On Saturday Scotty McKnight, a wide receiver that the New York Jets selected in the seventh round, addressed the media. Here is the transcript courtesy of the Jets.
On being drafted by the Jets…
Are you kidding me? Yes. I am teaming up with a great organization, a great team and being together with my childhood buddy who I grew up with (is great). We have never played on the same team together. We’ve just always been chained together. It’s a dream come true. It’s cool. I’m just ready to make the most out of the opportunity.
On if he has spoken to Mark Sanchez…
Yes. He’s in my house. His whole family is over here. Our two families are celebrating together and it’s a cool experience. It’s something that deep down I always hoped would happen, but with how unsure the draft is, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I’m obviously ecstatic right now and it’s just setting in.
On if Sanchez talked to Mike Tannenbaum about him…
I think he was trying to, but with the lockout, he couldn’t have any communication with any of them. Hopefully he came through during my pro day and we both had a really good showing for both of us. Hopefully they got word that we work well together and that had some affect on it.
On if he will experience rookie hazing from Sanchez…
I already know he is going to take advantage of that. I’m going to get it bad, but I’m going to go in there and work hard. I don’t have any problem with doing that kind of stuff for anyone. I know it’s all a part of the deal.
On his favorite Sanchez story…
Appropriate for media? (joking) I don’t know. I have so many. We have been buddies since we were eight-years-old. I’m going to think about it and get back to you on that one. I have a lot of stuff in the ammo, in case he really wants to haze me to that effect. I could definitely get some stuff out on him.
On what was it like when he saw the Jets on the draft board in the 7th round and if he talked about the possibility of coming to the Jets…
Yes, we had and they were talking to a couple of other teams. Obviously, I just feel so grateful to be drafted but deep down you have that hope that, “Gosh, I just hope that I go to the (New York) Jets.” Everything there is just so appealing to me and my family and I love what their all about— competing and winning games and tough hard-nosed football. That’s what I think I can bring to the table, both on special teams and as an offense of player as well. I am just so excited about the opportunity and how it played out.
On who he has met with in the front office…
In the past I had met everyone. More so on a personal basis, as Mark’s friend, early on. I met Mr. (Woody) Johnson and Mr. (Mike) Tannenbaum and more briefly Coach (Rex) Ryan. I spent a little bit more time with Mr. Tannenbaum. During the process I talked to their scout that came to our pro-day, Dave Szott a little bit, but really none of the coaches. After the draft selection was made, they put me on the phone and I talked to Mr. Tannenbaum and Mr. Ryan and Mr. Johnson. It was just a great experience all the way around to talk to those guys. They all said the same thing, be ready to work when you get in here, play special teams and hopefully get on the field on offense. I am like that. Anything I can do to help that team win football games or get people better, I am all in.
On if he’s going to Jets West camp…
Yes, I was going no matter what. This just means I’ll be able to sit-in, and watch some film and learn the playbook. I’m going to be there. I’ve been training out here during the offseason. It’s been a group of Mark (Sanchez), Patrick Turner and me. We’ve been working out here for the past couple months together. Obviously some of those other guys are going to go out (to Jets West) and I’m familiar with some of them just from being up in New York during my breaks from school. I know a bunch of those guys, so it’ll be cool to get to know them during a workout.
On if he was worried that he would not be drafted…
Going into (the draft) and going into my senior year, I was obviously hoping to get drafted, but if (I was) a free agent I had no doubt I’d end up working hard, getting into a camp and ultimately make a team. That’s something I was setting my mind to. With the lockout in effect, it was one of those things where you really want to get drafted because you can’t have any contact with any team. I feel so fortunate the way this thing played out and to have this opportunity. I’m ready to make the most of it and come to New York and start something great.
On if Mark Sanchez’s brother Nick is his agent…
Yes, I am co-represented. I have the same set up as Mark. His oldest brother Nick, and Athletes First with David Dunn and Andrew Kessler and that group over there. I’m low maintenance, but there are a lot of people taking care of me.