Cornerback Paulson Adebo

Q. Paulson, after you had agreed to terms, a report that said you wanted New York. What is it in your vision, what is it about New York that you wanted, and how do you see that?

PAULSON ADEBO: Just looking at the team, I feel like we have a lot of good pieces on the team and on the roster. It was exciting for me to come in and be able to contribute at that. Looking up and down the roster I really felt good about the level of talent that we had on the roster. That was big for me.

Q. Have anything to do with the city itself though?

PAULSON ADEBO: The city obviously brings so much to enjoy, from the fans, the fan base. Obviously, I played with (linebacker) Bobby (Okereke) in college, and he's always said good things. It was just kind of a combination of all those things, the city, and ultimately being excited about the team and the level of talent I think that we have.

Q. Did you have anything to do with (safety) Jevón Holland? After you agreed, do you know him, did you start to recruit him and say, hey, let's build a great secondary?

PAULSON ADEBO: No, I didn't have anything to do with that. I know of Jevón – I played against him in the PAC-12 when he was at Oregon. He' s a great player, followed him throughout his career. That was exciting to see that he would be coming as well. We've always communicated on the phone and stuff, Instagram. That was cool that he was going to be here too.

Q. How about schematically? Everything I read about you in New Orleans was a lock-down, a man cover corner. The Giants played a lot of zone under (Defensive Coordinator) Shane Bowen last year. How does that schematic fit?

PAULSON ADEBO: I feel like I can play man or zone. In New Orleans we did play a lot of man, bump-and-run coverage. But I feel comfortable playing in a zone scheme. Did that in college a lot. I really feel good either way.

Q. How are you doing? Where are you at in the recovery from the broken femur?

PAULSON ADEBO: I'm doing really good, been running, sprinting, changing directions, doing everything and really practicing to be able to be ready when the activities start.

Q. You think you'll be ready for the spring?

PAULSON ADEBO: Pretty much. I've been doing everything, changing directions and stuff. Just kind of taking it day-by-day but I feel really positive about that.

Q. What was it like going into free agency with that? Were you worried it would hurt your market? How were you able to convince teams I'll be fine because obviously they can't bring you for the physical until today?

PAULSON ADEBO: Just putting out videos and communicating between my training staff and the different teams and stuff. But I felt really comfortable. Obviously, I feel like I've been in a good spot for the past couple of months really, so I wasn't really too worried about that causing any disruptions.

Q. The backflips probably convinced the teams you were good?

PAULSON ADEBO: You know, I feel like that was a cherry on top for sure.

Q. Your numbers would suggest you are a ball hawk. Would you agree with that description of you?

PAULSON ADEBO: Yeah, I think for me catching interceptions, making plays on the ball is very important to be able to give the offense the ball back. That's something I definitely pride myself on, something I really practiced as far as getting my head around, even catching jugs in practice, trying to catch as many balls as possible. I just know how impactful that can be for a team to help the team with.

Q. You're coming to a team that was very poor, second-to-last in the league in interceptions. Was that a point of emphasis when they were talking to you about bringing that? What is the key to being that? It's easy to say you're a ball hawk. What's the key to that?

PAULSON ADEBO: I think you just have to practice and visualize that, that way you're not surprised when the ball is in the air. You kind of turn into the receiver – a lot of times it's easy to be shocked that the ball is coming to you. First off just expecting the ball to come to you. And then when you have the opportunity to make a play just really capitalizing on it.

Q. Did they stress that? That's something they really wanted out of you?

PAULSON ADEBO: They kind of highlighted ball production and emphasize that's something that's good and we want to have on the defense.

Q. You get injured, off to a great start. You know how big of a season -- you probably looked at that -- you're a young guy, you're building towards that first big year. How much did you learn about yourself over the next couple of months mentally? Did you get any advice from guys that have been in the league? Just the idea of how do you reset and refocus to get an opportunity like this and to prove that you will get back to where you were as an ascending player?

PAULSON ADEBO: Definitely dealing with injuries, every player has to deal with it. Nobody wants to go through an injury. But the reality of the situation, you play a game and there is a 100 percent injury risk playing football. I think for everybody it's just realizing the moment, realizing you will get back from it, and then shifting your focus whether you're preparing for a game and now your game is recovering your body. That's what I shifted my focus on.

