Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Anything new on (Jermaine) Eleumunor?

BRIAN DABOLL: Nothing serious. It's two men kind of colliding there accidentally. He's going to do individual today, we'll see where he's at after. If he can do more, he'll do more. If not, we'll keep him out of team, but nothing serious.

Q: Is it like a soreness thing?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, anybody Dex (Dexter Lawrence II) hits, you get sore from that.

Q: Would you consider it his (Jermaine Eleumunor) ribs?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, it's kind of in the side section right here. Inadvertent kind of hitting the side. Did tests, looked at him. He's okay. He was back in meetings yesterday. He's a tough, tough man. He's going to go out there. He wants to do some individual stuff. He's obviously sore, but we'll see where he's at after that. I don't think we'll put him in team today, but if he can do it, we'll go ahead and do it.

Q: Do you feel kind of lucky that you maybe dodged (an injury)?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, absolutely. First couple days of practice, no pads. And you see that, you're like 'damn', but everything checked out okay.

Q: What are your thoughts on Daniel's (Jones) first 11-on-11 action?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, good. We'll continue to do 11-on-11. We didn't do 7-on-7. We're not going to do much of that. We're going to do more 11-on-11 so you can feel the pocket. Move. Procedure was good. Did a lot of movement and things like that. Didn't have any pre-snap penalties. Made good decisions. It's good to get him out there and feel some of the rush. Dexter (Lawrence II) was in the middle of the pocket a couple of times, and he's got to move and use his legs and I thought he did well.

Q: That's the thinking of no 7-on-7?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, as much 11-on-11, pocket stuff, movement, instead of just standing back there without a rush. He did a bunch of 7-on-7 in OTAs, so we'll do more team.

Q: Did you feel like he recovered well after his first full practice, that was part of the question of how he would recover.

BRAIN DABOLL: After the first day? Yeah. He was good

Q: In the past, you've set up your days. The Idea of one day defense, then looking at the defense. It's third and long and you know the offense probably going to struggle. Yesterday you had the running backs involved a lot, was that part (of the schedule)?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, we were working in the fringe. If you have some shot plays called and the defense takes away, make sure you make a good decision, keep the ball moving forward rather than backwards so we can stay on track and if they take it away deep, then throw it short. If you have a chance to rip it, then go ahead and rip it deep.

Q: Last year the offensive line was a bone of contention. Are you doing anything differently with that group with a new coach (Carmen Bricillo)?

BRIAN DABOLL: You're talking about schematically? We've made adjustments throughout the off-season. There's only so much you can do up front. A lot of people have the same protections and things like that, but you try to mix it up, and those guys have done a good job with the techniques, Some of the individual techniques that Carm (Offensive Line Coach Carmen Bricillo) AND (Assistant Offensive Line Coach) James (Ferentz) have brought with them. It'll be a work in progress just like all the positions are.

Q: You have rotated starters at positions where there is a competition. Are you going to do that at safety and nickel?

BRIAN DABOLL: Potentially. We'll take it one day at a time. Let those guys compete it out. It could be a little different, maybe every two days, maybe one day. We'll just take it as we go each day. We'll talk about it but give those guys ample opportunity. Whether with the ones, twos or threes, they're seeing the same stuff. You can get a good evaluation off of do they know what to do? Are they using the correct technique? Are they communicating well? That goes for every position.

Q: With Jermaine (Eleumunor) and Dex (Dexter Lawrence II), is that something you maybe want to at least use it as a teaching moment?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, there's really not much you can do on that play. It was accidental contact. We had a little scheme. Dex was playing the back block. There was no back block. Jermaine was blocking here. It was accidental contact.

Q: We saw a lot of the quick game yesterday. Quick stuff to your running backs, quick passes out there. How much is that something you intend to (use), is that a focus or is that just what we're doing on the first day to sort of ease everything in?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well, there was a lot of intermediate vertical stuff as well into that. I just was happy with the decisions that the quarterbacks were making based on the things that we were getting defensively. There's some of that. There's some quick stuff, but there was intermediate, there was action game, there were screens, there were some RPOs. So again, you want to jam it into a coverage where everybody's playing deep. Take what they give you, keep the ball moving, stay on track, avoid sacks, avoid negative plays, playing at a down and distance favorable for a play caller, for a quarterback, for an offense, and that's been a big point of emphasis.

Q: This is year three for you and Daniel (Jones) and everybody in this offense. We saw a lot of movement yesterday. Are you deeper at this point into the, I guess you can call it into the bells and whistles of this offense?

