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Thursday Transcript: Offensive Coordinator Mike Sullivan

Eric from BBI : Admin : 11/9/2017 4:12 pm
Offensive Coordinator Mike Sullivan

November 9, 2017

Q: What did you see out of WR Sterling Shepard in his first game back?

A: You know, Sterling looked sharp. He did some things, particularly from the inside, the slot position, that we’ve relied upon in the past. Was really important for us. Had a couple big third down catches for us and continues to improve and get back to the type of player that was so important to us last year.

Q: What have these past few weeks been like for QB Davis Webb with all the speculation?

A: Davis continues to work very hard. He’s a sponge. He soaks up everything and he’s a part of that quarterback room along with Geno (Smith) and Eli (Manning) and doing all the things necessary to get that position ready to play. So, he’s doing a great job.

Q: When you take away the turnovers, did you see more that you left out on the field than normal because it seems like there were big plays to be made that you missed?

A: Well, you hit the nail on the head. The turnovers were really the story of the game, in my opinion. I mean, we had three big turnovers that put our defense in a bind and anytime we’re turning the football over, that means that we’re not having opportunities to continue to move the ball ourselves. We can’t continue to establish a run game. We can’t have some of the play action passes and then as you mentioned, having some opportunities for some plays down the field and so, hard to look past those three in all honestly because they were so frustrating for all of us. But, certainly, there’s opportunities that are there and whether it’s breaking a long run or completing on some of the long passes, those are things that we’re going to have to make sure we take advantage of.

Q: It seems like the running game has taken off a bit. Do you feel like you’re hitting a stride with that?

A: We feel good about where the run game has been and where it’s headed. When we took a look at the most recent games in terms of the normal down-and-distance runs, we have been efficient. It’s a credit to those guys up front. Credit to the tight ends. The backs are hitting it hard and guys on the perimeter are taking a lot of pride helping to try to spring some of those longer runs. So, it’s a mentality. It’s a commitment. It’s something that the guys have bought into and I think we continually emphasize that not all of them are going to pretty. Not all of them are going to break through there and into the secondary. There’s going to be some two-yard, three-yard runs that are ugly and gritty, but that’s who we are. That’s who we need to be.

Q: When you start the way you did the other day before all the bad stuff started to happen, what did you think about the rhythm?

A: Well, anytime we’re able to run the football, I mean, that’s an advantage for us. It would be for anybody, for that matter. I mean, that enables us to wear that defense down a little bit. They might not have as much starch, if you will, in terms of third down and that pass rush and it can set up some of the play action passes and I think there’s, as I mentioned a little bit earlier, from a mentality standpoint. Just kind of having guys feel that they’re imposing their will to an extent. So, that is a good feeling and when we can stick with it and we try to stick with it. In fact, I can’t remember what the exact series was, but right when the rain started to come down. We would run, run, run. It was going good and we were going to keep running until they stopped it, but unfortunately, we had the fumble and, of course, that, as you mentioned, changes everything.

Q: What is it about QB Eli Manning that he does to keep himself healthy?

A: Well, he’s a true pro in terms of taking care of his body. I don’t imagine him doing anything other than, when he gets home, spending quality time with his wife and kids. He’s not out running the streets, obviously, but you know, he does – you look at what he’s eating. It’s hard to find him putting anything but nutritious things in his body and you guys have all documented the whole how he goes through his routine as far as stretching his arms, you know, stretching his shoulders and so forth. His commitment is full time. It’s not just what he does in the film room and preparing himself. It’s not just what he does on the practice field. But, I think in all phases of his life he has a great balance and a perspective and certainly has served him well through this long streak.

Q: Are there technical things QB Eli Manning could do to eliminate the fumbles?

A: Well, no question, anytime anyone has turned the ball over, it’s bad for us and he’s aware of that. I think that we always try to emphasize that when something breaks down, when you’re in the grasp, you know, the competitive nature sometimes comes into play where guys want to try to maybe fight through that and try to complete the football or try to escape from the pressure, but then, as they always say. The old cliché – it’s true. It’s the guy you don’t see that can knock the ball out and often times with just having one hand on the football, that makes it a little bit easier. There’s times, you take any quarterback, you know, they can have two hands. They can have a vice grip, but if they get hit hard enough, that ball comes out. But, certainly when they’re in those situations where he can keep two hands on the ball or basically it’s a play that’s broken down, you might have to take the sack. A punt is not a bad thing. We just got to keep grinding away.
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