Q. In terms of a mentality or a mindset, have you always been a guy who wants to get up there, press and say you can't beat me at the line of scrimmage?

PAULSON ADEBO: Yeah, just pressing, making it hard on receivers, if you can disrupt their timing, disrupt the timing of the routes. I've always just kind of been in that mode a little bit. But at the same time, I've played in zone schemes, I've played in all different types of schemes. I don't think I'm one dimensional. But I definitely do like to press people.

Q. You look at this Giants team, obviously they're a young defense. They've had a lot of young pieces obviously. You and Jevón are both young guys too. Is that something that attracted you, a young defense that can possibly grow under a second-year defensive coordinator?

PAULSON ADEBO: Yeah, just looking at the defense as a whole there's a lot of talent up and down the roster and a lot of youth as well. It was exciting to come into and be able to add to that.

Q. Obviously you went to college with Bobby. What is that relationship like with you and him?

PAULSON ADEBO: It's really good. Bobby was like my OG when I came in at Stanford. We've got a real good relationship. We hang out. We talk football. Talk about ways to better ourselves on the field. That was a good relationship for me to have coming into this organization.

Q. When you were talking about signing here and now that you're a Giant, what have you learned about or what would you like to see them do at quarterback, because obviously interesting signing with a team that's still chasing its starting QB. Whether it's Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, I know you're on the other side of the ball, but you had to be interested in what was going to happen. What do you think is going to happen? What would you like to see happen?

PAULSON ADEBO: For me I just kind of focus on getting myself acquainted with the team. I just got here, figuring out how I can help the team. And then I'll let whoever has to make those decisions handle those. But I'm excited and confident that we'll make a good decision.

Q. Playing off the previous question about the youth in the room, you're probably more experienced or the most experienced guy coming in. Can you talk about the idea of being a leader in that group even though you're a newcomer?

PAULSON ADEBO: Yeah, absolutely. I think any time you can come in and bring experience, that's great. I have some experience. So, if there's something that I know, I'll be very willing to be able to share that knowledge and share that wisdom and at the same time being willing to learn. Coming into a new organization, seeing how things are done and adapt accordingly.

Q. You mentioned you played in various schemes. But every scheme has little tweaks and differences and nuances. What is it about the Giants scheme that you think complements what you do well?

PAULSON ADEBO: I think just being able to find the ball in the air, having eyes on the quarterback. Challenging receivers. I think it all will be able to complement my game, and I also think my game can translate to multiple different schemes. I think that was really good for me.

Q. How familiar are you with (cornerback) Tae Banks, and what do you know about his game?

PAULSON ADEBO: I know he's a big, fast, strong, physical corner. I like a lot of things that he does. Very explosive. Very athletic. So, I'm happy to be able to come in and work with him.

Q. Have you talked to him? Has he reached out to you yet?

PAULSON ADEBO: Yeah, I reached out to him, got his number, got in contact with him. I'm excited to be able to play with him.

Q. You guys have a new secondary kind of coaching staff, a new corners coach. How familiar are you with them and what appeals to them about you?

PAULSON ADEBO: I just met them, found out two days ago. I'm excited to work with them. I know they've got a lot of good history and a lot of experience coming from the two of them.

Q. Obviously with a big contract comes a lot of expectations and responsibility. I'm curious what you think of basically being looked at now as a number one cornerback, hey, your job is to be the shutdown guy.

PAULSON ADEBO: Absolutely, I embrace it. That's why they brought me in here. That's how I view myself since I got into the league. It's cool people view you that way, but at the end of the day it's about how you view yourself and at the end of the day it's about producing. I'm ready to come in and work and get to work with them.

Q. Is that kind of the thing that maybe was tough last year, like when Marshon (Lattimore) was gone, that was your opportunity to show that you're that guy and that kind of injury kind of happened there?

PAULSON ADEBO: Honestly, I feel like there's two corners on the field, obviously. We get into the CB-1 role but it's just really winning your match-up. You know what I mean? I feel like I've always had that mentality to win the match-up regardless of who I'm lined up against. We didn't travel, necessarily, all the time in New Orleans. So, a lot of times you do end up on the number one guy. You just have to produce. In different schemes, maybe where it's like there's always one person following, probably bigger in that. But myself, I view myself as being able to go up against anybody.

Safety Jevón Holland

Q. What was that process like when you heard the call that you were coming to the Giants? What excites you about this team?

