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Transcripts: Coughlin, Quinn, Various Players

Eric from BBI : Admin : 10/16/2014 4:16 pm
Head Coach Tom Coughlin

October 16, 2014



Q: Any concerns about playing in Dallas?

A: I’ll defer to… no, we’re going down to play a football game. That’s what we’re concerned about.



Q: Where is Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie?

A: He’s getting some inside work done.



Q: How balanced is Dallas now than maybe ever before considering the emergence of DeMarco Murray as being a big-time back.

A: There’s no emergence, he’s been a heck of a football player for all of the years that I’ve been around watching him. They’re balanced, they run. They have a greater run ratio, as you know, but it also gives them the play-action game and they spread the ball around and they have some very, very good football players.


Q: Yesterday you said you thought Dominique would work.

A: I did. I thought he would. I wasn’t sure, but as it is, he’s not.



Q: Is it something they’re trying to figure out or…?

A: I think they’re working on trying to get him to where he can do something.



Q: Did anything happen between the time that you...?

A: No, not at all.



Q: Can he play without practicing? Is he be one of those guys?

A: We’ll have to see what his status is like. I would lean towards I think he could, but I think he’s got a ways to go to get there.



Q: Does the bye influence that decision at all of whether you play him?

A: No. You’re asking me on the spot, I’d say the bye has nothing to do with it. If he can play, he’ll play. If he can’t play, he won’t play.



Q: Obviously you’ve used him to move around a little bit. It makes it a little harder to game plan if you don’t know how much he can do. Is that out of the question now to specifically make that game plan around him and a guy like Dez Bryant?
A: It’s not necessarily around him and it never is even when he moves. There are certain situations where even when he was going with the receiver, that he stayed at home. That would be the same kind of deal.



Q: Does it worry you if you don’t have him against a guy like Dez? That seems to be where his skills fit.

A: Hey, we have to be able to go out and play as best we can with the players that we have.



Q: How has Jayron Hosley looked?

A: He’s working. He’s coming along.



Q: After two practices, are the roles of the receivers more defined now? Are you getting a better sense as to who’s going to do what?

A: I think we’ve always had a pretty good sense of that. (Kevin) Ogletree, of course, we don’t know, so we have to look at that. I think we have a handle on that part.



Q: Do you view Ogletree as a guy who can play inside in the slot?

A: I think he can. If he had to, he could.



Q: He’s primarily an outside guy though?

A: No. Just wherever we want to use him and need him.



Q: Does Dallas provide a different challenge now offensively than they have in the past because they’re clicking on all cylinders?

A: It’s always a very big challenge to play the Dallas Cowboys.



Q: The production of the tight ends has really gone down the last couple of games. When you look at that, is it more what they’re doing? More what you’re not doing? Personnel?

A: It’s a combination of all of the above, to be honest with you. We were having, as you know, good production and kind of backed off a little bit and it’s remained at a low level, in the passing game, not necessarily in the all-around area. It needs to step up. We need that balance.



Q: Jon Beason was full yesterday. Was he full today?
A: Yeah, he’s full today.


Q: Coming inside on the turf, were there concerns for you?
A: Sure, absolutely. We discussed that and we put an X number of snaps on his day and that’s where we are.



Q: Is Justin Pugh dealing with something with his elbow or his arm?

A: He’s had an elbow. He’s had that (brace) on forever. Where have you been? Have you not seen it? You’re not watching very good.



Q: When you look at Beason, he got a lot of snaps last week.

A: What are you talking about? Are we back on the game?



Q: Well, moving forward how much more do you think… did he shake off the rust he needed to shake off?

A: I think he’s making good progress, yeah. I think you’re right about shaking off. He obviously was rusty in the game, but he’s getting better and he feels better and the coaches feel better about his ability to get back and be ready to go and be the player we know he can be.



Q: Do you feel you’ve seen the Beason you saw last year?

A: I would say that he’s coming and approaching that. His energy and enthusiasm is the same, it’s just that he’s not practiced or played very much. He needs that. We all do.



Q: Do you anticipate, if he’s capable of playing a full game, to still rotate between the three guys?
A: They’ll all get to play. They’ll all play.



Q: In the nickel as well? All three of them?

A: We’ll see how that goes but they’re all going to play. Because of the personnel combinations that Dallas uses, there will be plenty of snaps for everybody.



Q: Is there still a spot for Devon Kennard in regards to defense or is that something he’s…?

A: We have to have him ready to go.







Special Teams Coordinator Tom Quinn

October 16, 2014





Re: The Cowboys and the return game.

A: I think Dwayne Harris is always a threat; he is a very strong runner, very physical, very north-south, tough to get down. When you look on tape, he is going forward on contact.

Q: Have you seen around the league that is has been difficult for guys to get to the 20 this year on kick returns, or is it just that some weeks it seems like it is more of a problem?

