Wednesday Media Transcript: Head Coach Pat Shurmur

Head Coach Pat Shurmur -- December 4, 2019

Q: How does Eli (Manning) look?
A: Eli looks good. He’s been ready to play all year. If in fact he does play this week, he will be ready to go.

Q: Considering how long it’s been, how long of a layoff he’s had, he’s never really experienced this sort of thing in his career. What are your expectations for him Monday night?
A: I expect him to go out and have a winning performance. That’s what I expect.

Q: When will you have to make that call? When do you think you’ll make that call?
A: Well, at this point, as I mentioned earlier, Daniel (Jones) hasn’t been able to practice today. If we had to play tomorrow, he couldn’t play. As the week goes on, it’ll be more and more evident that he’s not going to be ready to go. As we practice, Eli takes all the reps and then we move on.

Q: Any thought to shutting Daniel down for the season?
A: No. We take everything week to week.

Q: Would you worry about rust in a 38-year-old who hasn’t played in months?
A: No. We’re not going to worry. We’re going to go play, be aggressive about it, give him the things that he can do well and take it from there.

Q: You know him, obviously, better than all of us, so why is rust not a concern for you with Eli?
A: Why is rust not a concern? What are we going to do about it? Why worry about things that you can’t do anything about? I anticipate and expect that he’s going to be ready to play.

Q: I have some logistical questions. Why doesn’t he come out for the coin toss anymore or the first warmup period before games?
A: That’s just his choice. Just his choice.

Q: Steve Tisch yesterday did not provide a vote of confidence for you or Dave Gettleman when given the opportunity. What is your reaction to that?
A: I really have no reaction to that. I was made aware that he spoke yesterday. I’m sure he’s disappointed with the results this season, just like I am and we are. I’m trying to get this team ready to play and win a game against Philly.

Q: Do you feel like you’re coaching for your job over the final four weeks? Do you feel like you need to show dramatic improvement to be back here?
A: I feel like I’m coaching for my job every day. That’s the way we function. As players, you’re playing for your job, and you’re coaching for your job every day. We understand this is a results business, and the ultimate result is winning games. Along the way, doing the things necessary to win a game and then consistently win. That’s just the reality of it.

Q: What was Eli’s reaction when you told him that he was going to be taking the first team snaps at practice today and probably tomorrow?
A: He was eager, let’s go. That’s it. Very eager.

Q: Obviously, you went through this when you made the switch. Daniel has a different skillset than Eli Manning. Is it much of a change? Do you have to call much of a different game if Eli is back in there?
A: No, it’ll be similar. There will be a play or two different, but again, Eli’s been ready to go in case he had to play the last 10 weeks. Now he’ll get himself more ready to go.

Q: Has he been getting any of the first team reps, or just all scout team?
A: Occasional.

Q: Since you took this job, you’ve talked about an appreciation for this franchise and what it means. If you guys lose on Monday night, you tie the longest losing streak in franchise history. I know you always say you don’t want to pay attention to noise outside, but does that mean extra for you? Does it put anything more on this game to avoid having something like that?
A: I don’t think you’re avoiding that type of stuff. What you’re trying to do is win the game on the positive side of things. I get that. All that kind of stuff adds up. But we don’t focus on that. We’re trying to do what we can to win a game.

Q: Have you gotten a chance to talk to Janoris (Jenkins), and how did that conversation go?
A: Yeah, I’ve spoken to him.

Q: How’d that go?
A: It was great. What I speak to the players about, I keep between the player and myself.

Q: How ironic is it the fact that Jones is a rookie and he’s out after the 11th game, and the guy who he replaced didn’t miss a game, didn’t miss a snap for 15 years? Is there any sense of irony at all?
A: Interesting. I don’t sense the irony there, no.

Q: Does it make you appreciate what Eli did for 16 years without missing a game?
A: I think we all should appreciate that. That’s part of what makes Eli who he is. You can see it on all teams at all positions. Being available is huge. He was available and playing, and that’s important that the franchise can trust that you’re going to be out there.

Q: Before this injury, had you at all toyed with the idea of giving Eli one last start this season?
A: No. We’re just working through the season, game to game. But no.

Q: Very often in a situation like this, you’re taking an older guy out to put a young guy in to see what he’s got. The fact that this is reversed, does it make it… Eli has seen and done everything. Is it a little different, from your point of view, having to coach, that you don’t need to get him up to speed on things? He’s already up to speed.
A: Yeah, sure, in terms of getting up to speed. New for old, old for new, I think we’re overthinking that. Daniel got hurt and Eli, if he has to play, will go in and do a good job.

Q: Well, it’s a very different dynamic. A lot of teams now are putting rookies in to try to get their feet wet versus putting a guy who’s played 230 games. It doesn’t happen a lot in this league anymore.
A: I wouldn’t know what to comment on there. If Daniel can’t play, Eli’s going to play. Then we move on.

Q: If this is the end of Daniel’s season, even if it’s not, 11 games, 10 starts, how would you assess this kid and how he did this year and where he can go from here?
A: I think he made tremendous progress. He has a very, very bright future. I think that’s something we’ll talk about when the season is over. There are certainly things and areas that he needs to improve. But he displayed an ability to stand in there tough, make good throws, he got us in the end zone. Unfortunately, as we move along, and I think that’s part of his development, some of the mistakes he made, he’ll clean up as time goes on.

Q: Will you go back to Daniel when he’s healthy no matter what at this point?
A: Yeah. When he comes back, sure.

Q: Besides the turnovers, where can he improve?
A: Just the little things of playing quarterback. That’s all. Some of that goes unseen.

Q: He had the MRI Monday night? Is what when you found out?
A: Well, he was sore. He became more sore after I visited with you, I guess it was noon time. Then he was further evaluated through the afternoon and then into Tuesday.