EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Coach's Corner, Giants.com's exclusive weekly interview with head coach Pat Shurmur:
Q: When you were asked this week about the division race, you said, "Our focus is on Arizona." Some coaches keep their players constantly apprised of where they are in the division race. Are you more of a game absolutist? You just want them focused only on the game and let everything else take care of itself?
Shurmur: "I am. That's a good way to put it. I've never heard it that way. That's true, I am a game absolutist. I think it's important that, because it's such a long season, you just have to play each game and really try to overcome the challenges that each game presents. Then, at the end, you add them up."
Q: When Golden Tate was asked yesterday about the possibility of Saquon (Barkley) returning, he said, "We can spray the ball around everywhere, which makes it tough to cover us." Is that the way you look at him possibly returning, or are you just looking forward to getting the ball to Saquon again?
Shurmur: "When you add another outstanding player to the mix, it helps balance things out. Certainly, we all know what Saquon brings to the game. His ability to run the ball, his ability to catch the ball, and then he's really good in pass protection are all three things that it'll be great to have him back. Not to mention his leadership and his spirit and all that."
Q: Since he was sidelined, he's been a vocal presence, encouraging the running backs, staying engaged on the practice field. You don't see that all of the time. Do you think he is special in that regard?
Shurmur: "He is. And again, let’s speak about this with the idea that if he’s back. So when we talk about it, if he's back. If he's back, he certainly adds… Yeah, his encouragement and his value added and all of the things that he does are very important."
Q: As a coach, particularly an offensive coach, I'm sure turnovers turn your stomach. Do you have to learn to live with them a little bit more because Daniel (Jones) is a young quarterback, or are you an absolutist there, too, with zero tolerance for turnovers?
Shurmur: "Zero tolerance, certainly. I'm an absolutist there as well. We have to minimize turning the football over. That's obviously important. It's also important that the players remain aggressive. There's a fine line between being aggressive and being careless with the football. As a quarterback, you have to be a good decision-maker throughout the down, early, middle and late. I think a couple times the other day (last week at New England), those turnovers were late in the down. Those are things that he can get better at."
Q: After you said it at your news conference, Daniel was asked about his month since he became the starting quarterback. He said, "I've been inconsistent overall. I've been good and bad." As you look at the month, what are one or two things that you're most pleased about with what he's done?
Shurmur: "He's very self-aware, which if you're self-aware, and I think we're that way as coaches, too, then you'll find ways to improve. We won a couple games and we lost a couple games. From a team standpoint, that's inconsistent, too. Forget who we're playing against. Each week, you're charged with going out and winning games. I think that mindset will serve him well as he moves forward, because there are certainly a lot of things to learn. Certainly, there are a lot of things that he's been able to learn from, and certainly, we're looking forward to seeing him lead us to victories."
Q: At practice yesterday, and you've done this before, during a drill, you worked one-on-one with Daniel. I think Eli (Manning) was there. I haven't seen head coaches often do that during team or seven-on-seven periods. Do you still enjoy that part of the job, the individual instruction? And even though you're responsible for everyone, do you still like the one-on-one work when you get to do it?
Shurmur: "Yes, I do. I do spend a lot of time with Daniel one-on-one in drive-by settings. We have meetings, obviously. Mike (Shula) and (Ryan) Roeder are doing an excellent job with him, but I think it's important that he hears things from me, as well. I try to do that with all of the players at all of the positions. I guess as the head coach, you're always looking for coachable moments, and when they appear on the practice field, I think that's where it's important to work with the players."
Q: (Running back) Buck Allen joined the team this week. At that position, how tough is it to learn an offense on the fly in the middle of the season?
Shurmur: "Very difficult. But we have a specific game plan for this week. That's how he'll start to learn the offense, obviously, through the plan that we're going to put together for Arizona."
View rare photos from the all-time series between the Giants and Cardinals.
