**
Coach Tom Coughlin**
Q: Did Corey Webster have a setback?
A: No. He's an every other day kind of a guy.
Q: Brandon Jacobs did a little stretching it looked like?
A: Yeah. Plus he did some running on the side, so we'll see when we get in there what the deal is.
Q: Did you fill the roster spot for Baas? Dallas Reynolds?
A: Reynolds. Yeah. Reynolds was here, if you remember, for a few days.
Q: What do you see from JPP? Do you still think he's coming back from the injury?
A: I think he got a little better the other night. I'm hoping that it continues. It's still not where we want him to be, but I thought I saw some things that were a sign in the right direction.
Q: Have teams been doing things differently with him since his breakout year?
A: No. There are always people that are certainly going to put the tight end in front of any defensive end. You put the (running) back over there and chip. That happens with regularity, but it's not unusual. Everybody in the league does that.
Q: Are those things he needs to handle better or adjust to better?
A: Adjust to is probably the better word.
Q: Michael Vick's interception percentage is low for the amount of throws he has had. Why is that?
A: He has that ability to lengthen the play. That's probably as good a reason as any. He is accurate. He does throw well with the deep ball. He can create opportunities for himself to prolong the play and make it extended down the field and under those circumstances, he gives himself not only a chance to run, but also to find a receiver even more wide open. I don't know. That may be as good a reason, but he also is a talented quarterback that's always been able to throw the ball well. He does have a very strong arm, whether it's an underneath throw or a deep throw. There's never any question about his ability to throw.
Q: Is he doing anything better than he was?
A: I always thought he was pretty darn good. He obviously showed you what he can do when he was here the first time when he ran for 79 yards in the first half.
Q: He ran for 79 yards, but you did a good job on LeSean McCoy. You've done well with running backs the last couple of weeks. Are you happy with the run defense?
A: You have to say based on the ability to stop some of these premier runners that we have done a pretty good job of defending.
Q: Do you have to be careful with Peyton Hillis and the amount of work you give him going forward?
A: I hope not. We may not have that luxury. When you look at what he accomplished plus the number of carries, not that the yardage was anything… Also in protection he was solid. I thought that he did a good job and he was ready to go and there was never any question about him physically even mentally going into that game.
Q: Is Spencer Paysinger limited by the ankle at all?
A: He was back and working today, so I expect he'll just keep getting better.
Q: Did Michael Cox seem receptive to the idea he has to do a better job of going north and south?
A: He was.
**
Offensive Coordinator Kevin Gilbride**
Q: Where have you seen the Eagles make improvements in their defense in how they're doing things?
A: I don't know that there's one specific area. I think they're playing the run a lot better and that they've maintained the same defensive posture in terms of their gambling, aggressive, come after you playing a lot of man coverage. But their corners have done a great job of covering and they've gotten some… like last week against Dallas, they got a few interference, holding calls what have you, but other than that, they shut down a pretty talented receiving corps more than I think many people would have expected. We're going to have some chances. There's going to be some one-on-one opportunities, but they're going to have to make the plays, because I don't see them changing their approach.
Q: Brandon Jacobs rushed for 100 yards a couple of weeks ago and then Peyton Hillis gave you a solid performance last week. Are you amazed that guys are coming off the street and succeeding?
A: I'm very happy. I don't know if I'm amazed. I can't afford to think that was our fifth and sixth running backs in there, but I'm very proud of the effort that he put forth. The good thing is he's a bright young man and I think we had the good fortune that he had at least been exposed to our terminology, our system having been down in Tampa Bay. That certainly expedited the learning curve a little bit, but not everybody could have done what he did and I think the thing that was really impressive was the physicality that he brought to the game. He turned north-south on a couple of those catches. It's something we need as an offense. It's nice to be finesse. It's nice to throw the ball, but it's nice to show that physical prowess, too.
Q: Do you have to be careful with Peyton at all?
