EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Judge's Chambers is a weekly interview with Giants coach Joe Judge exclusively for Giants Season Ticket Members.

Q: Obviously, we've been through this unusual year because of the pandemic - no preseason, no fans. But you're still doing what you always do this time of year, preparing for a season opener (Monday night vs. Pittsburgh). Because of that, is this both very different and routine to you?

Judge: "At this point, I feel like it's all business as usual. We're getting ready for a game we have. Obviously, a very tough opponent coming to town. Our focus is purely on the Steelers right now and getting our own guys prepared for it. It's been a different type of offseason. I'd say it's been a productive offseason for us as an organization. But to me right now, we've been in-person for training camp, we've gone through the training camp, we added a couple of scrimmages, we're in game week. It feels like regular-season game one."

Q: Even when you play preseason games, there's always some mystery in a season opener, when coaches aren't certain how their team will play. I'm sure you'll get the effort you want. Do you have a sense of how well this team will play Monday night?

Judge: "I know they'll play hard, and we have a tough opponent we're working on getting ready for right now. They're not going to make anything easy on us. We have a tremendous amount of respect for the Steelers. We're going to go out there and give them our all. But right now, I know our players are focused, they're locked in, they're preparing well, and I know they're going to play hard."

Q: This is the first time you are game planning as a head coach. How have you divided your time between the offense, defense and special teams?

Judge: "I've been thorough on all three sides of the ball. I've had daily conversations with the coordinators in terms of different aspects of the game. Early downs vs. third downs, red zone, two-minute. We've had daily conversations and meetings with myself and the three coordinators talking through the flow of the game, specific needs, what they're thinking, how they want to call the game. So, it's been good. The toughest part is being at practice when it's offense and defense working at the same time. You have to make sure you're very particular in how you divide your time there. But now that we're in a regular season week, it's not so much two-spot drills like we were doing in training camp. It's really a lot more of the offense is working, then they take a quick break and the defense is working. Because of the numbers on the roster, everyone is working for each other. I'm able to watch the entire practice. We watch it on film afterwards, we talk about different things that come up schematically and stay ahead. We've had really good synergy within the staff and I'm very pleased with the way it's going."

Q: You've seen great coaches address their teams the night before a game and in the locker room before a game. How much preparation are you going to put into those addresses? Do you think you'll focus more on mental and emotional topics or strategy?

Judge: "I think it's going to be different for every opponent, but to me, it's more important to make sure the players are prepared strategically and understand what they're going into game-wise. I don't think these guys need a cheerleader standing in front of them and trying to get them motivated 24 hours before a game. They're going to be ready to go emotionally. Both teams will be. There's a lot of adrenaline pumping, and they'll be excited and ready to go. To me, it's the importance of having them understand what's going to happen in the game, the flow of the game, how we're going to call it, things are going to come up and how we may adjust. To me, that's the more important thing for them to understand leading into a game then have someone go up there and try to quote Knute Rockne."

Q: I know you don't want to personalize this, but Monday will be a big day in your life. It's your first game as a head coach, it's the Giants competing against another storied NFL franchise. Will you take a moment to think about that?

Judge: "I think I'll have too much to think about with the Steelers, to be honest with you. Maybe I'll look back on it someday and kind of reflect on it, but right now, I'm really looking forward with it. I'll be looking across the field at a pretty damn good team wearing black and gold."

Q: Do you think in general there are more in-game adjustments in an opener, particularly this year when you weren't able to see each other during the preseason?

Judge: "I think there's a number of in-game adjustments no matter when you play. And the opener is definitely no exception. Everyone is going to have some kind of new wrinkle they've been working on through the offseason and training camp that you haven't seen yet, so there's always some unknowns that you have to factor in. How they're using certain personnel. Are they using different shifts or motions or tempo? What's Pittsburgh planning on? We know they've added new coaches on the offensive side. What influence are they going to have? Defensively, what are they carrying over from last year where they were very successful? What's a new wrinkle they're doing that we have to be alert for and aware of? But within the game plan, that's just kind of part of the game. You don't have to wait until halftime to adjust. You do it throughout the game as it comes up."

