Here are some New York Jets Quotes for 11/11/13:
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On what his message to the team was following the Bye Week:
“I think we had some organizational stuff we had to take care of, but then it’s about the preparation. I think we know who we are. We have to know our opponent and take this time, the additional practice, all that, get back, (and) let’s focus in on who we’re playing as well. For instance, last time we played Buffalo, they never ran a single snap of regular personnel against us. Now we’re seeing them do that. So there (are) some differences. Obviously, defensively (there is a) big difference based on personnel. You’ve got a Pro Bowl free safety back there with great range in (Jairus) Byrd). You’ve got a corner that’s a good corner coming back in (Stephon) Gilmore. And then quite honestly, (Leodis) McKelvin got hurt early in the game. So they’ve got three guys that are different than what we faced the last game.”
Who the Jets are:
“I just think we’re starting to figure it out. I think we’re pretty stout against the run. I think we can run the ball. We’re a team. That’s who we are. I think that makes us dangerous because I think if maybe the defensive isn’t up to par, I think the offense knows and we feel good that we have the ability that the offense can pick it up for our team. I think the defense feels that we’re good enough that maybe we can pick it up if the offense isn’t having a great day. And the special teams, we feel great about our special teams. I think that’s who we are. We’re a complimentary football team, (and) we play team football. I think that’s probably our strength.”
On how he addresses the rest of the season with hopes on contending:
“Our focus is to matchup against Buffalo and play Buffalo and to beat Buffalo. That’s where our focus is 100 percent. All the stuff down the road, you’ll never get there. If that’s where your focus is, you’ll never take care of or handle your business. And ours is right now. It’s about this team, this team only. That’s where the prep is and that’s it. Nobody’s thinking about, ‘Hey, well let’s run seven in a row off.’ Hey, I’ll sign up for it. The only way to get there is to handle your business and that’s what we have to do. Obviously, Buffalo beat us at Buffalo last year. We know their crowd gets into it and all that stuff. But it can’t be about that, it has to be about us. We’ve got to focus on getting better as a team and also knowing our opponent and I think that’s where every bit of our attention is.”
Where he is looking for improvement from Geno Smith:
“I just think go about your business. You’ve got great coaches, work with them. Work on your fundamentals and all that kind of stuff, the timing. Those are things that are going to come. Don’t press it. Just go out and play. Play the position and you’ll be fine and understand you’re one of 11. You don’t need to do it all by yourself. But with that being said, he’s got tools where he can make a difference in a positive way.”
On if this is the first time he has noticed a different vibe with the team:
“No, I think you notice it. But, I think you really feel it. There’s a bounce in their step and they’re like, ‘Man, let’s play.’ I think it was good that we had the bye when we did. It gets some guys a chance to heal. Like I said, we lost (during the) bye (joking) so that streak that (we) kind of need to snap it, so we couldn’t snap it ourselves, so now we snap it with the Bye Week. I just think our guys are, (there is) no guarantee that we’ll win, but I think the deal is that the enthusiasm’s there, the fact that these guys can’t wait to play and the old popping out of their skin as we’ve used. That’s where we’re at. And we’ll see what that translates into on Sunday.”
Wide Receiver David Nelson:
On the difficulties of playing on the road in Buffalo:
“I don’t know anything about that, to be completely honest with you, I have some great memories in that stadium. A lot of my best games were played in that stadium. I like to feel like that hopefully I’ll feel right at home when I step on the field there, even though I’ll be on the other sideline and dressing in the other dressing room. I do know there’s a lot of difficulties to playing in that stadium, as far as the wind, the crowd is extremely loud. Hopefully I can be a guiding light to some of these guys on this team to help them get over that. For me, it’s just like going home. I’ve played maybe 20 plus games in that stadium, I’m very familiar with it. I’m excited to go back.”
How he was able to acclimate as fast as he did:
“I have great teammates and great coaches. I can sit here and say that I was ready to come and ready to play, but I really wasn’t. My teammates did a great job of taking it upon themselves to get me ready. My coaches did a great job of being proactive. Even if I said that I knew what I was doing, they made sure that I knew what I was doing – they really beat it in me. My teammates have been great since I’ve got here. They really have seen something in me and seen that I can help this team, and they really took it upon themselves to install the offense, and not just the offense, but the way of this locker room, the identity of this football team. I’ve been extremely blessed to be a part of these guys. I’m hoping to pay them back with my playon Sunday.”
On the importance of winning the upcoming game in Buffalo:
“It’s important. I think it’s important for us to win all the games. To place ourselves for the playoffs (we have to) take it one game at a time, but that’s our goal, make the playoffs and go from there. I don’t see why we can’t win them all though.”