A: We can't. We've only got two. There's only two, so there's nowhere else to go. We've asked if we could bring some other guys, but they won't grant them any eligibility. Yeah. I guess you have to be conscious of it to a point, but it's just that your options are so limited anyway and there's certain things that you can ask Michael (Cox) to do and there's certain things you can ask Peyton to do and when those things are coming up they have to do them and there's nowhere else to go. Knock on wood, I'm sure he's sore as anything the next day after having not played and then going out and usually it takes two or three weeks of going through that hitting before your recovery becomes more normal. Hopefully with the short week he'll be back and able to go. I know his desire and determination to play and play as many opportunities we give him, he'll welcome them all. That's the good thing. Where he'll be physically remains to be seen.
Q: Does his time in Tampa and knowing Sully's system help him transition?
A: Sully's system is our system. Every word is the same. That's what I said that just being familiar with the nomenclature, being familiar with the terminology; the plays definitely expedited the curve. There's no way we could have gotten what we got from him without having a little bit of background and he did. No question about that.
Q: Has Jim Cordle surprised you at all?
A: I guess, yes. I've been just very, very proud of how he's played. I made a point last week when they were asking about David, I was certainly glad with David's return and looking forward to seeing him play with us, but I wanted to make sure and I prefaced my remarks by saying I don't want anyone to undervalue what Jimmy had done because he had played very well for us. I didn't expect him to come in again as quickly as he did, but the one thing is he's very professional in his preparation. He's very knowledgeable about what's being asked of him. I think he knows his limitations. He's able to avoid them intellectually and do things well enough that he's been a very effective player for us. I don't know. You never know how someone who is a backup that is now all of a sudden a starter with how he's going to perform on the big stage, but he's done a great job for us. He really has.
Q: He had the disappointment of where it looked like he was going to be a starter and then Baas started.
A: Yeah. And as much as you try not to, you say okay, I'm fine. I'm going to prepare. Human nature being as it is, I'm not sure you really do and yet here it was. That was a prime example of why we say you're one play away and certainly that was the case Monday.
Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell
Q: Do you count Monday night as a shutout, even though there were points on the board?
A: It happens as a team, so it's seven points against us. You lose as a team, you win as a team, it happens as a team.
Q: Where do you see JPP coming along? We were talking to him a little bit earlier, it seemed like the last game was his best game of the year in terms of production. He came close, but it seems like he's in this constant battle to try to get himself to that 2011 form. How difficult is that to live up to?
A: With the time off and those types of things, he's not playing to the standard that he wants to play to. Everyone expects so much of him and he's trying to get there, but he's just not there yet. We have to be patient with him and he'll keep getting better and better as the season goes on and we think that he can return to that form. The biggest thing for us is we believe in him and he has got to believe in himself also.
Q: He said something like the coaches didn't expect Superman this year, just based on the back surgery. Would you say it's fair to say the expectations were a little tempered with him coming back?
A: I always expect Superman out of him. We think of him so highly and he does so many amazing things that when he walks on the practice field, you smile. It's probably unfair to him because everybody's expectations are for him to be Superman, but he's human.
Q: One of the things he said in the locker room was that it may take him a whole offseason to get back to that 2011 form. Is that what you've seen?
A: I can't answer that because he could have a breakout game this week and we'll say, 'oh, he's back.' He's an athlete. He knows his body better than we know his body and what we're trying to do is put him in the best position for him to have success.
Q: He was also saying that he's not drawing nearly as many double teams as he has in past years. Do you feel like that might have affected the way the attention that teams are able to pay to other guys like Tuck? Maybe it has affected the pass rush adversely because he's not drawing those doubles?
A: I haven't looked at it that way, so I don't really have a solid comment about that. I'm not sure.
Q: For the past several years you've had that rotation with JPP, Osi and Tuck and you don't have that with Osi anymore. How hard has that been to replace? Is Damontre Moore going to get in that role at some point, or do you think it will be Kiwanuka?
A: It's been Kiwi and Tuck and JPP. We're trying to develop Damontre to enter that role and to be effective in that role for us. He missed some time in the preseason so everything that you try to do developing a player and bringing him along to be that role player that you want him to be gets pushed back. Each week he doesn't dress, or each week he's dinged up. Obviously we're trying to develop him to be that type of person for us.
