Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Did you get to sleep at all?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I got a little bit of sleep, but appreciate the hospitality. Just had an opportunity to meet with (Bayern Munich manager) Coach (Vincent) Kompany. It's an honor for the New York Giants to be here and play in Germany and we look forward to it. With that, I'll open it up for questions.

Q: Do you want to just give us a rundown, (tackle) Chris Hubbard, how's he doing?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's good.

Q: (Kicker) Graham (Gano), (punter) Jamie (Gillan)?

BRIAN DABOLL: We'll go ahead and go through practice like we normally do and then we'll decide what we're going to do. But, I think for both the kickers and for Chris (Hubbard), that's looking positive. So, we'll see.

Q: How about the guys who popped up yesterday with injuries? Any of them concerned for the game?

BRIAN DABOLL: (Safety Jason) Pinnock is a concern for the game. I wouldn't rule him out, but he's probably the one. The other two guys I think will be fine. We'll go out there and practice and see where they're at.

Q: How are you?

BRIAN DABOLL: Good, how are you?

Q: Welcome to Europe.

BRIAN DABOLL: Thank you.

Q: Nice to see you on this side of the world.

BRIAN DABOLL: You as well.

Q: Do you see this opportunity in Munich, like the one in London, to reset a little bit the mindset of the team? To have new energies going on in the locker room?

BRIAN DABOLL: We look forward to going out there and having an opportunity to compete against Carolina. We had good success here in London. Again, it's a different year with a different team, but certainly grateful for the opportunity to be here and represent the National Football League in Germany and look to go out there and compete well.

Q: For international fans that don't have a team, can you have a sales pitch to get them to support the New York Giants? Do you have a message to the existing fan base that you have in Germany?

BRIAN DABOLL: One, we appreciate it. We go out there every single day, work as hard as we can. We appreciate all the support and we look forward to being able to compete here in Germany. Again, it's an honor and a privilege. I know all the players and the coaches and the staff and our ownership feel the same way.

Q: The Giants actually rank last in touchdown conversion in the red zone. What do you think is the reason of that performance of the team?BRIAN DABOLL: We need to do a good job down there. Haven't been as successful as we'd like to be. It's something that we work, I'd say, each and every day on. We get a head start on it early in the week and have to do a good job of executing down there.

Q: With (wide receiver) Darius Slayton not making the trip out here this weekend, is it going to provide some good opportunity for the likes of (tight end) Theo Johnson and (wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt to get some looks?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, Jalen Hyatt will get more opportunity than he has because Darius (Slayton) is down. He's had a good week of practice. Theo (Johnson) has been pretty consistent for us as a young player. He'll play quite a bit at the tight end position. Then the other receiver's got to be ready to go as well.

Q: Anything interesting or unusual with the flight, or just long?

BRIAN DABOLL: You had the same one, basically. It's a long flight over here. You try to adjust your time clocks the best you can and we look forward to going out here and having a practice. But it was the middle of the night, so you got a little bit of rest. I think everybody got different rest. Not everybody slept. So, everybody's at kind of different spots and we'll do our best to get acclimated.

Q: And you say you just met Coach (Vincent) Kompany. Do you know anything about international soccer and Bayern Munich?

BRIAN DABOLL: I know how popular it is. He was a heck of a player. I got to do a little bit of research and watch him. He was certainly a tough player as well and he's done a nice job here. I had a few minutes with him just before I got in here. Smart. It was a good conversation with him. So, wish him well. They've got a big game.

Q: If you could have your game anywhere in the world, obviously we love it in Germany, but if you could choose any country to have a game, where would you have it?

BRIAN DABOLL: MetLife Stadium.

Q: A big part of the Panthers offense was (wide receiver) Diontae Johnson. Obviously, he's now been traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Has that had to change how you've been evaluating this offense and what you're scheming up against them?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think each week when you go into a preparation you look at all their players and sometimes they've had some switch of players, guys in and out. So as a coach, you're looking at everybody on the roster, each position, strengths and weaknesses and see how you match up against them. Then you incorporate the scheme to it. So, it's always a challenge every week. The players are all good in our league and you're going to have to do a good job of preparing and then playing well.

Q: Welcome to Germany.

BRIAN DABOLL: Thank you.

Q: (Tight end/fullback) Jakob Johnson is one of the most famous football stars here in Germany. He's a very popular guy. Everybody loves him. You released him five times in the last two months, I guess. What does he have to do to be safe on your roster?

