New York Jets: Todd Bowles breaks down quarterbacks

When it comes to the New York Jets, it will take an incredible amount of preparation, hard work and execution to have a bounce back season in 2015. Some say they will do just that thanks to their stout defense while others are a bit concerned with the Jets’ quarterback situation.

The Jet Press would like to thank the Media Relations Department of the Jets that have sent us a full transcript featuring head coach Todd Bowles discussing the current quarterback situation of the team and much more. Here it is in its entirety:

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On Muhammad Wilkerson’s injury…

I think he tweaked his hamstring. As far as I know, they took him inside just to stretch him out.

On whether he thinks the injury was a result of practicing a few days…

No, I hope not. They’re off tomorrow, so I don’t think anything was serious, but if it loosens up, he should be ok. He shouldn’t be out long.

On Charles Brown and DeVier Posey being pulled out as well…

I know Posey had a hamstring. He is close to returning. We’re trying to be careful with him. I just have to see about Charles.

On Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing no interceptions so far…

No, (the defense is) not really pressing them. We’re working on a lot of things as it goes forward. You still want to get your hands on the ball, they come in bunches. We don’t worry about that. Two days of pads, you just worry about getting the calls right and the technique down. I think that was the tone.

On how far behind Fitzpatrick is because of his injury…

He’s up to speed. He’s had a lot more intel in the offense than everybody else has had, but being injured still, you have to play. But, he’s up to speed.

On whether he has been impressed with Smith in any way…

All the quarterbacks have done a good job. Like you said, they haven’t turned the ball over for two days. I don’t know how impressed you’re going to be. You know, it’s nice, but you aren’t going to sit there and fly the flag.

On whether he enjoys the Darrelle Revis – Brandon Marshall matchups in practice…

I enjoy them all. You know, it’s nice to see when they match up. I like to see him get a bunch of different corners because he’s going to go against a bunch of different ones in the league. So, just like I’d like to see Revis against some of the quicker guys just for the match-up so they can get used to playing and not just playing against each other.

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) makes a one handed catch during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

On whether two veterans can gain something from going against each other…

Yes, you learn something. I’m sure Darrelle reads some things on Brandon and Brandon wants to know his weaknesses, no different than Revis, Brandon reading things on him and Revis wants to know his weaknesses. Those are just two professionals going at it, sharing common knowledge.

On whether it is fun to watch Revis and Marshall match up in the practice drill…

It’s never fun when either side is making the mistake because you’re the head coach, but it’s competitive and we have to cut down on the penalties and the mistakes. We have to get a couple of things down, substitution patterns for the coaches as well, we have to clean some of that stuff up, but for the first time out, they got a good taste of it.

On what it means to the offense when you have receivers like Marshall and Eric Decker…

Well, right now it doesn’t mean anything unless we produce and they have production, but those two guys have done it for a long time. They’re tall, they’re long, they’re tough, so hopefully it’s an added dimension.

On whether he plans on lining all the wide receivers up in multiple positions or just Marshall and Decker…

No, it’s still early. We’re moving a lot of people around just in case people get hurt and via those things, so it wasn’t just those two. We’ll take a look at everybody.

On how much Marshall’s height makes him a red zone threat…

He’s been playing for years, so it’s not going to be a secret to anybody. There are taller receivers than him, but Brandon plays big boy football, everybody knows that. He can box out, he can run routes, he’s got great hands and great football IQ, so he’s a tough match up. He’s a tough match up and hopefully that will work going into the season.

On Demario Davis and how he can improve in coverage…

I think he runs very well. I think he can cover. He just has to get his technique down. He has to get his technique down on certain coverages and not think too much.

On how much of the defense is installed right now…

About 35 percent maybe.

On whether it is really only 35 percent…

About 35-40 percent.

Jun 9, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis (56) catches a ball during New York Jets minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

On whether the offense is facing only a “vanilla” defense thus far…

They’ve seen some good things. They’re picking up some good things. They got to see a lot in the spring, so a lot of guys did their homework. They got to pick up a lot of things and I think the offensive line and (Coach Steve) Marshall and (Coach Ron) Heller are doing a good job as far as the blocking scheme and picking up some things. You just have to play.

On whether 35-40 percent is just a reflection on it only being a couple of days…

Well, you have to see if people have recall. You have to get a lot of people reps. You put stuff in and see how they do it and correct it and then move on from there. It’s day two, it’s day two installs, so you really just have to move on from there.

On whether he has a target for when he wants to have his defense fully installed…

It depends on how fast they pick it up. Probably by the first preseason game, the majority of it should be in – not game plan wise, but just defensive-wise.