Q: Do you think that can be this season? Or do you think Kiwi will have to be the guy?
A: It just all depends. If the light switch comes on, because Damontre is a very talented young man, when does the light switch come on for a rookie because JPP's first year, we brought him along very slowly. When the light switch came on, it was like 'wow, where did this guy come from?' We're hoping we can do the same thing with him, we'd love for that to be now. It's just the development of the player.
Q: What are your thoughts on Tuck? What have you seen from him?
A: I think he's played the run more effectively than he did a year ago and I think he's concentrated on playing the run more effectively. He did do a good job in Monday night's game of getting pressure on the quarterback even though he only had the one sack and I think for Justin, his expectations are really high. People don't look at Justin as a run defender. They look at him as a hit-the-quarterback, sack guy. But Justin is really doing a nice job for us in the run game.
Q: What did your Monday night performance against Adrian Peterson do for this team's confidence?
A: I just think it confirms that the big bodies we have inside are paying off for us. I think that it confirms that the addition with Jon Beason at linebacker can help us be more effective and better in the run game and everybody bought into we had to stop number 28. He was the focus of our week and so that was a solid effort by all the players that we had to do that. We'll have to have that same type of solid effort this week because they have a dual, triple threat with not only Vick but McCoy. They've got a host of guys. We need that same type of focus this week.
Q: Where has Beason made the most impact for you guys?
A: He's got a nice voice and when I say voice, he has good command. I've talked to you guys in the past about a mike (line)backer being able to command that front and being able to make them get down, put their hand in the dirt, listen to the call and when he commands them they know that he's giving the right command. He's a very smart football player too. He can visualize plays. When you talk to him he understands concepts and so I think that's a nice addition to have on your football team.
Q: Does having played the Eagles once help you prepare this week? Do you find it any easier or different?
A: It's always difficult to prepare against them because they're a pretty dynamic offense. Having played them once helps you as far as tempo is concerned. You know what to expect with the fast-paced offense and how they operate a little bit. So, yes, having prior experience does help you some.
Q: The fact that Vick is playing, so you assume his hamstring is fine?
A: I have to assume he's 100 percent. He's that run threat.
Q: Could Beason help you a little bit more just to stop Vick getting out of the pocket?
A: We think so. We hope so. That's why he's here. That's one of the reasons he's here, so we're banking on that. Sure.
Q: Were you skeptical about trading for Beason because of his injuries?
A: No. When I evaluated him when he was coming out of college, we thought he was a good quality player then and then, to me, he got better as a pro. So when we had that opportunity, we welcomed it. No skepticism at all.
Q: There was some kind of disconnect that kept him on the sideline.
A: Yeah, for whatever reason. That wasn't for me to… But I said that could help improve our football team. You welcome that with open arms.
Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn
Q: What happened on the punt return for a touchdown last week?
A: What went wrong? We didn't get good releases as the gunners and we didn't get great releases up front. We have to sprint faster to the ball and squeeze to the ball. We have to make the play on that guy.
Q: What do you mean by squeeze to the ball?
A: The ball is kicked to the right, we have to squeeze to the right. We can't have everyone going down the middle of the field. We have to go where the ball is kicked.
Q: On the kickoff return, did the fact that it was so deep, did the guy slow down a bit?
A: They didn't slow down. We knew the guy was an excellent returner. Had an opportunity with our L3 to make the play, he's got to lay out to do it. I don't know if he would have made the play, but he probably would have drawn the penalty because he did have his hands on his back. He didn't do it. Two and the one have to take care of it and we have to get that done. A couple of guys lost leverage and he's got the build. He's running full speed, he puts his foot in the ground and he came out full speed the other way. He's an excellent returner. We did not do a good job on that one.
Q: Has there been a common denominator in these returns you have given up?
