Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham

Q: Do you know who will be playing for your team this game?

A: They'll be wearing blue helmets, I know that, so we'll see. We'll see, we'll see, we'll see. It's a little funky right now. 

Q: Who's up at corner if (Cornerback) Adoree' (Jackson) and (Cornerback Aaron) Robinson are out?

A: We'll find out more today, but we know JB (Cornerback James Bradberry) will be playing and from there we'll see what's happening. We've got guys. (Defensive Backs Coach) Jerome (Henderson) does a good job of getting those guys ready, so whoever's out there, no excuses. I know this, Dallas doesn't care.

Q: One of those guys that might be up is (Defensive Back) Jarren Williams. What have you seen from him the first couple times he got out there?

A: I think the one thing about Jarren that stood out to us early on – and I would go back even to last year – one, he can run. Two, he's physical. He's a young player who has improved every time we've given him a shot. Those are the main things that stick out to me. In the classroom, a really diligent worker in terms of how he goes about preparing and studying. That's very encouraging there, but the improvement that happens day-to-day, that's all you could ask from a young player without having a lot of experience.  

Q: Normally, you would probably move (Safety) Julian (Love) to an empty spot where you need help, but you have three or four of those spots and he can only go to one. How do you decide where to play Julian in a situation like this?

A: The thing about Julian, the benefit of having Julian, aside from being a great person, a good worker and generally a good football player, is the fact that he can play a bunch of different spots and he's a jack of all trades. He's played safety, he's played corner, he's played sub linebacker. Really it's about using today's practice to kind of figure it out. Kind of got an idea as we go into it for practice today, but you never know what curveball you're going to be thrown. We've got to adjust and luckily, we've been trained to do that. I can see some more adjustments coming about. 

Q: Your disguises have given a lot of really good quarterbacks trouble over the last couple of years, but the one guy who even before you got here who has always killed the Giants is (Cowboys Quarterback) Dak Prescott. Why? Why is he not susceptible to some of the things other guys are?

A: I think it starts with the fact that he's a good player. He's a really good player and he has good players around him. They do a good job of protecting him up front. The main thing when you think about Dallas in my mind, no matter what the numbers are at any given point of the year or what year it is – I think it comes from ownership, definitely comes from the head coaches over the last few years, and I know with (Cowboys Head Coach) Mike (McCarthy) – it starts with the run game and their commitment to the run game. You can see the commitment through just the economics of how their team is set up, whether it's Zeke (Cowboys Running Back Ezekiel Elliott), whether it's (Cowboys Running Back Tony) Pollard, who's a very good player. They're lucky to have him as a number two. On most teams, he would be a number one, I can see that. The commitment to the offensive line. I think it starts there, him being a good player and having a lot of weapons around him. And he's a pretty smart player. You can see him and the combination with (Cowboys Offensive Coordinator) Kellen (Moore) just getting him the opportunity. Really, the offense runs through the quarterback. You can see all the checks that get made at the line of scrimmage, whether it's seeing blitz and checking to screen, whether you see the 'check with me' run game that they implement. He's got complete control of the offense and I think he's earned the right in terms of that elite status in terms of how he's able to execute. That's what you really see from him. I hope it's not just us he gives problems. This guy has been pretty good. We've got to see what we can do Sunday. 

Q: What do you take from that Chargers game?

A: The Chargers game? A lot of things there from that game like, one, we've got do a better job fundamentally. We've got to do a better job tackling, defending the deep part of the field, stuff we talk about all the time. I think we can talk about the fight and all that stuff. Guys fought hard. In the second half, came out and played hard. The bottom line is this, we've got to execute better. As a coach, myself, I've got to execute better, the players have got to execute better. Thankfully, all our guys know that and all the coaches know that. When you lose a game, usually it comes down to execution. Experience doesn't matter. None of that stuff matters on Sunday. It's about executing, and I think we've just got to do a better job of executing, to be honest with you. 

Q: When you draw up a game plan, are you drawing up a game plan to stop what Dallas does? Or do you do it because these are the guys I have and I have to put them in the best position?

A: I think you have to take both into consideration. Obviously, you want to stop what they do best and make them beat you left-handed. That's a big part of the philosophy, but also you don't want to go too far outside the box or outside the framework of what guys can do. I think it's a balancing act right there in terms of when you go into the game plan.