BRIAN DABOLL: Well, I'd say yes, because it's the third year, so you can do a little bit more each year. If it's the first year, you're not going to throw as much at them. Each year you can add a little bit more. Some days you might see a lot of that, some days you might not see a lot of that. Just depends on how we want to attack the day. But yesterday was one of those days where we were going to move a little bit, might be less today. Not much less, but a little bit less.

Q: Question about (quarterback) Nathan Rourke, some of your impressions of him and what is the opportunity for him?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, he's the fourth guy, so he'll get limited reps. Take advantage of the ones that he can get. He did a good job in OTA. He's picking up the system. It's always hard for that fourth quarterback relative to the reps they're going to get because the other three are going to get more. But good young man, studies hard, did a nice job in OTAs. We'll just try to keep developing him.

Q: Is Carter Coughlin hurt? He didn't get any team reps yesterday.

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, he was working special teams. He's okay. I'd say we pulled back a little bit, but he's not anywhere where he's not going to be out of practice. So we kind of emphasized the special teams part of him. He'll get the team today.

Q: It's obviously very early, but what are your initial thoughts on the running backs and the competition there?

BRIAN DABOLL: Probably too early. Again, I talked about it yesterday, I think it's a young group. Obviously, Motor (Devin Singletary) has a lot of experience with me. He's pretty in tune. Even though he wasn't in the system last year, he has picked it up. Young players will compete it out and excited to see that competition.

Q: I know we've talked about kickoff return, kickoff coverage. Are you sure that going into the training camp, everybody knows the rules, have?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, Ghoby (Special Teams Coordinator Michael Ghobrial) goes through it a bunch, but it's new. So anything that's new, there'll probably be some things we got to adjust and correct. Ghoby has done a good job with that unit. Happy he's here. He's really done a good job of explaining, being organized, detailed, and that's something as we get going that we'll have to look at and keep making adjustments. And you don't know how it's going to go early on in the year. You can study all the tape you want from the other leagues, but until you get going here, you're going to have to adjust week in and week out.

Q: Do you plan to dedicate more practice time to it just because it's so new?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we'll do some stuff with Detroit and things like that. It's something we've talked about quite a bit but again it's the unknown. It's something new and anytime there's something new in this league there's always going to be copycat off something that looked good. And again, we've studied a lot of the tape from the other league, but it'll be probably a work in progress, particularly early in the year, for everybody.

Q: I know you talked about this in the spring a little bit, but so much time we talk about getting younger players ready or getting players to improve. When you look at players who feel like they've reached a certain level in this league, a Dex (Dexter Lawrence II), an AT (Andrew Thomas). How much time is put into getting those guys beyond where they are and getting them to a level that really haven't reached yet?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, you're trying to improve everybody. Whether they're a really good player, those players want to keep improving. I was around the greatest player of all time (Tom Brady), and I got to watch him work for 11 years. The dedication and the commitment and the consistency and the improvement mindset, the growth mindset that he had, everybody needs to have that. Whether it's young players who have a lot to learn or experienced players who are pretty good players, you're always trying to improve the squad and improve the individual technique and things that they can do well.

Q: How do you look at your secondary coming into camp? It looks like there's a lot of competition; you have a lot of guys in the slot.

BRIAN DABOLL: I think that's the word. There's competition. We got a lot of practices here to kind of figure out whoever rises to the top. Like we've always said, we'll play the best guys.

Q: Who do you want to see at that outside spot? It looked like Darnay (Holmes) was a little more outside maybe?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we're using a lot of people. And again, it's day one. We'll go through these practices as we get going through training camp, we'll have better answers for you. But let all these guys compete it out and play the best ones.

Cornerback Deonte Banks

Q: How does it feel getting back out there?

DEONTE BANKS: Lovely. I love it out here. It's fun. Real fun.

Q: Are you on a pitch count or anything? It feels like you are in there about half the reps?

DEONTE BANKS: I go in when they tell me to go in.

Q: What's your thoughts so far on the new group you're working with out there in the secondary?

DEONTE BANKS: I love my group. They're my guys. We compete.

Q: What's this offseason been like for you, knowing you are stepping into that new role?

DEONTE BANKS: It's been fun. I like it. I'm really confident about it. I am just taking it as it comes.

Q: You're doing a lot of work against (Wide Receiver) Malik (Nabers). Even in the 1-on-1's, it is like you guys are matching up intentionally. Is that intentional and how is that going?

DEONTE BANKS: I like competing against Leek (Malik Nabers). It's really fun.

Q: Is it intentional that you are matching up with him?

DEONTE BANKS: Yeah.

