New York Jets: Training camp quotes from Geno Smith

When it comes to the New York Jets as they prepare to start their training camp, it’s easy to believe that the majority of conversations and analysis will be on quarterback Geno Smith. He has much to prove to win over fans in that he’s progressed and ready to truly raise the bar this upcoming season. It won’t be easy, but Smith is once again ready for the challenge and build upon his strengths to lead the Jets back into contention.

What does Smith think of the offensive upgrades he got this off season? Does he feel rejuvenated heading into his third year in the NFL? What does he want fans and analysts to know what to expect in 2015?

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We here at The Jet Press would like to thank the Media Relations team of the Jets who have sent us direct quotes from Smith as he prepares for training camp. Here is what he had to say:

On how excited he is to be back (at camp)…

I’m so excited right now. We just finished up our conditioning test. Everyone looked really good. It feels good to be back. Break was way too long. I’m ready to get back to work.

On whether he is eager to prove this offense can be productive…

Yes, man. Yes. I am very eager. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. We’ve got to take it day-by-day, but I’m extremely excited for the offense for this team.

On how much he was he was thinking about the weapons he has during the off-season…

Every day, man. I kept in contact with them. We all would always text message one another. We would call each other and make sure everyone was staying focused. Guys were working out really hard wherever they were at, so all of us we are a close-knit bunch. We are really tight.

On Eric Decker saying that the biggest improvement he has seen in Smith is his accountability…

You know what? It just took a little bit of maturation for myself. Going into my third year now. I feel as though I’m ready to take on whatever there is for me. Being accountable, being a leader is something you really got to take pride in and that’s something I’m doing right now.

Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) and wide receiver Eric Decker (87) react after a penalty call against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

On what he wants to get accomplished over the course of this training camp…

Well for one, we are going to be competing with our defense so we want to win those competitions. We’re a very competitive bunch and we definitely want to win the competitions, but we also want to get better as an offense: develop chemistry, develop some continuity that will help us out once the fall comes, once the season comes and we’re playing an opposing defense.

On whether he is eager to be a part of the quarterback competition…

Yes. (We’ve) got a great group of guys, great room full of guys and I’m very eager to get things started with those guys. We were all laughing today about just how long we were off and what everybody was doing, but we got right back into it and now I think everyone’s ready to work. (I’m) very excited for the group.

On whether he gained a little bit of confidence after Coach Bowles said he was the starting quarterback in March…

Todd does a great job with instilling confidence in all of us, but I do understand that this thing is something that I’ve got to continue to work at. I’ve got to keep doing better, I’ve got to continue to lead, continue to lead myself the group and the team. I’m not taking anything for granted. Like I said, we’ve got an extreme amount of work ahead of us, but I think we are all ready for it.

On why he seems to be enthusiastic and rejuvenated…

I don’t know if I’m rejuvenated, but I’m definitely excited to be out here to be getting camp started. It’s something that I love to do. We all love football and I think the wait has been way too long so football season is coming right back around and we have to get ready for it.

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) gets ready to take the snap from New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

On whether he is intentionally carrying himself with more confidence…

Thank you for the compliment (laughter). I don’t think it’s intentional. I just feel really good about our team and our season and where we are headed. I just want to continue to exhibit that confidence to my guys and instill that in everyone around here.

On whether he is going into the season wanting to lead this team to the playoffs…

I think we are speaking too soon when we talk playoffs. We need to take care of what we have in front of us. Right now, we haven’t even practiced yet. We have to get the first practice out of the way then we can start talking about other things.

On whether he will be able to sleep tonight and how anxious he is for the first practice…

Hopefully, hopefully. I’m very anxious. I’m very excited. Like I said, I’m very pleased with our team and the way that we looked today in the conditioning test. I want to make sure that tomorrow when we come out, everyone is focused, everyone is ready and everyone is eager to compete.

On Tom Brady and his four-game suspension…

Well, we’ll play him, we’ll face him. I know whenever you play a quarterback like Brady, you have got to be ready. I can’t speak on the situation but I know he’s a tough competitor and I know once he gets on the field, he’ll bring everything he’s got.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by New York Jets corner back Antonio Allen (39) and New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

On bonding with the team through training camp…

It’s extremely important. Training camp is a time where you bond with your teammates. It’s all football – you’re in football school all day. All you have is your brothers, so you get a chance to really bond with one another, get to know a guy that you may not have known or may not have interacted with before and that’s the important thing about this whole entire training camp is that we all come together, we compete with one another but we also get to know each other and develop that bond that the good teams have.

On the prospect of going up against Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in practice…

It’s going to make us all better, it’s going to make me better, the wide outs better and it’s going to make all of us better. To face two great guys like that every single day in practice, I’m just happy they’re on my team and we don’t have to face those guys in games. They’re going to make us better, the competition will make us all better and we’re going to look to make them better as well.

On his message to the fans during training camp…

Show up for day one of training camp. Be here, be loud, be excited, because this is something to get excited for. We’re going to work extremely hard and we look forward to it.

Next: New York Jets: Training camp quotes from Quinton Coples

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