Post-Game Transcript: Head Coach Ben McAdoo

Head Coach Ben McAdoo

Postgame vs. Los Angeles Rams, November 5, 2017

Opening Statement: Well, when you play a talented football team and you handle the ball the way we handled the ball, you tackle the way you tackled today, We punted. We had a blocked punt and we struggled to cover a punt. Unfortunately, that’s what the scoreboard is going to look like. Let’s open it up.

Q: Did this team quit today?

A: No. The team didn’t quit today.

Q: What did you think of the effort?

A: They were playing hard.

Q: Why didn’t it correlate to more success?

A: I just gave you that answer.

Q: What do you see going on in the secondary? It seems like S Landon Collins isn’t taking the right drops. Not sure whether man or zone. Had the third and 33 conversion for a touchedown.

A: Yeah. We’ll have to go take a look at the film on the play you’re talking about and the other one is just we got to get to the ball and we got to get them on the ground.

Q: What do you say about there just being dysfunction in the defensive backs room and guys not being on the same page and knowing their assignments?

A: No. That’s not the case. A double move with a good player down the field. Give him credit. He made a heck of a play. Heck of a throw. Heck of a catch.

Q: How shocked are you by a team that’s rested and coming off the bye and they perform like this?

A: Disappointed. I’m disappointed. Expected us to come out and play a better football game than we played. We have it is us. It’s my job to get it out of us.

Q: When the score got that out of hand, why did you keep QB Eli Manning in the game that long?

A: Well, I planned on taking him out with over nine minutes left in the game, but we didn’t get the ball back.

Q: What else is there to do to get this team going?

A: Keep looking. Keep fighting. That’s what I ask of the players. That’s what I ask of the coaches and that’s what I’m going to do myself. I’m going to lead by example. Keep playing. Keep fighting. Keep coaching.

Q: What did you say to them at halftime?

A: Um.

Q: What did you see on the third-and-33 play?

A: Yeah. We just talked about that. It was a quick screen to the receiver – slot receiver – we got to route it to the ball and get them down. Certainly can’t let them run for a touchdown in that situation. It’s been a problem. We have to address it. We have to get it fixed.

Q: Do you see a lack of effort, especially when it comes to plays like that?

A: It’s pursuit. Pursuit angles. It’s getting the guy on the ground. Having an anticipation of what could be coming in that down and distance. We had a chance to get them on the ground there – we got to get them on the ground.

Q: What do you make of all the empty seats?

A: I’m focused on the game. Focused on the players. Trying to put them in a position to be successful. I’m not focused on the stands.

Q: What’s your assessment of QB Eli Manning’s deep ball and not connecting with WR Sterling Shepard or WR Tavarres King?

A: It’s disappointing. We had chances down the field. We got to make those throws and make those catches. It’s pro football. We got to catch them on all opportunities like that. You don’t get many in the game.

Q: Is it anything with his release, his drop back?

A: No. Just incompletions and we got to clean them up.

Q: At what point do you have to start looking ahead since playoffs are out of the question?

A: You really can’t look from my chair too far ahead. But, you also have to look at getting some players some reps in the game. So, we’ll take a look and see if there’s any players that we can give reps to that have a chance to be a part of our future.

Q: Does that include the quarterback?

A: That includes everybody.

Q: Do you have to start dressing three quarterbacks going forward?

A: Again, we’ll take that on a week-to-week basis. We’ll take it on a week-to-week basis.

Q: Are you worried about your own situation?

A: Not at all.

Q: Are you worried that a lack of effort and caring could happen with a loss like this and the amount of games you have left in the season?

A: No. I think we have eight ball games left. We got to keep fighting. I think it’s a great opportunity for some players who didn’t think they’d be playing a lot of football at this point to see what they’re made of, to see what they’re capable of and see if they can be a part of our future. Learn a lot about people in times like this.

Q: How do you think WR Sterling Shepard looked in his first game back?

A: It was good to get him back out there. Made a play down the field, had a couple opportunities down the field. Other than that, I thought he blocked fairly well. It was good to have him back out there.

Q: Do you have any sense to how the team is feeling, the tone, the attitude?

A: I think guys are disappointed. Obviously, we want to have a better showing at home. That part of it is disappointing coming off of a bye.

Q: Do you think anyone is embarrassed?

A: Embarrassing isn’t a word I’d use. We’re disappointed.

Q: You’re 1-7 and you’re not scoring many points. Why do you say you’re not worried about your own situation?

A: My situation doesn’t have anything to do with it. We have to get ready to play a ball game next week. That’s counterproductive.

Q: It does reflect on you, though, correct?

A: Everything falls back on my shoulders.

Q: That’s the most points the Giants have given up at home since 1964. What do you tell your team, especially the defense?

A: Again, the defense gave up some plays today. They gave up some points today, but we got to take care of the ball better. We can’t give them three balls. You can’t have a punt block. Can’t let the punt returns come out the gate on us. It’s more than just the defense, but the defense deserves their fair share of criticism.