QB Eli Manning
October 18, 2017
Q: How difficult of an adjustment is it to change the formula for the way you have to win, versus the formula you had at the beginning of the season?
A: Well, I don’t know if it’s difficult, I think you’ve just got to know how to use some different personnel, using some different formations, just a commitment to the run. And we’ve got to throw the ball better, we’ve got to do some other things. But, hey, we’ve got to run the ball, we’ve got to be physical up front, try to play field positon, play ball control, those type of things. Still have got to find completions, have to get into good third down situations, convert on those a little bit better. But we’ve still got to execute and that’s what it comes down to.
Q: The offense has a lot less passing now, right?
A: Yeah, a lot less passing and that’s just the circumstances of what we were in last week. Had some new receivers, different guys playing some of their first games and first games in a while. So, you had to be careful, it wouldn’t be a game we’re going to throw it 40 times. So, we still have to throw it, we have to hit some shots, we have to make some plays, but you’ve just got to be smart about it.
Q: Do you think that at some point the offense is going to need more out of the passing game and the receivers in order to win consistently?
A: Yeah, I think we are. I think it was just a case of how the game was going – had a little lead in the fourth quarter, so I don’t know if we threw a pass in the fourth quarter. So, that’s the way the game worked out. Defense was playing well, so we didn’t have to throw it much there at the very end. But I thought the first half, we were pretty efficient when we did throw the ball. Got some completions, some big plays in the passing game. So, if we can play that way and hit some big plays in the passing game - when we do throw, be effective with it.
Q: At what point do opposing defenses have to start respecting your run game and you’ll see a difference in how they play you because of it?
A: Well, all the teams we’ve played, it’s not because they’ve had two safeties deep, that’s why we run the ball. Last week was all one-high, for the most part. Previous weeks, versus the Chargers, was one-high safety. So, it’s going to be the same this week. Seattle’s not a two-high team, you’re going to get one-high. They’re going to want to slow down the run, I’m sure, so we’ve still got to run it and we’re going to throw it.
Q: Is it much different having Offensive Coordinator Mike Sullivan calling the plays?
A: No, it’s not that much different. He calls them in practice every day, he has for the year, during training camp, during practices. So, I’m used to hearing them in the ear, it’s just his rhythm of how he’s calling things. We kind of have a lot of things scoped out, so you kind of know what plays are coming. So, I think he had good rhythm and mixed up his play calling.
Q: Does it make a difference that you’ve known Sullivan a lot longer than Head Coach Ben McAdoo?
A: I don’t know if it makes a difference. We have a great communication always during the week in our meetings and what we like and being on the same page. I have great confidence in Sully, we have been around each other. It’s the first time that he’s called a game that I’ve played in, but I think he’s done a good job.
Q: Is Seattle safety Earl Thomas a guy that you have to keep your eye on, even more so than most safeties?
A: Yeah, he’s just all over the field. He does a good job just kind of disregarding maybe his responsibilities and kind of just seeing something and running. So, I think he does a great job. If he sees your eyes, he’s an instinctive player and he runs fast and seems to get near spots. So, he’s either breaking up passes – so, you do have to be aware of him. He might be the middle of the field safety and he sees something and he’s running up and he’s at six or seven yards, so you’ve just got to watch. He can disrupt some reads.
Q: Is manipulating the safety more important against Seattle than most teams?
A: Well, you’ve got to be careful. Trying to do too much and it’s throwing off your timing. So, I think you still have to go through your reads and just understand if you’re staring too long at something, you’ve got to expect him to be in the area.
Q: When a team is coming off of a bye week, do you have to be wary of new wrinkles they might be throwing in?
A: I mean, teams are always going to have a game plan, so you can’t overthink too much and start predicting what they might do. So, you’ve got to go with what you’re seeing, what you’re seeing them do. They’re not a team that changes up too much, but yeah, they’ll have some new stuff, third down or different scenarios, they’ll have some new things.
Q: How did wide receiver Sterling Shepard look today, and what would his return do to this offense?
A: Yeah, I thought Sterling looked good today and yeah, just to have a guy who’s been in the offense. I’ve thrown all the routes with him and just have confidence in his abilities and those reps that we’ve had over the last two years.
Q: As a team, is it good to get a guy like cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie back?
A: Yeah, I think it’s always good to get a veteran guy back, get a playmaker like DRC. So, we welcome him right back and saw him today and just come back to work.
Q: Did Rodgers-Cromartie speak to you or the team as a whole today?
A: No, not that I know of, no.
Q: Do you get the sense that the young wide receivers are practicing a little faster this week?
A: Yeah, I think so. Just understanding the rhythm of things and concepts and just playing that much faster, being on the same page. We’ve still got some work to do, just getting in rhythm and practice will help. But I think every rep, even watching the game film, how they’re running certain routes, will help us get that much better.
Q: Are you working more with the receivers on rhythm than you normally would?
A: You’re always in communication, just talking about certain things, different reads and just how you expect the route to be run.
