Tag: NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants’ Jones on playing Cowboys: ‘It’s a divisional game, it’s an important game, it’s a big game’

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Daniel Jones’ debut season will take an unusual twist on Monday night with a first that will also be a second.

The Giants’ rookie quarterback will make his initial start against the Dallas Cowboys in MetLife Stadium. But it will be his first second appearance against a single opponent. His regular-season unveiling was in the Giants’ final series in their opening 35-17 loss in Dallas on Sept. 8. Jones completed three of four passes for 17 yards but lost a fumble on the Giants’ last offensive snap (after a review).

Jones said that brief introduction might provide some benefit on Monday.

“Maybe just a little bit of experience against those guys,” Jones said.  “I think just being able to watch that game, the second time we play them, the second time we’ll run our offense against what they do, it’s helpful to be able to see that and learn from it.”

Asked a follow-up moments later, Jones said, “just seeing our stuff, our offense against them and kind of how we match up and what certain looks look like against them. I think all that stuff helps in being able to prepare the second time against a team.”

The Giants’ 24-3 defeat of Washington on Sept. 29 gave Jones a 1-0 start in NFC East games.

“He’s played against the Redskins, a division foe, and he’s played against some really outstanding defenses along the way here,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “He’s played on the road, he’s played at home. He’s just clicking them all off. This just happens to be the first time he’s playing against the Cowboys, who happen to be a division foe and an outstanding defense.”

Jones will be the first Giants quarterback other than Eli Manning to start a game vs. Dallas since Oct. 10, 2004, when Kurt Warner led the team to a 26-10 victory in Texas Stadium. Manning has started the Giants’ last 31 games vs. the Cowboys, including one in the playoffs. He is 14-17 against Dallas and his 1,047 passes, 655 completions, 7,560 yards and 53 touchdown passes are all regular-season records for one opponent against the Cowboys.

Monday could be the dawn of another long-term rivalry between a Giants quarterback and the Cowboys’ defense.

“I don’t know if I necessarily think of it that way, but it is a rivalry, these two teams,” Jones said. “It’s a divisional game, it’s an important game, it’s a big game, and I realize that there’s a rivalry element to the two teams playing, just in that they’ve been in the division and played for a long time. So, I’m excited to be part of that, and yeah, I think I realize it’s a big game.”

Shurmur didn’t minimize the significance of a quarterback matching up against a division opponent.

“I think it’s important,” Shurmur said. “As you go along and you play the team multiple times, then you get a feel for them, they get a feel for you. But this is the first time they’re playing against Daniel as our quarterback. He actually did take a couple snaps, but nothing of note in the first matchup. But he’s on tape having played the games he’s played, so I’m sure that’s what they’re looking to try to defend.”

Far more critical to the Giants’ hopes of ending their four-game losing streak is that this could finally be the first game in which Jones has all of the team’s top offensive weapons at his disposal. Sterling Shepard, who missed the last three games while in the NFL concussion protocol, has not yet been cleared to play. But he is practicing fully, an indication he is heading in that direction.

Shepard, Golden Tate, Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley have all been out of uniform for one or more games since the beginning of the season. Jones became the starter in Week 3 and he would be the biggest beneficiary of an offense in which all key contributors are in uniform.

“I think it’ll help us,” Jones said. “Those are all really good players. When you put them all together there’s a lot of different things that we can do, a lot of different ways to attack. I think the guys who stepped in have played well throughout the season. But yeah, getting Shep back this week will help.”

“I think we all need to go out and play well together,” Shurmur said. “This is probably the first time they’ll all sort of be out there together. Our new version of things. It’s important that they just go out and play, do their jobs and try to execute. If the ball is thrown your way, catch it. If you’re supposed to block somebody, block him. If we hand it to you and you run with it, make yards. I don’t mean to try to minimize it or boil it down too much for you, but they just need to do their jobs.”

That would certainly help Jones succeed no matter who the opponent is.

*Aside from Shepard, the only two players to appear on the Giants’ injury report were cornerbacks Corey Ballentine (concussion) and Grant Haley (knee) who both practiced fully.