Q: As a defensive coach, can you appreciate a (Cowboys Linebacker) Micah Parsons?

A: Yeah. We knew Micah in terms of just watching him on his college tape. He's a very active player. I've seen crossover tape. He's being disruptive in the pass rush, he's being disruptive in the run game. That's why he was drafted where he was drafted. He's a good football player. Just hope he doesn't have a good game on Sunday, but the guy works hard – it looks like he works hard – doing a good job playing football and he's disruptive. So, yeah, you could appreciate that. When you watch the crossover tape, you see the good players out there. You see the (Chiefs Defensive Tackle) Chris Joneses of the world from Kansas City, you see those guys, you see (Patriots Linebacker Matthew) Judon out there, you see all those guys doing a good job. The players like to see those guys too because it's stuff you can learn from, too. 

Q: How do you fill the void if you don't have (Defensive Lineman) Leonard (Williams)? He's a huge part of your defense this year and playing a ton of snaps.

A: Just a next man up mentality. Obviously, Leo provides a spark, a good energy for our group, production as an interior player and also getting those reps on the outside, so it'd really just be from, again, the group of men that we have on the team. Again, I don't know if you can ever really replace Leo and (Head Coach) Joe (Judge) will talk about the injury stuff and all that stuff, but if any of our players go down, any of our starting players are down, obviously it's a next man up mentality and we'll see where it goes from there. 

Q: Who is the next man up? Is it (Defensive Lineman) Raymond (Johnson III)?

A: It's a combination of guys. The thing about Leo is he plays so many different spots. When you watch the tape, he's on the edge, he's on the inside, so I think it can be supplemented by a bunch of guys, whether it's Raymond, Q (Linebacker Quincy Roche), (Linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari). Based on what the situation is, it could vary. It could vary.

Q: What makes Julian Love a leader? It seems like he's kind of growing a little into that role on your defense.

A: I think guys respect the fact of, one, his intelligence, and I'm not just saying because of the Notre Dame thing or anything like that, but just his intelligence as a football player. They know this guy is a jack of all trades. Not all players can handle that – 'Hey, plug in here. Hey, plug in here.' I think just naturally players respect that when you're able to do that, not have mental errors, be out there and be competitive. I think players just naturally respect that, just like players naturally respect guys who are really productive. I think whether his leadership is vocal – and then you've got to take into consideration his role on special teams. He's out there playing PP (punt protection). Naturally, that's a leadership role. There's a lot of communication that goes on there, similar to the safety spot. Again, I've never coached special teams at this level, but that PP position is like being the quarterback out there for one of the most important plays in football, the punt. I just think that naturally his voice carries some weight because of the positions he plays.

Q: Can you talk a little bit more about Raymond Johnson and about the development that he's made this year?

A: I think – and this is me personally just talking about him – I remember going through the process when undrafted free agency started and just how much we wanted him there. We expressed that to him. Saw what I saw on tape and just really liked his physicality for the position. You go back to his tape there, he was playing a four I a lot of times and he was a smaller guy, but playing a four I, being physical, playing with his hands and able to generate some pass rush from that position, which is tougher a lot of times because you're slightly inside the tackle generating some pressure there. I thought that was positive. But the thing I've seen the most is his demeanor has changed transitioning in that rookie year to understanding he's a professional football player. What I mean by that is he has a seriousness about him. I'm not saying he was never someone to be silly or anything like that, but there's a seriousness about how he's going about his preparation. I don't go through the day-to-day with him in terms of how he's taking care of his body, but the mental prep, the demeanor in the meetings, you can definitely see a growth there. That's always encouraging because, again, I always try to explain to the players that once you get to this level you don't have to worry about class. Most of these guys aren't married or have kids. I'm like, 'You don't have to worry about that.' All you've got to really worry about is football. If you want to set yourself up to be the best football player you can be, set yourself up for life, let's just focus on that right now because there are going to be plenty of distractions out there. We live here in New York City, there are a bunch of distractions everywhere. I'm like, 'Just focus on that,' and, again, you can just see his demeanor and how he's going about it. I'm really encouraged by that.

Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey

Q: The fake punt, was it just a situation where you didn't execute?

