NYG Postgame (vs. Buccaneers) Transcripts: S Michael Thomas -- November 18, 2018
Q: What did you guys talk about during the timeout before the onside kick?
A: We have a bunch of veterans who have been premier special teams players for their different teams. So once we saw the formation, we pretty much knew where they were trying to go with the ball with how they were lined up with two guys on either side of the kicker bunched in, so once we saw it, we were prepared. We saw the ball kicked at the tee, saw the ball kicked and went up and made a play.
Q: You looked like you almost saw daylight.
A: Yeah, obviously the rule is to get down, but if they didn’t tackle me, I was going to the crib. But nah, I was glad we made that play. At that point, we’re pretty much just trying to seal the game.
Q: You sealed it in the first half too, you made another play.
A: I’m just glad that Bettch (James Bettcher) and coach Lou (Anarumo) keep finding ways to put me on the field. I just thank God for the opportunity, I’m just going to keep taking advantage of it. We know that their tight end is one of his top targets, period, but especially in the red zone. It’s a big matchup for me. I love that I was able to go out there and prove that I can make a play and to seal it right before halftime so they don’t get points, that’s huge.
Q: How important were those interceptions?
A: We knew we were going to have an opportunity because they’re a top five passing team in the league. So they’re going to throw the ball, we’re going to have a lot of opportunities. When he throws it, let’s catch it, let’s take advantage of it. It’s great that a bunch of guys did that today. We probably left two or three more out there on the field, but it was a great opportunity for us and we knew we needed to do that to win this game.
Q: How big is it to win two in a row?
A: I mean, we’re playing one game seasons at this point. Two in a row, that’s a little run, but next week we’re going to try to go 1-0 again.
Q: How different was the game against Jameis Winston rather than Ryan Fitzpatrick?
A: They’re both good quarterbacks. He’s the number one quarterback, the number one overall draft pick whenever he came out for a reason. So we left a couple of interceptions when he got on the field too, but he came in here and he competed. As a defense, we have some things we have to work on now. We have to work on finishing. We played a great game for three quarters, let’s finish. You know what I’m saying? Now we can’t go into practice feeling great about ourselves, we have something to work on.
Q: When you guys were up 31 to whatever, did you guys hold back a little bit?
A: Nah. Like I said, we have something we have to work on and we have to finish. That’s it.
Q: How would you describe the defense’s day? You got a lot of turnovers, but you also gave up a lot of points.
A: That’s what I’m saying. That’s the frustrating part. We played a great game, we got our hands on the ball, which we wanted to do. They’re the number one passing team, so between the two quarterbacks, they put up some decent numbers. But each quarterback on their own, you feel like you did a good job, especially the starter. We just got to find a way to finish, that’s it.
Q: How much did the pick six from Alec (Ogletree) energize you guys?
A: That was something coach talked about. Let’s go back and make it a two score game and to be able to do it right there on defense and to do it right after halftime, that was huge. Playing with a lead is always huge.
Q: Talk about the character of the team how you were 1-7 and now have won two straight.
A: All we thought about and all we talk about, we weren’t where we wanted to be with that 1-7 start. But DG (Dave Gettleman) and this team, this organization brought in great character guys with leadership and talent from other organizations. All we talked about was staying the course, keep working, keep believing and when we come back from this bye week, one game at a time. Let’s just try to have one game seasons and win and we’re just going to keep doing that. That’s the type of guys we have in this locker room. That’s the reason why we’re trying to go on this run.
