Head Coach Pat Shurmur

Q: Did you address the trades with the team?

A: I did talk to them, yes.

Q: What is the message you want to give?

A: We were presented with some deals. We made a couple trades and we're moving on. For the guys that play those positions, it gives them the opportunity to get more reps and show us what they can do, so I'm looking forward to seeing what our guys can do. We're always looking for ways to improve the roster. My concern obviously is getting the team ready to play this week and beyond, but we all know there are short-term and long-term things that go on.

Q: You say you're looking to improve the roster, but you traded away two of your defensive starters. How do you prevent them…

A: We've got guys that we feel like can fill in and play well. I don't worry about losing these guys.

Q: Do you think they understand?

A: I told them and they listened and they nodded, and I watch the way they work. If you work hard and you'll be tough and you care about the guy next to you, this thing will work out.   

Q: Was Snacks (Damon Harrison) playing up to his reputation this season?

A: I thought Snacks had some really good reps in the games and just like everybody, there are things in each game that he could've been better.

Q: What do you lose by trading him?

A: We traded two players, and we're moving on. In our mind, we've got some guys that we feel like can step in and fill in.   

Q: Did any of the players have questions, though, like why are we doing this? Are we giving up on the season?

A: No, and I think that the 'giving up on the season' narrative, I think, is disrespectful to the guys in the locker room, and this is an ultimate team sport and teams have ways of dealing with things. No, they didn't have any questions.

Q: These were two guys that started every game and were healthy. Does this force adjustments on defense?

A: We are going to put guys in there and they're going to play well. And we expect them to. I guess I can understand the questions, but this is the ultimate team game and we need to play better as a team, and we're going to put guys in there and we expect that they're going to do a good job.

 Q: It seems like Dalvin Tomlinson is going to be one of the guys in line up to get more reps. What did you see out of him that might make you comfortable with making the Snacks trade?

A: He's probably a natural nose guard, so this would put him back in that position full time. We're looking forward to seeing him do good things.

Q: As a coach, do you welcome this opportunity to not only try to win each week but also get these extra reps and evaluate these younger guys?

A: Yeah, I think it's about winning. We talk about that all the time, evaluating, but we've got to put guys on the field to try to win the game. We've been close in a lot of games, we've won one, and we've got to do a better job there. We're making improvements. Unfortunately they haven't shown up on the scoreboard yet.

Q: For these young guys, do you want them to look at this as a nine-week tryout?

A: No, it's not a nine-week tryout. We've got nine games left, playing one game at a time. Those are all things for people to talk about. We're moving forward, getting ready to play the Redskins. Sometimes I find these little gatherings interesting. We've got an opponent on the horizon and we don't even talk about the opponent, which I think is interesting. But that's what we're doing, we're getting ready to play the Redskins. 

Q: What do you say to the idea that these trades were necessary because there was a misevaluation of the roster this offseason?

A: I don't believe in that. I think we're constantly evaluating, constantly looking for ways to get better. There's a new coach and a new GM because they were 3-13 and so we're trying to do what we can do to build a winner and a winner that can sustain. That's what we're trying to do. That's that.

Q: Do you guard against the idea at all that some of the veterans in the locker room that are still here that with the trade deadline on Tuesday that they're not looking over their shoulder?

A: No, I don't feel like we need to guard against that. We've got professionals in that locker room, changes happen throughout the season for a lot of reasons for a lot of people. We all need to perform better and win, so I don't worry about that.

*Q: What do you see from Adrian Peterson and is he still as dangerous? *

A: Adrian, oh yeah. Having been with him, he is an explosive downhill runner, although I have seen watching the tape that they're doing some flat path-type stuff where he's running around the perimeter. He's a violent runner and there's a reason he's one of the best of all time. It looks to me like he's playing at a high level.

Q: Are you surprised when people are looking at this division, Redskins didn't get much publicity, that after this many games the Redskins are standing in first place?

A: I don't pay much attention to that. I am more concerned about our team.

Q: When you look at Nate Solder, he admitted he struggled early in the game the other day. Why do you think it's been such an adjustment for him this year?

A: I don't know, you talked to him and he said he struggled a little bit. Nate's been battling through it and he's done a lot of good things. Like every player, he's had some things he'd like to do better, and we're just playing through it.

Q: How much is Alex Smith different than the one before the Redskins got? Are they doing the same stuff with him that he had done previously in his career?

A: No, I think they're running their offense. He's running the plays that Jay Gruden has run and he certainly can execute them in a way that Kirk Cousins did. He's a very good quarterback and the thing about him is he's kind of a gritty, tough guy, so in the case of a throw, you think you have it defended or maybe you got him hemmed in, and he will run for yardage. I've always admired his style of play, and he's doing a good job for them.

*Q: Is Alec Ogletree's injury something that could force him to miss time? *

A: We'll have to see. It's been reported, right? Hamstring. We'll just have to see. Hard to say right now.  

Q: Are you going to stick with the offensive line you had in the last game?

A: Same line up, yes.