A: It's always something different, so you're shuffling guys in and out and trying to find solutions that way. There are not that many guys to do that with. They've all been different circumstances and it just hasn't been good enough for anyone. We're all embarrassed by it.
Q: How tough has this been on you?
A: Awful.
Q: I looked last year and you guys didn't have any returns.
A: No, Pittsburgh had one, so it's frustrating. It's not what our expectations are. It's not what the organization, the team, mine, Larry's (Izzo), anyone. It pisses you off and I hope it pisses everyone off in this building. To take away a shutout from the defense, that hurts. How many times do we get opportunities to do that? So, it's frustrating.
Q: Did you think Damontre Moore was clipped on the touchdown?
A: No. That was a good block.
Q: Is it unusual to use a defensive lineman as a gunner like that?
A: It is very unusual, yeah.
Q: What's the …?
A: Well, Mcbride was starting, so Will Hill was playing wing and so we didn't have any other gunners, so he was our best option. After that we had to shuffle other guys around. We're trying to build continuity, but it's hard when everybody has to get shuffled around, so we're trying to get that rectified.
Q: Do you think you'll leave him in that role?
A: If we have to use him. Sometimes you're kind of forced to use guys outside of their roles, but that's the way it is.
Q: He did that in Kansas City too? Wasn't he the gunner?
A: Yeah. He's had, I think, maybe 20 reps as a gunner. He's not your first choice to do it, but sometimes that's your best, so you have to go with that.
Q: With DeSean Jackson coming up, is there any extra apprehension?
A: No, we face great returners every week. Someone mentioned it last week, it's Devin Hester, it's Jackson. They're all very good in this league, so you have to step up to it.
Q: You have a bit of a history with this one? The organization does at least?
A: No, I do. We do. No apprehension, you just have to do your job. We're paid to do the job, we've got to get it done.
Q: Does it offer an ability to bounce back, against another quality guy?
A: I think anytime you get a chance to play anyone in the NFL, it's a chance to bounce back against quality people. Every week it's a challenge.
Q: What happened on the punt return for a touchdown last week?
A: What went wrong? We didn't get good releases as the gunners and we didn't get great releases up front. We have to sprint faster to the ball and squeeze to the ball. We have to make the play on that guy.
Q: What do you mean by squeeze to the ball?
A: The ball is kicked to the right, we have to squeeze to the right. We can't have everyone going down the middle of the field. We have to go where the ball is kicked.
Q: On the kickoff return, did the fact that it was so deep, did the guy slow down a bit?
A: They didn't slow down. We knew the guy was an excellent returner. Had an opportunity with our L3 to make the play, he's got to lay out to do it. I don't know if he would have made the play, but he probably would have drawn the penalty because he did have his hands on his back. He didn't do it. Two and the one have to take care of it and we have to get that done. A couple of guys lost leverage and he's got the build. He's running full speed, he puts his foot in the ground and he came out full speed the other way. He's an excellent returner. We did not do a good job on that one.
Q: Has there been a common denominator in these returns you have given up?
A: It's always something different, so you're shuffling guys in and out and trying to find solutions that way. There are not that many guys to do that with. They've all been different circumstances and it just hasn't been good enough for anyone. We're all embarrassed by it.
Q: How tough has this been on you?
A: Awful.
Q: I looked last year and you guys didn't have any returns.
A: No, Pittsburgh had one, so it's frustrating. It's not what our expectations are. It's not what the organization, the team, mine, Larry's (Izzo), anyone. It pisses you off and I hope it pisses everyone off in this building. To take away a shutout from the defense, that hurts. How many times do we get opportunities to do that? So, it's frustrating.
Q: Did you think Damontre Moore was clipped on the touchdown?
A: No. That was a good block.
Q: Is it unusual to use a defensive lineman as a gunner like that?
A: It is very unusual, yeah.
Q: What's the …?
A: Well, Mcbride was starting, so Will Hill was playing wing and so we didn't have any other gunners, so he was our best option. After that we had to shuffle other guys around. We're trying to build continuity, but it's hard when everybody has to get shuffled around, so we're trying to get that rectified.