A: Some weeks it seems like it is more of a problem, but some teams regularly do and other teams struggle to do it, and I think everyone is…it’s a little early in the year to be over-anxious to take balls out that they probably shouldn’t, so that is probably a factor.



Q: As the year goes on, less balls get taken out of the end zone.

A: Balls are not kicked as deep because of the weather.



Q: Did you like what you saw from Michael Cox?

A: I did. He made some strides last year, made some strides in preseason. He is someone that is always growing and expanding his role, which is a good as a third running back.



Q: Was that just a function of Quintin Demps playing more snaps on defense that you wanted to get somebody in there?

A: Yeah, you like Quintin Demps to be the guy, but if he had a long series, which he did, we will go with the fresh guy and stay with him. We like the way he runs vertically and is a strong runner.



Q: At the end of the half, you put Odell Beckham Jr. back there to return a punt. Just looking for a homerun there?

A: No, it is just, if he is ready to go, he will be in.



Q: Do you expect him to be there from now on?

A: Yeah, him and Preston Parker are two of the guys that we trust back there.



Q: Do you ever have to discuss the video board hanging over the field with Steve Weatherford going into this game?

A: No, he has played down there enough; that is not a factor.





LB Jon Beason

October 16, 2014



Q: In years past when the Giants have played the Cowboys, [Tony] Romo has made a living out of creating busted plays and making big ones… Is that one of the biggest fears when you play him?

A: Yeah, I don’t think it is exclusive to the Giants. I think over his career he has been that wild quarterback. He is great in the moment, elusive and he will make that throw that will really break your back. He is doing that consistently now and that is the reason they have won five in a row.



Q: Knowing how your secondary has taken some lumps these last several weeks, how important is it for the front seven to do what you guys have to do to make things easier for the reserves back there?

A: I think that is what [the Cowboys] are doing well. You look at them and they are the most efficient team on third down because they get in third and short because they run the ball so well. It will be all eyes on us up front to stop the run. Then we will worry about all the talent they have outside and, obviously, Tony Romo.



Q: After a game like the one you guys played in Philly where it seemed like nothing went right defensively… How much do you want to get out there?

A: Whenever you lose the first thing you want to do – Sunday can’t get here fast enough. To lose in that fashion, you never want that to happen, but that is the gift and the curse about this league. When a game is over, it is finite. Whatever happened is on film. It is there forever. Twenty-five years from now you can pull it up and watch it. That is the nature of the business. You have to have a short memory, whether it is a successful play or a successful game or the contrary.



Q: What about discipline up front… Some of the guys were saying the discipline wasn’t there with [LeSean] McCoy… Was that disappointing and how much better does it have to be?

A: McCoy is unlike any other back. You see a play developing as a linebacker and say, ‘Coach, they ran this play or they ran that play.’ McCoy will start that way and then bounce. We say all gaps are live. You never know what he is going to do. They give him that free range ability to cut back when he is not supposed to or bounce it when he is not supposed to. Obviously we didn’t do a good job of bottling him up and tackling. We know that starts with us. When you give up 200 yards rushing, there is definitely a problem. We need to fix that right away.



Q: What about the difference this week and the challenge of facing [DeMarco] Murray?

A: Murray is a power back. He has speed. He is elusive. He runs hard. He plays every down. He is the complete package. Their offensive line has done a great job if you look at what they have done collectively. [They] have opened up some big holes and are playing together. They are playing very, very physical, so we have to match that on Sunday.



Q: How about practicing two days in a row ‘full’ for you?

A: I am still limited. I would like not to be, but everything is about Sunday. It is really on the back burner right now and out of my mind in terms of how many snaps I am taking at practice. I just know that I am ready to go and try to get this win on Sunday.



Q: Did you like what you saw on film of yourself [on Sunday]?

A: I thought I moved pretty well. I read the plays well. I would like to be more active. I don’t know who is charting stats, but I don’t do that. It is tough when there are a lot of guys on the ball. Nevertheless, if that is the starting point coming off of an injury with limited amount of practice, then I was somewhat happy. [I] made it through the game and obviously I want to build on that and I know I can play a whole lot better. I have to play better.



Q: How important is for you to be on the field for a win?

A: Right now, I am messing it up. When I play, we don’t win. That is something I talked about going into the game. You say, ‘Do your job and do it hard and hopefully you can be a reason why we win instead of a reason why we don’t.’



WR Rueben Randle

October 16, 2014



Re: assuming more of a leadership role among the wide receivers

A: I’m not going to change who I am, I’ve just got to go out there and lead by example pretty much.



Q: Do you have to anticipate what defenses will do to you now that Victor Cruz is not around or do you just sort of…?

A: I’ve just got to continue to do what I’m doing and whatever they throw at us, we have to adjust to it.



Q: You’re a quiet guy, it seems like. Do you feel like you have to be more vocal in the receiving room?

