Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux

Q: Sometimes when we talk about setting the edge and run defense, we tend to make it a lot more simplistic than I'm sure it actually is. Can you talk about the evolution of your game within that and how you guys, you know, approached that on Thursday night?

THIBODEAUX: Yeah, I would definitely say when it comes to stopping a run, it's definitely technique, discipline, all the things that we practice, but then it's also mentality. Coming into a game, you kind of got to know that a team is going to run, most teams are going to start off trying to run the ball. With a team like we played last week, you know, they got a great set of players that they can run the ball with and we're going to have to step up to the plate.

Q: Your game, I won't speak for you, but it seems like you really have done a great job this year being a lot more physical. It's not that you weren't physical beforehand. But going back to the summer when we talked about all the things that you worked on, is, was that a big part of your game? Just being able to hold up on that edge and being able to be a physical force?

THIBODEAUX: Well, the funny thing about offseason training is that nothing is ever perfect, right? There's no drill. There's no one thing that you can do that guarantees you success on the field. But I will say that there was definitely a lot of emphasis that I put on this offseason, just honing in on my craft and honing in on my discipline and becoming more mature as a run defender and a pass defender. I think my whole career, not just in the NFL, but in college, I took pride in the run game. And for me coming to this next level, I understood how important it was and how I needed to improve on not just a run, but on the pass to be a four-down player. So, we always kind of say, like, you got to stop the run to be able to get the opportunity to rush the passer. So, I've taken pride in that this year.

Q: When you guys are now rotating so much between you, (outside linebacker Brian) Burns, and (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter), do you see how it's helping you guys be able to be so effective because you guys are just being able to be so much more fresh with that rotation?

THIBODEAUX: I think that is a realistic perspective. But I also think we're all in shape and ready to play ball, just however long the game will go. So, I won't necessarily say that it's, well, I will say that it is a positive having guys that you can kind of flow in and that can rush and that can do different things. But I think we all are will be capable to play more snaps or whatever the case may be depending on the game or the situation.

Q: I know you guys are off this weekend, but have you got a chance to look at this Denver offense yet?

THIBODEAUX: No, not yet. We're looking at it. We're looking at it today and tomorrow.

Q: Obviously, Thursday, the vibes were high, and everybody was just kind of riding the wave of this win. So, for you as a player, how do you try to make sure these vibes stay the way they are? Because obviously you don't want to get so high, get so caught up in that. But how do you try to make sure that you guys can sustain it going into this matchup on Sunday?

THIBODEAUX: You got to be critical of the film. You know, you got to look at your tape, see what you can get better at. Even though I feel like I played pretty decent this Thursday, I think there's still a lot of things to get better at. And I think when you do have a weekend off, it's time for a lot of self-reflection and some healing. So, just understanding what you can get better at as an individual. And then also as a team and seeing what we can improve on.

Q: (Denver Broncos quarterback) Bo Nix. I know you just said you haven't scouted them much, but you guys share an alma mater. I don't think you guys were teammates, but do you guys have a relationship from you going back there at all? Or you have any kind of relationship with Nix and just watching him play? What do you think of him as a quarterback?

THIBODEAUX: I think he's a great player. The memories I do have of him started with him at Auburn and beating us at Oregon. And then he ended up going to Oregon after that. I didn't actually go to school with him. I am familiar with him. We've been at the top of the recruiting class for a while since about high school. So, I've been to different camps and different environments where he's been. I think he's a great person. He's a great athlete. He's a great player. I think he's savvy. I think he's playing some great ball. But we're definitely going to try to contain him and limit what he can do on Sunday.

Q: Post-game, (defensive lineman) Dex (Lawrence) said something like you guys urged (defensive coordinator Shane) Bowen to be a little more aggressive and Burns was really complimentary of Bowen's game plan being aggressive, especially on that (cornerback Cor'Dale) Flott pick. I'm just curious, you're one of the leaders of the defense, has that been a communication with you guys and Bowen? Like, hey, trust us. Let's be let's dial it up a little bit more.