QB Eli Manning

Q: What do you make of the trades with (CB Eli) Apple and (DT Damon "Snacks") Harrison?

A: Obviously in this business, it happens. You hate to lose teammates, and good guys, and good players, but you just got to move on. We got a game to play. We got to keep a focus on the guys that are here, and getting ready to play this game.

Q: When you lose two starters to trades, what kind of mindset does the team have? Do you feel as if the team is moving in another direction?

A: No, I think the mindset just has to be worried about trying to get a win this week. Just staying committed, staying strong, and keep fighting through this. We've got to stay together. We're getting a little bit better. We're close, we've played in some close games. If we just keep grinding, things will start going our way. 

Q: Does the trade signal to you guys that this organization has shifted its focus towards the future?

A: It's our job as players to worry about this season and do our job, and go prepare each week, and go play the games, and win football games. That's all we can do. We're not worried about next year or next week. We're worried about today, and these next couple of days getting ready for Washington.

Q: What are some things you all are doing to improve the red zone efficiency on offense?

A: It's just execution. Sometimes, we had the plays a little off here and there. We'll look at it hard and try to get a great game plan. We'll see what Washington is doing, and just make sure we got good plays and everybody knows exactly what we need to do.

Q: Winning that game against them at the end, did that mean something to you?

A: That was a tough scenario. You go back and watch the game, you just kind of remember some of the names on the team. Just understand you work hard, and you never know when you're going to catch some breaks and hit some big plays, and things really going your way. We just got to keep working and things will start going our way.

Q: Do you think some of your teammates look at you a little differently now when there's so much going on outside the locker room?

A: I think I always assume guys are watching, and you want to make sure that you're being a good leader, and you're setting the example by your actions, and what you're doing, and how you're preparing. They're not going to see me relaxed a little bit or slip in preparation, or determination in practice, or preparation – and all those things. I'm going to compete, I'm going to practice, and I'm going to play my best that I can possibly do, and go out there and expect to win each and every week.

Q: Did you see any reaction from your defensive teammates?

A: No, haven't seen anything. Obviously, a lot going on today in a short week and a little different schedule. I haven't seen anything different from those guys.

Q: How much of a topic of discussion have the trades been for the guys in the locker room here?

A: I'm sure it's been discussed a little bit. Again, today is kind of a different day. I really hadn't talked to many guys about it. Sometimes the defense, you don't really see them much during the day sometimes. Offense, it's just been about getting ready and getting prepared for Washington.

Q: What if you do see guys that think this team is breaking things down to rebuild?

A: We got a job to do. When you lose a couple guys, other guys get an opportunity to play, and they'll be excited about that. I think you handle it like it's an injury, or someone's down for a little bit. The next guy steps up and you go, and you find a way to win.

Q: How are you handling this situation?

A: You go on, and I think when you go through some controversy or things happen, it's about keeping the team close and rallying around each other. If people are saying something outside, prove them wrong, and let's go out there and win a football game.

Q: As the team starts to look ahead, are you worried that you won't be a part of those plans?

A: No, my focus and my worries are Washington and getting prepared to play each game this season.

Q: You said yesterday how you can't imagine yourself playing for another organization. Is that still the case?

A: It's just not something I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about playing for the Giants this week against the Washington Redskins. That's the mindset, and I haven't brought myself to think about another scenario.

Q: Was it on your mind two years ago when you guys discussed your contract extension? You obviously put a no trade clause in there for a reason.

A: No, that's just agent stuff, I guess.

DT Dalvin Tomlinson

Q: Missed question.

A: We understand people go, it's just the nature of the business. I know he's going to ball wherever he goes and just have to step up my game and make sure get the rest of the D-Line is ready to go play this Sunday.

Q: (Inaudible) at a pretty high level before. Does this feel like an opportunity for you to if not audition for the next 10 weeks for a starting role, show them what you can do?

A: Wherever they want to put me, I'm excited for it, to go out there and ball out and step up my game.

Q: Have you talked to Snacks (Damon Harrison) today?

A: Briefly. Not much because we had meetings and all this stuff going today and workouts. I really haven't had a time to sit down talk to him.

Q: As a defense, what is the kind of vibe? You've seen two of your starters leave...

A: We just make sure we focus on Washington this week because there's still a lot of football left to play and we have to make sure we're ready for them.

Q: Is that hard to do, focus on the game and not the locker room and players that are leaving?

A: It's not too hard because it's the nature of the business. It happens pretty much every week everywhere across the league and if you're not focused, only bad things can happen from that.

Q: Fans would look at this and say you guys are waving the white flag. How do you guys look at it?

A: We have great players in every position across the locker room. It's the NFL, they have to be great to play in it and we're not giving up. We're all hungry out here and just want to make sure we prepare right and get this win.

Q: Were you blindsided about it all or did you kind of sense something might be coming like this with the record how it is?

A: I really wasn't paying attention to anything off the field, for the most part. I was pretty much focusing everything on the field to play as a game plan and stuff like that.

Q: Every game you've played as a pro so far, I imagine you leaned on Snacks heading out there on the field, you guys are pretty close. What were you able to glean from that relationship and how different will it be being out there on the practice field without 98 next to you?

