QB Eli Manning
September 9, 2015
Q: The same feeling every year going into the opener? Opening up against the Cowboys, is it good to open up against a team that you know?
A: Yeah. I think it’s good to start in the division. Sunday night, it should be a great environment. And a very good team. They were strong last year, good on defense. Offensively, very, very strong. So we know we’ve got to go out there and play well. They’re going to be fired up, it’s going to be loud. But those are fun environments to play in. Hopefully we’re up to the challenge.
Q: How’s your offense going into the game? You ready?
A: Yeah. I thought we had a good day of practice today. I thought we were pretty good on Monday, as well. I feel like we have a lot of weapons, and feeling good about where we are and what we’re trying to do. Now it’s just about going out and executing and making the plays that are out there.
Q: Is there a different feeling now that it’s Week One? You know what you’ve got on Sunday? Is there an excitement and added focus this week?
A: I think it’s always a little different Week 1. Practices are a little bit more precise. You know exactly what you’re getting, what you’re going against. The game plan is in. You’re getting a lot of reps with the guys that are going to be out there on the field with you playing. I think it was sharp. It’s not as much sitting and watching different teams or different groups practice, you get a lot more reps. But I thought we had good energy today, and that’s what we need.
Q: Can you compare the comfort level this year as opposed to last year at this time?
A: I feel, obviously, much different right now than I did last year going into Week 1. Just with the comfort level within the offense, and the checks, and what everybody’s assignments are, and how we’re going to handle certain blitzes or looks, and getting to all of our possibilities. I think the receivers, offensive line, everybody’s comfort level is higher, which makes everybody’s job a little bit easier.
Q: Whether it’s a coincidence or not, you’ve thrown the ball extremely well in Dallas against the Cowboys. Is there anything to that?
A: I guess good weather, I don’t know. Hopefully we can have another day being productive throwing the ball. We’re going to need to. We have some weapons at receiver who can make some plays. I’ve got to do my part, get them the ball. We’ve got to be balanced, we’ve got to run the ball. Hopefully we can have a good day and make some plays.
Q: Do you feel like Victor Cruz may be ready this week?
A: You’ve got to ask Victor. I’m not sure on that.
Q: You guys have lost four openers in a row. How hard is to dig out of that?
A: Just worried about this one. This is the next game. We’ve got to go out there and we have to play well. If we get off to a fast start, and the game into the fourth quarter, that’s where we have to find a way to win those close games.
Q: How hard is it to comprehend yesterday when you hear about Tyler Sash?
A: Yeah. Coach Coughlin came in and told me about it. Just shocked, a teammate, so young. Feel like he was just here. Lose a life of a teammate is never good, never good to hear. Obviously thinking about his family and everybody who knew him. Lost a good guy.