THIBODEAUX: Well, I would say it starts with just open communication and trust with the coaches and the players. I think that we have that in this building and facility. But I think that Bowen has been elevating and changing and evolving on how he calls different games and his growth as well as our players and understanding what works and what doesn't work, what we like, how to different plays or schemes that will kind of help our skill sets. But I would say it's a collective. I would say there's no individual. There's no kind of one man show. I think Bowen does a great job of hearing out the players. I think the players do a great job of making sure they do what Bowen asked of us. So, I would say just continuing to gel together and to continue to just keep the main thing, the main thing and go out there and execute.

Q: To my untrained eye, it looks like the defense has been getting home a lot more with four. What do you attribute that to?

THIBODEAUX: I would say individual skill. They can't, a team can't slide the same way every time, right? They got to kind of figure out who to stop. And I think the tough part about being an offensive line is that you usually want to leave the one on one for the weakest guy, right? You want to try to double team the best guys, leave the one on one for the weakest guy on defense. But for us, we don't really have a weak link, right? Like everybody is kind of trained to go. So being able to whoever gets that one on one, being able to win that and show up and make the play, you know, has been good for us.

Q: I would think you would agree that the best teams are consistent from week to week, right? Not predictable, but you know this Sunday, whatever day it is, we're going to get this. Do you know right now, first of all, as the team, week to week, what you're going to get from, you know, the Giants?

THIBODEAUX: Could you ask that question one more time? Like, as far as what we're going to do?

Q: Well, just as far as, look, over the years, you say when you play the Chiefs, you know they're going to do this every week. You may not win. When you play the Ravens, this is what they are. Do you know what the Giants are every week now so far?

THIBODEAUX: Yeah, if I'm speaking for, I guess, offense, I would say smash mouth football. They're going to try to be physical and they're going to try to win the game up front. And I would say similar things to defense. We're going to play physical. We're going to try to win the game up front and affect the quarterback. So I would say from an identity perspective, this is a team that when people come here, they're going to have to win it up front. We don't play cute ball, we play a smash mouth football in New York. And I think that aside from just the identity of the team, we play with a relentless passion and vigor to win.

Q: Do you think that has to be earned? I mean, you're saying that from within. But do you think down the road, these teams are going to look at the Giants and say, all right, this is what they are. This is what we have to deal with or not yet. It's got to be something.

THIBODEAUX: Well, again, people aren't watching these interviews trying to get the answers. People watching the tape. And the tape is what is the resume. So, these characteristics that I'm bringing up to smash mouth football, this is something that I've gotten specifically from the tape. And when I watch our team, this is what I think we show on tape. I think that that speaks value to the league. And that speaks value to our peers.

Q: You like that resume? You like that identity for this team so far?

THIBODEAUX: I think it can definitely still be cultivated. It can definitely still be upgraded and we can continue to pour in. But I do like the trajectory we're on.

Offensive Tackle Andrew Thomas

Q: What are your first impressions of this Broncos defense? We saw what they did to the Jets this weekend.

THOMAS: Yeah, obviously one of the most talented defenses in the league. They have a lot of guys up front that create havoc, and they play really well in the back end as well. I think their coordinator puts them in great positions to make plays. So, for us up front, we just got to trust our technique. It's a tough environment to play in. So, communication is going to be important when in early downs to avoid some of those third and long situations. That's our mindset.

Q: As an offensive lineman, do you kind of get excited to face another, obviously you faced a great pass rush with these Giants, but do you kind of get excited to see another strong pass rush to kind of to maybe not test yourself, but just the challenge of trying to slow them down a little bit?

THOMAS: Of course, speaking for myself, I know I'm a true competitor and the rest of the guys in the room as well. And we want to play against the best. And right now, I think the Broncos have the most sacks, the most pressures. So, they're one of the most talented groups up front. So, we were definitely excited for the challenge.

