Saturday Media Transcript: OL D.J. Fluker

OL D.J. Fluker

July 29, 2017

Q: How did practicing feel today?

A: It felt so good, you know, being back to the usual grind.

Q: Can you talk about what’s different for you this year in terms of your approach?

A: Basically is, you know, you got a group of guys that want to buy in – buy in to win and I want to have that same type of mindset. That comes with time. That might be coming to a team that has that winning culture. For me, you got to go back to what you used to know. Like, winning games. We’re used to winning games, not losing. So, it’s like, you have that same mentality and I want to be a part of that.

Q: As far as coming from San Diego to here and trying to restart your career is there anything different for you personally?

A: I’m excited. I don’t know about you, but I’m very excited. You know, being able to be here and play football for the New York Giants. Where else would you want to be? You know, being here, seeing these teammates, you know, Eli (Manning). Being a part of this offensive line. This is where it’s at. This is where I want to be. Guys that want to buy into winning. They want to win. They want to be great. You can’t ask anything else.

Q: How have you navigated trying to fit in with this group of offensive lineman?

A: The thing about it is, everybody is grinding right not. Camp – nobody has a job in camp. I mean, anybody can move anywhere. For me, I have no job, so I’m just going in to work. That’s my mentality, my mindset every single day I get up. Every morning at five o’clock. I’m going to work. You know, it’s all about attitude.

Q: You could be at guard, tackle or right side lineman. What are your thoughts on this?

A: It’s wherever coach wants to put me. My mindset is always different. Everybody can tell you where he wants you to be, but my mindset is it’s about how bad you want something. That’s how I see every day of life, so if I can go play somewhere else I will – like on the offensive line.

Q: Have you played tackle here?

A: A little bit. Earlier in training camp.

Q: Did the coaching staff ask you to focus on anything in particular with your training or technique to get yourself ready for this opportunity?

A: Just really about getting better heels. My sinking down. More about hand placement. Other than that, just play fast and fierce.

Q: You did work this summer with Duke Manyweather. How different was that than training you have done in the past?

A: To be honest, I wish I would have went there about three years ago. Probably would have helped a whole lot. You know, the thing about it is that you go different places and different places don’t have what you need and I found when I went somewhere different, which even though it was in Dallas, but hey little bit hot, little bit of a change of scenery, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the working out because it’s the first time I actually got to work on technique and understood what I was doing and why I was doing it. So, yeah, that helped me a whole lot.

Q: Do you feel that Duke Manyweather changed your technique and made it more effective?

A: Duke helped me a lot. He helped me clean up things as far as technique, start using raw ability. You know, I’m strong, I can move anybody. I can guarantee I’ll get it done. At the end of the day with technique it’s a lot easier. So, with him, teaching me how to use my hands like in the right way that helped me a whole lot.

Q: Didn’t you learn technique during your years in San Diego?

A: I mean, things change, coaches change. It is what it is. It’s a business right? That’s why we’re all here. So, I mean things change, but at the end of the day it’s all about guys wanting to buy into winning too. You want guys to work on technique. You want guys that do better. If you aren’t pushing guys to do better, then why are you here?

Q: Did you lose a lot of weight this offseason?

A: I mean, I just leaned up a little bit, you know [laughs]. That’s it, that’s it.

Q: What weight did you report at training camp at?

A: I’m like 350-something. That’s my thing, just like trim back down real quick. When the season starts, we’ll all in shape when the season starts. Early in the season, it’s kind of like, ‘Eh, you know whatever,’ but other than that, when it’s go time, that’s go time.

Q: At what weight did you end last season at?

A: I was like, 345. Because I was playing guard, played a little tackle, so.

Q: Do you think that it is easier to focus in on the skill sets of a specific positon, knowing that you will most likely be at guard?

A: Yeah, I mean, it’s pretty good to focus on staying at one position over time. It gives you time to develop that skill, that nastiness that you need at guard. Took me awhile, even my first year, it took me awhile to understand how to play it. But now, I mean, it’s beginning to come to me.

Q: How do you feel the culture is different here than in San Diego and when did you first notice that?

A: The first day you walk in the building and everybody just sits there and greets you. I mean, that’s when you know, ‘Okay, they’re happy to have someone come here that wants to play.’ And you’ve got people in here that are passionate from the organization, like all around, they’re passionate about winning. I mean, we were just learning about ‘The Duke’. Just yesterday, about the whole football, like how it started. I was excited, it got me fired up inside. It’s about the passion. The passion when you walk in the building, they’re all passionate about winning. I mean, where else can you find that? And when I came in, I was like, ‘Shoot, I’m at Alabama all over again, I’m all fired up.’ So, I got the gist when I came through the door, you know? But other than that, just being here with all them – [Sr. Vice President and General Manager] Jerry Reese, talking to him and talking to [Offensive Line Coach] Mike Solari, everybody, it’s just been great.

Q: How important is it that you crack the starting lineup on the offensive line at some point this season?

A: I mean, we’re just a few days in guys. What do you want me to prove to you right now? We’re all fighting for our job. I mean, nothing’s promised. Nothing isn’t promised, right? So, we’re all here fighting every day.

Q: As a lineman, can you really fight for a job before you get pads on?

A: Now, with pads on is a different story. Everybody looks great in pajamas, right? We’re all superstars – I mean, look at the guys in the NBA. They look great [playing football], but you put football pads on them and some of them can’t play. I’m just saying, right?

Q: What’s the biggest difference between a Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers-led meeting room and an Eli Manning-led meeting room?

A: I mean, you’re talking about two different guys. I mean, one guy’s chippy, one guy, well, he says a little bit every now and then, you know? I mean, you have the best of both worlds. I mean, I come in, Eli talks to me, sits down, has lunch with me. Philip, you see him in the hallway, he’s like, ‘Hey Fluk.’ You know? Different guys. They all come from different backgrounds.