one of the longest-tenured guys there. Here you don't really want to overstep your bounds with anybody. You don't know where people's touchy spots are when you joke on people in the locker room. So you just lay back and see how everybody takes jokes and criticisms. Maybe in a couple months I'll let one fly here or there.
On setting an example on a younger team …
Since this team is so young and even the coaching staff is young, everybody is looking for somebody to step up one day or the other. Somebody might be down one day, so guys are going to have to step up. Coaches are going to step up here. It's up to the older guys to take on those responsibilities because the young guys, frankly, haven't really gotten their feet wet yet in the NFL. Until you've been there in the real fire in the games and everything, you're not going to know what it's like when you're under pressure.
On the irony of joining the Jets after Herm Edwards left for Kansas City …
The only irony is we get to trade Herm stories with the guys. The trainer from the Jets [David Price] went out to the Chiefs, too, so I had that bit of familiarity too.
G PETE KENDALL
On returning to practice ...
It's training camp. It's too long, it's too hot. Get back out there and move around again. It's my job as a professional.
On whether there has been any change in contract discussions …
It's still the same.
On practicing despite being frustrated with the organization …
It's an uncomfortable situation, one that I truly wanted to avoid. I thought that one way or another it would not come down to this. But here we are, no deal.
On whether he will continue to handle himself in a professional manner …
I'm trying my best.
On having to sign autographs after practice …
Just another part of it.
On whether any of the fans had a new contract for him to sign during his autograph session (joking) ...
I wasn't looking closely enough. I think it was mostly hats and game balls.
On his interactions with the fans …
For the most part, people say they hope it works out and they want me to stay. There have been some people out here who have told me to shut up and play. Those people remain anonymous and sit safer behind the fence.
On whether he would stay with the Jets if they meet his contract demands …
Absolutely. I know I would be fine, but I can't speak for the other parties involved. This is not at all what I wanted, to be the center of attention for something like this. It is very distasteful for me.
LB ANDRE WADSWORTH
On why he came back …
You only have one chance in a lifetime to do this and I saw an opportunity when I was healthy enough to at least try to attempt to do this and see if it works out. If I can get in to make the team, hopefully someday down the road they can trust me to make some plays throughout the season.
On how he feels physically …
It's been slow but I think they've been patient with me. I've been working as hard as I can. I haven't missed a day of practice. I got here early; on July 21. I've been pressing in practice every day so that really helps.
On motivating other guys …
Young guys don't even know what's going on. I think it's the older guys that have been beating up their bodies that have been saying, "If he's been doing it, why not me?" Some of the young guys do, but most of the older guys ask me.
On what keeps him motivated to play …
Playing football; having fun! This is the hard part. You get past the hard part, which is training camp, and then the fun part is coming where the season starts.
On having highs and lows …
You have to constantly motivate yourself and talk to yourself. You come out here and see it all over the field — "trust," "communicate" and "focus." You have to prepare yourself. It's not just something you can breeze by. Mentally you have to be strong. I didn't expect it to come back right from the get-go.
On his progress …
The curve is not skyrocketing. It's a smooth sail, but it's not skyrocketing.
On how difficult it is going to be for him to come back …
At first I didn't think it was that difficult. The thing I see as difficult is not playing football. It's the humility of it all. Last time I saw myself on film when I'm healthy is a guy that can run a 4.5 [40-yard dash], the guy that can jump, is explosive and can make moves. I can say, "Wow, I did that." Now I'm looking at the film and I'm kind of disgusted. It's tougher. I have to continue to work at it every day. The humility of that is the tough part. I am my toughest critic. Now I have to say, "You don't have those tools, so let's focus on the different things I can do to get myself better and prepare myself to play in games and be a productive player."
On learning a new system …
That's not the frustrating part. I felt like I could have done it a lot easier being the 22-year-old, 23-year-old with young, fresh legs, a lot of fire and athletic ability. The humility of it is watching yourself years later not doing things as easily and really staying focused and persistent day in and day out.
On if the Jets tried to talk him out of playing …
I didn't see it as they were trying to talk me out of it. I saw it as they were trying to get to know me. They said stuff like, "When it gets hot, when it gets cold or when you miss your family and the training camp starts," etc. I looked at it as them seeing what type of person I was and if I was really serious. That's what I perceived it as, but later on I'm hearing that they were trying to talk me out of it [laughing].
On proving people wrong …
They want players to be team players and to be productive. I fit the first mold. I'm a team player. I'm a guy that's big on camaraderie. I really jell with the guys quickly and I love my segment group. Now I have to be productive. I have to fit that choice to make the team.
On being happy to be here regardless of the heat …
Yes, I've been doing this a long time. Before I got hurt, it's something that you expect. This [training camp] is something that's calculated. The things that are not calculated are what type of coach you're going to have, the type of system. You know it's going to be hot, you know it's going to be cold, you know there will be aches, pains and hard hits. That's already calculated in the equation. The equation is how many two-a-days, how many days of full pads, etc. Those are the things you can't account for.
On switching from defensive end to linebacker …
There wasn't much of a choice and I really felt like it was going to be a good fit. I'm going to try my best and that's all I can do. Still there will be some nickel plays, some pass rushing things where I can be of assistance to them and get some key plays.
On playing linebacker before …
I played a little middle but mostly it was defensive end and tight end in high school.
