Cornerback Deonte Banks
Q: How does it feel getting back out there?
DEONTE BANKS: Lovely. I love it out here. It's fun. Real fun.
Q: Are you on a pitch count or anything? It feels like you are in there about half the reps?
DEONTE BANKS: I go in when they tell me to go in.
Q: What's your thoughts so far on the new group you're working with out there in the secondary?
DEONTE BANKS: I love my group. They're my guys. We compete.
Q: What's this offseason been like for you, knowing you are stepping into that new role?
DEONTE BANKS: It's been fun. I like it. I'm really confident about it. I am just taking it as it comes.
Q: You're doing a lot of work against (Wide Receiver) Malik (Nabers). Even in the 1-on-1's, it is like you guys are matching up intentionally. Is that intentional and how is that going?
DEONTE BANKS: I like competing against Leek (Malik Nabers). It's really fun.
Q: Is it intentional that you are matching up with him?
DEONTE BANKS: Yeah.
Q: How would you describe his (Malik Nabers) game at this point?
DEONTE BANKS: He's good. He's really explosive. Real quick. I like him.
Q: How much grief are you giving each other after each play? It looked like he caught a pass on you today and had something to say. How is that going?
DEONTE BANKS: I love it. We are just competing. We talk to each other, and it's really fun.
Q: How does that matchup make you better?
DEONTE BANKS: It's just a good matchup; I like it. We're both competing. We have the same body type. Quickness. We are both quick and fast. It's fun.
Q: Are you finding out that he (Malik Nabers) is a talker?
DEONTE BANKS: Yeah, a little bit. But I already knew he was a talker.
Q: How much do you talk back?
DEONTE BANKS: Oh, I'm always talking back. Every time, every time (laughs).
Q: You seem to be the one-piece set at the cornerback position. How much advice are you giving the other guys, you are only in your second year, but it seems like you have a lot more experience?
DEONTE BANKS: I'm just giving them everything I can. I'm just taking my job as it comes. I want to be that leader, so I'm trying to take that leadership role.
Q: Did you do anything differently this year with that (leadership) in mind?
DEONTE BANKS: I wouldn't say, really, differently. But I take it as more of a leadership role.
Q: What does it mean to you to take on that leadership role?
DEONTE BANKS: It means a lot. It means the Giants believe in me, so I got to do it.
Q: You mentioned competing a lot. Playing corner, a lot of it is your confidence. I know you guys don't have pads and stuff on yet, but you guys gave up a few big plays. But just overall competing, building your confidence for the offseason?
DEONTE BANKS: I wouldn't say big plays.
Q: A few touchdowns?
DEONTE BANKS: A few touchdowns, I guess. We're just competing. It's only day two, so we're just competing.
Q: (Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach) Jerome (Henderson) talked a lot in the spring; you have all the physical skills. He talked about you needing to really take a step up in knowledge and learning. Knowledge of what receivers are going to do to you. How do you go about doing that?
DEONTE BANKS: I'm going to watch my film. Just listen to him. Talk to him more.
Q: It is only the second day of camp but what is the difference from last year and this year?
DEONTE BANKS: I feel way better. I was always a confident guy, but I feel way more confident. I feel more comfortable. Everything comes to me way easier.
Q: You switched (Defensive) Coordinators, but has your role as a cornerback changed?
DEONTE BANKS: Not as much, for me. I'm doing the same thing I've been doing.
