Probably Mike Sullivan's last press conference as a NYG

Offensive Coordinator Mike Sullivan

December 28, 2017

Q: How far do you think Davis Webb has come along in practice and could he have success if he plays on Sunday?

A: Davis got additional reps this week going with the first unit, just like last week. Last week he got some reps in the competitive period and that happened again this week and he’s worked hard to prepare himself to be ready if called upon.

Q: How has Wayne Gallman reacted to increased responsibilities?

A: Wayne did a great job last week. Probably had more opportunities both in the run game and the pass game than he had all year. He does a lot of good things with the ball in his hands, is able to create, able to break arm tackles and he responded well. He came out, wasn’t overly sore, wasn’t tired, was able to practice this week. He’s had a great week of preparation, so he’s done really well.

Q: Do you expect that trend to continue into the finale?

A: Hope so. He’s a guy that has done a lot of good things for us. He’s been a bright spot in a very disappointing season and really optimistic about his potential moving forward.

Q: Rhett Ellison has had two four-catch games. Did it take a while for you guys to figure out how to use him?

A: I don’t know if it took us a while to figure out how to use him. I think if you look at our roster offensively with all the changing parts, with all the injuries, with all of the who’s in, who’s out, our job as coaches is just to try to find ways to get guys in position, and in place and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - Rhett Ellison is part of the solution. He’s a true pro. He’s a tough guy. He’s a hard worker. He’s smart. He’s detailed. Eli (Manning) knows exactly where he’s going to be and I thought he did a great job stepping up when we lost Evan (Engram) in that last game early. He was called upon to do some things that he hadn’t necessarily had the reps in practice, but again, being the pro that he is he went out and did a good job.

Q: If you don’t have Evan Engram this week, could Rhett Ellison fill in that role?

A: We’ll have to find a way if we don’t have Evan to have somebody else filling that role. It’s, ‘Hey, what else is new.’ That’s the story of the year, so we’ll find a way.

Q: What’s it like for you going into this offseason with so much uncertainty?

A: I haven’t thought about it a lot to be honest with you. So much of the focus has to be on the task at hand – the mission, which is this game. It’s been a very difficult year like we mentioned. All of the injuries, all the circumstances that have come about and through it all we continue to try to do the very best that we can and just trying to focus on solutions rather than pointing out the problems or what’s wrong. I love this organization. I bleed Big Blue. You don’t spend 11 years in a place, have a couple Super Bowl trophies and not have special feelings. But, again, as far as the future, that’s not going to be for me to decide. Whatever decision is made, I’ll either have great memories and great gratitude for being here and move on to the next opportunity, the next challenge, with all kinds of energy and passion or have a chance to stay here and rebuild and get back to what the New York Giants are supposed to be. It’s been very, very sad in terms of all that’s happened. I mean, this is the New York Giants and going beyond what happens on the field as far as the record so forth, it’s a special place and it’ll be special again.

Q: Do you want to interview for the head coaching job?

A: Wow. I hadn’t even thought about that honestly. I’m just focused on, first and foremost, trying to win a game and trying to get us to play some great offense and we’ve had flashes of it and we’ve tried to adjust and do what we can to win and then it’s whatever happens afterwards and I’m going to steal Spags’ (Steve Spagnuolo) quote because I believe in it. ‘Whatever is supposed to happen is going to happen.’ We’ll see how that plays out.

Q: Is it strange for you to comprehend that Eli Manning has uncertainty about his job?

A: I think every coach and player knows that there’s an expiration date on the contract and often times you ideally – I think players and coaches would like things to end on their terms. More often than not it’s not the case, so I think it’s just part of the profession.

Q: Was the struggle to score points last week simply getting behind the chains?

A: No question. It was a tale of two weeks for sure. I think the story of last week really would be the self-inflicted wounds. Something that we really had stayed away from and what I’m talking about is the penalties. Obviously the turnovers were huge. We had more zero or negative runs than we had had in previous weeks and then of course some dropped passes. We were trying to do – whenever you have the tempo game, which we did utilize in Arizona, it’s a little bit more challenging on the road from the communication standpoint, but some of those key drops, some of those plays that would have been conversions to keep the chains moving didn’t happen. So, you put all that together ended up being and of course obviously Evan’s (Engram) injury set us back, but we have to adjust and we will this week. That’s probably why things didn’t pan out the way we would have liked them to.

Q: How do you handle Sunday and do you look around and think that this could be the last time you’re here?

A: You know what, you don’t. Whether things are going great and we’re getting ready to play the Super Bowl or it’s been a very disappointing, difficult year, the great thing about game day, and I really believe this with all my heart and soul, is that once the coin toss happens you know if you’re going to take the ball. Offensive guy, you’re always selfishly hoping we lose the toss because you want to get out the jitters. But, once the game starts, it is just about the task at hand and I just feel so blessed and so fortunate and even though the results haven’t been there, what we would have liked, having the opportunity to work with Eli (Manning) and call the plays has just been a blessing and I’m eternally grateful for that.