QB Eli Manning
Q: Monday night game, what are your thoughts going in?
A: It's a big game for us against a good team. They've been a playoff team the last few years. Their offense can score points and their defense has some veterans. A lot of experienced and really good players. We just have to make sure we play sharp, go out there, have fun and continue to make some plays.
Q: What's your reaction to what happened last night in the election?
A: No reaction. Keep going. I have a game to play.
Q: What do you see out of a guy like Andy Dalton?
A: Andy has played well. I think he's played great football these last years, since he's gotten in the league really. He's taken his team to the playoffs. Running that offense well. He's a smart guy and makes a lot of throws. I think he's done a great job. He's fun to watch. We don't always play the same opponents but he's always excited when you see them, their offense because it is explosive. They do a lot of different things.
Q: What are your thoughts on the new Ring of Honor members, who will be honored at halftime on Monday?
A: All of them I have a special bond and relationship with. All of them are very deserving of getting recognized for their contributions to the New York Giants. They all have a special place in my heart, all three of them. Wonderful people and they did their job at a very high level.
Q: Do you envision seeing yourself there someday?
A: Hopefully. That would be a great honor. Right now, I'm just worried about playing in a game.
Q: The passing game has gotten a lot shorter over the past few years. How does that change the pass protection? Do you feel less pressure?
A: That's the goal. To see if we can get the ball out quickly and get it into a playmaker's hands. You have to mix up. You have to hold the ball some. Our goal is to get the ball out fast and get it out quickly. Don't put that offensive line in a bind where you're doing a lot of seven step drop.
Q: What does expanding three guys wide do or the offense?
A: You get some guys in there. Things that they do well, you can use their strengths. You put guys in certain situations, move them around and create different concepts based off of what skillset guys have. Like to have lots of receivers, move guys around and game plan to try and give us our best matchup.
Q: Do you think it is too easy to figure out what you're doing when you go three wide?
A: I think a lot of it is with Roger (Lewis, Jr.). He's played well and played well in the preseason, training camp and OTA's. He's making a lot of plays. He's come in, played well when he's gotten reps. Just try and keep a smaller set of plays for him. Plays where he knows he can go out there and play fast. Each week just keep expanding his role. He can be anywhere and everywhere. Guys have to step up. Whether we have Odell hurt or Victor hurt. Some guys have been banged up. We've needed guys to step up in there. Make sure that guy has to play and he's ready against certain things. Now, he could be called on a little bit more and he's ready to play.
Q: With Victor, could a little less be better for him?
A: I'm sure he would say he wants to be out there every play. That's how receivers play. Whatever the coaches do, that's what we have to do. Whoever they want out there at certain times. Give guys breaks, give them rest. It can be good as guys get older.
Q: How has Brett (Jones) and Adam Gettis stepped up so far?
A: Obviously Brett came into the game and played well. He's a guy that has experience and knows what he's doing. He's played some already this year. I think those guys will be up to the challenge to go out there and play well.
Q: Three game winning streak, what has the key been for you guys?
A: I think just getting games in the fourth quarter and making plays down the stretch. All of them have been a little bit different. They're not all perfect. Each one you leave saying, 'We could've definitely done things better.' You're going to say that after every game. Just proud of the way the guys fought and found ways to win games. That's what it's all about. Just making plays at critical moments. The defense has done a great job; offense has done our part. I think we're protecting the ball better; defense is getting turnovers. That's always a big help.
Q: What do you think of the way that Landon Collins has been playing?
A: Landon has been great. I don't see every play on defense but you see the interceptions some of the big tackles and sacks. Some of the big plays he's making. He seems to be around the ball a lot. It's good.
Q: Is this what it looks like when a young player starts to really break out?
A: Knew he was a talented player. Last year, saw it. That second year, the first year you come in, there's a lot going on. NFL defense is a lot more complex. Defense is thrown at you. You're maybe thinking a little bit and you might not make the plays that you normally would make. Now, you see him flying around and totally confident in what he's doing. The results show on game day.
Q: What was your reaction to Trump winning the election?
A: No reaction. Woke up this morning, saw it and went to work. Started getting ready for Cincinnati. Safety Landon Collins
Q: You came in as a highly touted prospect. Is this the kind of success that you envisioned?
A: Yes, definitely. As I kept on working and kept on understanding the defense and working on my craft, I definitely knew that I was going to get to this point.
Q: Do you model yourself after anybody while you are playing safety?
A: Yes. I model myself after Sean Taylor.
Q: At this point, do you see yourself as one of the best safeties in the league?