Q: Just sticking with the Broncos defense for a moment. Unless something changes, I believe you're probably going to see (Denver Broncos' outside linebacker) Nik Bonitto, who lines up often against the left tackle. I don't know how far you've gotten into studying his game, but what makes him so difficult of a defender to kind of keep at bay?

THOMAS: Yeah, I would say first his explosiveness. He does a really good job of getting off the ball. He has good bend at the top of the rush, but a lot of speed guys, normally they don't have great power. But what makes him unique is he can power rush as well. So, you have to be ready for both.

Q: For you personally, I mean, you've been back now, I think something like three games. Do you feel like you are, quote unquote, all the way back? I mean, your numbers, I don't think you've given up a sack. I think your pressures have been very low this year. Or do you feel like there's still more that you have to do to get all the way back?

THOMAS: Yeah, as a perfectionist, I'm always trying to get better, regardless of what stats may say. There's things in the first few games that I played that I want to clean up, and I'm going to do that to put my team in a good position.

Q: Anything in particular you still want to clean up?

THOMAS: Yeah, some of my run fits, my pad level, my hands in pass pro, and then just finishing plays.

Q: After missing the time that you did, coming off a serious injury, are you a little surprised or pleasantly surprised that you hit the ground running? You played limited in the first game and every snap since, and that your production and performance has been so high.

THOMAS: I wouldn't say I'm surprised. I followed the plan that the trainers and the staff had for me. I think it worked. I've played a lot of ball, so I wasn't unsure of how I would respond. I would say the thing I was most worried about was just being in shape. I think that's the hardest thing to get back. I definitely felt that the first game, playing all the snaps versus the Chargers. But I think I responded pretty well to that. And like I said, still things I'm trying to get better at.

Q: You've been around for a while. The best teams you kind of know week to week, that this is what they are, right? They run the ball, or they throw the ball or whatever they are. The best teams, they don't always win, but you know what they are. Do you know what this Giants team is yet?

THOMAS: I think we're still building our identity. Obviously, we have a young quarterback playing. I think he's done a good job for us. But this is just the beginning part of the season. I think your identity by consistent play, what you do consistently, that's who you are. So. we're just trying to focus on doing the things necessary to win consistently, especially up front.

Q: Is unpredictability difficult for a player? You have a rookie back there who can be unpredictable. Is that good or is that you kind of don't know where he is all the time or is that you got to roll with it?

THOMAS: I mean, he's a football player. And what we talk about up front is just block to the whistle. He can make a play at any time. Obviously, we don't always know where he is, but we're trying to strain through the echo of the whistle and allow him to make plays.

Q: I'm curious about what you thought of the receiver play you guys got. Obviously, without (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) and (Wide receiver) Darius (Slayton), you've been here a long time, you know that when guys get down, everybody says, next up, next man up, but it doesn't always happen. You had guys like (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson) made a huge play, like a wide receiver one type play. And then (wide receiver) Lil'Jordan (Humphrey) came up with some big plays. What'd you think of the way those guys stepped up?

THOMAS: I think they did a great job. I think first, coming into an environment, it's a big-time game, big time moment and they embraced it. But I want to speak more to the effort as well. Like if you watch some of the plays, just blocking downfield that we had on the perimeter, like those guys, they bought in. Obviously, the game plan was to run the ball and be dominant up front. But those guys, they bought into it and then made plays when their name was called. And that's what you need to be good in this league. You're going to have injuries. People are going to go down. So, like you said, next man up mentality.

Q: You're not a big pat yourself on the back guy, but I'm about to ask you to do it. Like, do you feel like they always say, like the best players in sports, make other guys better? Do you feel like, yeah, obviously, your numbers are really good since you've come back. But the Giants offensive line is also really good since you've come back. And I'm going to assume that's not a coincidence. Do you take pride in the idea that your returning has also made the four other guys next to you better?

THOMAS: I think the beautiful thing about offensive line is, it's a unit. It doesn't matter how well one person is playing. It's about all five. And I think the cohesiveness, like, obviously, I missed a lot of time last year and missed training camp. But for us to get on the same page as quick as we did, speaks a lot to those guys. And like I said, things that we still want to clean up. But I've been impressed by how we played.