A: Not much. I mean, I might have to say something here or there, Coach might ask me to do that, but I don’t think I have to get up and give any speeches or anything like that.



Q: Ben McAdoo has always said that this offense is predicated on personnel rather than set plays. Now that the personnel has changed, do you think the offense is changing a little bit?

A: No, it’s still the same. I think everybody can be interchangeable at the position so I don’t think you’re going to change the offense around because…. It’s an unfortunate situation.







CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

October 16, 2014



Q: What is the biggest problem now for you?

A: It is the same thing. Problems down my leg on the entire right side. I am just trying to rest it and get it right.



Q: Do you feel that you could play even if you don’t practice much or at all this week?

A: No. You definitely need that time on the field because you have new things in. It is definitely hard to play without practicing.



Q: Did you expect to practice this week or the last two days… Coach Coughlin said he thought you were going to practice yesterday and then later in the day you weren’t out there… Did anything happen in that time or is it worse than you thought?

A: No. I definitely thought I would be back by today. You want Thursday and Friday to get that time in, but definitely looking to push forward and [practice] tomorrow.



Q: You feel you are making progress?

A: Yes ma’am.



Q: You have the bye week next week…Do you have to look at it that way and think of it as an option because it may benefit you long term?

A: No, not really. You have that whole week to rest so you have to take that week to get treatment. I am just trying to make it there.



Q: Have they talked to you at all about any possible procedures?

A: No



Q: They just said what…?

A: Rest. That is all.



Q: Rest is not easy to get during the season… Do you have to shut it down at some point for a couple of weeks just to get it right or is it something you can fight through?

A: I think I can fight through it. I do come out a lot. I came out last game. I think with a little bit more rest and with the bye week, everything will be a go.



Q: What sort of treatment are you getting?

A: Rest, stem and icing. That’s it.



Q: You don’t know yet about [your playing status] for this week?

A: No.

Q: Are you confident you can play?

A: Yes sir.




Q: Are you concerned that if you can’t get this under control that you are going to start compensating and that leading to more problems?

A: Kind of, but at the end of the day, if you can go, you can go. You don’t want to hurt it further and be out any longer. That is a decision you have to make.



Q: Whatever it is that is specifically bothering you, have you ever had that injury before in your career?

A: No.



Q: How shaken does that make you that you are dealing with something you have never had to face before?

A: It kind of does play with your mind, but at the end of the day, as long as I can get out there and move around, I am not too much worried. It can’t be that serious.



Q: What percentage do you think you are playing at right now?

A: 60 percent.



Q: That is upsetting…?

A: Yes. At the end of the day, you want to be out there and try to fight. If you get your rest and go in the game and I feel good, I will feel good. I get to banging out there and things go different. Hopefully with enough rest this week, I will be alright.



Q: You think that you can play on Sunday… Did you say you didn’t think you would be able to play without practicing?

A: Yes, I don’t think anybody can just show up on Sunday and play. You definitely need that time to understand the route concepts and there’s so much film work [to study] to do that you have to be able to get on the field and do.



Q: So that means you would expect to practice tomorrow?

A: Yes, sir.





S Stevie Brown

October 16, 2014



Q: Any chance at all that your role might be increasing, getting some of your snaps back?

A: I don’t know. They will let you all know everything, they always double check on that, that’s about really all it is.



Q: When you are a guy who didn’t come off the field, it’s like a cold turkey situation. You go from 70 to 0 sometimes, right?

A: Yeah


Q: That’s got to be difficult?

A: Yeah, it is definitely difficult. Anybody who competes wants to be out there on the field, so not being able to be out there is definitely not the situation I want to be in.



Q: How do you think you can help?

A: I always feel like I can help. In any capacity, whatever they need me to do. It is all I am trying to do every single day, out there practicing. Whenever I do get in there in the game, whatever role it is.



Q: Did you see a reduction, I guess, in your abilities after the surgery?

A: No, it’s nothing like that. I just wasn’t playing the smartest football; it has nothing to do with my abilities.



Q: It wasn’t physical?

A: Nah, not at all.



Q: Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel? You’ve still got a lot of games left here that at some point you can find yourself back on the field.

A: You never give up in any situation. Always go out there and just continue to work hard. Unfortunately, sometimes injuries happen in this game, sometimes bad plays happen in this game. Things always happen, so you’ve always got to stay ready, so you can never be out.



Q: You said you hadn’t played the smartest football. You’re a guy who has played, just a couple lapses early in the season here?

A: It is more so anticipating instead of playing my technique. I was trying to gamble. Can’t gamble.



Q: A lot of interceptions a couple years ago. Was some of that the result of gambling or was that smarter play?

A: It was probably smarter play then, I think I was trying to force the issue right now, and you know you can’t force it.



Q: Do you feel you learned that lesson?

A: Yeah, definitely have.



Q: When you get back out there, you will not…

A: Definitely, now it is just my time, whenever my time comes again.


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