*The Giants signed punter Sean Smith to their practice squad. Smith is a lefty and will help the Giants’ punt returns better prepare for Dallas’ Chris Jones, who also kicks with his left leg.

Courtesy: Michael Eisen

Giants’ Jones: ‘I think there’s a certain sense of urgency in the building’

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When you are on a four-game losing streak, you have to do different things as a team, and for the New York Giants, a players-only meeting on Monday was the first step in changing things.

What happened at this meeting? No one is saying.

“We’re going to keep all that kind of stuff between us as players,” Giants starting QB Daniel Jones said on a conference call. “I think there’s a certain sense of urgency in the building, but in terms of that stuff, we’re going to keep that in-house.”

When asked if the meeting was necessary, Jones had this to say:

“Again, like I said, we certainly feel a sense of urgency, and I think guys are coming into work, determined to get it right, but in terms of how that went, we’re going to keep that in-house.”

According to Giants LB Alec Ogletree, the players were happy about what came from the meeting.

“I’ll just leave it at, the players wanted to have our meeting, and we had our meeting and accomplished what we wanted to get done,” Ogletree said.

“We’ve always been together. It’s only us that go out there on the field and play together, so it’s just a matter of making sure everybody is still communicating, still on the same page, and trying to fix the problems.”

If players-only meetings really worked, teams would have them all the time, but maybe this could change things for New York. The big test on whether this meeting worked will be next Monday night against the NFC East-leading Cowboys. A loss against Dallas(4-3) ends New York’s slim chances of winning the NFC East, which is a long shot. However, this is the NFL, so anything can happen.

Jones on playing Pats: ‘I think we’ll be prepared and confident going in’

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As the Giants(2-3) prepare to travel to Foxboro to battle the world champion and undefeated New England Patriots(5-0) on Thursday night, they know that not many are giving them a chance, including Vegas, who has the Patriots as 16.5-point favorites.

While the Patriots are an excellent football team, Giants WR Golden Tate said the team wouldn’t be intimidated by New England.

“I don’t think we have a locker room full of fanboys,” Tate said on Monday. “I think we understand we’re all in the NFL; we’re going out there to do a job. We’ve all played in big games, I think, at some point, and it’s a big one because it’s the next one on our schedule, but I don’t think we need to put too much pressure on ourselves.

“I think we need to keep our emotions in check—I don’t think we want to get too high, we don’t want to get too low—just live in the moment, enjoy having the opportunity to go play in a very hostile environment against a great team, and go out there and shock the world. It’s as simple as that.”

Over the years, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been hard on rookie quarterbacks, and the Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones is a guy who has had a lot of success this season, but playing the vaunted Patriots’ defense won’t be easy for Jones.

“I think they’ve been a good defense for a long time,” Jones said. “I don’t know—probably rookies and all other quarterbacks—they’ve been a good defense, they can play well against anyone. I think like I said, we’re excited for the opportunity, we’re excited for the challenge, and I think we’ll be prepared and confident going in.”

New England has the number one ranked defense in football and is only allowing 6.8 points per game, which means that Jones could have a rough night.

The Giants probably won’t win on Thursday; however, this is the NFL, and on any given Sunday or in this case, Thursday, anything can happen. But, no matter what happens, these are the games that will help Jones’ development as a quarterback in the NFL.

Tate: ‘There is no secret that in the slot I’m pretty dangerous once I get the ball in my hands’

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Whatever the Giants are doing right now is working, and Golden Tate doesn’t want to mess with it.

He will add to it, though.

The NFL leader in yards after catch since 2010 returned Monday morning to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. On Sunday, the Giants defeated the Washington Redskins, 24-3, for their second consecutive victory on the heels of a 0-2 start. Tate was forced to watch the first quarter of the season on TV while he served a four-game suspension for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances. That suspension has ended. He is on the exempt/commissioner permission list for up to a week until the Giants activate him. In the meantime, he can fully participate in all Giants activities.