Jevón Holland: Leading up to that point, I was kind of just in the crib chilling. Going back and forth with my agents, and they reached out and told me the Giants were interested. I was super juiced. I was really excited. I told them to go ahead and let's get the deal going. And after, back and forth between them, I got the callback that I was officially going to be a Giant, and they were going to go through the weeds of contract and whatnot. I was extremely excited. I really was. Giants have a long history of successful football, and I really wanted to be a part of that, especially in New York. So, it was fun.

Q. You and Kayvon go back to Oregon. What's it like, not only playing with him but being around him again?

Jevón Holland: It's going to be fun. Every time we're around each other it's always laughs. I'm really looking forward to running that back just like it was in 2019 in Oregon.

Q. How much do you view your play and view this opportunity as a chance to kind of ascend to a different level? There are good players in this league all around. There are always opportunities to kind of take your play to another level. Do you view yourself as someone who still has a lot of potential to grow into what kind of player you can be? And why do you think the Giants give you that opportunity?

Jevón Holland: Yeah, absolutely. I think the Giants and the people that they've brought in and the people that they have have a desire to breed excellence. I think this environment is something that will allow me to be that, to grow. I absolutely think there's plenty of room left to grow. I'm nowhere near my peak. I think the Giants have the exact environment I need and the personnel I need to be able to reach those new heights and as well lead a group of men and also create a winning culture. And the Giants have a history of a winning culture. I feel like it was the right choice.

Q. I heard on there that you somehow know Xavier McKinney and you checked with McKinney about coming here. What's the basis of that relationship? And if you could expand a little bit on what he told you, because obviously in Giants fans' eyes, you're the guy kind of taking his spot one year later.

Jevón Holland: We have the same agent. We had played each other in the past and have mutual respect for each other. Once I figured out I was going to be a Giant, I reached out to him and asked him how the facility was, the people inside, and what the environment was like being a Giant. He had nothing but positive things to say. He said I was going to love it and the place itself; it breeds football and the fan base is great. He just added to the excitement and reassured me that I made the right choice.

Q. Can you talk about the opportunity you'll be here three years at least Paulson three years at least. Nubin and Phillips drafted last year, so they'll be here for three years at least. And Banks is here for at least two more years. That's a bunch of guys around the same age who are locked up for the future. How can that build chemistry and where can this group of the five guys I just named go together?

Jevón Holland: Like I said previously, that's a recipe for excellence. It's a group of guys that are going to be able to build with each other, create a community amongst each other, and rely on each other when we're out there on the field. Communication makes the defense flow smoothly. To be able to know the guy next to me. Knowing who they're playing with and being able to communicate easily, makes the job a lot easier. I think that would help us fly around and make plays and be free on the field.

Q. You had some critical comments about the turf here a couple of years ago. I'm curious, you'll be playing eight games, nine games there, how comfortable are you with that turf now?

Jevón Holland: I'm pretty comfortable on turf. I think practicing on grass, playing on grass a lot when I was previously with the Dolphins, and then going to turf once in a while can be difficult. But I played on turf in Oregon. I played on turf in high school. Didn't have any effect on me then. Now I'll be fine.

Q. Just this particular one, you got hurt. I know a teammate got hurt that game. Was it something about MetLife you didn't like particularly?

Jevón Holland: No, I think it was just a weird spot on the field. I'm sure they went over and fixed it and did what they had to do.

Q. On the football front, you're talking about how you feel you haven't reached your peak yet. You've played in a ton of different systems, I'm sure you've seen a little bit of everything. How do you think you're best used? Obviously, you can use safeties in different ways. How do you think they get the best out of you to use you?

Jevón Holland: That's a great question. I think I fit best in a role where the coach has a plan for me and it's detailed. I don't necessarily think in one specific way I can excel, but when they're detailed with a purpose behind it, that's when I excel. It's not so much the team itself but the direction and the way it's explained.

Q. Curious, when you were talking to the Giants, as you were getting this deal done, did you ask them what their quarterback plans were and did you like what you heard?

Jevón Holland: No, I didn't ask them what their quarterback plans were. My job as a defender is to give the ball back to the quarterback. Whoever I'm giving the ball back to, I know if I'm giving them the ball back then I'm going to be helping them. I know they're going to pick the right guy for the organization, for the team, and he's going to help us win.

