Quarterback Eli Manning
August 19, 2017
Q: What are you looking to get out of Monday night?
A: I think any time you get some live game exposure, you are trying to get on the same page as your receivers. We got a couple new receivers. Make sure everybody is sound in our communication and we are all on the same page, doing the right things. And for the first time in eight months, it is live. Now I know that these guys can hit me, they can tackle me, they can go at me. So I think that getting used to that, feeling things in the pocket, not looking at the rush, but feeling the rush and buying a little extra time or moving in the pocket and finding a completion.
Q: This is the first time you have really gotten to play with some of your new toys, too.
A: Yeah, and I think that is big. I think you are always going to learn something from every practice, but especially from every game. They play different coverages or you get a different look and you have to adjust and learn from it, so for some of the new guys, we will learn together and be on the same. It is a great opportunity to go out there and be tested.
Q: Has it been more of a challenge this year being more of a teacher?
A: No, you are always going to have new players and you are always going to want to grow. We have always talked about as a quarterback, you got to be a great receiver coach. That is part of the job. You have to be able to coach up receivers and talk to them about giving their sticks and giving them depth. You have to tell them exactly how you want them to do it and be on the same page with them.
Q: Why have you taken to wearing the glove on your left hand?
A: I’ve done it in certain games when it’s cold just to get a little extra grip. I guess it just took since now, where if you can get a little extra grip and it helps you hold onto the ball or it saves one fumble, it is worth it.
Q: Do you find any difference?
A: We will see. I haven’t been hit yet or tackled, so we are going to test it out to see if it helps.
Q: Do you have to make any adjustments to your practice repertoire for playing three games in eleven days?
A: We will see next week what the plan is, but so far, we are getting ready for Cleveland. Preparing for this game, go out there and try to do our best and then the next week we will see what coach McAdoo has for us. Make sure we are getting our rest to get ready to play a game, but also getting mentally prepared.
Q: Do you personally have goals in the preseason?
A: I mean I think for me it is just finding completions, running the offense smoothly, make sure everybody is on the same page of communication. Also having great movement in the pocket and not moving too much if you don’t need to. Feeling the rush and being able to make subtle movements to get your feet in place and being able to throw the ball and make smart decisions.
Q: I’m assuming moving in the pocket isn’t scrambling and running, right?
A: If that is what it has to be, then that also. Sometimes you got to run, sometimes you got to scramble, sometimes that is part of it. So, it’s all about quarterback positions and feeling the rush, feeling the throwing lanes, and making plays.
Q: Do you look forward to that first hit?
A: You never look forward to a hit, I don’t think, but I think it is good to get it under your belt and know that it will be okay.
Q: With all the receivers you have, do you ever worry about keeping everybody happy?
A: I haven’t thought about it yet, so I think you want to get everybody involved. I think that’s good and that’s when we’ll be at our best, when we have all the guys getting catches, feeling involved in the offense. But you can’t get overly concerned with if someone doesn’t have a catch, then you have to go out of your way to force a throw to them and that’s going to affect the team. I’d like to have everybody have eight catches in a game, all the receivers. It’s not going to happen, but you never know. They all have to be ready and they have to get open.
Q: In the preseason, do you have certain plays for guys like WR Brandon Marshall and TE Evan Engram just to get the timing down with them?
A: That’s coach McAdoo calling plays, and he’s calling good plays that he thinks will work. The way we’ve kind of been told is you’re not always going to know where the receivers might be exactly and you don’t know the coverage. Everything can be different. If you’re calling plays that can be successful, you’ll have a chance to get completions.
Q: Do you do less “checking” in the preseason games?
A: We’re just running our offense, so whatever comes up: if you see something, get to it. If you have a good play, let it roll.
Q: Coach McAdoo gave you a day off in camp one day and let you call plays. Would you ever like to call plays in a game?
A: I think that would be tough. Again, I was just calling plays off the script, so I was just reading what the next play was. It wasn’t like I was calling plays per se. A part of me is intrigued to see if I could do it. I know it would be tough; I think I’d keep repeating a lot of calls, just some of the staples that I like. I would just mark it off and get to the next one. Right now, it’s third down, what are you going to call? First down is getting into a rhythm. I appreciate the effort and the work that goes into calling a game.
Q: Your father (Archie Manning) probably called plays back in the day, right?
A: I think he’d call some. I think they didn’t have as many plays as we have now, though.
Q: Have you ever asked Coach McAdoo in the fourth quarter of like the fourth preseason game (about calling plays)?
A: I haven’t asked him. We have guys competing for jobs at the quarterback position, so we want to be fair to all of those guys, have the guy calling the plays and give them some experience in doing it.
Q: Last year was the first time you didn’t play in the first preseason game. Did you feel more comfortable not playing last week after going through the experience last year?
A: I guess so. It’s still awkward. You’re kind of not included in some of the stuff. The guys (other quarterbacks) got a game plan sheet and they didn’t give me one, so it’s still a little awkward. I like to be out there with my teammates. I like to be out knowing I get to play a little and compete. But I understand what he (Coach McAdoo) is trying to do as well and appreciate it.
Q: What have you seen from QBs Geno Smith and Josh Johnson so far?
A: I think they’ve made plays. They’ve thrown the ball well, done some good things in practices and the games. Josh had a little head start being here last year, but Geno has done a good job of learning quickly and on the run, taking notes and being into it. I think both guys have done a good job.