“I just want to come in and be a spark, an addition to what we’re doing, just help everybody around me get better and just be myself,” Tate said. “There is no secret that in the slot I’m pretty dangerous once I get the ball in my hands. I feel like I’m pretty dangerous on third down. Hopefully, I am utilized that way. Whatever it takes to win. These four weeks have been very long for me. I have just been thinking about football, ready to get back out here and the time is now. We just want to get another win, go 1-0 this week and keep this thing rolling. As you can probably see in this locker room, the vibe is great. When you win, it’s all great, so we’ll see.”

Tate spent the past month in San Diego, where he lives with his family, and he insisted it was no vacation.

“I have trainers, massage therapists, and rehab people there,” Tate said. “I just went back home and worked my tail off, tried to stay ready and get better and hang with the family. I tried to keep myself busy just to take my mind off of it.”

Sundays were the toughest. Already sour because he wasn’t playing, Tate had to find the games on TV, which can be difficult if you live out of market and don’t know where to look. For the past decade, he spent his Sundays racking up 611 catches for 7,214 yards and 38 touchdowns. He never needed a subscription.

“Because I’m on the west coast, they weren’t showing the game,” he said. “I had to find it somewhere streaming. It started off and then I’m just sitting, looking like, I should be out there. It was tough, but yesterday was kind of the first pleasant game for me. One, we won, and I knew as soon as the game was over I was pretty much allowed to be back. It was exciting.”

Tate tweeted after the yesterday’s divisional win that he’s going to “see whoever’s around at 12:01 AM TMRW!” His wife, however, wouldn’t let him spend the night at the facility. He had to wait until 8 a.m. instead.

“Because she knew I would be spending eight or nine hours a day here,” Tate said. “She said she wanted to enjoy the last night. It was a great vibe, we won last night, I went straight into the weight room, started saying hi to everybody, giving out hugs and it was great. I loved it.”

One of the people he saw was Pat Shurmur.

“Well, I think it’s going to be great he’s back,” the head coach said. “He should be fresh and ready to go. I have already spoken to him this morning. He’s in the building, and he’s looking forward to getting back at it.”

Tate came back to a new quarterback running the show on offense, but Sunday won’t be his first time playing with Daniel Jones. The rookie quarterback started the preseason finale in New England and so did Tate before he began his suspension. The veteran receiver, who signed with the Giants this offseason, isn’t surprised by how well Jones is playing in his 2-0 start.

“I’m delighted,” Tate said. “I’m liking what I’m seeing, for sure. He’s been handling the moment very well and hopefully he continues to improve each day and each game.”

Tate added: “He’s slippery. He finds his way out of some sticky situations and makes plays. Obviously, he’s helped us win. Watching from afar, his decision-making has been great, I think. I’m here to help him, helping his development, help make some plays and take some pressure off of him and just help us continue to win.”

It’s reciprocal.

“I’m excited,” Jones said after Sunday’s win. “I’m excited to have Golden back. Looking forward to it, and looking forward to what we can do.”

Courtesy: Dan Salomone

Ex-UTEP star Will Hernandez talks El Paso shootings

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For Will Hernandez, the shooting that heartbreakingly killed 22 people on Saturday in El Paso, Texas was not only a national tragedy, but a personal one.

Hernandez, the Giants’ second-year left guard, spent five years at the University of Texas at El Paso. He knows the community and loves its people and like millions of others, has been horrified at what he has seen and heard. Hernandez has shopped in the Walmart where the shootings took place.

“It’s right next to the Cielo Vista Mall, which is a very popular mall,” Hernandez said after a training camp practice today. “It’s almost in the center of the city, so a lot of people go there. A lot of traffic there. Yeah, I’ve been a few times to that Walmart.”

Because of that, Hernandez said the horrible news from his collegiate home “definitely” resonated with him in a much more personal way than other such incidents.

