Quarterbacks Coach Frank Cignetti Jr.
November 17, 2017
Q: What does QB Eli Manning have to do to cut back on the fumbles?
A: Well, to cut back on the fumbles it’s just ball security. You know, keeping two hands on the ball, protecting the ball. In terms of the interceptions, Eli is making great decisions. He’s playing with great fundamentals in the passing game. So, that’s been a great result of not having many interceptions.
Q: It’s been impossible to ignore speculation over the past few weeks. How has QB Davis Webb responded to these past few weeks?
A: Well, I don’t think we feel any speculation at all. David Webb understands his role. He’s doing a great job every day. Not only Davis, but Geno (Smith). They prepare to get better. They prepare in the classroom. They go out there and compete on the practice field and we’re continually always working on our pass game reads and our fundamentals.
Q: Is QB Davis Webb game ready yet or is he still trying to figure out the NFL a little bit?
A: Well, Davis Webb is still trying to figure out a lot of things. He’s young. He’s in a great situation here. There’s no hurry. Once again, he’s in a great situation to learn from Eli (Manning) and Geno (Smith). He’s doing a great job in the classroom, great job on the practice field.
Q: Is QB Davis Webb doing any more in practice than he was earlier in the season?
A: No. We have the same routine.
Q: So, mostly scout team reps?
A: Absolutely.
Q: How has his development progressed?
A: It’s been great. You can see it in the evaluation process. Watching Davis at the Senior Bowl, watching him at the Combine – you could see his growth and development from playing at California to the Senior Bowl to the Combine. The training that he had with his footwork, he had an outstanding offseason program, he’s making tremendous progress. He’s a joy to be around, he’s a joy to coach.
Q: What are the main things you look at in him and once the games start?
A: Well one, you want to see continuing development, you want to see growth. The skill development itself, starts in the classroom. Make sure they understand the goals and objectives of the fundamentals. Then you go out on the practice field and you work on them.
Q: How hard is it for a quarterback to grow when he’s not getting into games?
A: That’s why the classroom work is imperative. The growth to understand defenses, understanding the offense, going out and taking advantage of every rep in practice. Geno and Davis, they split the reps on scout team. They compete, they got something really special going on out there between each other. You can just continually see their growth every week
Q: Do you think you would get more of an evaluation if he got some game action?
A: Well of course. You can get a fuller evaluation of anybody with game action.
Q: Do you take anything from the competition between Smith and Webb?
A: Well, I’ll tell you what I take from it. I take a lot of pride that we have a special classroom. Eli Manning, Geno Smith, Davis Webb – those are three special guys. They work so well with each other in the classroom, outside of the classroom. On the practice field, obviously Eli gets the majority of the reps and then Geno gets a few with the first unit. And then when it comes to the scout team, Geno and Davis, they compete. Every single rep they are working to get better. Having coached in this league for a while, it’s the best I’ve seen a group of guys commit to each other, commit to the team, in the classroom and on the practice field. And go out there and work to get better every day, every play.
Q: How much do you have to do when a new center, like Brett Jones, comes in and works with the quarterback?
A: Well, Coach Solari and Coach Wells do a great job, they coach the offensive line. The only time I’m really involved is when is when we do quarterback-center exchange.
Q: Was the switch to Jones at center a challenge at all for the quarterbacks?
A: No, that wasn’t a challenge because ‘Jonesy’ has been with us and we’ve all worked together before.