Q. What would you say when the Giants were courting you and signing you, what did they tell you they liked the most about your game that you were going to bring to them?

Jevón Holland: I think it wasn't necessarily something specific. It was just that they wanted good football players. They want good football players to help build this young team, and I think I'm both a great football player and a young individual who has been in leadership roles previously.

I think that's the added bonus of me being young but also a vet and going into my fifth year, helping put direction into a young DB room, and I think that's what they were looking for, and I feel like I check those boxes.

Q. You talk about like the coach having a plan for you and detailed. What did they tell you that plan was and how to best use you?

Jevón Holland: It's not necessarily what the plan is. Obviously, I don't know the defense yet. I haven't studied it. But I have had conversations, that just put me in the best position to go out there, tackle, run, hit, make plays, stay in the deep part of the field, communicate. That's the general gist of what they're looking for me to do. And I think that kind of categorizes the safety.

Q. What do you make of Tyler Nubin? I know we talk about this being a young corps, but since you'll be next to him on a regular basis.

Jevón Holland: He's a good, talented kid. Talked to him. Great spirit. Full of life. Excited to play next to him, and help him grow, just like I was when I was younger. I hope to be that same vet to help him take off.

Q. Even though you don't know what that plan is yet, if the coach came to you and said, hey, how about blitzing -- if I'm not mistaken, I think in your first season with Miami you were a pretty good blitzer -- would you be open to that?

Jevón Holland: Yeah, blitzing, being in the deep part of the field -- low zones, man to man, cover 3 -- whatever it is, I'm down for it. Whatever the scheme asks of me I'm, 100 percent okay with fulfilling that.

Q. We talk about culture, leadership, and all that stuff. You're still relatively young. You're a newcomer coming in. What do you feel that you can bring to the culture of the Giants' locker room in terms of leadership and the overall culture?

Jevón Holland: I think experience. I've been in a lot of different rooms, led by a lot of different people. As you know, there's a lot of turnover in the Miami Dolphins at my time there from defensive coordinator to defensive coordinator, so having been in those rooms under some great veterans -- Jason McCourty, Elandon Roberts, Xavien Howard -- guys that were leading our team at that time, and then to them leaving me having to step into that role, engage, put pressure on me to be able to galvanize a group of men and lead them in a direction. Even though I am young, and usually young guys don't have that much experience leading, I feel like I've been put in high-intensity pressure situations to be able to grow and flourish and have to lead. I feel like I have those qualities to be able to lead a group of men even though I am still only 25.

Q. I'm wondering how much the Giants came from off the radar. I know in the podcast you said you didn't hear from them until 11:00 on Monday night. Usually, when people come back from the combine, Dave usually has a pretty good idea of the teams that are interested. Were the Giants on your radar at that point?

Jevón Holland: My agents had mentioned it briefly, but I didn't really know. I didn't know. It wasn't something I was too keen on. I tried not to be focused on what team, where, and what because I wanted to have an open mind. When the Giants did call, I was obviously open-minded. I was excited. I was excited to hear that the Football Giants were coming to get me. It wasn't something that jumped off the table. It wasn't on the front of my mind.

Q. Did you have to do any quick research or you just asked them what they thought, or what was that like?

Jevón Holland: I had already done research on a lot of the teams beforehand. When they brought it up, I was already ready to go.

Wide Receiver Darius Slayton

Q. How did you balance the thought of, you know what, maybe a change of scenery is good for me versus I want to come back to the Giants?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I think that's what free agency is all about. It gives you a chance to sit back and reflect and be able to look at what other opportunities you have out there and look at other teams, as well as evaluate the team and the organization you're already a part of, that I've been a part of for some time. Obviously, through this process I ended up being a Giant and happy to still be a Giant.

Q. Did you ever waiver with that, that somebody else looks pretty good out there?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah of course. I think free agency, that's what it's about. You have other teams that show interest and you look at those situations and you try to weigh the two things. And obviously after I got done weighing them all I decided to remain a Giant.

Q. Obviously you're coming back to a team without a number one quarterback right now. You signed obviously with that knowledge. What did they tell you at that time about their plan?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Obviously in free agency that's pretty important for a receiver, to know who is going to be throwing the ball. Me, Dabs (Head Coach Brian Daboll) and (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe (Schoen) had those discussions and I believe in the vision that they have and the plan that they have and that they're going to get somebody in here that's going to be able to spin it and be able to lead us in the right direction.