“Not only is what happened a scary thing, but the fact that I know that I’ve been there before, and it could have happened to anybody, especially me, at any moment, it does make it more scary,” he said. “It’s a horrible thing. I can’t even begin to imagine everything that the families feel, the families of those affected feel, and those affected themselves. That’s the kind of thing that can scar somebody for life. It’s just not fair. It’s horrible, and I don’t know why it happens.”

As soon as he heard the news, Hernandez began reaching out to about a dozen friends who live in the area.

“I was messaging people left and right,” he said. “Thankfully, everybody that I knew directly was fine. Families and friends of theirs were also fine. Luckily, I didn’t have anybody that I knew personally.  But still, it’s still something – just to know somebody from that city got affected by it hurts me just as much.

“Even though I’m here in New York, I quickly sent out prayers, my love, out to the city. That city is really important to me. I basically grew up there, I got there when I was 17 years old, left, and I was there for five or six years. It’s really, really important to me. I love all the people in El Paso. It gave me so much, it put me on the path that led me to the NFL. El Paso is very dear to my heart and I felt that even being here.”

Hernandez was raised in Las Vegas, but he quickly felt at home in El Paso, in large measure because the community is so supportive of UTEP athletics.

“The cool thing about El Paso, the unique thing about it, it’s technically a big city, but it feels so close together,” Hernandez said. “It feels like a small town almost because UTEP is the only football there. Everybody from 45 minutes away to the stadium, to people living right around the stadium, everybody comes to the game. A lot of people come to the games, a lot of people support the UTEP Miners. It gives it that small town feeling in a big city.”

Hernandez now works and lives more than 2,000 miles from El Paso, but he will continue to support that city as best he can as he prepares for his second Giants season.

“I will be in constant communication with everybody there, making sure everybody is alright, seeing how I can help if there is any way I can help,” he said. “Right now, all I can do is give my condolences, talk to the people. I know the people of El Paso, I know the character they have, they are strong people. They are not the type to let something like that completely tear them down, they are strong people. I know they will rally, and they will get through this, they will get stronger from this.”

Article/courtesy: Michael Eisen

Giants announce training camp schedule open to the public

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The New York Giants today announced the schedule for their 2019 training camp, presented by Toyota. The camp will feature 10 practice sessions open to the public at Quest Diagnostics Training Center, located in the MetLife Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. The first open practice session will take place on Thursday, July 25 at 2:45 p.m.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR FANS VISITING TRAINING CAMP:

Location: All practices will be held at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

Admission: There is no cost to attend practice sessions. Fans wishing to attend practice sessions must register for complimentary tickets in advance. Fans may register for up to six (6) tickets per practice session. Once registered, fans will receive their tickets via e-mail and will need to present using their mobile device to gain admittance. While registering for tickets is strongly recommended to guarantee access, fans will also be admitted on a walk-up basis, if space permits. Gates open one hour prior to the start of each practice session. Accessible seating is available and may be reserved when you secure your tickets for a practice session.  Ticket Registration will open on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.  Please visit www.giants.com/trainingcamp, follow @Giants on Twitter, or download the Giants App for the most up-to-date information.

Fan Guidelines: Training camp practice sessions are alcohol-free and family-friendly experiences.  This includes all activities both inside the seating area and within the parking lots. All fans attending practice will be subject to security screening before entering the seating area.

Fan Parking: Parking is free and located in Lot K on the grounds of the MetLife Sports Complex. Lot K will open for parking two hours prior to the start of practice.   The parking lot will close one hour following the conclusion of practice.

Fan Amenities: Restroom facilities, concession stands, cooling tents, a complimentary water station and a free kids’ activity area will be available.

Autographs: Select Giants legends will sign autographs during each practice for all fans. A listing of those Giants legends and the dates they will sign will be released on Giants.com, @Giants on Twitter, and the Giants App.

Each day after practice, a rotating group of current Giants players will sign autographs for the first 400 fans ages 12 and under. The autograph opportunity will take place behind the Kids’ Zone area.  Children who are interested in the opportunity are encouraged to visit the sign-up table (located immediately inside the entry gate) with a guardian upon arriving at the practice so that they can receive a wristband. All wristbands will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  Those that receive wristbands can enjoy the rest of practice and are encouraged to return 30 minutes prior to the end of practice to be allowed into the autograph area.  Only those children with a wristband will be allowed in the autograph area.