A: Yeah, yeah, he just overthrew it. There's no other way to explain it, he just overthrew it. So, seeing it was something we practiced and just didn't execute. At the end of the day, that's what it's about. You've got to execute. Execution under pressure, that's our jobs, it's what we've all got to do. We just didn't execute.

Q: Why do you think (Punter) Riley (Dixon) is having a hard time executing with his punts? He hasn't lived up to his career numbers. It seems like when he needs to go short, he goes long. When he needs to go long, he goes short.

A: Well, it's not all on Riley. I think Riley had a really good game last week. Probably his best game he's had in a month. He's just got to keep working to get better. That's our primary focus. Not to focus on the negative and just make sure that we're doing everything we can as a unit and as individuals to get better. That's just part of our process. 

Q: Did something go wrong in the process that we didn't see on the 18-yard punt right before the half?

A: No, it was just a bad punt. Yeah, I mean, we're not up here making excuses. He just didn't execute. I probably should have let him punt it, and it was one of those situations where we wanted to execute a certain style of punt trying to create a turnover and got cute. Probably should have just punted it down there and tried to get it inside the 10, but we were trying to make a play. When you get down like that, you start to press a little bit and then anytime you press, a lot of times, bad things happen.  

Q: How much does this COVID thing hurt you as far as who you're going to use this weekend?

A: Yeah, it is what it is. It comes with the job. It's already enough with my job as it already is, just not knowing all the time who you're going to have. When you get to where you're at the bottom end of the roster and it could be a practice squad guy, it could be this guy, it could be that guy, it could not be this guy, it could be this guy, it's just – it's difficult. So, you've just got to make sure you keep it simple, and you do a good job of teaching it and make sure they understand what they're doing and what the job entails and prepare all of them.

Q: We didn't see (Kicker) Graham (Gano) yesterday because of an illness. What is your concern level on that?

A: He'll be fine, he'll be fine.

Q: Will he be here today?

A: Yeah, he'll be here. I think it was one of those deals where he wasn't feeling well and it's that time of year. It's December, you go out of town and you come back. It was warm, now it's cold and it's that time of the year.

Q: How did (Running Back) Gary (Brightwell) not block that punt?

A: Actually, he did. It hit his knee, but it just went past the line of scrimmage. That's a good question. It was a layup; you've got to make the layups. I literally talked to him about that scenario during the course of the week because it just happens out of the thousands of reps I've seen on punt rushes. I told him, I was like, 'don't be shocked if it's you and the punter eye to eye.' You look up and it's like, 'oh, there he is.' It happens, they miscount it. He had a b-line to the punter and again, we've got to do a better job of coaching, taking the ball off the foot. It's a whole other deal than here in practice and you get a chance, and it happens, and it opens like the red sea and it's you and him. The first-time experience in the league blocking a punt, it's a little different. So you've got to make sure you execute, and you understand what you're trying to do and how you're trying to do it.  

Q: In practice he probably veers off right? Because he doesn't want to hurt the guys.

A: Exactly, well, we'll take it right off the foot, but it's just the consistency of seeing your hand, putting your eyes where your hand is supposed to be. Again, execution, just got to do a better job of executing. 

Q: How happy were you with the execution of the onside kick?

A: You know what, the first one was not so happy, but the second one, it was very good. It gave us a chance to get back in it late, so anytime you can execute those specialty kicks, that's a good thing. We've just got to continue to in those moments, in those situational moments, we've got to execute those kinds of kicks. That kick you were talking about earlier, the boomerang, we've got to execute that kick. The punt down the side of the 10, we've got to execute that kick. All those things have to be done at a high level for us to have a chance. We've just got to do a better job with it. 

Q: I know you're not a ref, but why can't you advance that? I know that happened in the Bears vs. Packers game and they muffed an onside kick.

A: You can only advance a fumble. Any kind of muff, all you can do is recover it. That's just a rule. 

Q: So, he needs control first before he can advance?

A: No, no, it has to be a fumble. Like say for example, yeah, the guy controls the ball, takes a step with it, you knock it out, then we can pick it up and advance it. Any kind of muff or catch has to control it first, but you're right. 

Q: Did you see that play with (Browns Wide Receiver/Specialist) JoJo Natson? You know what I'm talking about? The play out of bounds. I think 99% percent of the people had no idea, but you knew that.

A: Yeah, we talk about it with our guys all the time.

Q: Isn't it kind of dumb that you're allowed to do that?

