Friday Media Transcript: Head Coach Tom Coughlin

Head Coach Tom Coughlin

December 18, 2015

Q: How’s Ereck Flowers looking?

A: Practiced yesterday. If you ask him how feels, “Good, good.” But he did okay.

Q: Any doubt that he’s going to play, for you?

A: Barring anything unforeseen.

Q: What’s up with Dwayne Harris? Where did that come from? Is it something he’s been dealing with or is it something that happened in practice?

A: No practice, no. It was sore after the game, really didn’t say a whole lot about it.

Q: He’s another guy that seems to be along the lines of Flowers.

A: He’s a tough guy.

Q: How do you look at the division race—do you look at it as you have to win all three games in order to make the playoffs?

A: I always look at it that way. I always look at it that way. One game at a time, but we’re in a position where you have to rely on yourself. The only way you can do that is to go out and play your best.

Q: How much of a challenge—Greg Olsen is going to play

A: Yeah, I expect him to play.

Q: How difficult is that for you guys? It’s been a sore spot for you guys, the middle of the field.

A: Well, he’s having an exceptional year. He’s a very, very good receiving tight end, he catches the ball well, he has outstanding speed, they use him a lot of different ways, a lot of different spots. And combined with their wide receivers, they present real issues.

Q: Do you view him as their number one target?

A: He is their number one target.

Q: Can you expect Barry Cofield to give you any kind of pass rush up the middle?

A: He’s come in and it’s very new to him. It’s different, terminology is different. There’s a lot, he’s been away from a while. Do I expect him to give push up the middle? Yes. Do I expect that he (gives us a pass rush)? I hope so.

Q: How much is realistic to expect him to be able to play having been here, for what, two-three days

A: Well, what is real is he’s in excellent condition, that’s real. And he’s had a practice, he’s had today, he’ll have tomorrow morning. And we’ll have to see, we’ll have to make a call on that.

Q: How do you view the mood of your team this week? Is it any different coming off a victory?

A: No, I think they look forward—I hope that’s what we do. Obviously, in a week like this, you have to move right on and the players seemed to be able to do that.

Q: How has Hakeem Nicks been coming along and is there an expectation that he would be more involved this week?

A: That’s always something that you would like to do. Last week we wanted contributions from more people offensively…he contributed some. Depending on how it goes with the coverages, where the people are directed defensively, and the prioritizing of the progressions, it may happen that he would be more involved.

Q: You see him getting separation and getting open even though maybe the targets weren’t coming?

A: Yes.