Kids’ Zone: Families will love the Big Blue Kids’ Zone at camp, with games, face painting, and inflatables for kids of all ages.  The first 200 kids who visit the Big Blue Kids’ Zone at every practice will also receive a special gift. Families can visit the Big Blue Kids’ Zone when the gates open through the end of practice.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event of inclement weather (including rain, wind, thunderstorms or extreme heat), practices will be moved indoors and be closed to the public. Please check Giants.com, @Giants on Twitter, or the Giants App prior to every practice for up-to-the-minute changes to the daily practice schedule.

Training Camp Schedule Open to the Public*

Thursday, July 25: 2:45 p.m. – Practice

Saturday, July 27: 2:45 p.m. – Practice

Sunday, July 28: 2:45 p.m. – Practice

Tuesday, July 30: 2:45 p.m. – Practice

Wednesday, July 31: 2:45 p.m. – Practice

Friday, August 2: 2:45 p.m. – Practice

Tuesday, August 6: 10:45 a.m. – Practice

Sunday, August 11: 10:45 a.m. – Practice

Monday, August 12: 10:45 a.m. – Practice

Tuesday, August 13: 10:45 a.m. – Practice (End of public training camp practices)

*Schedule subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on training camp, visit Giants.com, @Giants on Twitter, the Giants App, or call the Training Camp Hotline at 201.935.8111 ext. 1070

Giants sign rookies DeAndre Baker, Dexter Lawrence

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The Giants announced that defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and cornerback DeAndre Baker – two of their three first-round draft choices – today signed their first NFL contracts. The team has signed eight of its 10 selections in the 2019 draft.

The two players who have yet to conclude their contract negotiations are quarterback Daniel Jones, the sixth overall choice, and Oshane Ximines, the outside linebacker selected in the third round, 95th overall.

Lawrence, 6-4 and 342 pounds, was the 17th overall selection. In three seasons at Clemson, he played in 40 games with 36 starts and was a three-time All-ACC selection and two-time national champion. One of the nation’s dominant defensive tackles, his career totals included 145 tackles (74 solo) 19.0 tackles for losses, 10.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, five passes defensed, one interception, and 43 quarterback pressures.

In 2018, Lawrence was a first-team American Football Coaches Association All-America and first‐team All‐ACC selection. He started all 13 games in which he played for the national champion Tigers and was credited with 44 tackles (30 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback pressures. Lawrence also blocked one kick and score one rushing touchdown.

Baker, 5-11 and 189 pounds, played in 51 games with 34 starts at right cornerback in four seasons at Georgia. His statistics included 116 tackles (83 solo), seven interceptions which he returned for 145 yards (20.7-yard avg.), 24 pass breakups, four tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

As a senior in 2018, Baker received the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive back. He was a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the nation’s top defensive player. Baker was selected first-team All-America by the AP, ESPN.com, AFCA, SI.com, and Walter Camp, and first-team All-SEC by the AP and the league’s coaches. He started all 13 games and was credited with 40 tackles (career-high 31 solo), a team-high two interceptions, a career-high 10 pass breakups, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Article/courtesy: Michael Eisen

Manning: ‘I feel like I am in good shape and have all the things I need to go out there and play well’

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Giants quarterback Eli Manning will return for his 16th season with the team. Over the years, Manning has had a lot of success in New York, including two Super Bowl titles. However, that was then; this is now. The past two seasons, Manning has struggled, and the Giants have struggled. Those struggles led to the Giants drafting QB Daniel Jones with the sixth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

If all goes well for the Giants, Jones does not see the field in 2019. If all goes bad, expect to see a lot of Jones next season.

Today, Manning addressed the media as the Giants begin OTAs.

Here is what he had to say:

Q: How’s it feel to be back?