BRIAN DABOLL: Some of that is roster transaction. We have a good relationship with him. He's played some football. He has a role right now. He's on the practice squad. But, he's smart, tough guy that has played with some of our other coaches, been on a roster with some other coaches and he's been a good part of our football team. He brought some good pretzels to the meeting today.

Q: (Outside linebacker) Azeez Ojulari is somebody who's had a lot of success with (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) being out? How are you going to manage this package or this pass rush once Kayvon (Thibodeaux) is going to come back? Is Azeez (Ojulari) going to have to play second fiddle again?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We hope that Azeez (Ojulari) continues to play well and be productive for us. That's what you look for in guys that may necessarily not be the starter, guys that fill in for the guys that are injured, to come out and to produce at a high level. We've had a couple of those guys be able to do that and Azeez (Ojulari) is a certainly one of them.

Q: I'm just curious how much in your preparation do you have to consider almost… We mentioned yesterday that there's noise throughout the game. Do you prepare almost as if you're a visiting team with the silent count or do you prepare as almost as if you're the home team?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, we practiced with noise. So, we used silent count. We mix it in. You practice when you're in this environment, but it's certainly loud in London. But, not knowing exactly how loud it's going to be, you practice for it being extremely loud so the communication process is up to speed where you need it to be when you're in this type of environment.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about the next couple of days? How do you approach them here?

BRIAN DABOLL: As normal as we can. We'll have a Friday practice here today in a few minutes and then we'll do our meetings and our walkthrough for Saturday and get ready to go for Sunday. We've practiced throughout the week before we got here to Germany and we'll try to keep it as normal as we can keep it for the players so we can go out there and play our best on Sunday.

Q: How are you taking the field conditions into account when you prepare for the game on Sunday?

BRIAN DABOLL: You get out there and you've got to check the surface. Our equipment manager, (Director of Equipment Operations) Tim Slaman, has communicated with the players about the field conditions. We have different sets of cleats for the players to get out there and check early. We talked about that early in the week. Tim (Slaman) done a great job for us, our equipment manager, who handles all those things, to relaying what he needs to relay to the players so they have all the information. Then you get out there early pregame and check the field conditions to see what equipment you need.

Q: What's your favorite thing about the trip to Germany?

BRIAN DABOLL: I've only been here a few minutes. Got about two more days and I'll give you that answer.

Q: Then there's a question to your rookie, (running back) Tyrone Tracy (Jr.). You found an absolute stud in the fifth round. Was there a specific moment in training camp or in the game where you realized that you found a good player?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well, I think when we drafted him and got to meet the young man, he did everything we asked him to do. Then as he got more opportunities, much like Azeez (Ojulari), the question was asked about Azeez, he took advantage of them and he produced. He's continued to make the most of his opportunity. He's smart. He's got good toughness. He understands the game. Ultimately, he's gone out there and produced on Sunday when we handed him the ball or in pass protection or in the routes. He's done a nice job with that.

Q: So, he will continue to get the first-team reps?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, he'll get a lot of reps for us. And the other running backs, we'll use all of them. But, he'll be a primary guy for us.

Q: I know you don't want to use spoilers on roster moves, but with Jakob (Johnson), do you know if you're going to elevate him or not?BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we'll talk about that tonight and make our decision.

Quarterback Daniel Jones

Q: How special is it for you to play against a team from your hometown?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, it's cool. Played against the Panthers a couple of years ago. Doing it again, I think it just kind of gives you perspective on your journey and how far you've come playing against a team you grew up rooting for. So, definitely a cool experience. But once the ball is kicked off and it's time to go, it'll be like any other game.

Q: You are playing in a world-famous stadium (Allianz Arena), where (FC) Bayern-Munich plays. Do you watch soccer? And if you do, what position would you play?

DANIEL JONES: I don't watch a ton of soccer. I played a little bit of FIFA growing up, so you see some of that. But I don't know, hopefully forward or midfield, striker.

Q: And if you could choose any place the next time you play a game because you played in Germany, you played in England, where would you choose to play your next NFL international game?

DANIEL JONES: That's a good question. The experience in London was cool and it's cool to be here. I don't know, maybe Mexico.

Q: (wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt has been a little bit of an afterthought this year and in this offense, with (wide receiver Darius) Slayton being out this weekend, he's probably going to have a bigger role. How are you going to make sure or how are you going to get somebody like that involved who might be a little bit down since he hasn't had that many opportunities this year?

