Head Coach Tom Coughlin Transcript

Head Coach Tom Coughlin

July 24, 2014



Q: Now (today’s shortened practice followed by 30 minutes of stretching and exercising) seemed unusual?

A: That was a recovery stretch. We are trying to enhance this soft-muscle business. What we’ve done is we studied the GPS information, which helps us structure the practice and to know when we should be doing things such as [stretching] and cutting down reps on the field. The whole purpose is to be able to come back and have a full-speed practice tomorrow.



Q: How tough is it to convince you of all that stuff?

A: Well, I’m doing the best I can. How about that?



Q: It looked like some of the coaches were joining in [on the stretching]…?

A: That was required. (laughs) No, those that were doing it, needed it, believe me.



Q: When JPP says that he is 110%, what do you think about him making that kind of declaration after what he went through last year?

A: I am all for it. We want him to be the very best that he can be, and I am glad that he is in that frame of mind and feels good about himself. We are looking forward to a very good year from JPP.



Q: Any timetable on Odell [Beckham Jr.]?

A: You know as well as I do. Let’s face it, I don’t want it to be like it was in the spring. We need to get the guy back out here and get him on the field.



Q: What have you seen from Rueben Randle so far? Does this offense with a lot less read and react suit him better?

A: There are a lot of reads. There is a lot that goes into any offense. The adjustments are multiple, but he has had a really good approach, and he did the same thing in the spring, and I am hoping it continues here as we get started early on.



Q: Are you able to see a progression with the offense day-by-day as you are moving along here?

A: It is always going to be small gains. You may have a good day, but it is the consistency factor, the competition factor, it’s working against good people, it’s the intelligent communication and adjustments from the quarterbacks to the entire offense, the receiver corps and you strive every day. You are throwing stuff at them. This is their second offensive installation, so there is more and more information to channel today. Because of the fact that it was an elongated practice you would like to see an opportunity to go ahead and utilize everything you have put in, but that didn’t happen today. Hopefully we will catch some of that tomorrow.



Q: Do you go into the pads tomorrow or will you wait until after the break on Saturday?

A: We will be in uppers tomorrow, and then we will come back and go full.



Q: One of the things [LB coach] Jim Herrmann said about the linebackers was that this year’s group was tougher. Have you seen any of that yet?

A: I will probably know that more once we get the pads on.



Q: Do you like what you have seen from Eli [Manning] in general?

A: Sure, I have. I’ve liked the way he has gone at it. The excitement he has mustered and the energy from going to work. Good stuff. We just have to get better, as an offensive team, as a defensive team and special teams. The competition factor at different positions is very good. We need more of that and as much as we can get.



Q: When you say better in regards to the offense, what exactly do you look for and what do you judge it on?

A: I don’t have time to tell you what I judge it on. The improvement factor. Are people doing what they are supposed to be doing, executing with the right technique and then being successful about it? The defense is on the other side of the ball trying to prevent them, too, so you have to keep that in mind.



Q: You mentioned competition amongst position groups, is tight end one of the best?

A: There are a lot of bests. There are a few that are battling. There are some I would like to have more.



Q: With tight end you seem to have a different guy out there every time… What is the thinking with the rotation there?

A: Just to let everybody get to as close to equal reps as they can. Right now that is the idea to try to get everyone ready to play in a game.



Q: Any [tight ends] stand out?

A: From day-to-day, different guys do different things well. I think yesterday Larry Donnell did a couple of good things.



Q: At what point do you need to have a pecking order there?

A: There is plenty of time for that. We don’t have to rush into anything. With five preseason games and then hopefully throughout the course of the five preseason games we will have all the information we need.