Manning: It feels good. I have been back for a month or so. It feels good to get back on the field and have some live action. The defense is running around and everything looks good on air, but then you get a defense, you have to move around and you get a live rush. People are running around and you have to get back in the flow of things, make decisions and when things aren’t perfect, you have to keep working on them. That is the way it should be.

Q: What is your first impression of Daniel Jones?

Manning:: He throws it well. Is a good kid and is trying to pick up the offense. He has only been here for two weeks. There is a lot going on right now. He is trying to learn the offense, footwork and protections. We have all been there and been rookies that have learned it. He has the right attitude.

Q: Can you take us through your draft night?

Manning:: Not too exciting. I just watched it. Got the word from Mr. Gettleman and coach Shurmur that they were going to draft him.

Q: What did you think?

Manning:: You knew it was a possibility that they were going to take a quarterback.

Q: Do you feel a different type of pressure to protect your job?

Manning:: No. I think there is always an urgency to win. Your job is to go out there and find ways to get that accomplished. Play good football and be a good leader and teammate. I don’t think anything changes.

Q: How much added responsibility is there to do all of those things and also mentor Daniel Jones along?

Manning:: No added responsibility. The quarterback room is the same no matter who is in it. You are always willing to help and talk football. Teach the guys that are willing to be helped. Everyday we are going to sit there and watch film and practice with the coaches and a lot of times just with the quarterbacks before the coaches get in there. You don’t just watch your own reps, you go through everyone’s reps. You talk about the decisions and protections that could’ve been done better and what it is like to make decisions. I think it is always everyone helping everyone out in the room.

Q: How much do you view yourself as a mentor?

Manning: I think I have been doing that for the last 11 or 12 years. I don’t know exactly when you become a mentor, but when you’ve been in the league longer than any other guy in the room, you should be a mentor in that sense where you know a little bit more. Again, it is not necessarily your job to do it. You are in the quarterback room with all the other quarterbacks and you are talking, everyone is mentoring everyone. If you aren’t in there, then you can’t be a mentor or mentored. It is a little bit on Daniel to be in there asking questions and everyone willing to help out in those situations.

Q: Did you know more about Daniel through coach Cutcliffe?

Manning: I think it’s the same with anyone. All the quarterbacks, it is important to have a good relationship with those guys. I feel like I have with all the guys I have been with in the past. I am willing to help out and am willing to talk football. A lot of it is just helping out and going over things. Just answering questions. It helps me. If you can teach it, you know it. If someone is asking why you make calls and why you make a read and you can explain it, talk x’s and o’s, then you know it and you can go out there and perform.

Q: What exactly did coach Cutcliffe say?

Manning: I haven’t talked to him specifically since Daniel has been drafted, but just over the years, I have been around Daniel and have been going to Duke. I have been around him and saw him. Watched their games over the years and have become a Duke fan because of Coach Cutt. I have seen him play well.

Q: There have been comparisons with him to you and your brother. Do you see any of that?

Manning: It is tough to say. I am not looking to compare him to Peyton or myself. He obviously played in a very similar offense to what me and Peyton played in. He has been here two weeks. Today is the first practice against the defense, so there is a lot to learn.

Q: How do you feel?

Manning: I feel great. Worked hard this offseason to stay in shape and continued to work on trying to stay young, mobile, strong and healthy. I feel like I am in good shape and have all the things I need to go out there and play well.

Q: What is the offense like without Odell?

Manning: Everyone has to go out and do their jobs. It doesn’t change. Last two years we played a decent number of games without him. End of last year, we played the last four or five games without him. We just got a lot of playmakers. Everyone has to do your job, make plays, win matchups and we will be fine.

Q: How much longer do you want to play?

Manning: I haven’t thought about it. I want to play this year.

Q: You haven’t thought about that?

Manning: I don’t think I have ever put a timeframe on how long. You will know when it is time to stop based off the circumstances and how your body is feeling.

Q: Do you approach the season that you are the quarterback of the New York Giants and you want to stay that as long as possible?

