Giants Players Post Game Comments
Re: Taking control on defense
Yeah, I think that’s a good way of putting it. Obviously we want those two big plays back, but we did a pretty good job today as far as doing what we wanted to do on defense. We didn’t let them dictate. We put them in some third down situations – long – and it allowed us to get our pass rush going. We were able to shut down a little bit after that big run they had in the first half.
Re: Problems on third down for both teams
I think it’s just a combination of two very good defenses going at it. When you get those two teams, defensive-wise, when you get them in third-and-long situations, the odds on getting off the field are pretty good.
Re: Re-focusing after the Steelers second-half touchdown
After we weathered the storm in the third quarter, we wanted to get into the fourth quarter and have the game within reach where we could get a strike, and that’s basically what happened. They hit us with a big play on the next drive, then we were able to get a sack to push them out of field goal position. That was huge for us. After that, our offense started clicking a little bit and got some points on the board, and the defense just gained momentum.
Re: Discussion on the sideline
We were talking about it, but really I think it was just a collective effort of guys really understanding the situation, understanding what was at stake at that point. We wanted to get into the fourth quarter and be in striking distance. We were able to do that. Guys really stepped up for us – a lot of turnovers, a lot of sacks, and just really good play on defense
Was there a wake-up call at any point?
We pride ourselves on our conditioning, we pride ourselves in the fact that we’re a big fourth quarter team. I feel like today was a demonstration of how we play in the fourth quarter, and what kind of team we are. We didn’t play great the whole game, but when it came down to the fourth quarter, with all the chips on the table, that’s when we’re at our best.
Is fourth quarter play a signature of this team?
This is our first real road test where we came away with a big victory. In Cleveland, we didn’t get a chance to put our best foot forward, and not even tonight for most of the game, but in the fourth quarter, that’s when you can forget everything that happened before and focus on playing.
Re: Problems on third down
You have to give them credit. They’re a great defense – the number one defense in the league. You can only do so much when we put ourselves in bad situations, but dealing with that is what our team’s signature is.
Can you learn from playing such a tough defense?
Not really. I think the only thing we can learn from is to watch the film and see if there’s anything we can do better. You can always coach up the x’s and o’s, but you can’t coach up the effort and the heart. That’s what makes everybody in this locker room so energized right now.
Was this a gut check?
No question. It was a heavyweight title match today, and we came out swinging at the end.
Re: Manning’s reliance on him
I’m just doing my job, trying to find the soft spot in the defense. Coach Gilbride made a great call and I was wide open.
Re: Becoming a clutch, go-to guy
When you have a great receiver like Plaxico Burress, and he gets double-teamed all the time, and Toomer is getting different mis-matches, leaving the field wide open for me, you have opportunities to make plays – and that’s what I’m trying to do.
Re: Game became a war of attrition
A lot of guys were just going down. Everybody just had to strap up, and step up and make plays.
Re: Showing character
Pittsburgh’s had the physical mentality for a long time, and that’s the same mentality we’re trying to get. Physical, tough football. I think we did a good job of coming here and matching that, and we were able to get the “w” with that.
Re: Interception in the fourth quarter
We had the opportunity to get the quarterback down. We kind of let him get out – he scrambled. We did a good job in practice of plastering the coverage, and that was one of the times that we got to showcase that. I followed him across the field and was able to make a play.
Re: Attrition in the defensive secondary
Unfortunately we had a couple injuries. We hate for that to happen, but guys were struggling. It’s a fifteen-round bout, and we did a good job of staying in there. Everybody pulled their own weight, and we were able to come out with the victory.
Re: Touchdown pass
It was a play action goal-line play there. It was a tremendous play call. We kept getting stuffed on the run, so it was just a great call.
You were pretty open
I was so open that I almost stumbled coming out of there.
Re: Breaking through with a touchdown after numerous field goals
I feel like we left some points on the board. We kept kicking field goals. To be able to get in the end zone when it mattered felt good for the whole offense.
Did your schemes confuse them?
They did a good job game planning. We had some adjustments on the sidelines. Guys picked it up and we got a win.
What does this win mean?
It’s football. That’s the time of year. We’re getting to the halfway point. Quality teams are going to show up and you have good teams week in and week out. The Steelers are a great team. Very physical, good defense. You have to play tough.
Did you sense frustration from Roethlisberger?
I think more from the offensive line than from him. They have a young group over there. They’re going to be very good and they’re good now. They’re a young o-line and with him being a Super Bowl quarterback he’s trying to calm those guys down. I don’t think it frustrated him.
On fourth quarter comeback
We just need to fast-forward the game for Eli [Manning] to the last five minutes anyway. That’s when he’s at his best. It’s a character game. You build off of it. Obviously a lot of penalties. This game, we created turnovers for our offense and kept them in the game. That was able to keep us in the game.
