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New York Jets Head Coach, Todd Bowles
On how difficult it has been with the quarterback changes...
We had (Ryan) Fitzpatrick early on. Obviously, we didn't play great there, so we changed to Bryce (Petty) until the end of the year to get a look at him. It's not even about having the right guys, it's about making plays and not turning the ball over, so we need some stability that way.
On how Petty is doing after the injury against Miami...
He's getting better by the day.
On if he expects Petty to be available this weekend...
It's probably too early to tell. I'll see as the week goes by.
On what Shea McClellin and Kyle Van Noy have brought to the defense since the last time the Jets played the Patriots...
Both are very intelligent football players. They can blitz as well as cover. They're extremely smart. They're heady ball players and they seem to be making a difference.
On what it says about Matt Forté that he's playing with a torn MCL...
Well, he's got a torn meniscus, he's had it for a while even in Chicago. It's something to play with. It just says something about the professionalism of the guy, that he loves to play the game and that he keeps himself in shape and that he can play through pain.
On what he has seen from Trey Flowers...
He's been doing an outstanding job. I think Coach (Matt) Patricia has been putting those guys in great position and they have a great understanding of the game and those guys just end up playing fast and making plays. I think he's doing a great job.
On his impressions of Jimmy Garoppolo from earlier in the season...
We play them late, so I didn't see much of Jimmy. I know he has a strong arm. I know he's very athletic and very smart, but I didn't study him as much because we were playing against Tom (Brady) most of the time. So I really didn't look at him as much, but I knew he was a good football player coming out.
On what he sees in the Patriots defense now compared to earlier in the year...
Like you said, Flowers has come on and they're getting to the quarterback more. With the emergence of Van Noy and McClellin and the pass rush ability, I think with covering guys underneath those guys are doing an outstanding job and they're able to turn the pass rushers loose a little more, which is a great credit to them and what they're doing.
On how he's handling the results of the season and the challenge of motivating players for the final two games...
It's not a challenge of getting them motivated. We're going to show up and play hard. That's the easy part. We're just losing bodies left and right. Plugging in the new guys to make sure they understand what they're doing and adjusting again is, really, the big challenge in handling that. But they play hard and we're going to show up on (Saturday) and play hard as well. We'll just get used to the guys and plug them in. It's one of them seasons where the ball hasn't bounced the right way. You're discouraged, you're disappointed, you're pissed off, but you're not giving up hope and you have to try to turn things around.
On if his experience as interim head coach with Miami has helped him for this situation...
Well, that and just coaching overall. Every season is not going to go the way it's planned and you want it to go the way it's planned every season but unfortunately it doesn't and you have to adjust on the fly and you just have to keep your head down and keep grinding.
On his job security...
No, I haven't heard anything about that. I don't worry about my job. When you sign the contract to become the head coach, you know that your job is in jeopardy.
On how he deals with outside speculation...
I'm in New York. I deal with speculation every day, so, I'm fine (joking).
On if he'll consider going back to Fitzpatrick and what he wants to see from Petty...
Well, we have to get him healthy first and then you just want to see the turnovers cut down if he plays. And then you want to see him make progressions as far as his reads and get better each week.
On the attributes he liked about Petty coming out of Baylor...
Well, he has a strong arm. He's athletic. He's a very bright guy and he learns and he can throw the ball down the field, as well as throw the short passes, and he's accurate.
On if he's seen any changes in New England's offense during the absence of Rob Gronkowski...
Not much. (Michael) Bennett has picked up where he left off. Obviously, the receivers have stepped in and done a great job. They still have the three running backs that play pretty well and the offensive line is playing good.
On if New England is running the ball more this year...
They can hurt you both ways. You kind of pick your poison. You try to load up on one and they kill you with the other.
On if he coached Michael Floyd in Arizona...
I was with Floyd for two years, yes.
On the type of player Floyd is...
He can go down the field and out-jump you for the deep ball. He's a pretty good receiver. He worked hard while I was there. Mike and I had a good relationship and I wish him nothing but the best.
On whether it is accurate that Floyd is smart and picks things up quickly...
He's very smart.
On if it hurts to see Floyd in New England...
As long as he doesn't do anything to me, I'm fine with him (joking).
On if he's preparing for Floyd to play on Saturday...
Yes, we're preparing for him. They've got some good receivers, so, I understand if he doesn't play. I understand if he does. It'll be hard to pass the guys they have playing.