A: I don't make up the rules, I just follow them (laughs). 

Q: Would expect the league to close that loophole?

A: No, it's been like that for years. You can go back 30 years. It happens all the time. (New Orleans Saints Running Back) Ty Montgomery had one when he was with the Packers, we use it as a teaching clip. Guys stepping out of bounds and in conversely, (Seattle Seahawks Running Back) Adrian Peterson when he was young as a rookie, his first or second year in the league, he was trying to execute the rule as far as being out of bound and he did it in reverse and they got the ball at the two-yard line. So, we use that, the guys in our room understand the rule and they know exactly what it is, so when that ball gets close out of bounds, as long as you step out first and touch the ball, it's ruled a kick out of bounds. 

Q: Why did Graham put that one kick out of bounds?

A: We meant to do that on purpose. Yeah, we were trying to kick it out of bounds (laughs). I'm busting your balls. No, we were trying to go left, and you know, it's always a hard kick for a right footed kicker to go left. The easiest kick is to go right, but a lot of times the average kicker will kick it out of bounds and we just didn't execute it. Yeah, another execution and Graham has hit that ball 100 times in his career. It's just one of those deals where, anytime a ball goes outside the numbers with a right footed kicker going left, that's not a good thing. I won't say it's not a good thing, I'll say that it's in danger of going out of bounds because of the power and their power zone, so to speak, going in that direction to have a tendency to pull it. It's like playing golf, same thing. 

Q: You know about that?

A: Yeah, a little bit.

Q: You've mentioned already a boomerang kick, an onside fake punt, the kickoff you just mentioned, what's the line between trying to get too cute and just going and booting the ball?

A: These things are routine things for us as far as kickers are concerned, because that's their job. The boomerang for Riley, that's part of his job. The onside kick, part of his job. All of those things, that's something those guys get paid to do. It's no different than asking a wide receiver to run a double move route with a little extra on top of it as far as being able to set up a DB. That's their job, you know what I mean? It might not be the easiest thing to do, but they're paid to do it. Those types of kicks, those are things that we have to execute in those moments. We get paid to perform under pressure. That's our job. Coaches, players, it's execution under pressure, so we have to be able to do that. 

Q: You see guys locked into this even though the results aren't coming?

A: Yeah. I haven't seen any signs of any, I mean look at the end of the game the other day. It could have very easily gone in another direction. You're quite frankly getting your ass kicked on the road and guys are fighting to the end to try to win the game. I haven't seen any of that. That's very promising.

Quarterbacks Coach Jerry Schuplinski

Q: So what was that week like for you?

A: I would say professional-wise, it just sucked. It's a low point when you feel like you can't be in-person with the team. I thought everyone on the support staff and everyone on our staff really chipped in to make my experience as good as it could be in terms of meetings. I was still able to do all the meetings through Zoom and handle all of that stuff. (Offensive Quality Control Coach) Nick Williams was kind of like carrying the iPad around and then (Chief of Staff) Ryan (Hollern) was carrying it around in practice, so I really got to be involved in everything from the confines of the room. I got a little bit of cabin fever doing that, but those guys were awesome in letting me do that stuff and letting me really be a part of it, and then it really hurt – it hurt when you find out that I didn't get a negative in time to be at the game. That was really tough to take. That was tough to handle, but it is what it is, and we move forward. It was hard watching the game on TV.

Q: How were you feeling?

A: I felt pretty good. I would say that I was a little congested, but this time of the year it wasn't anything major or serious. I just thought maybe it was the plane ride, maybe it was the dry air. I tested positive and then the next morning when I was in the shower, I got out of the shower, and I realized I couldn't smell like the deodorant. I was like, 'OK, it's definitely true,' so that's when I knew for sure. Just a few minor – a little congestion, a little bit of minor stuff, but I felt OK.

Q: Did they type what you had?

A: I have no idea to be honest with you. No clue. 

Q: So you ate room service seven days in a row?

A: Yeah, well, they were great. (Director of Sports and Performance Nutrition) Steve Smith, our nutritionist, sent me a bunch of water and they were great. (Vice President of Team Operations Jim) Phelan and everybody made sure they were sending – I had more food than I needed, I can say that. I felt bad that I wasn't able to even eat all of it, but they took good care of me in that regard.

Q: So did you eventually fly home?

