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Monday Media Transcript: QB Eli Manning

Eric from BBI : Admin : 1/9/2017 2:33 pm
QB Eli Manning

January 9, 2017

Q: Would you say this game was just missed opportunities?

A: Yes. Obviously, I thought we did some good things. We had some opportunities to score touchdowns, make some plays, convert third downs. When you have an opportunity to jump on a team and build a lead, we have to do it. We let them off the hook a few times. They got hot in the late third quarter and into the fourth quarter. At that point, it was too late. We couldn’t make up the damage.

Q: How much do those missed opportunities go through your mind after a loss like this?

A: We’ll see. Obviously they’re still right there. This one hurts when you look back and see that we had some chances. We had a good plan and had good plays called at the right time to take advantage of what they’re doing. We just couldn’t make the throw, catch or block. Just too many, not mistakes, but didn’t make the plays at the right times.

Q: How close was the offense to really having the type of game that it felt it was capable of having this year?

A: I thought we were close. I thought teams weren’t giving us a whole lot of opportunities to get the ball down the field. They gave us a few and we had the right calls at the right times to possibly hit some. We took them. We had an opportunity to hit big plays. Hit the one post but had an opportunity to hit other go routes that were touchdowns that we didn’t make and some third down conversions. Stuff that was the difference in points. The points left out there. You have to make those plays in the playoffs.

Q: What grade would you give yourself this year?

A: I’ll let coaches grade me or let you grade me. I don’t worry about that. Did some good stuff. It was tough. It was tough offensively the way teams were playing to run our offense as efficient as we wanted to. Kind of hung in there and did some good things. We have to protect the ball better. You win 11 games, you’re doing something right, but we didn’t score enough points offensively. We’ll have to look back and see how we can improve.

Q: What’s the mood swing like for you?

A: It’s tough. I don’t know if it’s truly sank in yet. It’ll probably hit more tonight when you wake up knowing that you don’t have anything to do tomorrow. That’s the first time that it’s happened since July. Even at that point, kind of training and getting ready. It’s difficult but I’ll manage. I’ve done it before. I’ll take a little time to reflect on this season and look at things I need to improve on and start working on for next year. Get back to it.

Q: What did you think of Odell punching the hole in the wall?

A: I don’t know anything about it. I’ve seen some reports but I didn’t see the hole or him do it. I really don’t know anything about it.

Q: Do you feel you have enough this year to get that offense over the hump for next year?

A: Yes. I thought we did some good things offensively. We have guys that have been here in this system for a number of years that know what they’re doing. Have some young guys that did some good things for us that will continue to grow and get better. I think we have a good core of people to be an explosive and top offense. Some guys have to play better and some guys have to step up. I have to get better and play better. I think we’re at a good position but need to improve as well.

Q: Do you need to do anything different in the offseason to reach your goal and play better?

A: I think I’ve handled a lot of offseason well in improving. Just getting stronger and keeping my arm strength where it needs to be. I thought my arm strength is good. I still can make the deep throws and make all the throws. At my age, I can’t relax. I have to work harder than ever just to stay where I am.

Q: Do you have any lingering concerns about Odell?

A: I don’t have concerns. I think Odell is passionate. He’s passionate and he wants to win. This was important for him. He wanted to go out there and have the best game of his career. Maybe he put too much pressure on himself and emphasis. Unfortunately, going to the playoffs is different. It’s different for everyone. We didn’t have a lot of people that have been to the playoffs. You hate to say that it’s a learning experience for a group. I hate to say that when I’m in my 13th year, but sometimes guys just have to go through it and see what it’s like. Understand that they can’t make it bigger than what it is. You have to have a calm mindset and just go out there and play football. Be relaxed and bring out your best. Don’t try to play your best, you just have to trust the training and just go do it. I think Odell is going to be fine. He’s learning every year and this is another learning experience for him.

Q: Is it unfortunate that the last narrative is going to be the trip that they took?

A: Yes. You just have to learn the perception of things makes it different. If you do things, you have to back it up. I don’t think it had an impact on the game. I thought we had a great week of practice. Guys were making plays and running around. It was intense, focused and everything good. Unfortunately, we just didn’t have it yesterday.

Q: Datone Jones said that he thinks the stage was too big for Odell. What do you think about that?

A: I can’t comment on what everyone else has to say. I don’t think his opinion has anything to do with it.

Q: Did you talk to them about having to back it up and why it wasn’t the best idea?

A: No. At the time, obviously you want to try and make a joke of it. Don’t make it a distraction. We’re about to go play a playoff game so you want everyone feeling good and right. I thought we handled it the proper way to get the best out of our guys.

Q: We’ve seen people get to the Super Bowl one year and not get there the next. How do you work it so this team knows it has to build off of this?

A: I think you can’t forget the feeling that we’re having right now and the feeling that we had last night. You have to understand that you can’t just think it’s going to happen again and you’re going to make the playoffs again because it’s hard. You have to win close games and you have to catch breaks. A lot of things have to go your way. That comes from the commitment to get better. I truly believe that when you have a nucleolus of guys that start their training early that they’re going to get better and work hard. Just truly commit and sacrifice for the better of the team. Those are teams that find a way to win games. I thought our guys were committed to getting better last year. That’s how you win close games. We didn’t win in the end but I don’t think it was a lack of commitment. We have to stay, keep that hunger and commitment and make improvements.
He came ready to play  
exiled : 1/9/2017 3:13 pm : link
I hope the younger guys can soak up some of Eli's approach to game preparation.
He sure interviews well.....  
WideRight : 1/9/2017 3:40 pm : link

.
He played well  
area junc : 1/9/2017 3:44 pm : link
but if he just hits a wide open receiver in stride instead of making them make twisting, turning acrobatic catches we may not be having this conversation.
Beckham and Shepard had 2 steps, just hit them in stride
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