Coach Pat Shurmur
Opening Statement: I don't have anything to lead with, so I'll try to answer your questions.
Q: With Sam Beal, since you have to make a decision on the roster in a week, how tough is it going to be (to make that decision)? There's not a lot to evaluate there.
A: Yeah, you're right. We're just going to have to see where he is physically. We drafted him for a reason. We would like to see him be on our team. We'll just see where he's at, and then we'll make a decision at the 53 (man roster).
Q: Does he have to be healthy by that deadline of the 53-man roster?
A: We're going to have to see. Again, it's something we're going to have to evaluate as we go forward. He's getting healthier by the day. It's just unfortunate that we haven't been able to see him do much. But unfortunately, that's the way it is sometimes.
Q: Baker Mayfield said it blew his mind that you guys picked Daniel (Jones). The quote was, 'You forget you have to win.' What's your reaction to that?
A: Baker commenting on whether we drafted Daniel? That's not original commentary, is it? We had a reason for why we did (draft Daniel), and we do feel like he helped his team win. We have a lot of reasons why Daniel is our quarterback. Beyond that, I don't have much response.
Q: Does it bother you that a player is basically blasting your guys' decision?
A: Not really. He's (Mayfield) in a long line of people that criticized that move. That's his business. If I were Dan, I wouldn't even address it, just like he hasn't addressed all of his other critics. The one thing about Dan is, don't confuse calm and composed for a guy that's competitive and a winner. I'm fond of the phrase, 'still waters run deep,' so that's what I think of Dan. Beyond that, I have no other comment.
Q: Were you at all concerned about his won-loss record (at Duke)?
A: Nope. I know he's a winner. He helped his team win games. Each quarterback is evaluated based on their skillset and their ability to lead their team. Each guy is a member of a different team. We don't worry about that.
Q: What steps do you look for Daniel to take in this third preseason game? Is it a heavier install? Are there specific things you're looking for him to improve on or build on?
A: Just play good football. Take the snap. When you're asked to throw passes, get completions. When you're asked to run the ball, hand the ball off and lead your team into the end zone.
Q: I'm sure you've probably said it, but I know John (Mara) and Dave (Gettleman) have specifically said that being the quarterback for the Giants comes with dealing with a lot of the spotlight. What's your reaction on how Daniel has handled the negative spotlight out of the gate?
A: I think he's handled it terrifically. That's part of his charm. He's a deep-thinker, he's well-thought-out, and he gets it. That is part of being the quarterback, is being able to lead, say and do all of the right things. We talk about playing quarterback… Relative to playing quarterback, it starts with decision-making. I think that carries over to all areas of your life. We're confident that he's going to make good decisions and live a good life outside the field. That gives us the confidence to know that when he's on the field, he's going to do the same thing.
Q: I'm sure you'll be shocked to hear this, but Odell (Beckham Jr.) said today that he felt like the Giants 'sent him to Cleveland to die,' was his quote. Does it get frustrating to hear a player you guys traded continuing to take these shots all offseason?
A: Not really. Quite frankly, on our list of issues of the day, it really doesn't matter what Odell or Baker said. There are many other things that we should probably be discussing.
Q: Just to follow up there, obviously you didn't make the trade, but are you confident that you took the best trade out there, regardless of what city?
A: Again, we wish him well. It was a trade, and we said that all along. Again, I wouldn't comment on what he feels about the situation.
Q: You guys are asking Julian Love to play two positions. You're giving him a lot of responsibilities. What does that say about what you guys think of his football lQ and how he's been able to progress?
A: He's done a really good job. His ability to play the nickel and play in the back end, that's really a good thing. He has really good instincts. He's a guy where there's not a lot of wasted motion. He can kind of see and diagnose what's happening and get there quickly. I think that's why he's had the ability to play two spots.
Q: You seem to have a lot of tight ends that have played well in camp and that you like. How do you cut that group down?
A: We just keep watching them play and take the best two, three, four, however many fit the roster. That's it.
Q: At linebacker, Jonathan Anderson seemed to make some plays in the first game, but has seemed to slide down a little.
A: Not in our mind. I think he's competed well. He'll get an opportunity again in this game to show us what he can do.
