TE Evan Engram
December 21, 2020
Q: Obviously, how disappointing has it been the last two games at home and coming out on the short end?
A: Yeah, it’s disappointing. We were on that run, and then dropped two in a row. It sucks. I definitely feel like we left a lot out there. We just have to continue to find ways to improve, fix the mistakes, work on capitalizing on our opportunities going forward.
Q: We talked to you sometime during the winning streak and you were excited about playing meaningful games here for pretty much the first time in your career. These last two games, can you feel that slipping away? Can you feel the weight of like ‘Oh God, the playoffs are slipping away here, we’re not in control of our own destiny’?
A: We’re not looking on the negative side. I wouldn’t say we’re worried about slipping away. I do think our sense of urgency is up, and we do understand what’s ahead of us. I think we’re really motivated. This is as meaningful as it gets. This week is important. We’re worried about Baltimore. We have to take care of that before anything.
Q: I want to ask about just a lack this offense has of explosive plays, explosive passing plays. It seems like every touchdown drive is a methodical, multiple first downs kind of drive, not the big play, easy score. Why do you think that is? I asked (Sterling) Shep last night about lack of separation, which is what the analytics say. Do you think that’s what it is? Why do you think there are less explosive plays?
A: I think we just have to do a better job of capitalizing on the opportunities. There are plays that we all left out there. Yeah, I feel like we definitely had the capability to do so. We just have to cash in when we have those opportunities.
Q: Even when you guys were in the winning streak, you were scoring in the teens, maybe get up to 20. I guess 27 against the Eagles. You beat Seattle only scoring 17, and the last two weeks seven and six points. How galling is that for a guy who makes his living on offense to look up and see so few points on the board so many games?
A: It’s definitely not a testament of the work we’re putting in. I think we work really hard and we have a great plan, and we execute all week. Like I said, we just have to capitalize on the opportunities that we get. It’s tough, but at the end of the day, we just need to get back to work.
Q: Does it become a situation where you almost expect to have to be in a grind out game? Win a game 20-17, win a game 17-14. Or do you think there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel every Sunday?
A: Every game is close. It can be 14-13 or it can be 35-34. Every game is close, every game is a battle. I don’t want to ever go in and think about that. We just try to go in and execute and win the battle, because every Sunday is a battle.
Q: If you had your druthers on a one-point game, would you take 35-34 over 14-13?
A: I’d take the win.
Q: How much did you play through yesterday? How much work did you have to do coming off Friday to be ready for that game? (had a calf injury on Friday)
A: I felt fine yesterday. Friday was a little precautionary thing. It definitely didn’t hold me back or anything. Just more being smart and being ready to play. Yesterday, I was fine.
Q: You played a lot last night, but it looked like there was some plays where you normally would be on as part of a two-tight end set blocking that you came off. Was that any kind of a semi pitch count to just keep you fresh, or am I just seeing something that’s not there?
A: Yeah, I think you’re seeing something. We have a lot of packages where Kaden (Smith) and Levine (Toilolo) are the heavy lifters in our run game. That’s been a thing all season, so I wouldn’t say that.
Q: Can this season be a success in your mind if you guys don’t win the division at this point?
A: I don’t really understand the question, but I think our goal is to go win the division. That means our goal is to make the playoffs. Obviously, we put ourselves in that position to. It will be disappointing if we don’t. I guess not.
Q: From what you saw from Daniel (Jones) last week, are you going into this week thinking that there’s a good chance that he’s going to play?
A: That’s all up to our training staff and coaches and how DJ is feeling. I know he wants to be out there, and I know he’s doing everything he can to get out there.
A. Yes, I wanted that to keep pace with everything else in my game that has gotten worse this season.