Q. Now that you are back, are you going to be doing any recruiting? I know (quarterback) Russell Wilson might be visiting. What would be your pitch to a quarterback? Will you be involved in that process?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I would love to. If they want me to be a part of it, whoever it might be. I'd love to be part of that process obviously. I'm all about getting any good football players here but I'm certainly about getting good football players here that throw me the ball. Whatever I can do to help that initiative I'll be a part of. And honestly, I would just tell them, look, we have a lot of young, talented players, specifically pass catchers. I think we're a very quarterback-friendly unit. I think for a veteran quarterback or for a young quarterback, either way they'd be coming into a good situation, full of good players. And we've got two great tackles so you're safe. The left tackle is one of the best in the league. The right tackle is one of the best right tackles in the league. You're safe. We've got weapons. I think any quarterback should look at this situation as the sky is the limit.

Q. What do you think makes Russell Wilson a good quarterback? And what would be the advantages of playing with him as a wide receiver?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Selfishly I think he's been career noted as having a great deep ball. I love that, of course. Other than that, he's somebody who has won in this league. He's played well in this league for a long time. Played well last year for the Steelers, so clearly, he's still got gas in the tank. If he's who we bring in, or whoever we bring in, we'll embrace him and do our best to rally around him.

Q. Are you following the minute to minute of these quarterback decisions like everybody else is? Are you seeing the pictures on the beach? Is it something that's on your phone like minute to minute here?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I don't have notifications on, but you can't get on Twitter or Instagram without seeing the updates. I see them and I follow them. But at the end of the day, like I said, I don't make the decision for who becomes the guy, but I do make the decision of being able to support the guy and play the best to my ability for the guy, whoever he is, when he gets here.

Q. When the news came out that you were re-signing, I'll speak for myself, it was shock. Not that it was a bad thing. I think it was a positive thing. For you, throughout this process, how did you ride the wave of emotions, the idea of I'm going to be back, I'm not going to be back. I know it's natural for free agency and you've been through it before, but were you surprised at all that the reaction from people who knew you and around the league was, man, I can't believe Slayton's re-signing with the Giants?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I figured it would be that way if I did decide to come back here, and I understand why people would be surprised. But at the end of the day, I've enjoyed my six years here as a Giant. I've enjoyed my teammates here. I enjoy working with the people in this building. Obviously, we haven't won as many games as I would have liked and all that type of thing. But I believe that we are capable of winning more games in the future. And honestly other than that, I really couldn't tell you much bad about my experience being a Giant. Really, when we get this thing going in the right direction, we start winning, I really couldn't tell you a bad thing about this place. I understand how, from a football perspective and all of that, people would get there. But like I say, I evaluated the situations that were out there. And from both a football and a life perspective, I felt like remaining a Giant was the best for me.

Q. Did you find yourself as a pitch man? I know you made a pitch before about the quarterback and why guys would come here. There was a feeling going into free agency of looking at the bigger picture and guys around the league see the Giants as a last resort. Why shouldn't this be viewed as a last resort? Because you're the guy that lived through the bad times that were supposed to chase guys away, yet you welcomed coming back?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I think because when you're part of an organization like the Giants that's storied, that's established, your ceiling for your career is so high here. This offseason we signed (cornerback) Paulson Adebo, (safety) Jevón Holland – two big-time defensive back signings – if you're a guy like that and you think about it, he came from the Saints and came from the Dolphins, they're both really good football players, but relatively underrated in the league. They're better football players than what people give them credit for. But if they come out here this year and they have a great year for the Giants, they'll become top five names in their position. That's just kind of the reality of playing for the Giants and having you guys, the media behind you and having all that behind you. And I think anytime – you can't understate that because that helps add longevity to your career, it helps add money to your pocket, whether it be in marketing or whatever. I think the Giants are always going to be an attractive place to come. And also it's a great football place. There are people in this place that love football, that care about the football. Obviously, (President and Chief Executive Officer, Board Director John) Mr. Mara owns the team. He's got football in his blood and DNA. And at the end of day, if you're a football player, you want to be around football people.

Q. You said before that when you were asked about the quarterback situation and that being unsettled. How much of your decision weighed in your familiarity with the offense, your belief in the offense and what this offense can eventually be?