On his comfort level with Ryan Fitzpatrick because of his experience and familiarity with the offensive scheme…

It’s good to have a veteran, but you still have to produce once you get in the game. Whether you’re a rookie or a vet, you’re out there on the field, the comfort level is fine and you have confidence in Ryan, but everybody has to produce when they walk on the field.

On whether he’s waiting to see if Fitzpatrick can produce during camp…

He’s done it. I know he can do it. He has played in the league a long time. You don’t last that long not being able to do it, so it’s just a matter of him getting out there and doing it.

On whether the offense is also only 35-40 percent installed…

They’re about the same.

May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

On his initial thoughts one Leonard Williams are after the first few days…

He’s explosive, I mean we all knew that. He’s explosive, but it’s more than that playing down there. You have to read blocks, you have to understand double teams and you have to sacrifice sometimes, so it’s not all about him being the playmaker. Sometimes you have to be the sacrificial lamb, but Leonard is doing a good job. He runs around. He has a good football mind. He’s picking up the defense well. Day two is just progress. He has to keep progressing.

On whether he sees Williams making any glaring errors at this point…

All of them are. You can go 22 guys, all of them are making technical and mental errors right now. We’re on day two. We just have to cut that down.

On if there’s any glaring technical errors or just little things in Williams…

Just mistakes. He’s one of many. This is training camp, this is day two, there’s going to be a bunch of mistakes and you just correct them as we go.

On how the veteran leadership from Ferguson and Mangold can help Williams…

It can be helpful to a rookie being that he knows the tricks of the trade and Leonard will see some things of how they set, pass set and quick set and things of that nature but you still have to play the game. You don’t get caught into whether its 10 years or two years or one year. You just play football.

On if the talent on the field gives him confidence that the team has a legit shot since he never shows any excitement…

I know we have a legit shot but we have pieces that we’ve got to put in place and people have to have chemistry. If you want to hear me yell and scream, you probably need to come in some of the meetings. I have a Hulk-ish mentality. If I get pissed off too much, it goes over the top. Now it’s day two, there’s nothing to get other than corrections. You curse some on the field and get a little excited but not too high, not too low.

On if he got excited watching Revis versus Marshall…

I mean, I’m not playing PS4 (joking). These guys have got to play. I have to look at a whole bunch of things, I’ll look back and retire and be like ‘Wow, I had those two guys.’ Right now, I can’t do that.

On Buster Skrine…

Buster’s fast and he has a very aggressive mentality, He’s just got to remember to look back for the ball and continue to work on his technique.

On if anything has surprised him during camp…

Surprised me? No (joking). It probably hasn’t been as hot in camp as I would like but other than that? No.

On Calvin Pryor and if he likes how Pryor is working in the secondary with fellow safety Marcus Gilchrist

It’s gotten a lot better. In the first day or so, it was a little raw, but they’re getting use to each other and I think they’re getting a good feel for each other so it’s coming along okay.

Sep 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) carries as New York Jets free safety Calvin Pryor (25) comes in for the stop during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

On if he thinks the team is still worn down…

A little bit. We’ve gotten a little bit better but we’ve got a long way to go. The first day of pads, you get used to that and it’s hot outside. We’ve got to develop more mental toughness but it’s the early stages so it’s a process.

On if 10-year veterans get cut any slack in his training camps…

They get some.

On inside linebackers Joe Mays and Erin Henderson…

That’s the one position we have a lot of veterans at with the exception of Jones who is a free agent. The rest of the guys have started games in this league, so it’s a very steady group. They’re very professional in the way they do things because all of them have played.

On the type of slack veterans get…

I was thinking of ordering rocking chairs in case one of them needs it to give them a break (joking). Other than that, you play some time, you may get some plays off here and there to rest your legs here and there, but they work hard. They don’t ask for it. You’ve just got to be aware of it.

On if outside linebacker Julian Howsare has changed positions to fullback…

No, he’s just subbing in. We’re taking a look at him. We needed another body. He’s athletic. He’s one of the more athletic guys over there. We’re just looking at him temporarily. He’s still a linebacker.

On if he and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey have determined how much they will use a fullback this season…

Not yet. We’ve got multiple personnel groups just like everybody else. Whatever’s working at the time, you’ll get a good dose of everything.

On if he’s talked with WR Devin Smith…

Yeah, I talked to him. He’s doing a lot better than he was and we’ll just go day by day.

On if there is clarity at the right guard position…

No.

Next: Lunch with the New York Jets: Wilkerson injury update

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