Q: More than halfway through training camp, how do you think Janoris (Jenkins) has been embracing the role of being the veteran in the room with so many young cornerbacks?
A: I think he's had a really good camp. Again, you don't have to be vocal to lead. I've said that before. I think he's done a really good job of helping mentor those players. A lot of times, it's nothing that you say. We all are very aware of what people do. Certainly, the young guys are able to watch how he trains, how he studies, how he competes, and there's something to be learned from that.
Q: Does that surprise you at all, how he has embraced that role?
A: No, not at all. I'm not surprised at all. I have a very high opinion of Jackrabbit.
Q: With a guy like Big George (Asafo-Adjei), are your options with him dwindling in a sense of if he can't get on the field, then he'll go on IR or the Physically Unable to Perform list?
A: We're just going to have to see when the time comes. He's in the concussion protocol. We all know it affects guys differently. He just hasn't been able to compete yet. We're going to try to do the very, very best we can to get him well so he can.
Q: What's the next step for your starting defense in this third preseason game?
A: Well, continue to play well together. I think they have to make sure they're over-exaggerating their communication, being in all of the right spots, playing with the right leverage. Upfront, when the other team is throwing the ball, we have to be disruptive and get pressure on the quarterback.
Q: Is Darius Slayton going to play Thursday?
A: We'll see. He's getting really, really close to being in there. We'll just have to see if he makes it.
Q: It will reveal itself?
A: It will reveal itself. I'm fond of that phrase.
QB Daniel Jones
Q: What's your reaction to Baker Mayfield's comments?
A: I try not to listen to much that's said. I think I've done a pretty good job of that. I heard that before, I kind of have the same mindset, I certainly have a lot to focus on here, I have a lot to worry about here and I'm focused on that. It's been good, but just focused on what I'm doing here.
Q: Is it any different that a player in the league criticized you being picked?
A: I don't think so. Like I said, my focus is here, in the building, my teammates, coaches, and everyone a part of this organization, has been my focus. When you get outside the building, I don't think it does a whole lot to focus on that for me. Certainly focused on here.
Q: Does it motivate you to prove people wrong?
A: I don't think that's a main motivator for me. I think there is a lot of things before that that motivate me, to be honest.
Q: Do you know him at all?
A: I don't, no.
Q: Did it seem out of left field to you?
A: Yeah, a little bit. Like I said, I don't know him, I have never spoken to him. He has an opinion, a lot of people have opinions.
Q: Coach Shurmur said just because you are calm out there doesn't mean you aren't fired up inside, is that the case?
A: Like I said, there are a lot of things that motivate me before something like that would. I think I am a very passionate person. I don't always show it, but I think I am a very passionate person.
Q: What would you say if someone looked at your stats and record and said, "well, this guy is a mediocre quarterback, look at his record"?
A: Going back to Duke, I wish we did win more games. I played a big part in that. I take responsibility for that, I wish we did win more games. Our goal was always to win ACC championships and to go to big bowl games and we weren't able to do that. I don't look back on that without a large responsibility for that.
Q: Do you feel you're a winner?
A: I do. I have always felt like I am. Growing up and competing, I think I am a competitor and I think I'm a winner.
Q: Can you change someone like Baker's perception if you're not playing? Is it annoying that you have to wait to play to prove people like that wrong and shut them up?
A: I don't think so. Like I said, there is a lot that I need to focus on here. There is a lot that I need to do to improve, and to make sure that I'm moving forward. That's what I'm focused on. I'm not sure that's the best motivator. If that's the thing you're looking forward to doing the most is proving them wrong, I'm not sure that's the best way to improve every day or the best way to really get where you want to go.
Q: If you were on the field and a player said that to you, would you trash talk back?
A: Maybe I'd say something, but I don't know. I'd make sure we win the game.
Q: Do the people who know you best think it's really hard to make you angry or that they rarely see you angry?
A: Yeah, for the most part. Maybe my little brother would say something else (laughter). For the most part, I try to do a pretty good job at controlling myself. I feel like I'm thinking best and playing best when I'm in control of myself.
Q: Do you agree, you have to be kind of wired to be like that?
A: Yeah, I do think that's part of my personality.
