Transcript: Cornerback Darnay Holmes

Cornerback Darnay Holmes

Q: What do you think of (Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale) Wink's nickname for you, 'Dirty 30'?

A: I think it was something that was earned. I feel like I'm a relentless player, so I feel like it's very fitting.

Q: Do you agree that you're kind of a pretty grimy guy like that?

A: Yeah, I grew up in an impoverished area. Pretty much growing up in those type of terms you've got to always have your guard up and put your best foot forward. When things get rough, you just keep your head down and keep on working. So, as I said before, a very fitting name.

Q: Is it meaningful at all to you to be playing against your former head coach Thursday?

A: It's just another game. I'm excited to see him. He's the reason why I'm in this building. Salute to that guy. Salute to (Former Giants General Manager Dave) Gettleman, salute to those who came before me. At the end of the day, it's another opponent, another match, and we're just excited to see where we're at as a team and as coaches.

Q: How do you carry what you've been doing in the summer into the preseason and eventually the regular season?

A: I feel like just staying the course. Actually allowing things you've been doing to be seen on the field. Allowing it to be translated, and not being so caught up in the mental thing, the mental side of the game. Just being free flowing and understanding that if you put the work in, you're prepared for anything you face once you hit that field.

Q: Are you excited by the way you have started camp?

A: I just want to give a salute to those who put the work in for me in a matter of giving me insight and giving me wisdom. The OTAs played a major role for our early success – understanding the system, understanding the scheme. Just the people who worked on my body beforehand once I got up here. My coaches, my lady, my family, they all played a mental role in my mental state now and just where I am being later on in life.

Q: What do you think about the possibility of blitzing so much?

A: I feel like that's a lot of opportunity. You know, early on in my rookie year I was labeled as a guy who was blitzing. You know, a lot of people may have forgot that, but I didn't forget that. I definitely have a tool in the tool bag. So, as you all know, Wink is going to unleash it.

Q: How did your mental state change? How are you different than how you were last year?

A: I'll say I'm a guy who is very open minded, so, I'm constantly evolving. You know, I'm more in tune with things. I'm in tune with understanding that you're never going to be able to eliminate doubt. You're never going to be able to eliminate fear. You're never going to be able to eliminate the inevitable of losing reps. Having the understanding that when I hit that field, it might not go my way and be able to respond. I feel like I'm more grounded and more free flowing.

Q: How difficult was it to end last season with the injury and not being on the field?

A: It was a difficult thing to come to terms with. Laying up in the hospital bed, and I was, say I was ruled out for six weeks. I feel like I was at a point where the tide was turning into my favor, but at the end of the day, it was something that came and I just had to deal with it. Pretty much when the injury came, I was able to reflect a lot and just be a student of the game. You know, learn from the other guys, and just be locked in and understand more of the system that was being taught then. More of the game of football, Football 101 type of things.

Q: Being a student of the game type of thing, you were one of the early leaders in the clubhouse with interceptions in training camp. Is the way you're seeing it different at all?

A: I'd say I had a heart-to-heart with (Former Defensive Coordinator) Patrick Graham last year, and one thing he told me was being from the West Coast, you have that Cali cool, and I wasn't getting on the line right when I got out of the huddle. Pretty much once you get in line, once the offense breaks the huddle, once you get in line, you're able to be more observant. You're able to read what they put right in front of you. So that little tip right there has took my game to the next level for sure. That was a much-needed thing that he instilled in me for sure.

Q: What do you mean get in line?

A: Get set up. So, when you break the huddle, yeah. Get in line. Exactly. Once they break huddle, go over to where the pass drift is. Whatever the case may be, whatever the call is, get in line so you can see the formation, and see what can happen. He taught me the way you can play fast is by anticipating. Anticipating comes from film study. As I said before, seeing what can come.

Q: You're a chess guy, right?

A: Yeah.

Q: Play (Outside Linebacker) Kayvon Thibodeaux yet?

A: No. I haven't lined it up with Kayvon just yet.