A: I flew home yesterday, yeah. I flew home yesterday morning, and I was able to get here for the afternoon.

Q: Did you have to go through any extra steps to watch? Was the game on TV in the hotel? How did you watch it?

A: No, I used my dad's – I borrowed it from my dad, let's just put it that way. I watched it on my iPad. They didn't have the game on at the hotel, so I had to borrow it from my dad.

Q: You and (Offensive Lineman) Wes (Martin) flew private then?

A: No, we just flew on a commercial yesterday morning.

Q: Did you actually test out, like test negative or did the 10 days end?

A: Yeah, I had to at least wait until – I would've flown home today, but we both had tested out at the same time and so we were able to get back yesterday morning and make it here for, I think we landed about one and we were able to get back here around two.

Q: Did you contemplate driving back at some point?

A: I did not. I think Wes did. If it was shorter, I think I would've, but work-wise, you really do lose a lot of time in the car and then in the meetings. So I felt the best thing for me to do and for work-wise and all that was to be there to be able to be a part of all the meetings to do everything I could and get prepped for once that was done and those guys were on to the Chargers in the game, then I could kind of get ahead a little bit on Dallas and all that stuff. It was a lot other than missing two, three days of driving would've been crazy.

Q: What was it like being the floating face on the iPad and having to try to coach that way?

A: You'd have to ask those guys, but I would say the fact we did a lot of stuff through Zoom last year and then the fact that we're still doing stuff through Zoom like this morning and all that with the players, really it wasn't much different. I was probably a pain in everyone's ass cause I was like, 'Hey Nick, make sure I'm good on this iPad, make sure I'm set up.' So they were great with me. The quarterbacks were great. Those guys were awesome. It's hard not being there in person and then the game was really the hard part. You get through the Zoom meetings and all that stuff, but the game was the hard part. My wife said, 'aw, it's too bad you weren't at home, we could watch it together,' and I was like, 'yeah, I don't know.' My thing cut out after the first drive and so I was trying to get it on, so I FaceTimed her and was like, 'hey, turn on the game.' She's like, 'oh hey!' and I'm like, 'turn on the game, turn on the game' (laughs). I'm like, 'we'll catch up later, just show the game right now real quick until I get this iPad going.' 

Q: How long did you have to do that for?

A: Oh, just for like two minutes, three minutes. We were on defense at the time, so it wasn't anything offensively really.

Q: You had to stay how long in a hotel room without leaving, six days?

A: Well, I was in Tucson there and then when the team left on Saturday, Wes and I drove to Phoenix to a different hotel.

Q: Why's that?

A: Because it was close to the airport, so then as soon as we tested out then we could get going.

Q: Besides being in the car, you were in a hotel room for like a week straight?

A: Yeah. We were able to get some fresh air outside and get outside and walk around a little bit and stuff, but I wasn't just totally sequestered in there. But for the meetings and all that stuff, yeah.

Q: Obviously, you weren't around but you were talking to him and what not. How close is (Quarterback) Jake Fromm to being ready to play?

A: I think he's inching closer and closer. He's done a nice job. I've been really impressed with him. He's a great kid. He's really mature. I think we knew that coming out in the draft with him, really smart. Again, I think early on a couple weeks ago when I was talking to you guys, he was really just learning the terminology of everything. It helps a little bit that I have some familiarity, I think, with how he's used to in that system and so I could relate a few things to him. But he's done a great job picking everything up. He's growing by the week and getting better and better.

Q: How difficult is it for a kid like that? Fans are already clamoring for him to play, because he's the backup and all that, but you've got a lot of other guys that depend on the quarterback. How difficult is it for a kid to come in and pick it up in two or three weeks?

A: It's a pretty good challenge, but it's part of the deal. It's part of the profession. Jake's certainly not the first and won't be the last to do it. We do it at every position. It may be a little more difficult for a quarterback, just because so much is on your plate, and you really have to know so much at that position. I think he has a foundation in place even if it was from a previous system. It's just a matter of relating that information to him and then him learning our terminology and doing it. It's a challenge, for sure, but he's done a good job with it. 

Q: You talked about your frustrations, how is (Quarterback) Daniel (Jones) handling his frustrations?

