Head Coach Pat Shurmur -- November 8, 2018
Q: What went into the decision to cut (Quadree) Henderson? He seemed like one of the better guys you’ve had back there returning.
A: We had to make a roster move to get RJ (McIntosh) up. He’s cleared (waivers). We certainly can make a roster move all the way up until game day, so there’s always a chance we can bring him up, but we had to make a roster move that required us releasing someone and so we did that.
Q: What do you look for out of Eli (Manning) with the fresh start coming off the bye?
A: We just want to play good football. What’s important is, stick with the progressions, get the ball out on time, understand all the situational football. He’s done this at a high level for a very long time, and my conversation with him over the weekend is what coaches and quarterbacks do as you plot the course moving forward. He’s like everybody on the team, there’s areas where he can improve, we talked about that, and we’ll get ready to go and put all our efforts toward beating San Francisco.
Q: What’s the feeling around your team in general here coming off the bye?
A: The feeling is good. We’ve got eight games left, but we’re pointing toward one game and that’s always been the case. I’ve said it all along, I feel like we can go in and beat every team we play if we play the right way throughout the game. That’s no different, and the practices last week were terrific in terms of guys getting better. When they came back this week, we obviously had an extra day because of the Monday night game, practice was great. We’re getting a lot of guys back, they seem like they were refreshed physically and mentally, so that’s really the mood.
Q: Was Nick Mullens a name you had familiarity with before last Thursday, and what was your impression watching that game last Thursday night?
A: Yeah, I certainly knew who he was. I didn’t know much about him aside from who he was coming out, but I thought he did a really nice job. He took advantage of some situations early, they had a third and two where he ran a naked and the guy was just uncovered, and he threw for a touchdown. Then he made some tougher throws, there was a stick (inaudible) in the second half where he threw it to (George) Kittle, that became an explosive play that was a tight window throw. You saw some things in him, he obviously understands their offense and how to execute it, and they feel confident enough in him where they’re moving forward with him. It was a really good first outing for him.
Q: How do you handle Jamon Brown now that he’s here and wants to be here, can he just slot into these practices looking ahead to Monday as a starter?
A: We’re putting him in there and getting him ready to go like he’s going to start, just like we do every player. From what I’ve seen already, we’ve spent a lot of time with him already, he’s a fast learner, he’s a big man – a really big man, which I’m fond of in linemen – and he can move his feet. He was a starter last year on a team that won more than 10 games, so we were glad he was available. What we’ve seen to this point, we’re excited about getting him going.
Q: Assuming when he plays, he’ll be the tenth different offensive lineman to play. If he starts, the ninth different offensive lineman to start. Those units always talk about cohesion, how difficult has that been?
A: That ship has sailed right now, wouldn’t you agree? So, we don’t talk about it. We get guys ready to play and we expect that they’re going to press it forward and expedite that process. Everybody deals with it, the Redskins lost three guys, so that’s out the window. They’re going to put five guys in there and go play. That’s really where we’re all at. I was watching the game, this was about a year ago today when the Giants went out and played the Niners, and I was watching the game just because it’s the same defensive scheme and I think there were four players on our offense that played last year. If you do the math, there’s seven new guys in there. There’s a lot of change, there’s a lot running parallel, but the urgency to win is always there. That’s what we’re trying to do.
Q: If Jamon would start, would (John) Greco sit and (Spencer) Pulley stay at center?
A: We’ll probably stay with Pulley at center, yeah.
Q: What have you seen from (Pulley) in the two starts he’s made?
A: I think he’s done a good job. He’s a natural center, he’s a little leaner than guys that play guard. He started last year the whole season at center, so he’s got experience. He’s smart; you need more than a fishing license to get into Vanderbilt. He’s a smart guy, he understands football, and he’s doing a good job of directing us. Typically, centers, you’re giving help or getting help, and for what he’s asked to go in and do what he’s doing, he’s done (a good job).
Q: With Evan (Engram), obviously the last game he had the drop and he seemed to take that to heart. Have you had conversations with him, talks about what you want to see from him going forward here?
A: Sure. Evan is a pass catching tight end, I think that’s just the nature of who he is, and it’s important that we catch the ball consistently. The one thing I’ll say about Evan is, he works at it harder than any of our guys. He’s had a couple drops just like there’s been some other guys that have dropped balls, but he works at it and if you believe in hard work changing the outcome of things, I feel good about him not having that be a problem.
Q: So you don’t doubt his desire in that aspect to improve? Because that was certainly something he talked about coming into the season.
A: No. I think, all along, he’s one of the guys that really works hard at catching the football. He will just continue to do that, put it behind him and move on. That’s really the nature of it. If I had a guy who was dropping balls and didn’t work at it, then the rubber’s going to hit the road on that; but with Evan, we have lots of drills that he does, he works hard at trying to catch the ball constantly, and he’s just got to trust and believe himself and go out and do it. As long as he’s a Giant and he’s out there playing, we’re going to do everything we can to help him.
Q: Has Corey Coleman caught up enough that he can help on offense?
A: Yeah, he has. He’s only been here since the 25th or 26th, he hasn’t been here that long, but he’s getting a feel for it. He’s out there practicing, and there’s a chance you could see him Monday night.
Q: How have you seen Odell (Beckham Jr.) handle all the ups and downs this season? Do you think he’s on the right track the last eight games?
A: Yeah, he’s been fine. He’s like everybody, he’s disappointed we’ve lost but he’s out at practice every day, he’s working hard, and on game day, he’s been great about trying to be part of the solution to get us to win. He’s been fine.
I know. Great comment