Q: The players have not played four quarters of football in eight or nine months. Do you anticipate more generous substituting early on because of that?

Judge: "We're going to try to make sure that everyone that's at the game always plays, and that's regardless of what time of year it is or what the conditioning level is. But I do think in this first game, we're going to have to be smart about how we use our players. I think all 32 teams are facing the same challenge this weekend. No one has had the opportunity to be on the field for the length and duration of a game. We just need to understand where our players are at physically and manage the game accordingly."

Q: You have several rookies who could play, a couple may start. Do you say to them, 'You've been playing football your entire life, this is another game' or do you say, 'This is not just another game, this is the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL. It's time to step up.'?

Judge: "I think it's a combination of both. At this point, they're here and they've worked their tails off, so they understand there's a heightened sense of urgency and energy that needs to go into it. But I would say this. Obviously, they've been playing this game their entire lives. Now, they haven't been going against the Pittsburgh Steelers their entire life, and that is a drastic difference from what they're used to. To get into that first game action, there's always going to be some adjustments and learning curves for the young guys. You know what? There are adjustments and learning curves for the veterans, too. They haven't played a game in months. It's going to be an entire team thing, not just the young guys but the vets as well. We all have to get back into the flow of a game. Look, we've tried to simulate things as much as we can as a staff. But here's the reality, I haven't called a game since January. They haven't played a game since December or early January. Everyone has to get back into the flow of the game, and that's across the league on 32 teams."

Q: You have kind of an interesting group of captains. The players who were here last year know Daniel (Jones), Saquon (Barkley), Dalvin (Tomlinson) and Jabrill (Peppers). You know Nate Ebner from your time in New England. Blake Martinez is the sixth captain. Do you look for that group to police the locker room or take care of issues before they reach you?

Judge: "First off, I'd say our players voted for the captains and I think they did a good job picking guys who will represent them. It's not a popularity contest. It's who you want to represent you on and off the field and be the voice for the locker room when I have to meet with them. I think that's an important aspect of being a captain, is coming to the captains meeting on a weekly basis and being able to communicate to me their view of where the team may be at or how things are going. That's important dialogue that has to happen. In terms of policing the locker room, I've said it over and over, I don't look for players to raise players. However, I do expect accountability and a culture in our locker room where everyone is on the same page and going in the same direction. I don't care if you're a captain or not. If you see something wrong, you have to be willing to say something and get it right."

Q: You permitted (rookie practice squad receiver) Derrick Dillon to leave for a week to visit his newborn daughter. What was your thinking behind that?

Judge: "Without going too much into a personal issue, obviously, he had his first child. I was fortunate enough to work for guys that allowed me to be there for the birth of my children. I have four children, all of which were born during football season. To be able to be there for the birth of your child is a special thing. When his child was born, we were actually on the field scrimmaging, so he wasn't able to be there for it. We had the opportunity to help him out with that. I thought there was a way we could manage the numbers to make sure that he had the opportunity to go down there and spend some time with his baby. I think that's very important. That was just the move we looked at and wanted to go ahead and enable him to do. We're happy for him. Obviously, he added a tremendous addition to his family. He has a new boss right now that's always going to rule his life, so you might as well go and meet your boss."

Q: This is the second year in a row you open up against the Steelers. You actually coached in the last full game that Ben Roethlisberger played. What do you expect from Roethlisberger in his return Monday night?

Judge: "He's a great quarterback. I expect nothing but him to play as a top-level great player. You have to have respect going on the field against a guy like Ben Roethlisberger. He's truly one of the all-time greats. To be able to be on the field with a guy like that, the players and coaches have to have a respect for how he's going to play the game and the ability he has."

Q: The Steelers finished in the top five in several defensive categories and led the league in sacks and turnovers. What do you see when you look at that defense?

Judge: "A lot of talent. They get after you. It all starts up front. They can change the game up front. They're very opportunistic in the backend. They produce a lot of turnovers and they punch the ball, they strip the ball, they intercept the ball. If you make mistakes, they capitalize. This is a team that plays very aggressive, and they're very opportunistic."