More quotable quotes from the Giants’ Michael Eisen about day one of training camp, this time from the players perspective.
QB Eli Manning
"Q: It seems there may be some shuffling on the offensive line. Are you anxious to kind of see that thing sorted out?A: Our offensive line does a great job. They are all great guys, they’ve worked well together, they encourage each other, and they’re a close-knit group of guys. And it’s not just the five, we’re talking about the eight or nine guys that we have here, they push each other and it’ll be great. A lot of times I don’t worry about who’s in there, I know that whoever is in there is going to protect me and do their job while I’m looking at routes and doing my job to the best of my ability.Q: What did you see from Ramses (Barden) in his first year with the team that makes you think that he could be due for a breakout season?A: Well he had a really good spring. Last year he didn’t get a whole lot of playing time, when he did get in he made some things happen. But he had a really good spring, he’s a smart guy, he understands the offense and what’s going on, especially for a guy who hasn’t had much playing experience. So it’ll be good to get him in the preseason games and other games and see how he does. But he’s a big target with big hands and he’s excited about what he can do and how he can help improve our offense.Q: Is there a receiver this year that you are going to single out?A: Well obviously Steve (Smith) has made strides and he’s a guy who is going into his fourth year, made a Pro Bowl, had a hundred catches last year, worked really hard, has a great feel for what’s going on, so he’s a guy that has kind of proven himself and he still works hard but we have a lot of guys in Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses (Barden), Sinorice Moss. There are a lot of guys fighting for that second spot and third or fourth receiver so we’re going to move guys around. The more receivers that you have, putting them in different spots and having guys that truly understand the offense, moving them in different positions and having them still understand the concept then the better off we’ll be.Q: Who else do you think could potentially step up into a leadership role this year?A: We have great leaders on this team. A lot of the offensive line has been here a number of years, six or seven years. Boss has some great experience. Brandon Jacobs has been here a long time. Steve Smith, his fourth year. On defense we’ve got Justin Tuck, Osi (Umenyiora) and you bring in guys like Keith Bulluck and Antrel Rolle, those guys are great leaders who have played on great teams, been playing the game for a good bit of time and understand what it takes to win games and getting into the playoffs and doing those things. So, I think we have done a good job of bringing in some key players to help not only as players but also in leadership roles.[full transcript here]"
Eli of course is never one to be critical in an interview setting, but from the good perhaps we can extrapolate the true standouts.
Manning is obviously confident about Steve Smith’s abilities… and I have no doubt he’ll continue to be a mainstay ingredient in moving the chains for the Giants regardless of who else steps up. Everyone else he mentioned is rather expected to step it up another notch this year. I’m just surprised that Hagan wasn’t mentioned to include all the major players in the mix. Eli will probably send him a note this morning to make up for the oversight.
Speaking of confidence though – he’s got tremendous amounts of it in his offensive line. Sounds like he’s downplaying the idea of changing roles and inserting Will Beatty in at LT with Diehl moving to LG, but in the event that becomes the overall best line Eli seems confident in their abilities… what a luxury to have.
On Barden: that’s essentially the same thing you hear from Coughlin and Gilbride – there just needs to be more. More practice, more reps, more consistency, more time. I don’t think that is necessarily a red flag but not everyone can come in and make an impact like Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks…. and even they made their mistakes year 1.
On leaders: Jacobs, Boss, Smith, Tuck, Umenyiora, Rolle, Bulluck – these guys are the heads of their respective groups. Eli is of course the main ingredient on offense.
Safety Antrel Rolle
"Q: What’s Coach Fewell like?A: He’s my kind of guy. He’s the guy who wants the ball first, he wants to create turnovers and hopefully, you know, myself along the others will be the ones to bring him the ball.Q: Talk about the depth in the secondary.A: There’s a lot of depth. Like I said, I think we have easily fifteen or sixteen starters on our defense. Anyone could play at any given point in time. I don’t feel like there should be a letdown no matter who is in the game and we have to push each other and that’s what we’re out here doing right now. You know, we’re all out here – it’s a new system for everyone – so we’re all out here making sure that everyone is on the same page at the same time and get everyone better each and every day.Q: I know you were looking forward to working with Kenny Phillips right off the bat here. He’s not ready to go. Are you disappointed?A: Not at all. I’ll be the first one to say that I told Kenny to take his time because the last thing you want is a recurring injury or pushing it too fast and now it’s going to prolong the process so I say make sure you’re 150% by the time you come back. As long as it takes is as long as it takes. We don’t need to make the beginning of the season. The season doesn’t really start until late-October anyway.Q: Usually when a new guy comes in, you have a veteran to lean on. You and Deon [Grant, S] are both new guys, which is pretty unusual. How is that dynamic going?A: It’s going great. Deon and myself, we’ve clicked the first day since we’ve been here. He’s a veteran, he’s an extreme veteran, it being his eleventh season, and I followed his footsteps a lot. I’ve watched him play for many, many years and right now we’re pushing each other, we’re making each other better. We’re communicating. Our communication level is off the roof and right now so far, so good, and I expect it to get better.Q: What’d you think of the Keith Bulluck signing?A: It was great. I met with Keith a few times this offseason, just being around and about out in New York, and he kept telling me, “Antrel, put in a word with the coach for me.” I put in the word and I met up with him today and I said, “I guess we talked that up pretty good!” It’s a great sign and Keith Bulluck, his resume speaks for itself, and I’m extremely proud to have him.Q: Can you be a leader on this team or does that have to develop with a new guy?A: I don’t think that’s something you can pinpoint. I think leaders, you lead by example, and I’ve never had any problem doing that in the past and I think I’m going to keep on, keeping that going for as long as I can."
