S Jabrill Peppers -- September 4, 2019
Q: (inaudible)
A: Not in particular. Just that they were always the biggest games.
Q: Did you have any reaction when you heard that Ezekiel Elliott is in Dallas and signed his contract?
A: No, I’m definitely happy for him. I personally think he deserves it. As far as game plan wise, they have a lot of weapons that we have to prepare for, and with him being there now, we’re prepared for him as well. That’s the National Football League. There’s a guy every week you have to prepare for— they just happen to have a couple of them.
Q: One of them is Jason Witten. Before you were here, the Giants struggled to cover tight ends for a long time. How can you guys match-up with Witten?
A: Watching the film, seeing what routes he likes against certain coverages out of certain personnel, where he’s at on the field, and what he does from there. Really, just extensive film study. Taking the challenge head on and going out there and competing at a very high level.
Q: Do you expect him to be the same player he was before spending a year in the broadcast booth?
A: We’ll see, I don’t know. I think if he feels good enough to come back, I would bet my money on it that he is.
Q: What makes him a challenge? You’ve studied him…
A: Size. He uses his body very well against smaller safeties. I think he’s faster than a lot of people give him credit for. (inaudible). He’s established at the game. He knows what he’s doing, he knows how to get open (and) he’s been there forever. They have a guy who can get him the ball, and they have guys around him who can stretch the defense out and let him sit in those soft coverages. We are definitely going to take the challenge.
Q: Have you heard or were you aware that he has been a ‘Giant killer’? Did you know that growing up?
A: No, I haven’t heard that.
Q: I guess you’re one of the guys that has to end that.
A: I guess so.
Q: Any chance that you would play offense on Sunday?
A: No.
Q: Do you expect to return punts?
A: Yeah.
Q: It didn’t matter that you didn’t do it in any preseason games? You didn’t want to do it, or how did that work?
A: I don’t know.
Q: We saw you do it every practice.
A: I just know that when my number is called I’m going to perform to the best of my ability.
Q: There are so many young players on this defense. You are a young veteran, it’s your first year here but not your first year in the league. Is there any wonder about how all these young guys will do when all the bright lights come on Sunday in Dallas?
A: No, I think they are ready for it. All of these guys have played in big games. In college, the stadiums are a lot bigger than the league stadiums, but I don’t think anybody has played in a game this magnitude. Being in the big game atmosphere definitely helps relieve some jitters. Once you get that first pop in you, I think everybody will be fine.
Q: How about you? This is a new start for you as well.
A: I’m ready.
Q: Did you look at a lot of the defense from last year in terms of the Giants’ season and what they did and how they approached things?
A: Absolutely.
Q: How do you think that you’ll be able to help change from what you’ve seen on tape?
A: I guess you’ll have to wait to see that.