Q: I'm curious, the vibe around the team, at least outside the building, is significantly different. It just seems different, seems to have more life, right? I'm curious, you've been there a while. What's it like internally? And how different is it from any other point, maybe, that you've been there?

THOMAS: I can't lie, it feels great to get a primetime win. But the reality is that that's just one game. If we lost that game, it would be the same mentality moving forward as we've got to win the next one. That's the juice that's around the building. Obviously, we have confidence that's building. But you have to go out there and prove it each week. So last week is over. We're on to Denver, a really good opponent. So, we're just trying to prepare ourselves for that.

Q: And how much does the young quarterback change the feel of the team? I mean, you obviously have a rookie quarterback. He's in there. He uses his legs a lot. He puts his head down. Like, how much does that as a whole change the feel of the team from your perspective?

THOMAS: Yeah, I think (quarterback) Jaxson's (Dart) done a great job. He puts strain on the defense, like you talked about, with his legs, playmaking ability. But I think he's done a good job of just understanding the play calls. Like, this offense is not easy to learn. He's done a good job with that. Just being vocal in the meetings, talking to the receivers, trying to get everyone on the same page. I think that's what I've been most impressed by.

Q: I'm sure throughout your career, there hasn't been a game that you haven't stepped on the field saying, you know what, we're going to go out and dominate tonight. That's the mentality. That's what you want up front, you individually, you collectively. I know you want to look ahead, but what does it mean, Thursday, to be able to now turn on the film, watch whatever you watch in that game, and know that you accomplished the mission for one game, that you went out and dominated a team that essentially has made a living of that for the last five, six, seven years, especially against you guys?

THOMAS: The beauty of our division, normally the teams that make it to the playoffs or win that division, they dominate the line of scrimmage. And for us to do that, it felt pretty good. A lot of work has been put into that. But like I said, we've got to continue that. It's not just one week. We have to be consistent with that and respond when we don't play as well.

Q: How does that manifest itself? Is it just as simple as production, or do you guys feel it as a unit as the game is going on? When you're dominating the way you thought you were going to, is it one of those, do you pinch yourself and say, man, we got to keep this going? I mean, we got to ride the momentum here. How does it kind of manifest itself in a game scenario?

THOMAS: I think we've always had the mentality to do that. I don't think we ever have a lack of effort on this team, but I think it just comes down to execution. Beating the guy across from you. You're playing with the right technique. You're being physical. And the effort that I talked about, when all three of those come together, then you get those results.

Wide Receiver Wan'Dale Robinson

Q: I saw your tweet after the game, you responded to what people said. I'm curious, do you feel like the receivers kind of made a statement with Darius (Slayton) out and Malik (Nabers) sidelined on Thursday?

ROBINSON: I mean, I wouldn't necessarily say a statement. It was more so we just went out and did our jobs. Obviously, we had heard the outside noise of everybody thinking that we weren't good enough but went in with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder and just wanted to play well.

Q: Going forward, obviously, we'll see how Slay feels. But just for you guys, without Malik, do you guys feel maybe not pressure, but more like, hey, this is a chance for us to kind of step up and show what we can do to help this offense and help (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) out?

ROBINSON: Yeah, no doubt. I mean, this is a next man up league. Obviously, we were sad to see Malik sidelined for the year and obviously wishing him a speedy recovery. We've just got to come in and step up and continue to make plays each and every Sunday.

Q: We talked to (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux), and he talked about how this team is starting to get an identity of smashmouth football. I'm just curious, when you see (running back) Cam (Skattebo) running through guys, Jaxson running through guys, this pass rush creating pressure, do you feel like this team is kind of creating that identity?

ROBINSON: Yeah, no doubt. I think whenever you turn on the tape and watch us play, you see just straight toughness and real hard work and just going out there and doing our jobs and doing everything that we can to come away with victories on Sundays.