Q: How would you describe his (Malik Nabers) game at this point?

DEONTE BANKS: He's good. He's really explosive. Real quick. I like him.

Q: How much grief are you giving each other after each play? It looked like he caught a pass on you today and had something to say. How is that going?

DEONTE BANKS: I love it. We are just competing. We talk to each other, and it's really fun.

Q: How does that matchup make you better?

DEONTE BANKS: It's just a good matchup; I like it. We're both competing. We have the same body type. Quickness. We are both quick and fast. It's fun.

Q: Are you finding out that he (Malik Nabers) is a talker?

DEONTE BANKS: Yeah, a little bit. But I already knew he was a talker.

Q: How much do you talk back?

DEONTE BANKS: Oh, I'm always talking back. Every time, every time (laughs).

Q: You seem to be the one-piece set at the cornerback position. How much advice are you giving the other guys, you are only in your second year, but it seems like you have a lot more experience?

DEONTE BANKS: I'm just giving them everything I can. I'm just taking my job as it comes. I want to be that leader, so I'm trying to take that leadership role.

Q: Did you do anything differently this year with that (leadership) in mind?

DEONTE BANKS: I wouldn't say, really, differently. But I take it as more of a leadership role.

Q: What does it mean to you to take on that leadership role?

DEONTE BANKS: It means a lot. It means the Giants believe in me, so I got to do it.

Q: You mentioned competing a lot. Playing corner, a lot of it is your confidence. I know you guys don't have pads and stuff on yet, but you guys gave up a few big plays. But just overall competing, building your confidence for the offseason?

DEONTE BANKS: I wouldn't say big plays.

Q: A few touchdowns?

DEONTE BANKS: A few touchdowns, I guess. We're just competing. It's only day two, so we're just competing.

Q: (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach) Jerome (Henderson) talked a lot in the spring; you have all the physical skills. He talked about you needing to really take a step up in knowledge and learning. Knowledge of what receivers are going to do to you. How do you go about doing that?

DEONTE BANKS: I'm going to watch my film. Just listen to him. Talk to him more.

Q: It is only the second day of camp but what is the difference from last year and this year?

DEONTE BANKS: I feel way better. I was always a confident guy, but I feel way more confident. I feel more comfortable. Everything comes to me way easier.

Q: You switched (Defensive) Coordinators, but has your role as a cornerback changed?

DEONTE BANKS: Not as much, for me. I'm doing the same thing I've been doing.

Offensive Lineman Jermaine Eluemunor

Q: How are you feeling?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: I'm okay, just a little banged up but I mean that's the name of the game playing offensive line, going against (defensive tackle) Dex(ter Lawrence) so, it happens.

Q: I heard you were trying to talk your way into team drills today?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: (laughs) In my, what, eight-year career, I haven't missed a day of training camp, so I was going to come out here either way and try and do as much as I could.

Q: Did they tell you just, no, you can't practice yet?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: It was more so just do as much as I can, not try and piss it off. Just go out there and do what I can and just be out there with my teammates instead of just sitting inside and trying to do nothing, honestly.

Q: What happened on the play?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: I was trying to cut off, and (defensive lineman) Dex thought he was being trapped so he obviously lowered his shoulder and it just so happened that he lowered his shoulder into my rib cage. So it wasn't the most fun pain I've had to deal with but I'm out here today, so that's what really matters.

Q: What's it like to take a body shot from Dex (Dexter Lawrence)?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Not fun. Not fun at all. It's not the most fun thing I've had to deal with.

Q: Are your ribs intact?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Yeah.

Q: Is there any brake, displaced, nothing?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: No, luckily. It's just really bad bruising, so nothing that should keep me out for too long. Hopefully I can get back out there real soon.

Q: When did you find out you were going to be playing right tackle?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Shoot, same time you all did.

Q: What was your reaction?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Like I said, I'm willing to do whatever I need to do for the team. I'm really happy to be here, so I told (Head Coach) Dabs (Brian Daboll) and (General Manager) Joe (Schoen), when I came here, wherever they need me is where I am going to play. So, it's another day.

Q: You mentioned you were going to spend the offseason and the summer working at left guard. Is that what you did, or did you do some right tackle work?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Yeah, I just stayed at left guard because that's where I was playing and then when they told me I was moving over there, I just made sure to get some sets in pre-practice because I played there the last two years, so it's not something new to me. It's something I'm used to. It's really just knocking some of the rust off, so it's cool.

