Q: Did you have a good summer?
A: Yes, I did. I had a great summer.
Q: It’s been awhile since you’ve been here in a training camp situation, what are you hoping to get out of these next couple of weeks?
A: I don’t know. Just being here at training camp. I missed last year, but I’m back now and I’m happy, man. Excited to get going, that’s basically it. Ready to hit the field.
Q: Coming out of the spring, do you have a sense of where this team is mentally and what your goals are?
A: No, that’s why we’re here, to get better, play recognition, knowing the plays and the call and to make mistakes and go over them; that way, we can be a better team.
Q: Generally, when you start camp, there is a sense of optimism. With all the changes you’ve made and everybody being here, is there a bigger sense of optimism despite missing the playoffs for four years in a row?
A: Well, I think everybody’s goal is to make the playoffs this year. Everybody understands that. It’s been a minute, but I am going to do the best I can to make that possible.
Q: Do you even think about missing the playoffs for four straight years?
A: It’s not brought up. Each year there is different guys on the team. That’s what makes a football team. We just have to come together and play as one and as a unit. Like I said, make our mistakes now and correct them. That’s what we’re here for in training camp and take that and progress during the regular season.
Q: Do you feel like you’re going to be able to be more effective?
A: I feel fine, I feel great.
Q: Do you think you’re going to be more effective?
A: I was effective last year with a club, so yes, I know so.
Q: In what regard?
A: You have to wait and see. That’s why we have training camp.
Q: Jason, you mentioned last year at one point, about leadership and the idea that some guys want to be vocal and be out there. You said last year that you weren’t necessarily in a position to lead. I don’t want to quote you directly but that was kind of the sense of what you said. Do you feel differently now?
A: I lead by example. Not everybody sees it, but I’m probably one of the hardest workers on the football team and I am just trying to get right, trying to get to the playoffs and help my team out. I lead by example and all the guys follow me. I’m not a vocal person.
Q: Has your perspective on leadership changed?
A: I’m a vet now. I can look in the locker room and tell and see that the younger guys are looking up to me. They won’t say it, but you know. You can quite feel it. I’ll do whatever it takes.
Q: You have two pretty high-profile guys coming in on the line in OV and Snacks. Can you help their transition? They’re veterans, but they’re new here.
A: It’s a new team. Not new team, but new players. I’m pretty sure they’re filling in well. We walk in there and I’m pretty sure they feel like family now. They’re the Giants family now. They’ll do whatever it takes, I’ll do whatever it takes. Some calls or whatever on the football field on the defensive side, we go over it and stuff, so like I said, we are family and they feel a part of the family now from OTA’s, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Q: With two-fourths of the front four being new, how long and how many practices do you think it will take for you to feel like one?
A: We don’t know. That’s the whole part of playing football and having training camp. Coming in and recognizing how players play. There is a certain way that I play. You just have to have a feel for it. That’s something you have to feel as a football player. I do a great job of it and OV, Snacks and Hank, I mean that’s our front line right there, including me, so we are going to have chemistry together and that’s how we’re going to have to go about it.
Q: How excited are you to not have to wear the club this year?
A: I’m not worried about any club. My hand feels great, no complaining or anything. I’ve been training hard and getting after it. I’m just ready to play some football. The club isn’t going to be an issue or anything. My right hand feels like my left hand.
Q: Are you excited to see what you can do?
A: I’m not excited; I already know what I can do.
Q: How much of a chip on your shoulder do you think the defense has as a whole coming off of how last season went?
A: I don’t know. I’d say our main goal now is to get back to the playoffs and that is starting with training camp.
Q: Since the end of last season, how many procedures did you have on your hand?
A: Just one. That’s it.
Q: What was the point of it? What was trying to be accomplished by that procedure?
A: I won’t really get into the details; it was just to help me play better. That’s it.
Q: Are you done now with those? A; Yes, I’ve been done.
Q: Jason, what’s your message to the young guys in terms of work and getting this team on the right track?
A: We’re going to get better. We have to work together and not be scared to ask questions. I was once in a position they are in. There’s a lot to it, but in reality, everyone is here to do the same thing and that is to get to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.
Q: What do you think the potential for this defense is?
A: We have to see. I know people have high expectations and they should. As a defensive player, you should have high expectations.
Q: Are the additions you’ve made exciting to you?
A: I’m happy. Whatever can help. I’m excited to be working with those guys and I can’t wait to get after it.