DANIEL JONES: Yeah, Jalin's ready to go. I've got a lot of trust and confidence in him, and we all do. We spent a lot of time this offseason training together and he had a great training camp and then he's had a little bit of a tough start, but he'll be ready for his opportunities. I have a lot of trust and confidence in him and he's a big-time player.

Q: How do you keep yourself and your team motivated during such a difficult season?

DANIEL JONES: I think just focusing on the next opportunity. You can't afford to let yourself be distracted or let that affect your preparation for next week. We understand that we have a job to do. There's stuff we need to correct and improve on and that's where our focus needs to be. I think we have a mature group of guys who understand how to do that, and we've had a good week of practice.

Q: You had an amazing catch against Carolina in the last game at MetLife. Have you told (Head) Coach (Brian) Daboll to do something special for this opportunity in Munich?

DANIEL JONES: You never know what's going to happen or how the game's going to play out. Every game's different and we're trying to game plan and situate ourselves best to win this game.

Q: I know this is the next game, but because of the unusual circumstances where it is, the neutrality of the crowd, I guess, and the long trip. Do you look at any chance that this could be an opportunity for some kind of a reset or a start of something? It's not just the next game in Charlotte or in New Jersey, it's an international event.

DANIEL JONES: I think the best way for us to do that going forward is to focus just on this game and what's immediately in front of us. I think we're still confident in what we can be as a team. Obviously, we haven't been consistent enough overall, but I think we have what we need to get going and to build some momentum. That starts one game at a time, so that's what we're focused on right now.

Q: Last week you had a pretty tough rushing touchdown, and you showed some emotions in that moment. Maybe you can just say what was your first emotion when you crossed the goal line when you looked down those two defenders?

DANIEL JONES: Just excited to score. I thought it was an important part of the game. We'd executed well in that drive to get down there. We know how important it is to finish in the end zone when we get the ball in the red zone. That's been a point of emphasis for us. I thought we did that well a week ago for the most part. We continue to focus on that, but on that play, you're just excited to score.

Q: I'm going to give you a chance to be a salesman for your franchise. For all international fans that don't have a team, why should they support the New York Giants?

DANIEL JONES: I think there's great tradition, there's great history in this organization. The Giants have been around for a 100 years and had a lot of success throughout their history. Done things the right way. The Mara and Tisch families are known for doing things the right way and how they operate. I think it's a cool tradition to be a part of.

Q: What do you think the offense lacks to be more effective? It's ranked last in points per game. What can change to be better?

DANIEL JONES: I think just executing more consistently. Like I was talking about, finishing in the red zone when we get it down there with touchdowns, not field goals. Consistent execution throughout the game. Third down, all the critical situations that make offenses good. We've got to continue to focus on that. We're confident we're able to do it.

Q: You had quite some success a couple years back when you were at the international game in London versus the Ravens. I know it's a different team, I know it's two years later, but is there anything you can take out of that game in terms of preparation that you were able to do this week where you knew, 'hey, that worked for us the last time, we just go to do the same thing when we're over here in Germany'?

DANIEL JONES: It's helpful to have gone through the week of preparation once and know what it's like to travel, getting over here and then immediately going into meetings and a practice. Just having done it once, I don't think there's any special trick to it or any secret. I think it's just trying to get your rest and catch up after a long flight. Like any other game, preparing, setting the game plan, making sure you're locked in.

Wide Receiver Malik Nabers

Q: What has this experience been like for you?

MALIK NABERS: I'm surprised I'm this far from home. But, I'm glad that I got the opportunity to play in another country. Especially to play the sport that I love and do it across the seas.

Q: If you had to choose anywhere to play a game of NFL, except for MetLife (Stadium), where would you play? What country?

MALIK NABERS: I would probably want to go to Dubai and see the scenery. That's one of my dream trips. Or go to Egypt.

Q: Also, have you got a message to all the international fans that support the Giants? And if people haven't got a team, why should they support the New York Giants?

MALIK NABERS: I would say if you support the Giants, come out to the game Sunday and get real loud. If you don't, I would say get on board. We'll try to light it up this Sunday.

Q: How did you handle the sleeping on the plane? Are you good at sleeping on planes? Did you have to take something?

MALIK NABERS: I stayed up the night before a little overboard. I also took some sleeping medicine. When I got on that plane, I put the seat back and I was out. I slept the whole time. I was knocked out.