Q: How much of an adjustment period, if any, has there been to going back to playing right tackle?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Not much, because I try to learn every position on the offensive line when it comes to schematics and stuff like that, because I've had to move around my entire career. I don't want to be caught off guard with anything, so I try to learn every single position, other than center, so I know what I'm doing. That's just what I've been doing this camp and OTAs, so it wasn't too much of a difference for me.

Q: So, you're obviously at right tackle now. Do you shift your focus like that's where you're preparing to play or do you have to keep both options open in your mind?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Like I said, whatever (Head Coach) Dabs (Brian Daboll) and (General Manager) Joe (Schoen) need me to do for the team, I'll do. My entire career I've been moving around. Last year, I had to move from left tackle to right tackle on two-day's notice. So, it's something I pride myself in, and I am able to do on a two, three-day's notice, so it's nothing that will affect me in the future if anything was to happen.

Q: When you were hurt yesterday, did it feel like you had the wind knocked out of you, or was it just pain, or what?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Everything. It's a big man hit. It's like you get hit by a truck.

Q: Yeah, because when you walked off the field, I was thinking shoulder or…

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Definitely my ribs. Definitely my ribs. Could not breathe too well. But, like I said, when you're going against a big man like that, you're going to take a hit or two, and you just got to get back up and keep going.

Q: Did you think you broke your ribs?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: I thought I was dead, at one point (laughs). No, I'm just playing (laughs). It was painful, let's just say that. I don't really know how to diagnose injuries and stuff but it just sucked. It wasn't fun.

Q: You are a guy who's been pretty vocal about how happy you were, how excited you were, and you tweeted out 'Most excited I've ever been for training camp'…

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: 100 percent.

Q: What's running through your mind as you're walking back into the facility yesterday?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: I'm just excited to be here. It's been the best offseason of my career, just mentally and physically. It's nice being somewhere like this, where you have everything going for you. The team's great, the coaches are great, the management's great, and, like I said, I'm just really excited to be here because I've always wanted to play for this team.

Q: But the fear of having to leave the practice field and go back in injured, I'm sure that was not…

JERMAINE ELUMUNOR: It wasn't too bad of a feeling because I felt like it wasn't anything to serious and there's nothing that's going to keep me out too long, here. Like I said, I want to be here, and I want to keep playing, and I'll do everything I have to to get back on the field.

Q: Being able to observe a little more today, how would you assess where the offense is at, at this starting point?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Exactly where every other offense is, day two of training camp. I feel like every single team is trying to figure out their identity, and it doesn't matter if you won the Super Bowl last year or you went 0-and-16. You're trying to figure out what you're going to do for this upcoming season to separate yourself from the others. We're in the same place everyone else is right now, which is just trying to figure it all out and just get going.

Q: Did you tell (defensive lineman) Dex (Dexter Lawrence) he's going to have some payback?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: (laughs) No. I mean, we'll put pads on next week, and I'm definitely going to be out there for that, so it's going to be fun.

Q: What do you view as realistic expectations for this offense?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: I mean, we can be as good as we want to be and I'm excited to be in it because you have a bunch of young receivers, you have (running back) Dev (Devin Singletary) back there. Our tight end room is a really good room in my opinion, and like I said I think it can be a real explosive offense as long as we do what we need to do and the offensive line does their job and everyone else around them will do their jobs too. Like I've been saying, I'm really excited to be a part of this team.

Q: Is that kind of what stands out to you? One of the things is that you do have a lot of speed on that offense in regards to some of the playmakers.

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: Yeah, it's cool because all of them, I'm not a big 40 guy, but I'm sure they all ran really fast 40s.

Q: You didn't run a fast 40?

JERMAINE ELUMUNOR: I tried. I tried my best, but they don't judge me on my 40 times, so it wasn't too big of a thing for me. But, (wide receiver Malik) Nabers, (wide receiver) Jalin (Hyatt), (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson), (wide receiver Darius) Slayton, that's a really solid, that's a great group of guys right there. If we give them time, which we will, they'll do a lot of damage this year, so I'm excited to be a part of that.

Q: When you were out there with (Offensive Line Coach) Carm (Carmen Bricillo) today, what were you two discussing?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: We were just talking about my assignment, making sure I knew what I was doing, and just my little opinions on things, and what I would do differently in certain situations, and blocking assignments. I'm just having to refresh everything now that I'm back at tackle. Like I said, I'm learning, but it's more just me just asking them little schematic things, and him telling me the answers, and just going back and forth.

Q: Are you recruiting (offensive lineman – free agent) (Greg) Van Roten at all?

JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR: That's not my job. I'm here to play football. So, whatever they want to do and whoever they want to bring in, that's on them. So, I'll play with whoever I have to.