Q: Do you ever sit there and say, 'why are you bothering with me when you have your own team to worry about?'
A: I'm not sure I would do it that way, but everyone has a different way of doing things. Like I said, my focus is here. Our focus is here. I think I speak for the team— we're really focused on what we're doing here and making sure we're ready to play going into the season.
Q: Have you seen Baker play, and what do you think of him as a quarterback?
A: Yeah, I've seen him play. I watched him in college and a little bit in the last year. I think he's a great player. He can throw it, and I enjoy watching him play.
Q: Why don't you tell us how much you are going to play?
A: I don't know, I really don't know. That's up to coach and we'll see how it goes. I look forward to getting back out there.
Q: Are you interested in playing a real road game?
A: Yeah, I think it'll be fun to get on the road. It's my first experience on the road, so it'll be exciting
DL Dexter Lawrence
Q: Let's start out with obviously the Baker Mayfield comments regarding your roommate. He was saying he was shocked that the Giants drafted him knowing his won-loss record.
A: Really? No, I didn't see that, but all I can say is I'm happy Daniel (Jones) is a part of my team. I played against him in college and he did his thing. You know we can just control what we can control. He comes in and works hard every day and he deserves respect, but I guess he's got to go and earn it.
Q: When we were here last week, you said you requested him as a roommate to help him block out that noise. What will you do about this?
A: We'll just have our nightly talk. I mean, he doesn't let things like that phase him at all. He knows who he is, he knows how hard he works, he knows where he came from. It's just people talking again and you can't control that.
Q: Does it bother you that many people are talking about him without knowing him or seeing him play? Not just Baker (Mayfield) but the whole NFL?
A: Slightly, because I know who he is and I've been around him for a couple months and we've grown close and he deserves a lot more respect than that.
Q: Did you play against Oklahoma in college?
A: No, I didn't (laughter).
Q: Does a quarterback's win-loss record resonate with you?
A: I just kind of play football, he wasn't on my team then, so I wasn't really concerned about what his record was or anything like that. He's just a player I played against and going into the game, the coach put a lot of respect on him. After the game, I had a lot of respect for him, so that's all I can really say about that.
Q: What's the next step for this defense on Thursday night? What do you want to see from it?
A: Just consistency, you know, coming out strong. We kind of came out not loud enough last week. But just coming out strong and being consistent throughout the whole game.
Q: You've had some early drives that have been extended, one was a dropped interception, the other was a penalty on a late quarterback hit. Are those things you want to clean up?
A: Yes, there are definitely things we have to fix throughout the defense. That's more of just knowing where you are and knowing that you can't do that to the QBs, or you can't get those flags. So, it's kind of just stuff that you're kind of practicing throughout practice--when you get there, stay low and make sure you're below the neck area, and for the PIs, you know it's just 50/50 pretty much.
Q: You said you think the defense came out loud enough. Do you think you've come out loud enough in these two games?
A: I definitely see myself improving from the first week to the second week, and that's just a goal I have—keep getting better, don't be comfortable, stay uncomfortable. That encourages growth.
Q: So you get seven snaps, twelve snaps--
A: The snaps bother me a little bit, I would like more (laughter). But, it's preseason, they have to see everybody play, but it's just doing the most I can with the snaps I have, and that's what I've been trying to take advantage of.
Q: Do you think that with more snaps your physical ability can show itself more?
A: I can't say until I've played many snaps, so I can't really say.
Q: Have you gotten more snaps in the middle than the outside?
A: It's kind of been 50/50. I've played a lot inside, I've played a lot outside, and they try to see me play all three positions inside, just to see where I fit best and where I can help the team the most.
Q: Where do you think you fit best?
A: I'd say I fit the best at probably all three, honestly. Just going throughout practice, I'm running in and out of all three positions and being disruptive, making plays, so it's just wherever they feel like they want to put me.
Q: One of the questions about this team is "Where do they get the pass rush from?" Do you think the front three can generate, or does it have to be the front five, or what?
A: I definitely feel like the way we've been working and the emphasis we put on it this offseason, it's just been great, the guys just coming out knowing what we have to do to get to the quarterback, and how we're going to get to the quarterback, so we've just got to put it all together.