Manning: I don’t know if that is exactly it. I understand that I am the quarterback on the Giants and it is my responsibility to go out there and do my job to the best of my ability. I want to be in this position and be the quarterback. I want to go win games and have a great year.

Q: How do you get past the awkwardness and conflict that comes with knowing the team drafted a guy that is looking to be the starting quarterback?

Manning: No awkwardness in our room.

Q: How do you avoid that?

Manning: Don’t create it. It is not there. Don’t make something that is not there. It doesn’t bother me. It is not about being nervous or worried. I am treating it the same that it has been the last 15 years. Whoever is in the quarterback room, talk football. If someone is confused about something or not sure about something, we have a great communication system and a relationship.

Q: Is there any dynamic to the team bringing in a young guy that will make you try harder?

Manning: I don’t think so. I feel like I have always tried hard and worked hard. I have done everything possible to be in a position to be successful. I don’t think this has changed that. I understand the circumstances that I am in and sure, I need to play well and play well early. Just do my job. You want to do that. You have to be careful not to press and do too much when things aren’t there and force things. Just have to play to the best of my ability and make good decisions. Lead this team to wins.

Q: Will it help being in the second year of this offense?

Manning: Definitely. Guys get lined up and are playing fast. They know what to do. They know plays, adjustments and different things. Just a few new spots here and there at receiver or offensive line. For the most part, a lot of the base guys are returning. They have that second year and will be able to play fast. It is just not thinking as much early on. It should help out on both sides of the ball.

Q: How do you feel about the offensive line?

Manning: Feel good about that group. They have worked hard and we have added a few pieces that have worked. They will do their part and their job very well. It should help everyone else also.

Saquon Barkley on Giants: ‘We have a great team’

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The New York Giants seem to be a team that is in transition. They recently traded their best player in Odell Beckham to the Browns, in a move that screams of an organization that is rebuilding. Outside the locker room, there is not much optimism around the Giants, and at this point, the 37-year-old Eli Manning is expected to be the starter at quarterback in 2019, which does not give Giants fans much hope.

However, the Giants do have the number six pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and they do have a stud at RB in 2018 NFL Rookie of the Year, Saquon Barkley, who believes that the Giants could be an excellent team in 2019.

“In my opinion, we have a great team, a great quarterback, great offensive line, great running back and great wide receivers, so on and so on,” Barkley told the assembled media on Thursday. “We figured it out somewhat in the second half last year. We have that mindset and that belief about team, toughness and together. We could have a great season this year.”

To Barkley’s point, the Giants did play better near the end of last season after starting 1-7. The team was 4-4 in their last eight games. Maybe the subtraction of Beckham could be an addition by subtraction. Talent is essential in football, but so is chemistry, and perhaps the Giants will have better chemistry in 2019.

On paper, it does not look good for the Giants, but fortunately for New York, football is not played on paper.

Eli Manning talks Beckham, future, & possibility of NY drafting a QB

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Entering his 17th season, Giants QB Eli Manning continues to have the support of the New York Giants. Manning, who has had his struggles over past couple season, will try to lead the Giants back to the playoffs, which has not happened since 2016.

The 37-year-old Manning addressed the media today at the start of the team’s voluntary offseason conditioning program, where he addressed his future, the Giants draft plans, and Odell Beckham Jr.

Q: Are you approaching this offseason any different than any other?
A: No, I think you treat it the same as any year you come in. Had a good offseason, worked hard and I am excited about getting back with the team and the coaches. Going into that second year, you have an advantage because you know what the offense is a little bit and what the coaches like. Things you want to improve on, certain plays and concepts in the offense that you have some time to work on. I think it is just a mindset to work on the things that you need to improve on to help the team. Keep doing the things that you were successful with.

Q: When we talked to John Mara and Steve Tisch at the league meeting, they said at your age you have to go year-to-year. Are you ok with that?
A: I never concerned myself with that. I think every year I am just worried about that next year. That is what I am thinking about. I am thinking about right now with this team. Getting rolling, getting wins and doing whatever it takes to be a good teammate to get this team winning football games.