Photo shows Dill Stacey, 24, right, St. Louis Cardinals back, attempts to tackle quarterback Y.A. Tittle, 14, of the New York Giants moments before the latter passed the ball to teammate Phil King, not shown, for a first down in fourth quarter of game at New York?s Yankee Stadium in New York, on Nov. 4, 1962. Giants won 31-28. (AP Photo)
New York Giant Andy Nelson, almost obscured by sheet of flying mud and water, gets a face full of it as he hits the wet deck after knocking pass out of the hands of St. Louis Cardinals Jackie Smith (81) Nov. 15, 1964. Moving in on the action is Lou Slaby. Game was 10-10 tie. (AP Photo/Fred Waters)
With a ball tucked under his arm, New York Giants Ernie Koy is brought down from behind by St. Louis Cardinals Jerry Stovall in the first period at Yankee Stadium, Dec. 18, 1967, New York. Ernie picked up 15 yards, good for a first down. Cardinal players at right are Larry Stallings (67) and Larry Wilson. The Giants won the final game of the regular National Football season, 37-14. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Elmer Angsman (7), Chicago Cardinal back hits the ground after fumbling the ball but teammate Knox Ramsey (70) recovered for a 10-yard gain in second period of National Football League game with the New York Giants in Polo grounds, New York City, Nov. 12, 1950. Other identifiable players are Jon Baker (60), guard; John Mastrangelo (66), guard; Harmon Rowe (22), back; and Bill Milner (61), guard, of the Giants and Bill Fischer (72), Cardinal Tackle. Giants won, 51 to 21. (AP Photo/HH)
New York Giants running back Tucker Frederickson (24) avoids the jam up of would-be St. Louis Cardinals tacklers as he moves around them for a gain of three yards and a first down, Oct. 4, 1971, St. Louis, Mo. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo/Fred Waters)
Quarterback Craig Morton (15) of the New York Giants hands off to running back Joe Dawkins (26) in 1975. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) sets up to pass behind tackle Brad Benson (60) during an NFL game against the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis on Dec. 9, 1979. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 29-20. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Ron Johnson (30) of the New York Giants is halted in his tracks by Don Parish of the St. Louis Cardinals after Johnson made a gain of five yards in first quarter action on Sunday, Dec. 13, 1970 at St. Louis. (AP Photo)
New York Giants Rocky Thompson takes a flying leap for six-yard gain during the second quarter of game with St. Louis Cardinals at Yankee Stadium, Nov. 28, 1971, New York. Other identifiable players are Giants Bob Hyland (70), foreground, and Cardinals Norm Thompson (43), right. St. Louis won, 24-7. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
St. Louis Cardinals running back Theotis Brown (33) is stopped by a New York Giants defender during an NFL game in St. Louis on Dec. 9, 1979. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 29-20. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Ron Shivers (27) of the St. Louis Cardinals is brought down by New York Giants Otto Brown (21), Dick Houston (behind Shivers), and Pat Hughes (left, on ground) after Shivers returned the kick off to the 22-yard line in first quarter National Football League action on Sunday, Dec. 13, 1970 at St. Louis. (AP Photo)
New York Giants quarterback Fran Tarkenton one-hands the ball as he runs across the goal line after carrying it himself from four yards out in the second quarter, Sunday, Dec. 13, 1970, St. Louis, Mo. Teammate Aaron Thomas (88) follows Tarkenton. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo)
Fran Tarkenton, New York Giants quarterback, shows why he is known for his scrambling finesse as he evades Cardinals in first quarter of game and prepares to throw a pass in New York, Oct. 28, 1970. Selected by the Associated Press as the NFL's offensive player of the week, Tarkenton staged the most productive aerial show of his career by throwing five touchdown passes. (AP Photo/Spencer Jones)
Ron Johnson (30) of the New York Giants is tackled from behind by Larry Wilson (8) of the St. Louis Cardinals after making 17-yard gain in fourth quarter in New York on Sunday, Oct. 26, 1970. Making head tackle is Don Parish (57) of the Cardinals, followed by teammates Joe Schmiesing (82) and Chuck Walker (79). (AP Photo)
Don Parish of St. Louis Cardinals reaches out, but can?t get, Ron Johnson (30) of New York Giants in third quarter National Football League action on Sunday, Dec. 14, 1970 at St. Louis, and went on to score. New York beat St. Louis, 34-17. (AP Photo)
Clifton McNeil (18) of New York Giants pulls in pass from quarterback Fran Tarkenton for a gain of 45 yards as Roger Wehrli (22) closes in during third quarter National Football League action Sunday, Dec. 13, 1970 at St. Louis. Play set up New York for touchdown and final win over St. Louis, 34-17. (AP Photo)
Conrad Dobler,left, of the St. Louis Cardinals, tries to block a charging George Martin of the New York Giants during the fourth period of the game at Giants Stadium, Dec. 5, 1977. Martin was trying to sack Jim Hart, the Cards' quarterback, and while Dobler stopped Martin, he received a 15-yard penalty for "illegal use of the hands." (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) attempts to escape the grasp of St. Louis Cardinals E.J. Junior (54) during the second half in St. Louis, Nov. 24, 1985. (AP Photo/Oscar Waters)
New York Giants Leonard Marshall cuts in front of the Phoenix Cardinals Luis Sharpe (67) to sack quarterback Gary Hogeboom (5) in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sept. 25, 1989. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 35-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Lionel Manuel (86) runs upfield with a reception as St. Louis Cardinals cornerback Lionel Washington (48) closes in during an NFL game in East Rutherford on November 18, 1984. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 16-10. (AP Photo/Chuck Solomon)
New York Giants linebacker Pepper Johnson (52) makes a leaping interception during an NFL game against the Phoenix Cardinals on November 5, 1989. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 20-13. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler scrambles for 19 yards and a touchdown against the Phoenix Cardinals during the first quarter of their game in Tempe, Arizona Sunday, Nov. 5, 1989. The Giants led 14-3 at the half. (AP Photo/Rob Schumacher)
New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is seen in action during an NFL game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sept. 22, 1985, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Tony Tomsic via AP)
Phoenix Cardinals safety Laster Lylcs, right, holds tight to bring down the New York Giants Mark Bavaro after he caught a 36 yard pass from quarterback Phil Simms in the first quarter of NFL game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, Dec. 4, 1988. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) reacts after throwing a second quarter touchdown to wide receiver Stacy Robinson against the Phoenix Cardinals at Giants Stadium in N.J., Dec. 4, 1988. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax is sacked by New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson in the first quarter of the game, Dec 14, 1986 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)
