S Landon Collins
Postgame vs. Chicago, November 20, 2016
Q: Landon, in the first half, you guys gave up 214 yards 16 points in the second half 111 yards, which was a big difference defensively. What did you guys do differently?
A: Just execution. We played our defense with style and technique. Everyone came to perform their job and not try to do anyone else’s.
Q: Was there a certain conversation at halftime to get you guys to focus to get to that execution?
A: That was the conversation. Do your job and do your job to your excellent ability and everyone else will follow behind you.
Q: On the third down play at the end of the game when you got the interception
A: Definitely respecting the deep ball, deep ball on the seam. They went deep, they needed to get a first down or get a score. However, on the play last week AA (Andrew Adams) and I had experienced a similar play. This time it was an out and up, and I needed to sit back and wait on it. There is no purpose of me playing close to the line of scrimmage when there is a third and 20. I just played back and when I saw the ball coming, I just made myself play not deep.
Re: Impact of injury to Zach Miller
A: It affected the game tremendously. That is a great tight end. He goes to guys in certain situations. I hope he gets better. He is a fantastic player. It affected the game, it was a game changer, and he didn’t have that many people to go to.
Q: So Cincinnati tried that play last week?
A: Yes, but they didn’t go. Like Chicago did an out and up.
Q: So did they actually pass it?
A: He threw it but he was under pressure so it went to the ground.
Q: Do you think they were taking advantage of something else they saw?
A: It is a copycat league. If you see something out on the field and you think you can beat someone with it again, you are definitely going to run it again.
Q: How are you handling the praise and success here at the Giants?
A: I block it. I have been getting the praise since I have been in high school. It is second nature to me. It is coming to me quick right now but I mean I am just taking it as I strive and a blessing right now. I worked this hard to get here and I worked this hard every day in OTAs to know my defense, to know the players, to be on the same page, to be a unit.
Q: What have you learned from playing with JPP and what he told you before the game?
A: JPP told me before the game, you are going to get one today. I was like for him there is no reason he can’t get two sacks. He definitely did. He got a forced fumble on one and that was amazing. That opportunity of him saying that to me shows he has a lot of confidence in me to make a play.
Re: defense going out to close out the game
A: The feeling is you get on the field and stop them again. To get the ball back on offense and make sure they do not score. That’s the feeling and confidence we have in each other. Our offense will definitely do what they need to do.
Q: In these conditions, you know that the offense makes adjustments. Were there any adjustments you had to make defensively when you see the wind being the way that it is?
A: When the ball is in the air? Definitely. I was out there earlier and the ball was going all types of ways. You have to watch the ball and really pay attention to it when the ball is in the air. You have a great quarterback – Cutler has a strong arm, so it was cutting through the wind. It was really on point, so you have to just play through it.
Q: What does it do for the entire defense when the pass rush starts to come alive the way it has in the past few weeks?
A: You don’t have to blitz. You can just play coverage and let the guys go.
Q: Is there also a confidence factor?
A: Definitely, because they’re setting the edge, they’re building the wall and they’re making plays and causing fumbles and longer down and distances for us, so that we can play back and not just play the sticks now.
Q: When you had the interception, put your hands on the ball, can you just describe who you saw right away or what guys said to you – you know, a little bit of that scene when you know the game is over there.
A: I think the first person I saw was Trevin Wade. He came in front of me and I was dancing, so he came in front of me and started dancing with me. They were just saying, “We knew you were going to do it. We had confidence in you.” A lot of people just hit me on the head. It was a rush.
Q: Who first made you a safety? When did you realize in your life that this was something for you?
A: That’s a long story. Back in high school, there was a running back called Eddie Lacy. We went to the same high school together. I was a running back since I was 4 years old, so when I got there, there was no running back for me, so I went to safety and played that.
Q: How do you feel about that now?
A: Fantastic. I mean, I can still be a running back if I need to be, but I definitely feel fantastic because I’ve done great at the position and I’m just trying to prove that I’m one of the best in the NFL.
Q: When you switched positions, were there guys that you admired or patterned?
A: At the safety position, Bob Sanders and Sean Taylor.
Q: [Inaudible 5:40]…in practice a lot to help your tackle skills?
A: We didn’t hit too much, we just thud. I missed one tackle on him one time, he hit a spin move on me and I was lost in there. Other than that, I haven’t missed a tackle on him since then.
Q: How different do you feel on the field as opposed to last year?
A: It feels tremendously different. I’m confident in every call that I make. I’m confident in every position I’m in. I know how to just read; I know the concepts; I know where my help is at and I just play ball from there. The confidence level is through the roof than what it was last year.
Q: Some people say the game slows down when you go into your second season.
A: Yes, definitely. Very slowed down. Everything just comes to you now.
Q: Are you in touch with Eddie Lacy at all?
A: Yes, of course. We go through Instagram, we text message, we see each other in New Orleans and Alabama. We always see each other and stay in contact. We took a picture at the game in Green Bay.
Q: What is his impression of what you’ve been doing this season?
A: He calls me Sonny, so he said, “Sonny, just keep ballin and doin’ your thing. I’m proud of you.” And that’s about it.
Q: Why Sonny?
A: You know the movie Friday? He says I look like him.