Q: Do you think you'll leave him in that role?
A: If we have to use him. Sometimes you're kind of forced to use guys outside of their roles, but that's the way it is.
Q: He did that in Kansas City too? Wasn't he the gunner?
A: Yeah. He's had, I think, maybe 20 reps as a gunner. He's not your first choice to do it, but sometimes that's your best, so you have to go with that.
Q: With DeSean Jackson coming up, is there any extra apprehension?
A: No, we face great returners every week. Someone mentioned it last week, it's Devin Hester, it's Jackson. They're all very good in this league, so you have to step up to it.
Q: You have a bit of a history with this one? The organization does at least?
A: No, I do. We do. No apprehension, you just have to do your job. We're paid to do the job, we've got to get it done.
Q: Does it offer an ability to bounce back, against another quality guy?
A: I think anytime you get a chance to play anyone in the NFL, it's a chance to bounce back against quality people. Every week it's a challenge.
**
DE Jason Pierre-Paul**
Q: You said earlier in the year that there were times where you didn't really recognize yourself on film. Are you starting to a little bit?
A: Somewhat at some points. I'm still trying to get my techniques down right, my angles on the passer and on the tackle, how I'm rushing the tackle. I go back and look at old film from 2011. Also, this year, seeing the simple things that I'm missing from my game. I try to put them all together at once but at the same time I'm not trying to overdo it and think too much and throw my game off. I missed training camp, I missed OTAs, well I did OTAs but I missed the whole training camp and preseason. Those really are things that will help your game, especially if you've been out for a long period of time. Right now I'm just getting better and better every time I go out on the field.
Q: Are you beyond the surgery and stuff physically?
A: I still kind of feel pain back there but it's not that pain. I've got to continue doing my core work. It's not something that's just okay, I had the surgery and okay I did the rehab and that's it. I still have to continue doing it after practice, go into the training room consistently. It's going to take some time for my back to be strong like it used to be.
Q: Do you feel like it's hindered you at all?
A: Not really. I know for a fact that I'm not as strong as I used to be. I've been going to the weight room to try and lift weights and get my strength back. That will build up as time goes on.
Q: When you look at the 2011 film, what are you seeing?
A: I see, to be honest, it's a whole different player from now. Even last year my numbers weren't up but I still felt like I was that player before the surgery. I did OTAs and felt awesome and it just changed. I just have to change the way I'm doing things. I'm going back, looking at film, I'm not trying to tweak my game so much that I lose focus of who I am but as of right now I'm just getting better.
Q: What are the biggest things you don't see that are different?
A: The way I rush the passer. I feel like I'm catching a lot, I'm catching my opponents a lot. I'm not being a threat to them how I used to be. And that's basically it, turning the corner how I used to turn the corner. I could sit here and dwell on the past and critique my game but I can't go back and try to critique it so much and try to bring it into the future right now as I'm playing. If I do that, I'm going wind up doing things the wrong way. This is Week 7, Week 8? It's too late to try to change things now. All I can do now is keep getting better and keep rushing. That's basically it.
Safety Antrel Rolle
Q: Does Vick have to show that he's healthy or do you guys assume that he's going to be gimpy?
A: If Vick plays, he'll be ready. If I know Mike like I know Mike, if he plays, he's going to be ready.
Q: Has he done a better job with ball security this year? I know he's obviously missed games but has he done a better job of taking care of the ball?
A: Yeah, he has. Obviously that's been a point of emphasis for them throughout this offseason. I think he's done a better job of taking care of the ball.
Q: JPP just spent a bunch of time explaining how he went back and looked at tape of himself in 2011 and says that he's not that player but he wants to get there. How far away do you think he is from the player that you guys once had here?
A: That's something that you're going to have to ask JPP. I don't comment on other guys' performances. If he says he needs to get better, then he needs to get better. Obviously JPP is always going to be a dominant player for us. Can be play better? Yeah. Can we all play better? Yeah. We're all looking to critique one another and push each other to the maximum. Our thing as a defense is to never be complacent, no matter how good you play or no matter how bad you play. You always look to get better and play better the next game.