DARIUS SLAYTON: A lot. I think it's kind of like when people say the devil you know versus the one you don't. I feel like we have a good offense here. We have a lot of talent around me in the receiving room. Our running backs are really talented. And I think up front we've gotten a lot better up front. Right now, we're obviously trying to fill that quarterback role. But I think when you look at it, we have a lot of potential. Obviously potential doesn't win you games but it certainly helps. There is other times where your potential is low or your roster is not as good. I think those things make it attractive to be a Giant.

Q. Last year, of course, was your first year with (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) coming in. Can you talk about the potential growth of this receiver group, Malik, yourself, (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson), (wide receiver) Jalin (Hyatt) and just you guys haven't hit the ceiling yet. What do you see as being the next step for you guys as far as your growth goes?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Honestly, I think becoming one of the better receiver units in the league. I think we definitely have the ability to be in that echelon and considered one of the best receiving units in the NFL. And obviously you've got to have somebody get it to you to get there. But that's something I don't take for granted. I love the guys in the room, Wan'Dale, Jalin and Malik and even some of the other guys we had, (wide receiver) Ihmir (Smith-Marsette), some of the UDFA guys. We had a lot of young guys, a lot of just good people to be around, (wide receiver) Bryce Ford-Wheaton. I'm excited to be back in the room with those guys. I had a lot of fun with them last year. And looking forward to the years to come with them.

Q. Have you had a chance to look at, once you were signed one of the first things I did I looked at the Giants record book. If you're going to be here another three years, then we've got to start talking about legacy. You could be like second to (former Giants wide receiver) Amani Toomer in Giants receiving yards with three of your standard seasons. Have you thought about that at all? Did you think at all about where you could be as far as Giants all-timer?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Honestly, I hadn't thought about it, but somebody sent it to me. It almost didn't read right in my head. I was like, dang, I didn't realize it was actually something that was that attainable. I felt like Amani Toomer's numbers were way over there in Pennsylvania or something. It's definitely something that would be cool. I think anybody wants to end their career and feel like they left an impact on wherever they played for and have a positive memory of them wherever they played. So obviously for my next three years, I'm going to do my best to play my best and leave fans with a positive image of Darius Slayton in mind.

Q. You answered Russell Wilson. So I'll ask (quarterback) Aaron Rodgers. What about the thought of playing with maybe the best quarterback this side of Tom Brady in this generation?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Personally, I think Aaron Rodgers is probably one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, just pure thrower of the ball, to ever play football. I have a ton of respect for him. And I know everybody loves in this league, once you get a little older, it happens to everybody, like, he doesn't got it anymore or whatever. But I think Aaron Rodgers has shown he can still spin it. I think, like I said, we have all the tools to make a quarterback like him or any veteran or rookie successful. Obviously if we get him, I would love to play with him. It's not often in this league you get a chance to play with a Hall of Fame, all-time quarterback. I had the pleasure of playing with one my rookie year, and I think being able to play with two in a career is definitely not a blessing that I understate.

Q. About the contract, obviously pass issues, there were issues as far as you know, the pay cut and you not playing in workouts, I believe, last year. What's that security mean for you to have that security to know that you can just focus on ball and that's something that's not going to be a concern for you going forward?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Means a lot seeing how I spent six years not on this side of the coin. It definitely means a lot. Honestly, first thing that comes to mind I think of my family. I have an organization my mom runs and a couple other people that run it. And they've touched so many lives over the past four or five years. Obviously, the more money I make, the more money we have to give. So, on my end we just doubled our ability to reach people and touch people. And I think anybody in my situation or anybody even if you just made it to the league for the first time, I think it's important that once you get the ability to reach out and help, you should help. And you should do it to the best of your ability to support people that need your support. Obviously as far as the money aspect goes, that's kind of the biggest thing. Obviously, I want to live a nice quality of life when I'm done playing football. But that's definitely something that's really important to me.

Q. We all know the numbers from last year, the rankings, the offensive production and everything that needed to get better. This is a team that has brought back most of its offensive coaching staff in the same position. You're going to have 10 of 11 returning starters, probably. I know there's still time, free agency here and the draft to come. But there's just that one quarterback. What made you look at last year and say, we are a quarterback away from being successful?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I think the fact that we still played some competitive games. We were still close in some games. In this league, you're typically a play or two or three away – even if the score might end up being a three-score game, you're typically a play or two away from it being a close or from it being a win. Oftentimes there's too much blame placed on the quarterback, and sometimes there's too much credit placed on the quarterback. But at the end of the day, they do touch the ball the most. So, if you find yourselves in situations as a team the belief is if you get somebody back there and they make the right decisions on a consistent basis, that the wins will come.

