Monday Conference Call Transcript: QB Eli Manning

QB Eli Manning

Conference Call, December 26, 2016

Q: Are you easing back into it after the 10-day break or picking up where you left off?

A: I think we'll meet tomorrow, get our game plan on Washington and get a little jump start on the review of them and so when we come to practice on Wednesday, we're ready to go. I think we treat it like, hey, it's the last game of the season, we want to go out there and play well and get a win. The mindset is the same, that we want to go out there and play good football.

Q: What was this weekend like for you and finding out you got the result you needed to get in?

A: Obviously it was exciting when the Saints won and knew that we were in the playoffs. That was a good moment, that we were in. Got to enjoy the weekend, made the weekend a little bit better knowing that we were in the playoffs and enjoyed the holidays and Christmas with family. It's not about just getting into the playoffs. The mindset is to come back to work this week and finish the regular season strong and feel like we have a good thing going into the playoffs.

Q: What would your take be as far as sitting out and taking a break on Sunday?

A: My take is to play. I think to go in there, play well and try to find a good rhythm offensively going against a team in the division, a team you know well and they know us. I think that's the mindset. Until I'm told differently, that's how I'm taking it.

Q: Do you think it's important for the offense that you guys do go out there and play full on Sunday?

A: We want to do whatever coach thinks is best. Again, I think I'm looking forward to having a great week of preparation and go out there and play a game and continue to work and see. I feel like we've been close offensively, just keep making strides and go play another game and try to get a win.

Q: Is your thought process affected at all by the injuries to Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota over the weekend and three years ago when you hurt your ankle and missed the second-half in the last game of the regular season?

A: No. That's for the coach to think about, I guess. As a player, you don't think about injuries and you know that's a part of the game and you go out there and you play tough and you play your regular game and you can't be worried about be worried about that.

Q: You went through a similar situation back in 2007, do you look at back on that and see the benefit that came out of that game?

A: I guess there's benefits either way you look at it. Obviously '07, we clinched the spot and the playoffs and couldn't make a difference in the last game whether we won or loss. But we went and played the Patriots, played well offensively and got into a good rhythm, kind of took that confidence into the playoffs. I think we're going to be confident going into the playoffs no matter what. But, again, I don't think there's a right or wrong decision here. The mindset, we’ve got a game to play, I'm going to be ready to play. The offense and the team is going to be ready to play and go out there and do our job and just take it from there.

Q: You obviously have a history of raising your level in the playoffs. Do you feel like you need to play better heading into the playoffs?

A: I think you’ve got to play good football in the playoffs. You're going to be going against good teams. You’ve got to play smart and you’ve just got to make the plays that are there. We have that capability of scoring points and moving the ball and converting on third downs and doing all the right things offensively. We’re just going to have to make the plays on game day.

Q: How about you personally?

A: Yeah, same thing. Make the throws, make the plays, make good decisions, move around the pocket, extend plays, do all the things that I know I'm capable of.

Q: Does your streak and consecutive start streak play into your thinking at all?

A: No, that doesn't play in. I'm going to whatever coach McAdoo thinks is best for the team, best for me, best for us going forward, and that won't play a factor.

Q: Your brother Peyton had several instances in Indianapolis where he rested or played a little bit and then basically took the rest of the game off. The only time they won a Super Bowl they played hard and they had to win that last game and they played all the rounds in the playoffs. Have you discussed that dynamic with him of what it's like to get a little break?

A: No, I haven't discussed that with him. I don't know if that was his decision or coming from the coach and doing whatever they thought is best for their team in those circumstances.

Q: Do you feel at all it would help to rest your arm a little bit if you treated it like an exhibition game?

A: No, my arm is live and ready and can throw. It's trained to play this many games and to go through it. I'm already coming off a 10-day break, so it'll be fine. Again, whatever Coach McAdoo decides. My thought is to play; I haven't thought about sitting. My whole mindset these past couple of days and today is getting prepared for Washington and my preparation and my study and to go out there and play well.

Q: Are you going to pay much attention to all those various games around the conference in terms of who you're going to be playing in the wild card game?

A: Yeah, I guess. You're going to want to know who you're playing in the playoffs. I know there's a lot of scenarios, I know you're not going to know until next week, so I think it's just a matter of when certain teams are playing next week and when everything will be decided. Again, focus will be Washington and after that you're going to have some curiosity as to who you'll be facing the following week.

Q: Do you have a preference?

A: No, no preference. You don't really have a say in it, so just find out who it's going to be.

Q: In your experience, is it easier to play a team in the playoffs that you've played during the regular season?

A: I don't know if it's easier. I guess if it's a team you've played recently, then you have a little idea of what their scheme is and about certain players and whatnot. But, however it works out, we'll be well prepared and we'll get adjusted and have a good plan.

Q: Clearly there are a mix of guys on the team that have and have not been to the playoffs. What advice do you give the guys who haven't?

A: I don't think there's a whole lot of advice you can give. You’ve got to get prepared to play a game. There's always going to be a different vibe to it and an understanding that it's must win and win to keep playing. Just have a great week of preparation and get prepared to go out there and play your best game.

Q: I know everyone was in their separate places this weekend. Did you talk to anybody or exchange messages with teammates?

A: Sure, yeah, you definitely text a few guys and with the coaches and teammates and get excited about continuing the season.

Q: Anybody stand out as the most excited?

A: Tough to tell during text some times. I think everybody is excited.

Q: The fact that you guys clinched, does it put the last couple of years in perspective as to how hard it was to get back to the playoffs?

A: Yeah, you realize that it is difficult. Things have got to go your way and you’ve got to win close football games, you’ve got to catch some breaks and it's not easy. It's not easy to make the playoffs and you kind of see that with how many teams that are still on the bubble this weekend, good teams. It's a great tribute to way the way we've played this season and found ways to wins football games. Just excited about the opportunity to be in the playoffs and have a chance to win a championship.