DT Damon Harrison
December 1, 2016
Q: How would you say this game is in terms of importance for the Giants and the Steelers?
A: It’s important for both sides because it’s the next game, plain and simple. We all understand what’s at stake for both teams. It adds a different dynamic, but it’s the most important game for both of us because it’s the next game.
Q: Are your eyes lighting up for this encounter?
A: They light up every week. I love the game and I love going out there to play. Pittsburgh is a historically physical team. They’re still physical. Games like this, I need I know to be on my ‘A’ game.
Q: Is it Roethlisberger? Is it [Le’Veon] Bell? Is it AB [Antonio Brown]?
A: It’s everyone. It starts with big Ben. They have a great offensive line. All five guys, and Le’Veon Bell, as well as [DeAngelo] Williams in the back field if he’s playing this week. Everyone knows, AB on the outside. They have a few other guys that can go as well.
Q: What do you think about Bell as a player?
A: Do I need to say any more than you know? He’s a great player. Very patient runner. He’ll challenge our gap integrity on defense. Guys that think they can make the play, how patient he is, he’ll expose another gap. We just have to be patient as well.
Q: What’s been the secret to dominating the fourth quarter like the defensive line has the last couple of games?
A: Just executing the game plan. It’s not really a secret. Guys are just in the right spot at the right time. When plays are coming to them, they’re making them.
Q: Is that something different than what was happening earlier in the season? Have you found a groove?
A: I would say that it’s probably a little different because now guys are getting used to playing with each other. Before, we had the off-season, but it’s not the same as actual game action. Now, Landon knows how 33 [Andrew Adams] plays. [Kelvin] Sheppard and Keenan [Robinson], we all know how each other play. We have a better idea. It’s coming together at the right time.
Q: Landon Collins has had a pretty good year, but he said that you are the defensive MVP of this team. Is that humbling to hear that?
A: It’s a lie. You have guys that have been playing lights out. Landon is the first name that comes to mind. You have guys like Andrew Adams coming in as an undrafted free agent and the guy is playing pretty good ball. He’s not making the splash plays, but he’s being consistent in doing exactly what’s asked of him. JC [Jonathan Casillas] has also been making big plays. Sheppard and Keenan as well. There are a lot of guys behind the scenes that don’t make the splash plays but are just as important as the guys who do. That award is for Landon Collins thus far.
Q: Could you be co-MVP?
A: No. I wouldn’t want it. I couldn’t accept that kind of award.
Q: Spags was very complimentary today. Did you expect to make this type of impact right away coming here?
A: I knew it would come around. I didn’t think it would be so soon. Spags and I had a conversation, and he let me know what was expected of me from day one. A lot of guys in the building know people that I worked for before. They communicated, and they told them what type of guy I was. I was just expecting the same thing here.
Q: Is your job kind of thankless, in a way that you’re always taking on two guys?
A: I’m getting old. I used to like the double teams but now I’m just trying to run away from them. Pass them on to [Johnathan] Hankins. A young guy. If that’ll help the team and make the team better, cause the linebackers to make more plays, then I’m all for it. I try to fight through the double team and still make the play. I’m not just sitting on the double team and holding it. I want to make plays. Double team and single team, I still think I have a chance to make a play.
Q: This system, compared to the Jets, do you feel like you have more opportunity in this system to make plays? If so, do you prefer that?
A: Yes, I would say there’s more opportunities because I’m playing a little more. In a 4-3, there’s not much two-gapping. You have one gap and one responsibility. You have a little more freedom as opposed to a two-gapping system. If you commit to one gap you’re leaving another gap open. In a 4-3, everyone has a gap, so I would say there’s more freedom.
Q: Is this JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] award a sign that he has come all the way back?
A: If you know JPP, the guy hasn’t lost an ounce of confidence. From the very first day I met him, he didn’t let the injury or anything like that affect him. If he was like this before the injury, I can only imagine. The guy has all the confidence in the world. He’s proving everyone to be wrong and himself right. It’s not a surprise to see him like that. I was one of the ones where I wanted to wait and see myself. Seeing the guy go out there and work every day under the present circumstances, it’s amazing. He’s throwing lineman out there with the hand too. It’s not an excuse for JPP. Can’t use it.
A: It’s a lie. You have guys that have been playing lights out. Landon is the first name that comes to mind. You have guys like Andrew Adams coming in as an undrafted free agent and the guy is playing pretty good ball. He’s not making the splash plays, but he’s being consistent in doing exactly what’s asked of him. JC [Jonathan Casillas] has also been making big plays. Sheppard and Keenan as well. There are a lot of guys behind the scenes that don’t make the splash plays but are just as important as the guys who do. That award is for Landon Collins thus far.
Q: Could you be co-MVP?
A: No. I wouldn’t want it. I couldn’t accept that kind of award.