Q: With you guys picking six and 17, there is a chance to pick a QB. What would it be like to be a mentor to a guy if that were to happen?
A: I have always felt that in the quarterback room I have always had a great relationship with everyone. All the QBs, we have drafted quarterbacks and have had young quarterbacks in there. I enjoy talking football and enjoy talking ball. Giving tips on coverages, protections, concepts, everyone is trying to help each other. It is an open conversation for everyone to get ideas and everyone just sticks around after to get on the same page. That is just part of being a quarterback. I have enjoyed putting in the extra effort and the work. Getting everyone comfortable and up to speed. Help young guys trying to learn a new offense.

Q: Is there a different vibe this year being that you have been through a year with this offense already?
A: It is definitely better going into that second year. Not just for me but to have an offensive line, receivers where you have an idea of what you are supposed to be doing. Now, you can work on just fine tuning a lot of those things and improving the schemes that you are running. The situation last year, guys were trying to figure out what the cadence was or where to line up in the huddle. How you call certain formations. There is so much that has to be learned by everyone. Now, a majority of us know what we are doing and can line up. Bring the young guys along. Everyone can play that much faster because they know what they are doing and they are sure of it.

Q: How did you find out about the Odell trade? What has your reaction been?
A: I found out just watching TV one night. I just came across the (tracker) at the bottom of the screen. Started to get a few texts. That is how I found out. The reaction, I wanted to reach out to him. Odell has been a teammate for five years and has been a friend. These circumstances, you think about the player involved. It is more than just a player; it is someone you have a relationship with. You think more about that person, how they are handling it and that they are OK and doing well with it.

Q: Did you get in touch with Odell right away? Have you been in touch?
A: I’ve been in touch with him, yes.

Q: Do you ever see yourself announcing your final season like some Yankees greats (Jeter, CC, Mariano Rivera) or going more of the traditional route and announcing after the season?
A: I think I will go the traditional route. I thought that was a baseball thing. I know some basketball players have done it, but I don’t see going out that way.

Q: How do you replace such an explosive player as Odell?
A: Guys have to step up. We have good players on this team. Talented receivers and running backs. We played the last four, five games of the season without him. We were able to score points and move the ball. He is a tremendous player and was a tremendous player for us. There are certain things that he can do that not everyone can do, but we still have guys that can play and help us be a tremendous offense and score a lot of points.

Q: How surprised were you by the Odell move?
A: I think after being in the NFL for 16 years, I don’t think there are a whole lot of surprises anymore. You learn to deal with everything. You learn to adjust, you move on and do my job. Do it to the best of my ability and get the players that are here up to speed. That is the great thing about football. I am excited about the players that we have and the additions that we have made. Get everyone up to speed and on the same page. Keep moving forward.

Q: Are you anticipating the Giants drafting a QB this year?
A: Yes, I can see the Giants getting a young quarterback. I understand that. I still have to do my job. I will do my part. Same as last year. Go out there, play quarterback, win football games. That is what I am trying to do.

Q: You talked earlier about the Giants having to make a decision at quarterback? What was the decision like for you? Coming back and wanting to play again.
A: I made that decision pretty quickly. I still wanted to play. I told the Giants that very quickly. I didn’t have to think about it long. This is what I do and what I like to do and I have worked extremely hard the last few months to get ready. I liked how the team rallied toward the end of the year with the coaches. Everyone got on a better page together. Could have won a few more games but had great opportunities to win. We are headed in the right direction.

Q: When did you receive clarity that they wanted you to come back?
A: I had some talks with Mr. Gettleman and coach Shurmur within the last month or so. They told me that I would come back and be on the team this year. I got word within the last month.

Q: What was that conversation like right after the season with Gettleman?
A: Just telling them that I still want to play and feel like I can still play. Just want to be a part of this moving forward. Just told them that, where I was and how I was thinking.

Q: Did you walk out of that conversation unsure about?
A: It was right after the season, so they had a lot to look at and a lot to go over. I just wanted to let them know how I was feeling before they made their decision.