Defensive Lineman Chauncey Golston

Q. Coming from a four-down front in Dallas to a three-down front here, how do you fit in this defense do you think?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Dallas is a four-down but they're very multiple, too. Under both of the last two coordinators, we ran 4-3, 3-4. I feel that I will be able to pick it up – well, there's no picking it up. It's what I've already done.

Q. Forget Dallas, where do you fit in this defense if you look at the way they align?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: The same situation I was in Dallas. You play on the end, you play three high, four... It's wherever is needed. Versatility is everything.

Q. There have been a lot of edge defenders and edge rushers in recent years who have sort of taken a while to really hit their best. Do you feel like your best football is still out in front of you?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Yeah, the sky's the limit. I finally get to a situation where I'm able to play more, so I'm able to show what I can do more, showcase my abilities. With more time, just keep ascending.

Q. Do you prefer having your hand in the ground or standing up off the edge?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: I prefer to be on the field (laughs). Whatever is going to get me out there.

Q. Last year you obviously had a career year. You found a place where you were able to thrive a little bit. Does that give you confidence that you'll be able to keep that going with the Giants, to get comfortable, figure out what you can do on the field a little bit more?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Yeah, with experience comes confidence. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, you're bound to make some more plays, you go out there, things start slowing down more and more as you get more experience.

Q. Was a big part of the deal being excited to play with (linebacker Brian) Burns, (linebacker Kayvon) Thibodeaux, (defensive lineman Dexter) Lawrence, guys who can get to the quarterback, was that part of the excitement for you to come to the Giants, to play alongside those dudes?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Yeah. Also, as a kid I played for the Eastside Giants. It was kind of cool when I was able to become a Giant, that was nice. But also playing with those guys, that would be a nice experience seeing how our games complement each other.

Q. You said Eastside Giants?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Yeah, the Detroit Eastside Giants.

Q. You've never lost to the Giants. You went 8-0 with the Cowboys. How do you flip that, now that you're on the other side of the rivalry, how do you flip that and make sure you know what the Cowboys were thinking of the Giants all those years, how do you guys get their respect?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: I don't even know how to answer this one. It's a team game. We go out there, do what we have to do and get these Ws. I don't really know how to answer this one, honestly.

Q. What do you think about changing sides in one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Let's get to doing it. Let's do what we've gotta do. Let's go get some Ws.

Q. I know you were asked about the defensive group as a whole, but what about Dexter Lawrence from afar impressed you?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: First of all, so when the Cowboys played last year -- us, last year -- I was on the sideline and I was looking at him on the Jumbotron, I was like there's no way that guy is that big, like what the (heck). (Laughs). I'm excited – I'm excited to work with him and pick his brain, talk to some experienced guys and see how I can improve my game.

Q. You mentioned obviously Thibodeaux. You mentioned Burns. Can you talk a little bit about how your skillset complements what those guys do and how they can complement what you do?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: With Burns, Burns is a speed guy. I'm more of the bigger end guy, and finesse, power, those usually go hand in hand. With that, I'm just doing my part. I'm just here to help in my part of the role, and with time together, like with the OTAs and training camp, I will see exactly how that works. That question will be answered in time.

Q. We talk about when newcomers come into a locker room that's already building a culture, what do you feel you can bring to the Giants' culture?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: I'm more of a lead-by-example guy. So however that may help whoever I can help, but I'm here to bring leadership from what I can do.

Q. What does it take to play violent and dominant as a defensive lineman? It feels like those two words kind of describe your game and feels like it's a critical element of how linemen on both sides of the ball need to play. Wondering how you generate that?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: It's a mindset. It's a mindset. You get a chance to go and move a man against his own will, you've got to do that. That's a mental thing. Also, you can't go to jail for it out there. That's a nice plus (laughs).

Q. Is that a quality or a mindset that you either have or you don't? Like, can you build a mindset like that?

CHAUNCEY GOLSTON: Mindsets, those can be developed. It's just like you develop a routine of going to the gym. It all can be developed and around the right people that mindset can thrive.