New York Giants' Lee Rouson carries the ball past St. Louis Cardinals' Collin Scotts, (69), for a three-yard gain in the forth quarter of play in East Ratherfort, N.J. on Sunday, October 26, 1987. The Gaints beat the Cardinals 30-7 for their first win of the season. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer (89) celebrates with teammate David Patten after Toomer scored on a 56-yard touchdown reception during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Nov. 16, 1997, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 19-10. (AP Photo/John Dunn)
New York Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn (31) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 10, 1999, in Glendale, Ariz. (Allen Kee via AP)
New York Giants tight end Howard Cross (87) rushes upfield with the ball during an NFL Game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 18, 1998, in East Rutherford, N. J. (Allen Kee via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer (81) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 10, 1999, in Glendale, Ariz.(Allen Kee via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (92) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 10, 1999, in Glendale, Ariz. (Allen Kee via AP)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Dave Brown (17) loses the ball as he is sacked by New York Giants defensive end Cedric Jones during the first quarter Sunday, Nov, 28, 1999, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Giants defensive end Michael Strahan recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants wide receiver Chris Calloway (80) runs upfield with the ball during an NFL Game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 18, 1998, in East Rutherford, N. J. (Allen Kee via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Chris Calloway (80) catches a pass during an NFL Game against the Arizona Cardinals Oct. 18, 1998, in East Rutherford, N. J. (Allen Kee via AP)
New York Giants tight end Dan Campbell (89) scores easily past Arizona Cardinals Aeneas Williams during the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.(AP Photo/Paul Connors)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants drops back to pass against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 23, 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 37-29. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
A look down the line of scrimmage as the New York Giants line up against the Arizona Cardinals during a NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday October 25, 2009 (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Jerheme Urban #85 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled by Michael Johnson #20 of the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 23, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 37-29. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
New York Giants' Domenik Hixon (87) returns the first of two long kickoff runs against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants' Terrell Thomas (24) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Steve Breaston (15) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 37-29. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pass rushes during an NFL game against the St. Louis Cardinals in East Rutherford, 2000. (AP Photo/Tony Tomsic)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws as Arizona Cardinals Adrian Wilson (24) and Karlos Dansby (58) defend during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants Visanthe Shiancoe, center and Jim Finn, right, congratulate Plaxico Burress after he scored a touchdown on a 13 yard pass from Eli Manning during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 42-19. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
New York Giants punt returner Chad Morton jumps into the arms of Giants' Sean Berton (88) after Morton scored on a 52-yard punt return during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Ron Dayne escapes the tackle attempt by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Kwamie Lassiter on his way to scoring the Giants third touchdown of the game during the fourth quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 21-16. (AP Photo/John Greilick)
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin directs his team from the sidelines during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 42-19. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Keith Hamilton, top, sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Dave Brown during the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.(AP Photo/Samantha Feldman)
New York Giants' Tiki Barber heads for the goal line to score a touchdown on a 21 yard run as Arizona Cardinals Antrel Rolle follows during the third quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 42-19. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
New York Giants' Tiki Barber signals first down as Arizona Cardinals' David Barrett (36) watches during the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 11, 2001 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. Barber rushed for 118 yards in 17 carries in the Giants 17-10 win.(AP Photo/Matt York)
New York Giants running back Tiki Barber (21) dives over the goal line to score the Giants first touchdown as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams tries in vain to stop him during the first quarter at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Sunday, Sept. 3, 2000. (AP Photo/John Greilick)
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) and New York Giants' Eli Manning (10) shake hands after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 31-27. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants tight end Evan Engram (88) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-0. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
New York Giants' Victor Cruz (80) slips away from the tackle attempt by Arizona Cardinals' Michael Adams (27) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 31-27. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) carries the ball and fights off Arizona Cardinals free safety Tony Jefferson (22) during a week 2 football game on September 14, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants' Eli Manning, left, drops back to throw a pass as Arizona Cardinals' Daryl Washington closes in to defend during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Giants defeated the Cardinals 31-27. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) scores the game-winning touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Giants won 31-27. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday October 20, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. Arizona won 27-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, center, celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) slides during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Arizona Cardinals' Patrick Peterson, right, defends New York Giants' Saquon Barkley during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, right, celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, center, runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants long snapper Casey Kreiter (58) during a week 14 regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals at MetLife Stadium on December 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Shane Lemieux (66), Andrew Thomas (78)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Darius Slayton (86)
Darius Slayton (86)
Q: The defense has had at least three sacks in each of the last five games. Is it more comfort in the scheme? Effort? What do you see there?