A: I think he's doing a pretty good job with it, as good as he can. I don't think any of us really don't like not being a part of it. I make sure I stay in contact with him, even last week, just calling him on the side and seeing how he's doing and stuff because you couldn't be there in person. But he's done a good job. I'm impressed with him. He's taken on, like continuing on that leadership role of really trying to stay in all the younger quarterbacks' ears, whether it's Jake or (Quarterback) Brian (Lewerke) or even helping (Quarterback) Mike (Glennon) during the game a little bit with some stuff that he sees. I think he's frustrated. He wants to get out here. He's a really good competitor, but he's doing the best he can with the situation he has right now.

Q: How do you prepare for a guy like (Cowboys Linebacker) Micah Parsons? How do you prepare for him?

A: It's a great challenge. He's a great player and I think their defense is great in general. (Cowboys Defensive Coordinator) Dan Quinn's done a great job with that. Those guys are physical, relentless, they attack. They get on you real tight in coverage. They're really good across the board. I think going along with Parsons, they've done a nice job. He's a unique guy. He can play in the middle. He can play on the edge. He can play lined up over the center. He can line up over the three-technique as we saw last game and run the pick games and the stunts and just straight rush guys. He's a real challenge. You've got to know where he's at on every play, but they've got so many good players, too. That helps him get isolated a little bit, too. So it's a challenge all the way across the board.

Wide Receiver Kenny Golladay

Q: 13 games in. Big picture, what do you make of how this year has gone for you?

A: Well, it's four games left. Just trying to end on a good, positive note. That's the best I can do, really.

Q: How are you feeling? We saw you stretching in between reps.

A: Just making sure I'm loose. My body feels good. 

Q: Why do you think it hasn't clicked so far in the last few weeks?

A: Don't really know. Yeah, I don't really know what to tell you. There have been quite a few moving parts. Yeah, I don't know.

Q: Are you content with the separation that you have been able to get open or is that something that isn't what you had hoped?

A: I really don't look at it as it being that, really. Yeah, I don't look at it like that.

Q: (Head Coach) Joe Judge has said a couple of times, 'Just throw Kenny the ball. Just throw it up, jump balls.' I can't even remember a jump ball you've got all season. Have they thrown you enough jump balls?

A: Well, maybe the first one was what, last week? Maybe 12 seconds after going into halftime. Maybe that was, maybe. I'm not sure. Yeah, so, I don't know. 

Q: Where's your frustration level at right now?

A: I'm not frustrated. I've dealt with some injuries this year, but at the same time I feel like I'm coming out here working every day in practice, for sure preparing the right way. That's all I can really do, is do my part and that's producing during practice so I can get the ball during the game and everything. I'm just going to continue to just do my part.

Q: Do you feel like you've done your part in terms of doing all you can or are there things you can do better?

A: I'm sure. Like every Sunday, there is some stuff that I could do better at, but at the same time I definitely go out there and do my part.

Q: How would you describe your first season with (Quarterback) Daniel (Jones)? We might not see him again. Where do you think your chemistry level is at with him?

A: Me and DJ, it's good. I feel like it was going well. Like I said, there have been a lot of moving parts this year as far as just coaching change, people not being 100 percent healthy. All that plays a factor into it. 

Q: Is it weird that he can practice with you guys and throw passes, but not play?

A: No, it's not weird. Definitely when you're dealing with an injury, you've got to do what's best for you and your body at the end of the day. There is life after football.

*Q: Given what's transpired for you personally in terms of the numbers and also as a team in terms of the number of losses this year, how much higher are your expectations for next year? *A: To be honest, we've got four more games left. I still feel like there's a lot of stuff that I can do to cap off this year for myself and for the team. I'm not really jumping ahead to next year yet. I'm going to finish this year off hopefully healthy and after that get away from football a little bit like most people do. When that time comes, then I'll start focusing on next year.

Cornerback James Bradberry

Q: Are you surprised you didn't get COVID?

A: No, I'm not surprised. I drink a lot of water, so I'm hoping that helps me fight off COVID (laughs).

Q: It is crazy. You guys could be pretty thin back there this week. How do you survive?

A: Just line up, take one snap at a time. Prepare during the week and go out there and just play.

Q: Say these guys aren't going to be able to play and you've got a bunch of young guys back there with you who don't usually play much. As sort of the established veteran, what are the challenges for you of getting everybody on the same page?

