Q: What's it like to be back?
A: It's great to be back. Everyone is excited about this upcoming season and ready to get training camp started and it was great to get here yesterday, see all the guys after almost a 6-week break. It's good to get back and now that there is some work to do and that we have time to get better and we're looking forward to that.
Q: How much of last season is sticking with you guys?
A: You know we try to put it behind us and we focus on this year but obviously you're going to look at things last year and things you need to improve on and areas that we need to make strides in but we're focused on this year and getting ready and improving this team.
Q: What do you think you need to improve most and help your receivers?
A: You've just got to keep going with these guys. They are a young group of guys. They played extremely well last year, did a lot of good things and we need to build on that. We have to make sure we don't go backwards in areas and also build a higher comfort level with each other. We've got to have a knowledge and understanding of the game and the offense and understand the ins and outs and the more times we practice and the more times we play games, we'll keep improving.
Q: Do you get a sense of a deeper team than last year?
A: I think so. I think there are some more guys with a lot of experience who have been through a lot of games, know what is going on and there are not as many questions about guys who could potentially step up. We have these guys with experience and have made some big plays and have done a lot of good things for us but now we just have to do it on a more consistent basis.
Q: What else do you think the young guys are going to bring to this year's team?
A: Hopefully just play-making ability. Whether it's draft picks or guys who have played just a year or two, they have a lot of ability. We have talent to make big plays and game-changing plays but it's also about making those 6-yard catches and consistent plays and not making the mistakes. We just have to be consistent all around.
Q: It seems there may be some shuffling on the offensive line. Are you anxious to kind of see that thing sorted out?
A: Our offensive line does a great job. They are all great guys, they've worked well together, they encourage each other, and they're a close-knit group of guys. And it's not just the five, we're talking about the eight or nine guys that we have here, they push each other and it'll be great. A lot of times I don't worry about who's in there, I know that whoever is in there is going to protect me and do their job while I'm looking at routes and doing my job to the best of my ability.
Q: What did you see from Ramses (Barden) in his first year with the team that makes you think that he could be due for a breakout season?
A: Well he had a really good spring. Last year he didn't get a whole lot of playing time, when he did get in he made some things happen. But he had a really good spring, he's a smart guy, he understands the offense and what's going on, especially for a guy who hasn't had much playing experience. So it'll be good to get him in the preseason games and other games and see how he does. But he's a big target with big hands and he's excited about what he can do and how he can help improve our offense.
Q: Is there a receiver this year that you are going to single out?
A: Well obviously Steve (Smith) has made strides and he's a guy who is going into his fourth year, made a Pro Bowl, had a hundred catches last year, worked really hard, has a great feel for what's going on, so he's a guy that has kind of proven himself and he still works hard but we have a lot of guys in Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses (Barden), Sinorice Moss. There are a lot of guys fighting for that second spot and third or fourth receiver so we're going to move guys around. The more receivers that you have, putting them in different spots and having guys that truly understand the offense, moving them in different positions and having them still understand the concept then the better off we'll be.
Q: Who else do you think could potentially step up into a leadership role this year?
A: We have great leaders on this team. A lot of the offensive line has been here a number of years, six or seven years. Boss has some great experience. Brandon Jacobs has been here a long time. Steve Smith, his fourth year. On defense we've got Justin Tuck, Osi (Umenyiora) and you bring in guys like Keith Bulluck and Antrel Rolle, those guys are great leaders who have played on great teams, been playing the game for a good bit of time and understand what it takes to win games and getting into the playoffs and doing those things. So, I think we have done a good job of bringing in some key players to help not only as players but also in leadership roles
Q: Are you guys ready to get back out there?
A: Yeah, I think everybody is excited. These last six weeks has been a long break and I think everybody is looking forward to getting this season going. That's what we like to do, we like to play football and this is the start of it and we have an opportunity to knock off the rust, to get back going and hopefully start up where we left off at minicamp in June.
Q: Do you think you'll be training at Albany next summer?
A: That's not up to me but hopefully still.
