Quarterback Daniel Jones
Q. Does it add anything extra that it's the Cowboys right out the gate?
A: All of these divisional games are big, for sure. It means a lot, so it's a big opportunity for us and we'll be ready to go. It's a big game because it's the first game, it's a big game because it's a divisional game and it's the next game.
Q. How do you feel about what this team accomplished in training camp and where you are now going into Week 1?
A: I think we're in a good spot. I think we improved a lot throughout camp and made a lot of progress to get to this point and I think we're ready to go. We'll work throughout this week at practice and make sure we tighten up every little thing in the game plan and make sure we put our best foot forward on Sunday night, but I think we had a good camp. I think we're ready to go.
Q. How important is it to get over the hump against the Cowboys and the Eagles? Two teams that kind of had your number in recent years.
A: It's a big divisional game for us. All the divisional games are certainly big and match up with a lot of tradition and history so yeah, it's a big deal. But it's about what we do, it's about how we play and taking care of our business first.
Q. Do you look to build off of what you did last year, or do you just throw that out and start again?
A: I think it starts over for us. We made progress last year and a lot of guys are back this year, but we also have a lot of new faces and a different group of guys, so it starts over. Our identity, what we do as a group starts over so we've got to go out and play well and we're prepared to do that.
Q. With all that roster turnover, do you gain anything to go back and look at previous games of whoever you're facing? Or does personnel change so much that you don't learn as much?
A: There are things that you can certainly look at from past matchups. The system, the defense, ways we were able to attack them, then things they did well and what they had success with, too. You can learn a lot from those matchups, but I think it's important to understand that it is a new year, it's a new team. It's a new team for us, it's a new team for them and there will be certain wrinkles that come with that.
Q. When you're out and about interacting with fans and everything, at some point do the Cowboys ever come up? A lot of fans really hate the Cowboys. Do you sense that out there?
A: Yeah, absolutely. Giants' fans are passionate and like I said, there's a long history, there's a long tradition of these matchups in the NFC East and Cowboys is certainly up there. We understand that, but we know it's about what we do as a group and how we play and making sure we're ready to go Sunday night.
Q. You don't want to lose to anybody, but does it get tiresome to lose to the same team so often like the Cowboys?
A: I mean, we haven't had success recently. You know, we understand that but focusing on what we're doing kind of right now and preparing to play and focusing on what we're doing Sunday night, obviously, is the key to playing our best. Looking forward to doing that.
Q. You spoke pretty highly about (tackle) Andrew Thomas' development and how much his protection means to your success. Can you see (tackle) Evan Neal following that same path?
A: Yeah, absolutely. I think Evan's had a great camp and he's obviously an extremely talented player. He had a great camp, made a lot of progress and I'm excited to go out there with him on Sunday night and play. He approaches his work the right way, he prepares and plays hard. Yeah, he's had a good camp.
Q. You've talked about the turnover and the history a little bit but is there a common theme that you see from the Cowboys team that carries over from year to year?
A: I think on defense they're fast. They run to the ball, they attack the ball, they've got a strong pass rush, a couple of guys up front and they're good in the back end. They fly around, run to the ball, make plays, they're disruptive, cause a lot of turnovers, they're a good group – strong group, but we'll be prepared for them. But like I said, it's about what we do and we're preparing to play our best.
Q. Is this the most weapons that you've had to use against them?
A: I feel great about our guys. I feel like we're in a really good spot with who we've got and how we can attack a defense in a lot of different ways and a lot of different skillsets and dynamic guys to get the ball to in space. I feel great about our group.