A: It's definitely a challenge because you've got new guys that are going to be out there, so it's going to be kind of their first experience out there in front of the huge crowd. And also, they've been thrown into the fire with all the play calls and stuff going on, trying to read the formation. I just try to prepare them, try to help them out. We're giving them tendencies and tips as much as possible, but at the end of the day you've just got to go out there and play.

Q: Can you see on the field what I guess we all expect to happen, have you seen this happen where the other quarterback will just line up and say, 'Okay, 24 has never played before. I'm going to throw it at him every single play,' basically? Obviously not 24, but you know what I mean?

A: Have I ever seen it? I don't think I've ever been a part of that. Most of the time, I line up on the number one receiver and I get most of the targets, so that's what I'm used to.

Q: Do you think that's still going to happen? Why would they throw at you?

A: They've got a lot of receivers, you know? They can pick and choose whoever they want to throw at. Just based off of the coverage that we give them and the look, he's going to pick and choose who he wants to go at.

Q: You mentioned the number of receivers they have, so does that make it even more of a challenge to go into this game short-handed in your secondary against a team that has got so many different guys?

A: If we had all our guys healthy, I think it would be a challenge for us either way, so it's definitely a challenge when you don't have all your guys. They have an explosive offense and we're going to prepare. We're going to go out here and practice hard and go out there to play on Sunday.

Q: Is it hard not to hang your heads a little bit knowing just given how you guys aren't getting results right now?

A: I would definitely say it's hard, but you've got to just wake up and put one foot in front of the other and attack the day. I just try to win the day, try to get a little bit better every day and whatever cards you're dealt with on Sunday play with them.

Q: Is it starting to feel like last year as far as the way COVID's being approached and all that?

A: I would definitely say you see an increase later on in the year of the COVID numbers, kind of like last year. I would say it kind of has the same effect, but that's kind of how it is around the holidays and stuff, people traveling and whatnot.

Q: You mentioned a big crowd, you're still somewhat new to this rivalry but Giants-Cowboys, like when one team is playing for something and the other team isn't, the other team's fans usually invade the other stadium. So like Giants go to Dallas when you guys are really good, vice versa, a lot of Cowboys fans expected here. Does that bother players, like if this becomes an away game basically because there are so many Cowboys fans here?

A: No, I don't think it's going to bother us. It's a brotherhood when we're out there. I try not to think about the fans and the outside atmosphere of what's going on, then what's going on on the field. I just try to lineup and play ball, get my assignment, look at my keys and then go from there.

Q: Any frustrations as a defense, like you kind of have to play a perfect game to win right now?

A: It's definitely hard to play perfect, I'll say that. We expect elite play and perfect play from us as defenders. It's definitely tough to go out there and play a perfect game. You just try to go out there and try to win every rep. That's why I say you've got to take one snap at a time. You can't think too far ahead, and you can't ever think about the past because it might affect that play at hand, so just try to stay in the present.

Q: What's good about what (Cornerback) Jarren Williams does? He's a young player, what do you think makes him an effective young player?

A: I think he just has that chip on his shoulder. He's a small school guy. He's eager to get out there and make a play. This would be like, I think this would be his second start, right? So he's definitely ready to get out there and go play. I think just having that chip on his shoulder, that eagerness to go out there, that helps out a lot with just making plays, just calming those nerves and whatnot.

Q: With all the injuries and COVID, probably nobody's expecting you guys to do anything Sunday. Does that motivate you guys at all?

A: We expect a lot from our guys. I know we're down on numbers and whatnot, but we still expect to go out there and compete. That's what this game is about, is going out there and competing. It isn't really about anything else other than going out there and playing against another guy and trying to win, so that's what we're going to try to do.

Q: When you signed here obviously, part of the reward is getting a bunch of money, but you probably assumed that this team was going to become competitive at some point. Obviously, you guys have not been over the last couple of years, so how eager are you to start winning next year? You know what I mean, like actually producing results, trying to go get a championship?

A: I'm very eager to win. It sucks when you're losing. I think nobody wants to win more than us as players in there. That's what we do every week. We only get 17 weeks to go out there and play and I try to take one week at a time and try to improve myself, so I can be the best player I can for the team so that we can win. If I'm not doing my part, then I can't expect anything outside of what I'm able to control. I just try to control what I can control, go out there and play and try to get a win.