QB Eli Manning
October 10, 2017
Q: How difficult is it to lose receivers like you have and to move on from that?
A: We have to move on and obviously, whenever you lose players, you have to make adjustments and other guys have to step up. Nothing has changed in that fact. So, we have some guys – brought back some guys who have been around, been in the system who have made some plays for us in the past. So, they’ll be ready. They’ll know the system. They’ll know what they’re doing. Thrown the routes with them before. Shouldn’t have to worry about guys not knowing their assignments. So, I’ll have confidence in them and we’ll go out there, have a good plan, go execute it.
Q: What sort of conversations have you had with the guys recently signed?
A: Glad to have them back. TK (Tavarres King). TK is a guy who has made plays for us. Thrown him touchdowns before and so, glad to have him. He’s always been a great teammate and a guy who knows what he’s doing, can play fast. So, good to have him back. Couple other guys, so, just excited to have them and excited for their opportunity to go out there, start a game and get a lot of reps and make plays for us.
Q: Do you have to work more with the new receivers because they haven’t been around?
A: Well, that’s a good thing. They have been around. So, I think it’s different when you bring in a guy who is brand new to the system. Then you’re working all week just to make sure he knows what the routes are, knows what the adjustments are, knows everything. So, with these guys, some of them have been here two-three years. They know what they’re doing. They were just here a few weeks ago, so they’ll be ready. We’ll talk. There’s always some things you’ve added in. There’s some new plays or different things, but I don’t see there being a problem with being on the same page. I think we’ll be on the same page. Just about going and competing and making the plays.
Q: How do the veterans make sure the mood stays upbeat after a 0-5 start and the injuries piling up?
A: Well, you just have to – hey, the only way to fix the mood is to get a win. Nothing else is going to change it. Nothing else is going to make you feel any better except going out there and getting a ‘W’. We have to have great preparation. We have to have great energy and enthusiasm. Excited about this opportunity.
Q: How would you describe the mood in the locker room?
A: I thought it was good. I thought, obviously, everybody is upset about another tough loss and coming down to the fourth quarter and not getting that win. But, I think once you get back into the locker room, into the meeting rooms, you start preparing for the next team. They excitement gets up about the opportunities and you see how you’re going to move the ball and score some points.
Q: How big of an opportunity does TE Evan Engram have?
A: I mean, I think it’s a big opportunity for everybody. But, obviously Evan is one of the guys who has been here and Evan has been a playmaker already for us, so he’ll have some opportunities to get open. That’s not our goal to line him up at receiver. Want to keep him, you know, every once in a while we put him out wide. But, want to keep him running plays that he knows how to run.
Q: What is the challenge of facing a talented Denver defense?
A: They’re good. They are a good defense. They have good players. They have a good scheme. So, we have to have great preparation. We can’t make it easy for them. So, we have to go out and execute. We have to be able to get first downs, don’t make the mistakes and see where we can get some of our best matchups and go make some plays.
Q: How important is it not to look too far ahead at the big picture when it comes to wanting to win a bunch of games as soon as possible?
A: We have to get that first one. I think everybody knows that. That’s the only way just to get feeling good about things and feeling better and get some excitement around the guys and feel good about the work that we’re doing and be rewarded for that with a win. That only comes from great preparation and going out there and playing great football.
Q: How difficult is this for you since you’re at a stage in your career when you want to be playing for championships?
A: Well, hey, you go out there and you play the next game. It’s tough losing. It’s not fun. There’s a lot of great things in this game and losing – that’s the worst part of it. That’s kind of the situation we’re in and now, you still have to go prepare and try to win the next game like always.
Q: Do you think about the draft picks at all and the future of this team?
A: My focus is the Denver Broncos. Going out there, getting a win. That’s it.
Q: Have you had an opportunity to talk to WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Brandon Marshall and WR Dwayne Harris after they announced that their seasons are over?
A: Talked with Odell after the game for a little bit. Had some text messages with him. Saw Brandon yesterday, but that was before he went on IR – before I knew that. I sent him some text messages once I found out, but I haven’t. Obviously, they’re going through situations and stuff right now. So, we’ll definitely get them on the phone and talk to all of them.
Q: How do you keep the confidence of this offense going with a whole new group of guys?
A: I think we’ve done some good things. There have been some good things. Last week, under tough circumstances, having lost three receivers at the time, went down and scored 14 points. Guys in different spots. We’ve been right there in games. We’ve had leads in fourth quarters. We’ve had rallies and, you know, have competed and done some good things. So, it’s not all bad. We just haven’t played well enough to win some games. So, we just have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to get a win.
Q: How different is it going to be to see the new faces in the locker room and on the field?
A: Well, the good thing is it’s faces that are familiar in the sense that they have played for us and have had reps with all the guys. So, I expect us to go out there, guys play fast, know what they’re doing and be able to get open, get completions, move the ball.
Q: Has WR Brandon Marshall indicated to you that he wants to come back next season?
A: I haven’t talked to him about that yet.