A: I am working at it. I am working on that. That is my goal, that is my ultimate goal, to be one of the best safeties and one of the most respected safeties in this league.
Q: What has been your secret?
A: Just coming in here and getting my work in, understanding what is going on, extra time in the film room and just paying attention to my details.
Q: How close do you think you are to becoming one of the best?
A: I don't know. I don't pay attention to that. I will look at that at the end of the year and I will see from there. I take each and every week as it goes and just play ball.
Q: Have people been whispering to you about the Pro Bowl?
A: Yeah, a lot of people. But I block it out because to get to the Pro Bowl, I have to continue doing what I am doing.
Q: Is it more satisfying because of what you went through as a rookie last year?
A: Yes, definitely because I went through some hard times, went through some struggles, had some bad games and then to come out and play the way that I am playing now, it is a really big weight off of my shoulders.
Q: Why did you not lose faith in yourself last year?
A: Because I know what kind of a player I am. Starting from high school, I knew that I was going to get to this level eventually and I was just going to have to continue to work at it.
Q: Does the draft still bother you?
A: It is still in the back of my mind. I still have a chip on my shoulder, definitely. But it is in the back of my mind, but right now, it doesn't bother me as much.
Q: How much of that first interception was film work?
A: That one, you just play leverage. That is not film work. We knew the route concepts and how they play. That is the same formation that they ran in the week before we played them and we knew it was already coming to the flat. It started with the D-line. OV (Olivier Vernon) got the pressure on him to throw off his back leg and he overthrew his receiver and it came straight to me.
Q: We talked about how this defense had to play on the same page. When you go back and look on the film, is that what this defense is supposed to look like?
A: It is supposed to work at stages. It starts with the D-line. We always say that it starts with the D-line. If they get a pressure or a push back, then it is going to be a tackle for loss or a play in the backfield that gives us an interception or something like that and it starts with them. When they get going, we all get going.
Q: What is it like to get NFC Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks?
A: It is a relief, it is a blessing and it shows that your dedication and your hard work is being shown and showcased.
Q: Why is it a relief?
A: Because of my rookie year, just stuff like that, going through that.
Q: What kind of satisfaction do you get being with different guys back at safety each week and having to be the teacher at times?
A: I went through it, so it is really not as bad because the guys know what they are doing. Sometimes we have to do little things here or there, but just being on the same page is a great outcome and having the same communication with all three or four of my guys is fantastic.
Q: You are only a year and a half into your NFL career. Do you sense that you are becoming a leader on this team?
A: I take a leadership role every day. I have always been a leader on and off the field. The leadership on this defense is great and that is what I am trying to be, definitely.
Q: Is it hard to be a young guy and do that?
A: Last year was. I will tell you that much. But this year in my game plan, knowing that I am the veteran safety and knowing the defense in the back end and speaking up and telling people what has to be done and what has to be shown on the defense is a great feeling. Safety Andrew Adams
Q: Do you feel like you've made that spot your own next to Landon (Collins)?
A: I just do what I'm asked to do, really. Obviously I want to play, that's what every player wants to do. That's what I came here for. First round, undrafted, it doesn't matter. I came here to play. That's what I'm doing. Week in and week out, I'm just trying to put my best foot forward and help my team win.
Q: What the biggest difference in your play from when you first got out there to now?
A: Confidence level. Confidence. Your first game, it's different than preseason and what not. You've kind of seen how the real game works. A lot of bullets flying. Now, it's just being able to see and react rather than think about should I do this or that. You just play faster.
Q: How much does having Landon out there help you?
A: It's very helpful. He has a lot of plays under his belt. He's only a second year player and has a lot of starts already. Just being able to study together and be on the same page helps a lot.
Q: How do you look at the way you've been playing?
A: I think I've been playing well. There's obviously room for improvement. No one is perfect. I just want to keep improving on the little things that guys might not see because they're not detailing the film. Just little things I want to improve on.
Q: Seems like you play a lot in the deep part of the field. How much of that have you done before hand?
A: I did a lot of it in college but I also played in the box. Being back there just allows you to see the bigger picture and everything that's going on. It takes a disciplined person to be back there. Obviously, you're the last line of defense. You have to know what's going on.
Q: Are you surprised that you've started five games in your rookie year?
A: It's exciting. I'm blessed to be able to have this opportunity. I just want to keep improving going forward. It's a blessing to be a starter in the NFL.
Q: How have you progressed from a rough start, to becoming a starter?
A: A penalty doesn't define a player or a season. I just play each game like it's my last game. Just let the chips fall as they may.
