Post-Game Transcript: QB Eli Manning

NYG Postgame (vs. Redskins) Transcripts: QB Eli Manning -- October 28, 2018 

Q: You looked like you were scrambling every time you dropped back to pass?
A: Well, they have a good front. They were getting some pressure at times. We have to extend plays and stay in the pocket. Get the ball out on time. We had a good plan, did some good things but didn’t execute as well as we needed to. 

Q: Why does the offense keep struggling on third down?
A: Obviously, we didn’t do great on third down. We got down there one time and had a nice drive going but we had the interception, which is on me. We can’t afford to do that when you have a good drive going. We just got into some third and long situations and we just didn’t do a very good job on third down all day. It was just hard to get into a good rhythm early on. 

Q: I thought early in the game you were moving well in the pocket. Were you feeling the pressure early on?
A: They were trying to take away things on timing. They dropped a guy and it was hard to throw on time. They had a three-man rush and had a lot of guys blocking that were able to buy me some time and allow me to move around and extend some plays. Had a nice one to Odell and one to Saquon. Got a good drive going when they were dropping guys in zone. 

Q: What was going through your mind when the ball went through Evan Engram’s fingers on the fourth down play?
A: Stuff like that happens. He ran the right route and we had a chance to convert the fourth down, but it didn’t work out. That is kind of the way the season has gone. In moments of the game, we just haven’t played up to our standard.

Q: Do you want to stay here past the Bye Week?
A: Yes. 

Q: You are not waiving your trade clause?
A: No. I want to stay here. 

Q: At 1-7, where do you go from here?
A: Just have to keep fighting. The defense gave us a chance today and played outstanding. Offensively, we have to do our part. We are not scoring enough points. We are playing in close games and we are just not finding ways to win them, unfortunately. We have to be able to move the ball more consistently and we have to control the clock to help out our defense. We are just getting down. Down too many points in games. Not scoring enough points and not doing enough in the red zone. We can look at it, practice better and play better. 

Q: What happened on the interception?
A: Just missed him. Thought Odell was going to be able to run by him and the guy passed him off better than I thought. I thought he might run with the corner route. He came off right away and drove on it. I thought Odell was going to go get by him. Bad decision by me. 

Q: Are you concerned that the team may give another QB a look?
A: I have to worry about just doing my job, trying to play and prepare. That is not my decision. 

Q: How do you keep these guys prepared and focused in the locker room?
A: Everyone wants to win. No one likes this feeling after a game. That is what you are fighting for. You prepare to feel good about the work that goes in. Guys are working hard, practicing hard and doing all of the right things. Competing hard and making plays. They are risking everything to try and go out there, play at a high level and win games. We are not getting the results that we want. You have to keep fighting. We can’t take the easy road and slack off on things. You have to push through it, make it hard and overcome this. 

Q: How did you feel about all the sacks tonight?
A: Each one has its own story. Some of them were coverage things, some of them were getting beat and some were that I have to do a better job getting the ball out. Each one has its own reason. We will look at it and see where we can improve.