Transcript: Head Coach Tom Coughlin

Head Coach Tom Coughlin
December 19, 2014

Q: Do you look at these next two games as looking towards the future?
A: First of all, we are trying to win. We are trying to win, period, and the players that we have are going to all have that opportunity. Young guys have had a chance, many of them, to improve over the course of time and over the course of a year as their play time has increased and their roles of responsibility have increased, and that is all a good thing. Right now, I am worried about today, and tomorrow, I will be worried about tomorrow.

Q: How do you assess the development of your offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo in his first year?
A: He has done good job. He’s a solid football coach and knows exactly what he is doing. He does a good job helping to coach the quarterbacks and the offense, his work ethic is very good.

Q: We talk a lot about growth and development of the young players. What ways have you seen growth and development in him as a coach?
A: I think his ability to maneuver in and out of situations, to adjust to some of the people that have been injured and he has compensated for, running back situation; to a certain extent, the wide receiver; the offensive line as we went through some changes. Those were all interesting occurrences, but I think he’s done a good job and I think there have been times when obviously there are things that he can improve on and learn from and he has done that.

Q: Do you see a difference in his play calling now than earlier in the year?
A: I am not going to comment. I am not sure what you mean by that.

RE: Maybe a different rhythm? Different calls in different spots.
A: He has been, I think, pretty consistent with that. I think the fact that when you get in games sometimes and you are not successful with the balance that you are looking for, it is not easy. When you are not running as well as you would like to do that, to provide the kind of the balance. That falls just as much on my shoulders as anybody else.

Q: How about the progression of Andre Williams?
A: He has done a nice job, he’s hung in there, he’s battled, and he’s learned very well. The thing about the protection which we talked about a couple times this week. He has done a good job with that.

Q: You had an opportunity to elevate a guy this week. You chose Jerome Cunningham; he’s at a position where you didn’t lose anyone there. Why did you guys go with him?
A: He’s worked hard, and he’s earned the right to do it. He worked very hard; he’s a big, strong body. If we needed a person to help us on special teams, that will be one of the places we could go.

Q: You have Jameel McClain available. What has he meant to you this year?
A: What do you mean available?

RE: For Sunday.
A: He has been energetic, a fire plug, done a nice job leading by example, he’s also inspired people because of the level of energy he has brought to the table. He has done a nice job.


Q: Weston Richburg, he has a big challenge this week going up against Aaron Donald.
A: Big challenge every week. I don’t know if it’s any of a bigger challenge than when he sits in there against some 350-pounder. Every week presents new problems, different problems. Aaron Donald is an outstanding player, he’s had a good year. I think he has played against quite a few very good football players in there.

Q: When you look at Aaron Donald, how does he do it?
A: Very quick, uses his body very well, uses his hands very well, can get people off balance, take advantage of it.

Re: The preparation of Devon Kennard
A: He works at it. He loves football. He works at his responsibilities no matter what they are. He has always been consistent and impressive that way.

Q: Overall, you have to be pretty impressed with the play you have gotten out of the rookies this year.
A: We are, two games to go, let’s get some more out of them, let’s continue that progress.

Q: Justin Pugh has the injury issue earlier in the year. His recent play, how much of that do you attribute to him being healthy and just learning how to fight through and come out the other end?
A: Both. I think both are. You’ve got to be able to play in this league with nicks, hurts, and injuries, and still be focused, and still get better. In that position, just as much as anywhere, you snap the ball when that guy is the length of a football away from you. Those guys have to learn how to deal with that. They can’t let their focus be broken or their ability to understand what is expected of them and to get better each week. He fought his way back from an injury at the beginning when he first came back. He had to get going again, he seems to be able to do that.