Q: The best teams, you kind of know what to expect week to week, you know what I mean? They may not win every week. Nobody wins every week, but you kind of know what to expect. Do you know what to expect from the Giants week to week?

ROBINSON: I think for the most part, it would be going out there and playing competitive football. We obviously just have to take care of the football and do the right things each and every snap and the results will come from there.

Q: You make your living on offense. Teams know what they hang their hat on. Do you know what you hang your hat on? Because from week to week, your offense has been different.

ROBINSON: I definitely think up front, we're going to run the ball each and every game. There may be teams that gear up to stop it a little bit more, but that's where it all starts. I think our game plan will always kind of be the same of start with running the football and getting the ball out on the perimeter from there.

Q: What was your weekend like? You don't have weekends off during the season. When you have a Thursday game or a bye week, you've had a bunch of those where you came off a loss and the weekend is what the weekend is. Was this weekend different? Did it feel different for you?

ROBINSON: I mean, it feels really good whenever you have a couple days, especially to celebrate a win. But obviously coming in today, we're a little bit off that now and on to Denver.

Q: Who were you calling out or shouting out with your tweet about hearing the noise?

ROBINSON: I think that's just a little bit of everything. We have TVs rolling around on our screens and obviously we all have Instagram, Twitter and stuff like that, so you hear a lot of the noise, but obviously, you try to block it out. Obviously, it makes you play with a little bit of a chip sometimes.

Q: None of us, right? None of us?

ROBINSON: I couldn't tell you the specifics. I don't try to read into it too much and get on a personal level or anything. I mean, it's y'all's job, I guess, to critique and for me to prove wrong if you say something bad.

Q: Do you expect to draw (Broncos cornerback Pat) Surtain in this matchup? He obviously follows number one receivers. Right now, you're a number one receiver. I assume you see yourself in that light going forward. Do you and do you expect to draw Surtain, and what would that be like?

ROBINSON: I couldn't really say. I'm more so just studying to see all three DBs. I know I move around a lot and play inside and out. So, we'll see how they decide to go, but either way, I'll be ready.

Q: What would you say if the Giants made a trade for a receiver? Would that say to you, like, hey, they don't think we have enough? And would that insult you? Or would that be like, hey, the Giants believe in us and they want to add to our room and we want to go for it kind of thing? How would you react if they brought in another guy who's a good player?

ROBINSON: I just think that they'd be bringing in somebody to help us win football games, and I think that's the name of this game. Obviously can't be mad at what our front office would do to try to help us win. Whoever it may be, we would welcome them with open arms and get them caught up to speed and just get ready to go.

Q: I know it's early and you guys are just getting back, but what have you seen from the Broncos and just what they've been able to do defensively?

ROBINSON: A really good defense. Like I said, it starts up front, especially with those guys. I trained with (Broncos outside linebacker) Nik Bonitto a little bit during the pre-draft, so I know a little bit about him. Obviously on the back end, they have some really great DBs. Just a really solid defense all around, but we've got to be ready to go.

Q: You talked a lot a couple weeks ago about getting to know Jaxson and building on chemistry and working with him. When plays are breaking down, what have you learned so far and what do you work on to know the play may look over, but it's not over. I know it goes back to rules that you guys have in terms of what you want to do. But running a route, knowing what you've seen him do to this point to keep plays alive, what's the mentality, what's the mindset, and how do you make sure you're on the same page?

ROBINSON: For sure, whenever he's rolling around back there, the route's kind of already over that I've ran. It's just get open again and try to be available for the quarterback. Just at the end of the day, you've got to get in his vision so that way he can see you. I feel like we've done a pretty good job of that whenever he's kind of rolling around, just trying to figure out where he's at and just being on the same page with him.

Q: Does it really become like a playground situation, just be in his vision, that he's not really now looking for space, he's looking for you specifically?

ROBINSON: I mean, I think so. Sometimes it just kind of depends on the play, probably. Definitely, I think the more so that you get into his vision, and you continue to make plays for him, I definitely think you've got more opportunities.