Shurmur: "Probably both. There was a lot of conversation about how we were going to create a pass rush all summer. Nobody seemed to believe when we said that we had some guys that were going to be better than they were a year ago, and then we added a couple of guys that would help us. I think that's what has happened. Markus Golden, he's a year removed from an injury, and prior to that, he had 12.5 sacks. It doesn't surprise me that he's getting some pressure on the quarterback. He works hard. Then some of the young players are playing hard and getting better."
Q: Markus has at least half-sack in each of the last five games. Is he becoming the player that you expected him to be when you signed him? Not only the sacks, he's been disruptive.
Shurmur: "He has been disruptive, which you need to be on the edge. I feel like he's done a really good job playing the game and playing hard, and he's had an impact on every game."
Q: One guy who arrived without much fanfare was (linebacker) David Mayo, and he's had a career-high tackles total in each of the last three games. Being able to plug in a guy like that when you had players injured and have him produce, how important has that been?
Shurmur: "Very important. Dave is a good football player. Unfortunately in his career, he hasn't had as much of an opportunity to play on first, second and third down as he has here. But he's made the best of it and we're pleased with what he's done."
Q: Sam Beal returned to the practice field. You have those four young corners, three of whom really haven't played (Beal, Julian Love and Corey Ballentine). DeAndre Baker has been starting. In your perfect world, would those players develop and become a quartet you can use together?
Shurmur: "Well, it would be nice if they all developed the way we think they should. I think they're all young. With regard to Sam, this will give him the opportunity to improve here over the next few weeks until we make the decision to put him up. I think the important thing is for those guys to play and to practice, play in games, learn things, improve, have success, and do all of the things that you have to do. Certainly, they have youth on their side."
Q: You said during one of your news conferences that sometimes young players can be your best leaders. The captains are all older, veteran players. You have a lot of young guys. Who among them do you see as future or even current leaders on the team?
Shurmur: "I think you'd have to go down the line on all of the players that are playing and having an impact. We have one of the youngest teams in the league. So we have a lot of young players, probably too many to list, that have a chance to, number one, improve their play to the point where they can handle what they're doing, and then have influence on other people. I think that's the challenge. As time goes on, you'll see kind of how that leadership works its way to the top."
Q: The Cardinals offense often deploys four wide receivers and is run at a fast pace with a lot of no-huddle. Is this an offense that puts pressure on the defense in unconventional ways as you look at it?
Shurmur: "It's a little unique to some of the offenses we play. But playing fast, playing from no huddle, playing with tempo, it's not new to the NFL. We just have to do a good job of defending it."
Q: A lot of quarterbacks you want to flush out of the pocket. Is (Kyler) Murray one you want to keep in the pocket, because he can make plays with his feet, too?
Shurmur: "I think he can have success in both places. He's a very talented passer who can make plays from the pocket. We need to pressure him. Certainly, part of his charm is his ability to escape and extend plays and make big plays. That's certainly always the challenge when you play a quarterback that can move around like he can."
Q: Defensively, they're a big pressure team that blitzes a lot. We sit here every week and say it's a big pressure team. What stands out about them?
Shurmur: "Every defense pressures. Every defense plays zone. Every defense plays man. The challenge you face every week is certainly guys winning their one-on-one matchups, and they have very talented players. With whatever they choose to do, it's… We talk about all of the good defenses we're going to play every week. It's just like every week. You need to secure the ball, run the ball, and throw the ball efficiently. I think that's the challenge. That's what makes it fun as a coach, to try to find the things that work against a defense and get them called at the right time."
Q: I would imagine in your time in the league, you've come across Larry Fitzgerald a few times. To see someone that's playing at that high a level in his 16th season, is it safe to say you're an admirer of his?
Shurmur: "Absolutely. He's been good for the Cardinals. He's been great for the league. I admire not only how he plays, but also how he handles his business. He's a classy, classy guy, and it appears to me like he has high integrity. I don't know him as well as some, but I certainly have admired how he's handled his business and how well he's played."
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