Saturday Press Conference: DE Jason Pierre-Paul

DE Jason Pierre-Paul

August 6, 2016

Q: You’re scoring touchdowns today?

A: I’m just playing football.

Q: How’d that feel to get the ball and just run to daylight and score?

A: Just made a touchdown, that’s it. I was tired as hell, but I was ok.

Q: Now that there’s been some hitting going on the past few practices, we’ve seen you guys connect, what are you starting to figure out about what your defense is?

A: We still have time. It’s still the beginning. We still are trying to get that chemistry with guys but just putting on the pads and going out there and hitting and giving a little bump to the offense, it’s good but it’s just the beginning.

Q: During training camp, when do you start to think about ‘hey, preseason games a week away, I want to play a game because that’s more fun than doing practice’?

A: Yeah, that’s the first time you actually get to go live. Tackling, everything is ok, we just go out there and play ball. Right now we’re just thudding up and letting them go, getting in a position to make tackles. There’s nothing like the real thing so everybody’s just waiting for the real thing. I’m ready, I’m anxious to see the young guys play.

Q: What about you, Jason, where do you feel you are at this point having put the pads on, having had the full spring, are you where you want to be?

A: No, but I’m getting there. I’m getting there, still trying to rush the passer, play the run, get my blocks right, communicate with Hank or Snacks, whoever lines up with me. If we’re running the game or something, let them know, it’ll be different and that’s basically what training camp is all about. Otherwise I feel ok.

Q: How’s your hand holding up with live contact and the physical part of it?

A: What do you think? I’m out there running and banging people, so I feel good.

Q: Did you have to do anything to take care of it?

A: No, my hand feels like my left hand, just missing a couple fingers.

Q: A few years ago, you and Hankins formed a pretty solid team. Do you feel that chemistry starting to come back with him?

A: Yes of course. I missed eight games, he played the first eight and came back and the last eight, he went down so unfortunately it happens in football but me and Hank, we’re a good team, we’re a combination basically.

Q: What makes the chemistry so good?

A: It’s just the communication. You have to learn how the guy next to you plays. I think that’s why I do a great job of learning how Snacks or Hank rush or Kerry Wynn. It’s just basically learning. That’s what I do best, learning my guys and then I’m ok. I know if I have to be in the A-gap and I’m running the exit or something, I’m going to be there and I know that Hank is going to wrap around then and possibly get a sack or something.

Q: What can you say about the chemistry you made with your new teammates so far?

A: We’re still trying to connect but most of all they’re doing good.

Q: Jason, I see you’ve had a customized glove designed for your hand, is that something different than what you were using?

A: No, it’s just a regular glove. They just had to make it for me, that’s all.

Q: It looks like they’re asking you to do a little bit more, they’re moving you around kind of like they did with Justin Tuck. How is that coming along for you?

A: I did it my second year, so it’s nothing that I’m not used to. It’s basically just hitting the books and knowing your assignment and learning your techniques. I think as long as I do that correctly, I can play anywhere on the field, on the d-line.

Q: Has coach Spags been pushing the NASCAR package at all?

A: I haven’t heard about it.

Q: That play where Vernon forces the fumble and you return it, is that a glimpse for you into what you guys can be?

A: Just making plays. We’re out there trying to learn each other and it was just a good play, he came up and my reaction time, I just saw the ball. Coach Spags always teaches to always get the ball no matter what, so I saw the ball and picked it up.

Q: You didn’t have to run the whole way but you did, do you think as a veteran you send some sort of message to everyone about the way to finish?

A: That’s a touchdown. Anything I see or catch, I’m gone. I have it stored up here that what you do in practice is what you do in a game.

Q: You mentioned you’re excited to see the younger guys play. What younger guys have impressed you so far?

A: All of them really. Coming in, you have undrafted guys, drafted guys but in reality you have to make a name for yourself, you have to stand out. I think all the guys have been standing out pretty good. Come Friday, it’s going to be live. I remember my first NFL game, everything was fast and me, I was ready to come out, but I’m excited to see the young guys play, run down on kickoff. I remember when I used to do that, so I’m just ready.

Q: Do you talk to young guys about what it’s going to be like?

A: Yes, I talk to them all the time. I talk to the d-line, the young d-linemen that we have and I try and teach them the best way I can. Sometimes there’s shortcuts around things and I try and teach them the shortcuts. Some people learn differently, so I’m doing the best I can to teach the guys because at the end of the day we’re going to need them.

Q: Jason, what do you see from Owa Odighizuwa?

A: I’ve talked to Owa. I’m pretty sure, you know injuries, they occur, it’s part of the game. Don’t get frustrated by it, you know you have to overcome it and you’ll be alright. Just when you hit the field, you have to give everything that you have. Sometimes I think he’s a little bit frustrated, he wants to do more but time will come. Just fight because he will have a lot of chances to make tackles and showcase his talent. I’m going to be doing a lot of coaching out there with my coach in just talking to the young guys. At the end of the day, it’s you against him. As long as you feel like in your heart you could beat them, you can beat them.

Q: In the past, guys like Antonio Pierce, Michael Strahan, they have stepped up and became the leaders of those defenses. Do you view yourself in that kind of role?

A: I’m not a leader in a vocal way. Me, I just play on the field and my guys follow me.

Q: Who is the vocal leader?

A: I don’t know, to be honest, Eli. Not a lot of guys talk like that. I’m not a talker. I just get on the field. I just do my job and afterwards if I did good, I did good. If I did bad, I did bad.

Q: Do you know what the plan is for you in the preseason?

A: I don’t care. Whatever they have for me, I’ll just bring it.

Q: How much do you feel you need?

A: Me, I don’t care, to be honest. I’m just happy to be playing in the preseason game.