TE Evan Engram
October 12, 2020
Q: On that fake field goal, is that something that you’re going to have to know on third down? Because obviously, you know not to come off the field. Is that something you guys talk about before the fourth down?
A: Yeah, we had it set up to where coming off, we would know that we were going to run it. We were probably a split second, maybe half a second away from it being clean.
Q: On more conventional passing plays, are the routes you’re running this year in this offense different than what you’ve had to run in the past?
A: It’s a little different here and there. But it’s kind of the same gist a little bit. Just trying to use my speed, get across the field, stuff like that.
Q: I ask just because it seems like you’re running a lot more curls than maybe I’ve seen in the past.
A: Yeah, definitely. That’s probably the most different aspect to my route tree this season.
Q: To build off that a little bit, have you been running as much deep down the seam? Because that’s something you guys haven’t really been able to hit this year.
A: Just kind of really doing everything that’s in the game plan. We work a lot of different things. Try to get the ball going and try to get the pass game going. Pretty much just kind of doing what I’m asked and what I’m asked to do in the offense.
Q: Kind of a separate thing now. You guys have had three chances late in games and you basically get in the huddle and you have a chance to either win or tie, and you haven’t come through in any of those three spots. I’m wondering if there’s anything you can kind of put your finger on for why it hasn’t worked early this season in that regard?
A: At the end of the day, it comes down to executing not only in that moment, but also in the previous opportunities that we get. Each possession has a life in its own. We have to find a way to finish a lot better. I think we did that yesterday, but have to take it even another step so maybe that last drive is to put the game on ice rather than to go down and take the lead. There is a lot that goes into it. We just need to execute overall a lot better.
Q: Does that possession have a different feel to it, though? Like you said, each one has its own life. But because there’s obviously pressure and you know what’s at stake, does that have a different feeling for you guys in the huddle?
A: Yeah, it’s a do or die drive. That’s a drive to go win the game. Yeah, all the execution is required in that moment, for sure. But at the end of the day, we have to get it done.
Q: What’s impressed you about Darius Slayton in particular? It seems like he’s playing some really good football, especially the last few weeks. I’m just curious what has impressed you with him and how he’s grown from his rookie year to now?
A: Just making big plays. The confidence just kind of bounces off of him. Last year, I definitely saw him kind of surprise himself a little bit with his big plays and ability. Now, you can tell that he expects it of himself. He came up big in a lot of big plays yesterday. Definitely keep him on track.
Q: Unfortunately, you’ve been a part of a lot of losing with the Giants. Does this losing feel different than other years? It’s a new head coach and a new staff, a lot of new players, but a lot of the same losing. Does this losing feel different than what’s happened in the past?
A: Losing is losing. There’s no way to explain all that and decipher all that. At the end of the day, we have the talent to win on this team. It comes down to beating ourselves and execution. I’m not going to get into past years. We have to find out… We need to get better each and every day and come in and turn this thing around with this team this year.
Q: How do you know you have the talent on this team to do it? I’m not being a wise guy. Talent usually means winning. Teams that maybe aren’t as good and lose beat themselves a lot. So, what tells you that this is the right makeup for a team?
A: You just said it. You literally just said it. We’re beating ourselves.
Q: Is this team angry? Is this team mad to get a win?
A: Definitely disappointed. Definitely pissed off. We fought our butts off yesterday and didn’t come up on the winning end. Yeah, we’re pissed off and we’re hungry. We’re going to get right back to work and try to go get one.
Q: Is that needed, do you think? Some of the earlier losses in this season sort of get glazed over because you were young and everything was new and things like that?
A: No, there are no excuses.
