C Nick Gates
September 9, 2020
Q: Big test coming Monday. You have the Steelers, a team that has a very complex defense. In your preparation for this team, what are some of the things that you’ve been doing in addition to practice? Have you been doing more film work? Have you been kind of reaching out to Spencer (Pulley) maybe for some advice? What are some of the ways that you’ve been getting ready for a complex defense?
A: I’ve just been watching a lot of film. Me and Spencer go in as the centers, we have to watch more film than most of the other guys and do the scheme and everything like that. Me and Spencer came in on Tuesday on our off day and probably watched film for about two, three hours extra, just kind of talked through a couple things. ‘If they run this, what are we going to do? What are our calls?’ Vice versa, things like that, just kind of pick each other’s brains.
Q: Any butterflies about going up against a group like that?
A: I think I always get butterflies before my first game. I think it’s just the first game of the football season, especially this year, it will be a lot different. But I’m excited. I think it’s good to have butterflies.
Q: Kind of a tough debut walking into a defensive line with T.J .Watt and Bud Dupree and all those guys. How much more of a challenge is that? What does Watt present specifically that makes him such a tough draw?
A: Everyone on that front seven is really good. All those guys. Watt, those edge guys are really good. The linebackers are really good. They’re just all good. It’s a really good front. Watt, he’s really good at getting after the QB and trying to get the ball out.
Q: Talk to me about the pressures of playing in New York, the fact that no one’s really thinking the Giants will do anything well. Everyone’s talking about the Cowboys and the Eagles. How does that resonate in the locker room?
A: To be honest, I haven’t really thought too much about that. I’ve just been worrying about the task at hand, the Steelers, getting to learn their defense, getting to know each one of those guys individually, how they play the game and how they do their moves and everything like that.
Q: What are your impressions of Daniel Jones throughout this whole process?
A: He’s been a good QB. Last year, he was a really good QB, too. I think he’s going to do really well and take that step, so we’ll see.
