QB Josh Johnson
August 24, 2017
Q: How big is this game for you on Saturday?
A: The big game is the next game. The next game is always the biggest game, so it’s very important to go out there and get something going on offense, score some points and win the football game.
Q: Obviously a decision (on the backup quarterback job) is close. Do you feel that at all?
A: It’s part of the process. I’ve been doing this for 10 years. It happens; it’s the same thing every year. It doesn’t change.
Q: Have you been told (by the coaches) how you will be used and in what order on Saturday?
A: You’ll have to ask coach McAdoo about that. That is coach’s decision. My only job is, when he tells me to go in, I go in and perform.
Q: Were you surprised with the lack of snaps you got last week (against the Browns)?
A: I guess you could say that. But things fall that way sometimes. The game was a little different. They (Cleveland) held the ball a lot and controlled the clock. Different things happened throughout the game. My job isn’t to complain; just be a professional about it, and make sure to take advantage of the opportunities.
Q: But I assume you would hope you’d get more snaps?
A: Most definitely. I’m looking forward to getting more opportunities this week.
Q: What do you think you have to demonstrate when you do get into the game?
A: Move the ball, get first downs, score touchdowns, put points on the board. It’s pretty simple.
Q: How aware are you guys that you haven’t gotten into the end zone yet?
A: I’m pretty sure we are aware as an offense because that’s the goal of every drive: to score touchdowns. The fact that we haven’t done that yet… we’re working hard out there. We’re trying to improve on the mistakes that we have made and improve each week to make sure we get in the end zone multiple times, not just once.
Q: How comfortable with going back and forth working with the second and third teams?
A: It’s more about being comfortable within the system. Having guys interchanging, it makes you be more disciplined as a quarterback, because you have to be more in control of everything and make sure the guys are on the same page. It’s really just about keeping it simple for the guys that are new and really not trying to overwhelm them. I understand that they are learning; they haven’t been here all offseason, and some of them haven’t been here for all of training camp. It’s really about just coming to an understanding, doing things that they’re comfortable with, as well as putting us in the best position to win the game.
Q: How much do you welcome the possibility to get out there with the first team if that opportunity comes on Saturday?
A: Oh, I welcome that a lot because you’re getting out there with those guys. Obviously, it’s the starting unit; they have a great familiarity with the offense. It’s great comfort there. Being with guys that have been in this offense for multiple years, it allows you to play a little more freely as a quarterback.
Q: With all the injuries to the receivers, you’ve had a lot of guys rotating in and out. Does that make it more difficult for you as a second-string quarterback?
A: Like I said earlier, it’s a challenge that you accept because of the fact that it makes you take more ownership of the offense. You have to be a leader. You have to get guys up to speed, seeing and challenging them, see what they know and what they don’t know. If you have to have meetings with them off to the side, you do that. You have to really push the envelope with those guys and get them up to speed as soon as possible. But at the same time, when you get out there in a game, try not to do too much with them. Just really getting and allowing them to play fast so they can help put us in the best position to win the game.
Q: What would it mean to get another NFL season and be with this team?
A: It means everything. The more opportunities I get to play this game… My love for football has allowed me to stay this long. It has allowed me to push through the hard times, to be humble and to keep working in the good times. Right now, I’m really trying to just stay in the moment. Obviously, the goal is to be on this team and to be the backup quarterback, but you really have to live in the moment and control what you can control in this process. You can’t really worry about things that you can’t control; that is how you let things pass you by.
Q: Is it just another preseason game even though you guys and the Jets share the same city?
A: I wouldn’t say that. This is my first time being here on this side. I was actually part of the Jets’ team a couple of years ago when we played the Giants. The energy changed even when it was with them. I had just gotten there that week, but even here, it’s just real. It’s not like just any other preseason game. We know we’re playing the New York Jets. This is the New York Giants, so it’s a big thing. We’re excited about the opportunity, and for us, we’re trying to get our first win.
Q: Did you sense anything from QB Geno Smith about playing against the Jets? Has it come up in the quarterback room at all?
A: Oh we’ve asked him some questions. He’s been there, so we’re going to pick his brain. But you can see the excitement level he has as well. I’m pretty sure he has his own thing that he wants to get out there and do with the team that drafted him. He was there for a long time, so I would be shocked if he didn’t have anything extra added in this.
Q: In terms of staying in the moment, what are some of the things you need to do to show the team that you’re the guy?
A: First and foremost, take control of the huddle. Be a leader out there, move us up and down the field and continue to get first downs. Put us in position to make sure we get points and are capitalizing in the green zone. No turnovers, protect the football; that’s the most important thing we preach around here. Without the ball, we can’t do anything. It’s really doing my job to the best of my ability and making sure that the other 10 guys that I’m out there with are all on the same page.
Q: Did you hold the ball a little too much in the first preseason game?
A: I would say there was a play or two that I had, actually yeah, two plays. Others things were different situations that happened. To me, it was just the first preseason game, getting back into the flow of things. It was a learning experience; learn from it and move on.