"[full transcript here]"
Especially after such an epic collapse last season of defense, it’s encouraging to think that virtually anybody who’s now on the team can be inserted into a system and it will produce results. It’s yet to be seen, but that sentiment is encouraging. Speaking of encouraging comments, this one is a doozy:
“Our communication level is off the roof and right now so far, so good, and I expect it to get better”
That just makes you melt — what a difference a year makes. Due to the utter LACK of communication all last year on defense, particularly in the secondary… having anybody even on speaking terms is a plus.
I sure do look forward to watching Antrel Rolle lead by example.
Kenny Phillips, while he’s an incredible competitor and understandibly wants to get back to full speed right away – he needs to temper it. He needs to take it slow. The Giants are going to need him later on in the season when he’s healthy, not right away at half value. Speaking of which…
Safety Kenny Phillips
"Q: Do you have any idea at this point what the constant pounding on your knee is going to feel like?A: Honestly, I feel real good about it. It’s tested. It’s certainly not football tested, but as far as cutting, doing drills, and running. I’ve been doing this almost the whole offseason. So I’m not worried about that. I’m not worried about being in any pain once I do start. I’m just going to have to get used to playing football again.Q: What do you think you need to show the trainers before they give you the green light?A: I pretty much showed them everything. I came up there maybe two weeks to work out for the team and they liked what they saw. I think they’re really comfortable and they feel good about where I am right now so it’s just a waiting game right now.Q: Obviously they’re not comfortable enough because they didn’t clear you.A: I wouldn’t say that. They just don’t want to rush it.Q: Is there any doubt in your mind that you’re going to play?A: No doubt at all. I feel good. I worked so hard to get to where I’m at now. Just watching myself on film, doing the drills and everything, I feel real good. I’m not even worried about it.Q: No setbacks so far?A: No. No pain. No swelling. No anything. Everything’s good.Q: Antrel Rolle said he told you to wait until you’re 150 percent. Can you be that patient?Q: Yeah, I’m trying. That’s what all of the guys are telling me. Not only Antrel, all the other veterans on the team are just telling me make sure when I come back I’m ready. Don’t rush it. They don’t want any setbacks and I don’t want any either.[full transcript here]"
There you have it, no swelling, no pain. He can cut, run, and do drills… but he’s listened to the cautioning of trainers and doctors and he’s taking it slow. Sounds like Phillips has the right attitude here and is taking everyone’s advice.
LB Keith Bulluck
"Q: As you progress through training camp, what are the Litmus Tests that you’ve set for yourself to try to get ready for the season.A: I’m just going to go out there. I’m going to be full tilt. I’m not holding back. I feel like I’m fully prepared. The training and rehab that I’ve done for the last seven months to put me in this position has been one of the Litmus Tests. Another will be just getting out there and banging and playing football again. Once I put the cleats on, strap the helmet on, there’s no turning back now. I’m here and definitely looking forward to it.Q: Do you feel the motivation flowing out of coach Fewll yet?A: Not yet, but I’m sure this 12:30 meeting and progressing on that I will definitely feel it. I have my own motivation as this team. This team wants to rebound from an 8-8 season last year. I think that we’re kind of on the same page in that. I want to rebound from this injury and get out there and show everyone that I’m still an All Pro football player.Q: How does one develop into a leader at training camp when coming to a new team?A: To me, I’m a natural leader. I think my field presence is one thing. I’m not a rah-rah guy. I’m not going to be out there barking orders, telling people what to do, because they’ll probably look at me like I have four heads. But I’m just going to come out and do my job. People’s expectations of me is to do my job, as I have expectations of them. We can’t be that cohesive defense if everyone’s not on the same page and if everyone is not doing their job. So that’s first and foremost and if the guys gravitate toward me, that’s fine. I’m sure I’ll gravitate to them. Everyone expects me to come here to be a leader. I don’t put that pressure on myself. I’m just going to come here, like I say, and do my job and we’ll see what happens.[full transcript here]"
That’s just what I like to hear from an All Pro Linebacker who will be captaining this Giants defense – no further comment necessary.