Q: What's the key to stopping a guy like Michael Vick?
A: The key to stopping the Eagles is to go out and play as a team. It's not about Michael Vick, he's not going to beat us by himself. He needs his guys around him. They have multiple weapons and as a defense we have to go play within our scheme and make the plays when the opportunities present themselves.
Q: He only has two picks. That's not many.
A: Well, I don't know. I really can't tell you why he doesn't throw picks, I guess he's been careful with the ball. He's been pretty accurate with his throws and I think it has a lot to do with the opponent's scheme, also. They have a lot of weapons, a lot of misdirection, so you have to be on your keys. You have to know exactly what you're looking at and almost anticipate what's coming.
**
LB Jon Beason**
Q: How's your relationship with Antrel?
A: Antrel? What's his last name?
Q: I know you guys played together in college for a while. It seems like you are sort of kindred spirits, too.
A: Yeah, you know what, Antrel might not even remember this. Antrel hosted me on my visit to Miami. When I came into Miami I was actually an athlete, I was brought in as an athlete. It was good, it was good. Antrel was like my big brother at the U for the first two years when he was there. I was a safety and I played DB. He was just one of those guys that reached out to me. I was No. 2, he was No. 6, so our lockers were close. Even throughout my college career and my pro career we've stayed tighter than most guys. The only other two guys that I'm really, really tight with are John Vilma and DJ Williams.
Q: So when this opportunity came here, obviously you knew he was here. Was he in contact with you at all?
A: We talked earlier in the process, he was one of the first guys that I wanted to talk to. I said, 'I'm coming up there and hopefully we can get this thing right.' It's a big stage, man. Everybody knows about the Giants. You're on prime time all the time, the media coverage is No. 1 and when you do well, things get magnified and when you do bad, things are the same. You know what, great players like that. They like that pressure. That's what being a Giant is. You 're supposed to uphold a certain level of performance.
Q: When did you first start to realize that you might be heading here?
A: It happened within hours. Coach told me I was getting traded and within hours I was trying to figure out a flight to get here.
Q: Do you take that personally when they say, "You're not in our plans anymore, we're going to trade you?"
A: No. Coach said, 'Hey, I don't know how to say this.' I guess it was new for him as well. 'We're going to trade you and it might not be a bad thing. A fresh start.' One of the first things out of his mouth was, 'Maybe you'll get an opportunity to play MIKE linebacker.' There were no contingencies on that when I came in or wherever I was going, it was just to go play football. Getting a chance to get back to my roots, so to speak, was exciting for me
WR Victor Cruz
Q: Obviously coming off your first win, is there any difference in the mood at all?
A: Practice has been well. It's been upbeat, it's been positive, everybody's flying around. We had a great practice today, so we're excited. We're excited for what we have coming up on Sunday against the Eagles, and we want to be able to go out there, all of our ammunition ready to go.
Q: You guys have had some success in Philly, yourself in particular. Why do you enjoy playing there so much?
A: We don't enjoy playing there. It's something we have to do. We have to go out there and take care of business on the road. We just enjoy that. Coach Coughlin always preaches road warriors, so we have to go out there and perform on the road. That's the only way you're going to have some success in this league.
Q: What makes it a difficult place, or a place you don't like?
A: Just the atmosphere and it's not the best place we always want to go and play. We have to go there and play. We have to do what we have to do, but if we could play at home 16 games, we would.
Q: Is it the worst place you play in the world?
A: No. There's other places that are worse. Obviously Philly is up there.
Q: What's different about their defense the last couple of weeks? They've only given up 37 combined points to Tampa and Dallas?
A: They're doing a good job of attacking the football from a defensive standpoint, especially from a secondary. Guys aren't getting out to break well. They're closing in on the ball fast and getting a lot of pass deflections and sometimes interceptions. From a secondary standpoint, they're doing a good job of that. We have to do a better job than we did the last time of coming out of our breaks, attacking the football, and catching it well.