Q: So, you feel pretty normal right now?

MALIK NABERS: Yeah, I feel good. I feel ready to go.

Q: What kind of crowd do you expect Sunday at the stadium?

MALIK NABERS: I heard last time, from a lot of guys, it was pretty loud the last time they went to London. So, I'm hoping it's just as loud. I want to get a great experience while I'm here, so I'll go back home and have something to talk about to my people back home. So, I hope it's a great atmosphere on Sunday.

Q: So far, for you personally, what is the difference between college and playing in the pros?

MALIK NABERS: I would say probably the speed of the game. You don't get as many explosive (plays) as you think you can. The defense is pretty tight out there. There's a level of competition when you're out there. You're going to get hit for sure, I didn't really get hit like that in college. I've felt a couple of hits when I've been out there on the field. Just the level of competition is way different.

Q: Obviously you guys can't start the season over, but being here, it's a unique environment. Do you think you and the team maybe can start something that's a little different?

MALIK NABERS: Yeah. Like you said it's not the season that we were hoping for. But, you can't sit around and look at all the losses that you've got going, you have to keep on moving forward week after week. I think it would be great if we start the next weeks off with a win. Go into the bye week, get our bodies back right and then after that go into the next week and hopefully keep that win streak going.

Q: What's it like having so many other players rate you so highly? Does it encourage you or is it something that makes you nervous? How does it feel to have all those players talking about you?

MALIK NABERS: I'm a humble person. So, when they tell me I'm a great player or something like that I take it with honor. There's only gratitude to what I've been doing when I'm out there on the field. So, I take it highly. I know I've been doing the right things out there on the field, but I still feel like I've got a lot left that needs to be handled. I'm not where I want to be right now, so to receive that gratitude is a pat on the back. But I'm not finished, I never even got started.

Q: Has anything stood out to you? Has any player said something to you that meant something more to you? Just as an opponent or anything that you're going through this season?

MALIK NABERS: I'd probably say (Cleveland Browns defensive end) Myles Garrett and (Washington Commanders linebacker) Bobby Wagner. I had a talk with those guys after the game and they said some very encouraging words. So, if I can receive that kind of gratitude from those high level players, I'm obviously doing something right as a rookie. But, like I said, I haven't even gotten started yet.

Q: What did they tell you after the game?

MALIK NABERS: They were just like, 'You're a great player. I've been watching from home. Keep on going. You don't have to rush everything.' They felt like I was just tensed up. They said, 'Just relax when you're out there on the field and just be who you are.'

Q: To hear that from those guys who've been there in your position, how does that help you? How do you process that information?

MALIK NABERS: It goes to back to how I perceive myself. Just going back and looking at the film, look how I'm doing things and just if I see a little bit of something I might write it down on my notebook. It's just a reminder to go back and look at it after every day. It's something that I look at and just calm down a little bit. Like I said, I'm not where I want to be and I know that. So, just go back and watch the things that I do when I'm out there on the field and try to be better at those things.

Q: What is your biggest inspiration as a wide receiver in the NFL, in the league?

MALIK NABERS: My biggest inspiration is probably my mom. She inspired me to go hard every day. I do it for her. Everything that she taught me as a kid has led me here today, so that's my inspiration.

Q: But as a player, (Minnesota Vikings wide receiver) Justin, Jefferson, (Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver) Ja'Marr Chase?

MALIK NABERS: That's just the standard. They came from LSU and I came from LSU, so that's just the standard of wide receivers. They set the bar pretty high, so it's only right that we follow that up.

Q: You're playing the game at Bayern Munich Stadium, which is a very famous fútbol team. Do you watch soccer? And if you do, what position would you be playing?

MALIK NABERS: I don't watch soccer. I only know a couple of players that's really popular in soccer, like Christiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi. I'd probably be a goalkeeper though, I'm pretty good at catching the ball. I feel like when they be curving the ball, it's not that hard to see where it's going. They are overdoing it. But, they are pros at it and I'm not. So, I don't know how hard it is, but I feel like I could be goalkeeper.

Q: There were a lot of German fans in the city wearing a #1 jersey for you. What is your message to the German fans?

MALIK NABERS: That's cool. I appreciate all the love that they're showing me. I'm happy to be here, I'm happy that they got the opportunity to wear my jersey. I plan on doing some great things on Sunday and that's really it.

