Transcript of interviews with selected Jets players during the locker room media period before Wednesday's practice:
QB CHAD PENNINGTON
On how he sees himself this week compared to last week …
I've made a lot of progress and that's a tribute to our medical staff. People inside and outside of the organization are really working hard, focusing on getting me better, rehabbing and working extremely hard around the clock. I'm making progress and I feel really good about the situation.
On if Jason Taylor is the one player to be cognizant of …
I think the two players that have been a mainstay in their defense for quite sometime now have been Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. If you don't put a hat on Zach Thomas, he's going to make every tackle, and if you're not aware of Jason Taylor, he's going to change the game. Those two players are perennial Pro Bowlers and All-Pros. They're done a great job throughout their careers and you have to know where those guys are.
On how he would feel if his opponents put microphones in the shoulder pads of their defensive lineman …
I know what you're talking about and it's obviously a league matter. I think all of us here at the Jets take pride in competing hard, fairly and doing everything we can in our own power to give ourselves an advantage within the rules. That is what we the concentrate on.
On how close was to playing in Baltimore …
I worked and prepared extremely hard on an injury that normally takes some time. It's still a process, something that you have to go through and work through all those things. My goal was to be available on Sunday and I was available. I left it up to Coach [Mangini] to make that decision. That's why he's the head coach. He makes those decisions. Once he did, I turned my focus to helping Kellen [Clemens] as much as I could on the sideline and giving him my knowledge of what I was seeing during the game.
On how badly he wanted to be on the field Sunday …
Every game I want to be there. I've experienced being on the sideline before with injuries and that's a horrible feeling because you can't help. You can't help your teammates physically or mentally on the field and that's where it counts the most. Anytime you're injured, it's a difficult thing to go through as a competitor. Anytime I feel like I can be available and help us win I want to do that.
On what he thinks about accusations the Jets defense illegally simulated play calls vs. the Ravens ...
It's part of the game. That's happened to us before as an offense. What you try to do is get back in the huddle and talk to your guys about understanding and listening to the sound of your voice. You talk about mixing up the snap counts to where your offensive line and offense is one step ahead, they're listening to you and they know the rhythm of the cadence that you are on. That's the advantage you have as an offense.
On the videotaping incident …
I really don't have a feeling. My focus has been in that training room 24/7, and I'm kind of out of loop on all the talk and rhetoric about what's going on. I really don't have an opinion on it and don't know enough to talk about it.
On if he expects to start Sunday vs. Miami …
My goal is to be available. I'm going to prepare just like I always prepare and work just as hard as I always have worked. Nothing has changed for me as far as my mindset and my focus and what I'm trying to do. That's my job as a player and my goal. I'll leave the decision up to Coach.
On Coach Mangini stating that he is the starting quarterback …
I understand the situation and I know what this business is about. Nothing ever surprises me. My whole focus is on the Miami Dolphins. I'm not looking behind me or too far ahead. I'm looking to today to get better and see what I can do to help us win and then move on to the next day. It's a long season and a lot of things happen. You have to take it one step at a time.
On if he was disappointed about what fans say about playing Clemens …
No, it's not disappointing. I'm very confident in my ability to help us win and to play in this league. I feel good about it.
WR LAVERANUES COLES
On the Dolphins defense …
Jason Taylor was the Defensive Player of the Year. Anytime you play against somebody that is a big part of a defense like that, you know he is one of the main pieces, but there are a lot of pieces that go with it. You can't always key on him because they have a lot of good players. We know we have our work cut out for us. I was thinking about it the other day when I looked at the schedule, that they put us against three of the top defenses in the first three weeks of the season. We still got to play, though.
On the Jets' 0-2 start …
We still have a lot of football to play. Everybody knows we have work to do. All you can do is work hard and try to execute the game plan as best as you can in the upcoming week and hope for the best.
On facing the Dolphins …
Anytime we play the Dolphins, I don't care if we are 0-10 and they are 0-10, it's going to be a good game because that's the way the Jets and Dolphins play each other. We always have good games because we have known each other for a long time. It's always going to be a good game when we play the Dolphins. You know that you have to be ready to play.
T D'BRICKASHAW FERGUSON
On Dolphins DE Jason Taylor …
He has a lot of talents that he can use, whether it be his speed or his agility. He's gifted.
On the Jets' 0-2 start …
We're shooting for that first win and we want to get that under our belt. There is a lot of good teams out there and we are trying to make our mark and get that first win.
On preparing to face Taylor …
He is an excellent player. I had the opportunity to play against him twice last year. I'll use those experiences and what I have studied this time around to apply to the game.
S KERRY RHODES
On trying to force the Jets' first turnover …
We need to push it to the limit and do whatever we have to do. If you don't get the ball out, say something about it to get the ball out next time. I might add some incentives. If you get the ball out then you get some money. Something to get it going.
On Miami's offense …
[Chris] Chambers, they are throwing him the ball every time. He has a ton of catches right now. They have Ronnie Brown, who has been very good against us, but a lot of backs were good against us last year. He's been doing good. They have a new tight end, David Martin, who is pretty good. Marty Booker is pretty good. They've got weapons, but we're going to get out here and work and try to get things clicking.
On Sunday's game …
The eyes light up to play another game and to have another chance to make plays. The plays are going to come. We had opportunities last game but we didn't take advantage. When the opportunities come this time, we will make them.
