TE Evan Engram
July 30, 2017
Q: Do you still feel like a rookie after having the spring season under your belt?
A: A lot of the guys remind me, but I’m definitely coming around. I’m starting to get the rust off with learning the plays and starting to get more comfortable out there. Definitely going to have that rookie tag, but I feel comfortable out there flying around.
Q: Even though it’s only been a few days, are they (the coaching staff) throwing more at you than they did in spring?
A: I feel like I’m definitely more evolved in protection and the running game since we started. Definitely, that’s a big part of the game and something I have to get down. I embrace it, and that’s probably the biggest thing on my plate right now.
Q: What similarities have you seen from the way you’re utilized in this offense to college?
A: When I’m in the slot, I do a lot of similar things that I did at Ole Miss. They kind of move me around; backfield, slot, outside. It’s kind of similar to the way they bounce me around a little bit, use my versatility. That’s probably the biggest similarity.
Q: How comfortable do you feel with all the blocking stuff they’re asking you to do?
A: That’s the biggest term (blocking) of them all right now. I’m comfortable putting my face in there. There is a lot of technique stuff I’m trying to get down and working on. It’s something I embrace. It’s something I know I can get down. There is a lot of technique, a lot of small things that go into being successful at it.
Q: Is that the area you feel like you have most improved in camp right now?
A: Definitely. I got a little stronger and put on a little more weight. I’m learning some things, learning some more technique that helps me in the trenches, so definitely. I feel like I improved a lot and I’m excited to get the pads on.
Q: Are you looking forward to see some of the heavy hitters on this defense?
A: (Laughs) Yeah, actually I am. Those guys fly around and they’re, I think, the best defense in the league. They’re going to make us better and we have to embrace competition. So it’s going to make us stronger and make us a more complete offense going ahead up on them and being physical with them.
Q: Head Caoch Ben McAdoo talked yesterday about how much this offense asks tight ends to do. How complicated is it to learn and how many different things are you getting exposed to that you have to learn?
A: Honestly, the offense in college, the tight end was by far the toughest position to learn so I was already kind of adjusted to that, being asked to do a lot. But like I said with the blocking, this is a lot of different technique stuff that I have to learn that I didn’t really get to master and nearly get the reps in college. Tight ends are kind of the Swiss army knife, especially like ours, so there’s a lot we have to learn. But, there’s a lot of technique for us to learn so we can be successful in the things we have to do.
Q: Obviously different positions, but would you ever compare yourself to WR Brandon Marshall as a pass-catcher.
A: A big body, fast receiver that goes and chases the ball. That’s what I want to be. He’s been doing that for years and I would love to mold my game after his game in the receiving aspect.
Q: How unique to you find the way that Ben (McAdoo) involves everyone after an interception? What’s that like for you and have you ever seen anything like that?
A: Yeah, it’s fun unless I come off the field after four plays, and I’m tired and I’m chasing down the defensive back. We’re a team. When there’s a mistake made or something like that happens, a crazy change of events, we have to be on our toes, so I definitely love that.
Q: I assume that’s something that he said during a team meeting and said, ‘Hey, this is something that we’re going to do when there’s an interception.’
A: In the game?
Q: No, not in a game. Like before the first practice?
A: (Laughs) I think that’s just been the thing they do. That was just one day, my first couple of days out here, they threw a pick and everyone started running. I was really lost. I’m used to it now.
Q: How would you describe your relationship with QB Eli Manning on and off the field?
A: Just getting to know each other. Definitely building chemistry and just being one of the guys. Eating lunch with him, talking to him, making corrections on the field. Just getting to know him and being comfortable around each other. I have to be where he wants me to be. I have to take a lot of things and he helps me with a lot of stuff too. It’s a growing relationship and I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him and be the best guy on the offense to help him out.
Q: Is it fun for you to be a young guy that gets to come in and immediately work with a Hall of Fame quarterback potentially?
A: Definitely. It’s been a dream of mine to come into the NFL, but to be here with these great vets and all these great weapons and this great defense and this great organization. It’s a blessing and something I’ll take advantage of. It’s really exciting and cool to be around these guys and it’s a blessing to learn from them and be able to go compete with them.
Q: How beneficial is it to you that to start your NFL career, you’re pitted in the middle of a competition with a lot of young guys and veterans alike?
A: Competition makes everybody better. It makes everybody bring their best material each and every day. Those guys in the tight end room, we all help each other and we all push each other. From day one, those guys have had open arms with me coming into the meeting room. Colin Thompson and I are the young guys in the offense and they’ve been nothing but great help for us. We push each other, we put in the reps with each other, we support each other when we do good things and help each other when we make mistakes. Competition makes everyone better and I couldn’t be in a better room.
Q: Have you had to unlearn anything from your days in college?
A: Definitely. Just small things like releases on routes or different, total opposite techniques in blocking. I can’t stress it enough, technique is everything at this level. There’s a lot of different stuff that I’ve had to shake off, or whole habits that I’m trying to get out of.