A: Snacks is a great guy. I've learned a lot from him on and off the field. He's just a great role model. It's going to be slightly different not playing next to him, I feel like, but like I said, it's the nature of the game and I have to get used to it and we have other guys I'm used to playing next to also. We just have to keep improving.

Q: Coach said you're probably a little more natural playing right over the center. Is that something you're looking forward to to kind of develop into that role?

A: Yeah, as long as I can line up and put my hand in the dirt, I'm happy. That's the biggest thing for me.

Q: Do you sense guys looking over their shoulder at all, kind of saying who's next, who could be traded after those two guys went?

A: I feel like people on the outside may think that. In the locker room, that's not the feeling we have at all. We're all just starving to get that win. We come in working hard each and every day, working out, doing extra work, extra film and things like that, so I don't think anybody's feeling like that.

Q: With Snacks gone now, you have the longest consecutive starting streak on the team. Is that shocking to hear?

A: I didn't know that one, but that's pretty cool. Let's keep this streak going.

Q: You've been here a year and seven weeks. To be the most established consecutive starter, that says a lot about this team and the turnover, right?

A: Yeah, that's a surprising statistic. I wasn't expecting that one today, but yeah, just want to go out there and ball out. Improve my game and step up to the next level.

Q: Sorry if I missed it, but did you and Snacks communicate at all today?

A: I really haven't had the time to actually talk to him because all the meetings and workouts we had today, and it's been a busy day, I bet, for both of us.

LB Alec Ogletree

Q: What's the vibe when the team trades away two starters?

A: It's part of the business. You hate to see guys leave that you've grown to start playing with and get to know, it's a tough situation, but that's the league that we're in. things like this happen all the time, but you definitely wish those guys were still here.

Q: Doesn't necessarily happen like this all the time where the team trades them in two days in the middle of the season, is that a little more jarring? You're used to injuries and things like that, but to have it happen like thi,s to basically have the organization say were staring to look forward to next year? How does that sit in the locker room?

A: Guys that are here, we have to focus on this year. We can't worry about next year, we have to do what we can while we're here. For the guys that did leave, Snacks (Damon Harrison) and Eli (Apple), we definitely wish them the best. It's tough being in a situation where guys in your locker room, basically you've grown to know and been able to become good friends and stuff like that, but like I said, it's a business and sometimes it's not always pretty.

Q: Have you got the chance to talk to those guys since they've been (traded)?

A: I haven't had a chance to talk to them yet, but definitely will look to reach out to them.

Q: In a situation like this, what do you do with the young fellas to keep their spirits up?

A: For me, I've been (in the league) six years now, so I have seen how certain situations like this go, but for the young guys, it's surprising to them and it's surprising to a lot of people, to all of us, but you just tell them you've got to keep working. You've got a job to do, we still got a whole season to play, so we have to turn our attention to the Redskins this week and focus on that, and let what happens upstairs stay upstairs, and work on us down here.

Q: How hard is that to focus on this week when all the moves are going on around you guys?

A: It's not hard at all. That's our job, that's what we're paid to do, that's why we're here, to play football. We have to keep it at that for the most part and let the business work itself out.

Q: Is there any sense of guys looking over their shoulder trying to figure out who might be next with the trade deadline not until next week?

A: Like I said, it's a business. Anything could happen at any moment. Our job is to come out here and focus and do what you can while you're here. Like I said, you never know when your last snap for this team could be. Like I said, our main job is to come here and give it everything we got for the man next to us that's here.

Q: Is that something as a group that needs to be said in here, the captains get together to deliver that message? Or is it a message that's understood?

A: It's a little bit of both. It's a message that is understood, and for the guys that have been around and know how it goes, of course, we know we still got a job to do, we still have to take care of our business here and do what we can here. But like I said, for the young guys, you kind of have to tell them that it's just what happens, there's things that go on in the league, like I said, it's not always going to be pretty but you got a job to do, and we need you here focused on this week and get ready to play this season.  

Q: Adrian Peterson is super-human, the way he's been doing it. When you look at the tape, what do you see and does it surprise you that he's been able to get it done?

A: No, he's a guy that hopefully has a golden jacket on his back one day. He's determined to prove everybody wrong, that he still can play and he's shown that on film that he still has it. If you don't come to play, he will embarrass you out there.  

 Q: How are you feeling physically?

A: I'm fine. Just getting ready for this weekend and see how it goes.

Q: You're on the injury report with a hamstring injury. Is that something that happened in the game on Monday?

A: Yeah (laughter). I hope it didn't happen yesterday. That's what they put on there. So, like I said, we're going to work through it this week and see how it goes.  

Q: About Peterson, does it surprise you, the way he's had this resurgence with the Redskins?

A: No. I've only known him from afar, but I can tell he works hard. He works hard to play this game, it's a tough game. For him, he has a chip on his shoulder to prove everybody wrong that said he couldn't do it anymore, and he's doing it so far for them. We got a tough challenge this week, and we just have to play our best.