Transcript: Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas

Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas

Q: How did it go today?

A: Not too bad today. First time I've put on a helmet in a while, so that was a good feeling being out there with my teammates again. More than I've been doing by myself with the (athletic) trainers and stuff like that. Just continue to stress it and see how it responds.

Q: When we were out there, it was only for a short period, I didn't see you do much football stuff, are you still sort of in a rehab type of stage, or did you do football drills after that?

A: I think I'm just following the plans of the trainers like I think they just want me to kind of mimic what I would do if I was at practice, but they also want to limit and not just cut me loose because there is a chance you can make it worse with soft tissue, so that's the plan I'm trying to follow.

Q: Has this been frustrating for you?

A: Yeah, I mean I want to be on the field. We only have a few opportunities that are guaranteed each season and I've missed quite a few of them so it doesn't feel good, but I can't change that. All I can do is just continue to get better.

Q: How confident are you in it? Do you know? Have you been able to turn it loose?

A: I don't know yet, but today was my first time being on the field, so we will see how it responds tomorrow and the day after and go from there.

Q: Would you expect that it's going to take a couple of weeks or aren't you sure yet?

A: I don't know. It goes up and down with how it feels day to day, so we'll see how it feels tomorrow.

Q: Before the Seattle game you thought were making good progress, I mean were you at this point in it or were you further along?

A: I think it was different and it didn't work out, so just trying to keep a positive mindset because it is frustrating not being able to go, but like I said I can't control that, all I can do is continue to do what they are asking me too.

Q: Do you have any sense of whether you can possibly play on Sunday?

A: I don't. Won't make any projections. As I said, today is my first day being at practice, so just try to build on that.

Q: Do you actually have a sense though of needing a couple of practices since it's been so long for you before you get out there? Is it one of those things where you are not going to wake up on Saturday and be like alright, I'm good if I haven't practiced full contact?

A: Yeah, the biggest thing for me is, as the offensive line is obviously to feel the pressure of what it's like to be in the game, stopping the bull rush, moving somebody off the ball, which is why I asked the trainers to be out there and get some reps, try to do something that way I know.

Q: You are obviously someone the Giants count on every week when you are healthy for sure. Has there been frustration that you simply can't help when you are injured as you are, or were?

A: Yeah, but I just try to contribute in other ways. I just try to be a leader on the sidelines, in meetings, helping when I see things. That's what I try to do.

Q: How good have you made of how the guys have kind of pieced it together and at times had really good moments out there?

A: Yeah, I think they've done a tremendous job, it's not easy what they've been asked to do. All the injuries that we've had, all the switching positions, and all those things. It's not easy to overcome, but we have a tight-knit group and I think we are starting to gel.

Q: At any point in your career, starting maybe when you first played football, have you ever seen this many injuries to an O-line group where there is as much shifting as there had to be?

A: Probably not this much. I think my second year here we had a lot of guys get hurt, but this is probably the most for sure.

Q: What have you thought of, I mean (guard) Justin Pugh is certainly not the same body type that you are at that position. What have you seen from him at 290 pounds playing left tackle?

A: Just an amazing performance by him, a veteran presence. Not expecting him to go out there and do that and for him to be able to accomplish what he did. It's great for our team, it's great for the morale of the o-line. He's a leader in our room. Has a lot of experience, so we definitely appreciate it.

Q: Do you look forward to getting back to left tackle and having Pugh line up next to you at left guard?

A: I don't know what the rotation will be whenever I come back, but if I get an opportunity to play with him, I would love that.

Q: In the long run, all the shifting and moving the guys have had to do, in the long run, can there be some benefit from all that?

A: I guess. You have to be prepared for anything in this league. You only have a certain number of guys that can be dressed for the game, so people that aren't starting, you are prepared to play anything and it's not easy as an offensive line because you want to have camaraderie and gel together, but it's something that you still have to prepare for.

Q: What would you say your emotion is today after this? Is it excited, encouraged, or not as optimistic as you thought, what would it be?

A: Honestly, just trying to stay level-headed because if it feels great, my emotions are high, then I'll be feeling great and then if it's not, then I'm going to be down. So, I'm just trying to stay level-headed and just roll with the punches.

Q: Do you feel like you are ahead of where you were anytime previously when you – obviously there was a setback before the Seattle game, in the time leading up to that, do you feel like you are ahead of any of that previous time?

A: I think it's just different dealing with this situation. Just trying to work every day. This is my first time on the field today, so we'll see how it responds tomorrow and I'll know a little bit better.