Outside Linebacker Brian Burns

Q: Do you have any message to fans who don't have a team that you could convince to be Giants fans?

BRIAN BURNS: Maybe after they see us play we can convince them through our play, rather than what I can tell them. But, that's the right way to go.

Q: How do you feel to play against the Panthers, your ex-team, are you extra motivated for this game in Munich, in Germany?

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, I am a little extra motivated. Like I said, I spent five years there and I know a lot of guys there, whatever the case may be. But, I'm blessed to be where I am now. I'm happy to be where I am now and I'm looking to get a win.

Q: What was that like to practice out there? A little different atmosphere, under the lights, at the soccer facility?

BRIAN BURNS: Yeah, slightly. Obviously, back in New York it's not this cold right now. I didn't expect it to be this brick outside. But, it's cool though.

Q: How do you keep yourself motivated during this difficult season?BRIAN BURNS: Honestly, just from within. And also because of the guys next to me. I don't want to put them in harm's way because I'm not doing my job or do anything to let them down in any kind of way. So, I would say those are the main things that keep me motivated through a tough season.

Q: Do you think that this week, this unusual situation can serve as kind of a break for you in what's been a tough season? To change things up and reset and just have a fresh start?

BRIAN BURNS: Somewhat. I wouldn't necessarily say this is a reset. I would say our bye week would be more of a reset where I can evaluate the last 10 weeks and really go over my play and how the defense has been playing as a whole. That would be more of my reset than this trip.

Q: What is it like to play next to (defensive lineman) Dexter Lawrence II, for you?

BRIAN BURNS: It's been great. We really have been building our chemistry over the past 10 weeks. We knew it wasn't going to be something great overnight, but we've been working on our process of rushing together. The only annoying thing is beating him to the quarterback. That's the only annoying thing about rushing with Dexter (Lawrence II). But, everything else is great.

Q: So, you're playing the game at Bayern Munich, which is a world-famous soccer team. Do you watch soccer? And if so, do you know what position that you would play? (Wide receiver) Malik Nabers just said that he would be a goalkeeper.

BRIAN BURNS: No, I don't watch soccer.

Q: Do you know any of the positions? Any? Or any soccer players that you're inspired by?

BRIAN BURNS: That I'm inspired by? No. I'd probably be a goalie as well. Aren't they the taller ones? Because they have to cover a lot of... Yeah, I'd be a goalie. Something on defense.

Q: Today the NFL Academy plays against the IMG Academy. Talents in Europe against talents in the U.S. We have a few German players, 14 overall. A few linebackers and one talented German linebacker. What is the advice you can give to a young linebacker on your position?

BRIAN BURNS: For a young linebacker, right? Just always be aggressive and trust your instincts. Never be afraid to make the play. Playing that position, you have to be a little crazy. Just ask (inside linebacker) Bobby Okereke. You've got to be a little crazy to play that position. But, if you trust your instincts and be aggressive, you'll be fine.

Q: You talked about chemistry with Dexter (Lawrence II). The defensive line leads the league in sacks at the minute. Is it that sort of special chemistry that makes you be able to achieve that goal? That understanding of each other, knowing when to go and who's going to get there and that hard work together?

BRIAN BURNS: I think a lot of our success comes from rushing as a whole instead of individuals. Like I said, it wasn't going to be a process that happened overnight. We fell in love with the process of learning each other and rushing with each other. Even though we had some hard times earlier in the season, we knew it was going to click. So, that's why we're doing so well right now.

Q: I'm going to give you the chance to choose anywhere in the world, that's not MetLife, that you could play an international NFL game. So, where would you choose to play?

BRIAN BURNS: An international NFL game anywhere in the world…

Q: I take it it's going to be somewhere warm.

BRIAN BURNS: I don't even know if it's warm over there right now, but I want to play in Tokyo. That would be lit. And I'm an anime fan, so that would be lit.

Q: I know (Defensive Coordinator) Shane (Bowen) talked about it the other day, about stopping the run. That's something you guys obviously want to do and haven't done as well. You know with (Carolina Panthers running back Chuba) Hubbard, they want to run the ball. Obviously, you know those guys. What's the key to doing that and getting better at it?

BRIAN BURNS: Really be locked into your job. Like I said before, it's all about the details, all about the gap discipline. Stopping the run is a mindset more so than a scheme or a talent thing. It's just being disciplined and trusting the guy next to you. So, that's the main thing to stop the running. Really, for the defensive front, is to get penetration.