LB Markus Golden -- October 17, 2019
Q: How do you feel going against the Cardinals this week?
A: It makes me excited. I’m excited just to be able to go out there and compete against some of my old teammates. (Arizona Cardinals Offensive Tackle) D.J. Humphries, he plays left tackle, me and him went at it. He went first round and I went second, so we’ve been going at it since day one. It’s going to be exciting to get out there and go against him.
Q: Who has the advantage in that match-up on Sunday, and why?
A: We’ll see (laughter). I guess we’ll see. I’m ready. I’m not going to talk about who has the advantage. He’s a solid player, he looks great on film. I’m just excited to go out there and go against him.
Q: Are you guys friends, are you guys close?
A: Yeah, that’s my boy. That’s my guy.
Q: Has there been any communication this week?
A: Not really. We talk a little bit every once in a while, but not this week. We’ll talk a little bit before the game, and then after that we’ll be ready for battle.
Q: You’re used to going against him in practice, but how different will it be facing him in a game?
A: The only thing that’s different is that there are going to be a bunch of fans there and it’s going to be a real game this time. Me and him had some crazy battles, tough battles, back and forth. Some days we were about to fight each other (laughter). I’m used to battling against him. I’m excited to get out there and go against him.
Q: Will you talk with him a little bit when you guys get going?
A: Yeah, of course. You’ve got to, because I know he’s going to talk some stuff to me. I’ll have a little something to say to him, but not too much. We’re going to get out there and compete and have a little fun.
Q: Bettch (Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher) was telling us that before the season he sat down and talked with you and said something like, ‘I don’t want you to be the same player you were a couple years ago. I want you to be better.’ Where are you?
A: Yeah, I’m getting there. It’s hard for me to be like, ‘this is where I’m at, where I’m going to be.’ I’ll let you do that and judge that. I’m just here to work everyday and at the end of the season I can go over everything and then be able to scout myself and judge myself like I do at the end of every year.
Q: Why is the motor always running for you?
A: That’s just me. That’s how I play the game. The number one reason I play like that is to win. It’s to win the game. I feel like if you’re not playing like that, you’re not playing to win. I always play to win. That’s how I’ve got to play.
Q: Are you pleased with how you’ve played so far?
A: See, I don’t judge it that quick. I’m really an end of the year type of guy. I’m excited, and I’m motivated to keep it going. Yes, I am motivated to keep it going. But pleased? No not at all.
Q: Considering how many times you saw (Arizona Cardinals Running Back) David Johnson in practice, what’s it going to be like to see him on the other side of the line in this game?
A: It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be exciting anytime you can play against a great player like David Johnson and get out there and compete against him. Me and him are close friends, too, so I’m excited to get out there and compete against him.
Q: What does he bring to the table as a running back?
A: He’s a great running back, can run in-between tackles, runs hard. The crazy thing about it is he’s really a great receiver, so that’s what you have to watch. You have to watch him out in the backfield, you’ve got to watch him when you line up in the slot. He’s a great receiver, too.
Q: Are you looking forward to chasing Kyler Murray?
A: Yes, I’m looking forward to that. On film he looks really good. He looks like he’s hard to sack out there. When you get a guy like that, you’ve got to get excited to get out there and run and run them down and get after him. I’m excited. Everybody else is excited, too.
Q: Does he remind you of Russell Wilson?
A: A little bit. I played Russell a lot. He reminds me a little bit of Russell Wilson, but he’s probably a little quicker. He’s pretty quick. He’s like a running back back there playing quarterback, so you’re going to have to keep an eye on him and you’re going to have to have a game plan to be able to get after him. Everybody is going to have to work together because he’s a solid player.
Q: What made you come to the Giants in the first place?
A: Of course, Bettch was a big part of it. Just knowing Bettch, talking with Kareem (Martin) a lot, and him telling me there was great people up here and everything. So, that played a big part of it. Then, I know the defense and knew the defense a lot. Of course, I had to learn more when I got here. Really that, and then when I came here, I was glad that I made the decision. I’m excited because there are a lot of good people here that are here to help you.
Q: Whenever people talk about you, they talk about the motor and how it just never stops. Did you ever feel that because people always talk about the effort, that maybe they overlook how you can execute and that you’re more than just a guy who plays hard?
A: I never worry about that. If you watch me on the field, you can see that yourself. I never worry about that, but I always knew what it was going to take to get me here, to put me in this position that I’m in today. It’s going to take me playing hard and working hard every day. That’s what I always did. I’ve played all types of positions and different sports my whole life and I always played like that. I don’t worry about what people say out there. I worry about working hard and putting the results out there. That’s what it’s about.
Q: Your effort keeps you here, but I would imagine without technique, who knows where you’d be?
A: I wouldn’t be here (laughter).
Q: So, you’ve worked on that part of your game?
A: Of course. You’ve got to work on that. If you’re going to play in the NFL, you’ve got to have technique. You can’t just be out there running around and just playing hard. That doesn’t get you anywhere in this league. There are too many great athletes out here. That’s why I say my numbers and the plays I make speak on my athleticism. As far as making plays, I’m going to play hard. If you want to coin me as the guy that plays hard, then I’m cool with that, too. But I’m going to go out there and do whatever I’ve got to do to help my team win.
