Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas
Q: What is it like talking playoffs? How special is that to you?
A: It's a great feeling. I haven't been in the playoffs, obviously, since I've been here. Having this opportunity to play at this level is a great feeling, I'm looking forward to it.
Q: What is it about Philly that is challenging to you?
A: Number one opponent in our division. They've done a great job. Obviously, their front is really good. I think they have something like 70.0 sacks or something like that. Definitely a tough opponent but we're getting prepared for them.
Q: What makes (Philadelphia outside linebacker) Haason (Reddick) so deadly as a pass rusher?
A: I think he has a good ability to change his rushes. A lot of guys have one or two go-to moves but you can tell he studies the tackles and he has different go-to moves depending on who it is.
Q: At the beginning of this year, not a lot was thought of the offensive line as a group, I'm sure you guys heard a lot of that. You played the last few weeks, obviously, terrific - last weekend was great. What does it feel like now that you've started to prove people wrong?
A: Honestly, we don't focus too much on that. It's the same approach whether we play well or don't play well – is to get better each and every week, protect (quarterback Daniel Jones) DJ and open up holes in the running game.
Q: Does it feel like your offense is clicking right now as well as you guys would want it to be?
A: I think this past game we executed pretty well. That starts with DJ getting the ball to our playmakers and obviously, if we do our job, we see what they can do. We're just going to do our best to continue that.
Q: You've had a few games in Philly, would you say it's probably top-three for hostile environments on the road?
A: Definitely. Their crowd is brutal, and it helps when their team is as good as they are. We're looking forward to it, it's nothing but us against the world so that's the mentality that we have.
Q: How does this team not look at what you've accomplished so far and look ahead to what might lay ahead in the future here?
A: In the playoffs, you have to have a short-term memory. It's 1-0, sudden death win or you go home. We can't focus on what happened. We can't look forward to what's in the future. All we can focus on is what's right in front of us.
Q: Can you feel any sort of buzz in the city, in the town? I know you guys are pretty insolated, but can you feel what's going on here?
A: I haven't been out much but I'm sure that fans are happy with what we've done so far. We're focusing on getting better and being better than we are right now.
Q: Could you hear those chants in Minnesota from Giants fans?
A: Yeah, definitely. They traveled well. It was a great feeling to be at an away game like that and have that many fans supporting us.
Q: What was it like last week watching (quarterback) Daniel (Jones)? 400 total yards, doing everything. How impressive was that as an offensive lineman to see?
A: DJ was amazing, did everything we asked him to do. When there was nothing open, scrambling and made plays for us, didn't turn over the ball. When he plays like that, we have a good opportunity to win against anybody.
Q: Do you expect Philly to move their guys a lot or do you expect to see most of the same guy across from you?
A: They do a good job of switching it up. I think (Philadelphia defensive end) Josh Sweat will be back this game, so I'll probably see him most of the time and then (Philadelphia defensive end) Brandon Graham rotates a lot more on both sides.
Q: What has allowed Brandon Graham to maintain his level of play for so many years? What does he do that makes him so good for so long?
A: It's crazy. It's like he's got the fountain of youth or something. I think this is one of his best seasons ever. He does a good job, he has really good power – does a good job of switching that up, too. Bull, swim, and things like that. A great rusher for them.
Q: Do you find guys attacking you specifically in a different way than they did a couple years ago? Maybe giving you a little more respect from them in certain ways.
A: Yeah, this year I've seen a lot of power. Don't really get a ton of inside moves and stuff like that. A lot of power and outside moves.
Q: How is that different from maybe how they would go after you as a rookie?
A: Yeah, rookie year it was because I overset a lot, so they were attacking me inside a lot more. Inside counters and stuff like that.
