Tuesday Media Transcript: QB Eli Manning

Quarterback Eli Manning

November 7, 2017

Q: What did you guys seen on film from this week?

A: Well, you know, we just had turnovers obviously in the first half. Hurt us offensively. I thought we ran the ball well. Thought we did some good things. I thought we were pretty good on third down throughout the day, but just the turnovers and then had a couple missed opportunities. So, we just got to keep working, but I thought we saw some good things. Guys stepped up, made some plays and again, we ran the ball well. So, we got to keep those things going.

Q: The 49ers have not won a game. Would they do things out of character because they need a win so badly?

A: Hey, I think both teams need a win. So, I don’t know if it’s a matter of gambling. I think you try to play your scheme. You try to do things correctly, do things right. So, we got to do things. We got to play our game. We got to be where we need to be. Make the plays that are there.

Q: How much did the offense open up on Sunday with WR Sterling Shepard back in the lineup?

A: Yeah. It’s great to get Sterling back in the mix. Had a couple nice plays for us. Couple big third down conversions for us. So, to get him back in the mix is helpful. But, it opened up some things for some other guys as well.

Q: Did you hear Ben McAdoo’s comments yesterday about the fact that he would be open to change at the quarterback position and what was your response?

A: Didn’t hear it. My goal is to prepare every week and do my job.

Q: Have you talked to Ben McAdoo about it?

A: He said he’s got faith in me and keep grinding. So, that’s what we’re doing.

Q: When you say making plays that are there, what has been missing with those?

A: Well, I think last week, you know, I think it’s everybody. We missed a couple. Missed (Sterling) Shepard on a post route that we could have made. Had a couple other plays. We had drops. You had just different things that keep you out of a good down and distance. So, we just got to keep – very close to hitting a couple big runs. Just off on a block. So, there’s always little things. There’s always things you have to correct and missed plays. We’re not in that position where we can have too many of those.

Q: How would you characterize your relationship with Ben McAdoo?

A: Coach and I, hey, we communicate well. Have great confidence in each other and have a good relationship.

Q: Has your relationship been tested at all with the struggles you guys have had this season?

A: No. I haven’t been tested. I mean, I think, hey, he’s the coach. I’m the quarterback and just trying to keep getting better and keep working.

Q: You tie your brother Peyton Manning with consecutive starts this week. Does that have any type of meaning to you?

A: I mean, I guess yes and no. I’m happy to be out there each and every week with my teammates. That’s a goal of mine to stay healthy, to play through injuries, to be accountable and so, like I said, that is important to me to be there for my team and my teammates. But, it’s not about breaking a record though.

Q: Do you think you can catch Brett Favre?

A: He’s a good ways away. So, we’ll see.

Q: Would you be accepting to having another quarterback play games that didn’t matter down the stretch?

A: I want to play. That’s what I like to do. I like to play football and play quarterback and I take – I understand that I got a job to do and I got to do it better and do it well and get wins and if you don’t everybody’s job is up for grabs in this league.

Q: Do you understand the speculation based on the team’s situation, QB Davis Webb, and your age?

A: Sure.

Q: How tough has this season been for you individually?

A: Hey, it’s tough for everybody. It’s no fun losing games and losing players and going through stretches where you’re not winning. So, a good thing is we got eight more games and an opportunity to fix it.

Q: Is there ever a moment where you give into the frustration?

A: That doesn’t fix anything. That’s not going to help us win the next game. So, I got to just keep preparing and working and keep getting some young guys up to speed and have confidence in them and knowing that we can go win this next game.

Q: You always say you’re a week-to-week guy. Is there anything you can draw back on as far as experience that can compare to what you guys have gone through this season?

A: Yeah. I mean, we’ve gone through losing streaks before. We’ve gone – we’ve lost three or four in a row and don’t see the bright side of things and we’ve come out of it and I think you just rely on your preparation, on practicing well, having confidence in your players and trusting them and, you know, you bounce out of it. Whatever reason, completions start to show up, defense gets you a turnover, you return a kick. Something kind of gets you going and you make the plays that you’ve been trained to make and it works out for you.

Q: Do you have to convince guys of that?

A: Well, I think we got young guys in here who, hey, they want to play and I haven’t seen that out of anybody. Everybody is playing hard. Everybody is competing. Everybody is – practice has been good. So, I think the mindset is good. We got to make sure we keep on that.