Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator

Q: When you look at that last drive (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) had, just obviously after the interception, how pleased were you with the poise he showed to focus and lead that drive for a touchdown?

KAFKA: Yeah, it was really a great execution all the way around, across the board. We were taking some shots downfield, guys were tired, they had to dig deep. And obviously, several guys made plays on that drive, whether it was downfield, getting there, or getting the flag. But yeah, it was cool to see those guys go down there and get it.

Q: We've come to expect that (tackle) Andrew Thomas is a brick wall. How good is (offensive lineman Jermaine) Eluemunor playing on the other side? What has that combination given you?

KAFKA: Yeah, Jermaine and AT are playing really good ball right now. I'd say across the board, all five guys are playing really good ball. It was good to see (offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann) Schlotty jump in there when (center John Michael Schmitz Jr.) JMS went down. All five guys are doing a great job, (guard Greg Van Roten) GVR, (guard Jon) Runyan, they're battling, playing some good fronts up front, and so we're going to need the same effort this week.

Q: What does it say about Jaxson that he can go in there and play at a pretty high level in that kind of environment as a rookie?

KAFKA: Yeah, I got a lot of confidence in Jaxson and the whole group, right? And so for Jaxson to step up in that environment against that crew and everyone else around him too to kind of raise their game and go and step up and make plays as well is impressive. That's something that I told him I was really proud of for those guys to go in there and compete and battle all the way to the end.

Q: If JMS is cleared, is he back in the starting lineup?

KAFKA: Well, I don't know what (head coach Brian Daboll) Dabs said about the injury stuff. I'll let Dabs just talk about it.

Q: A lot of people outside have been asking, why didn't they burn more clock before they scored with 37 seconds left? Is that even an option in your mind? Is there a way to forego a touchdown?

KAFKA: I think it's hard to tell an NFL football player to not score at the one. We were looking to score points. It's a really good defense. I think they're number one in the league in red zone. So, we had an opportunity to go score, so we called our best play.

Q: It seems like Jaxson's really recognizing what the defense wants to do against him at the line of scrimmage, which seems to be way ahead of his time. He's just a rookie four games in. He looked like he came to the line and that (tight end Daniel) Bellinger touchdown checked to another play, even the (running back Tyrone) Tracy touchdown looked like he checked another play. I mean, talk about his progress, four games in, he seems to really recognize what defense is going to do next.

KAFKA: Yeah, Jaxson does a great job. It starts with his preparation, just identifying his keys that we go through, man coverage IDs, zone coverage IDs. And then on top of that, it's putting together a good plan for him so that he can go execute. But he has to see it, he has to feel it. And then all the guys around him have to go do their jobs as well. So, it's never about one guy, I always see it as an 11-man operation. I think Jaxson is carrying the mental load in terms of understanding what we're trying to get done and take advantage of the certain looks, and he's going out there and executing.

Q: When you look at the DPI you were able to get down on the throw to (wide receiver) Beaux (Collins), from the outside it's, you got lucky in the sense you got a flag. But when you break down that play, what did those guys do well on that to give them an opportunity to get the flag?

KAFKA: Well, it started up front, the protection gave Jaxson time to evaluate downfield. Jaxson stepped up and kind of scrambled down to his right. And I think it was Beaux outside, he was playing Z, and he saw the scramble drill. He peeled it back and had a head start on the DB. Jaxson saw him downfield and put it up and was able to get to it.

Q: In that situation, if Beaux doesn't fight back-

KAFKA: It was third and long, so you're trying to get, you know you got two downs left, so you're trying to get some of that back. So, you're calling a play, you kind of get a chunk, put yourself maybe in a fourth and favorable, and then give yourself another chance downfield. So, we got bailed out by the call, and sometimes that happens.

Q: I guess that's my point. We say bailout, but if you guys didn't execute the play, you wouldn't even have gotten an opportunity to get that flag. Like in that situation, if Beaux had just kind of kept running and not done his job, you don't get that flag. It probably gets picked in that situation.

KAFKA: Well, that's the beauty of our guys right now, is that we have young guys, whether it's rookies like Beaux in there, older veteran guys up front, (wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson). We have guys of all ages across the board that are stepping up, and it's things that we practice in the spring, the scramble drill. And you never know when it's going to happen. And when you have athletic quarterbacks, that could happen at any play. First, second, third down, fourth down, two minute, those things are going to show up. So, the coaches have done a great job of emphasizing it, and then the players have to go execute it. And we talk about the certain details of the scramble drill, where you have to be, the spots, the so-called hot spots in the scramble drill that show up for you downfield, how to work it when you're on a different level than the quarterback, or when the quarterback rolls left, or when he rolls right. How do you fit in the scramble drill? Where are you, and who are you? And so, we detail those things up, and the guys do a great job when Jaxson has gone up and scrambled. And if there's nothing there, he's done a good job of using his legs. So, it's just, that's the dynamic part of having a quarterback that can use that part of the field.

Q: On the interception, how did you weigh in that moment, whether to run the ball, make them use their timeout, and still try to get the first versus throwing the ball?

KAFKA: Yeah, I think those decisions always come down to just your confidence level in the quarterback and in the players. And I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Jaxson and the ability to put the ball in his hands in certain situations, whether it's third down, whether it's fourth down. You saw that in the Chargers game, third down in the Chargers game to (tight end) Theo (Johnson), big play. You saw it at the end of the game against Denver, first and goal at the one, putting the ball in his hands. And as a coaching staff, we have to do a great job of studying and understanding, all right, in those situations, what do we want to get to? Are they going to be a max pressure team? Do they drop everybody, or do they max pressure it? So, you weigh the options of max protection, getting two guys on routes that are runaways, that are going to be open and work the two best players. With max protection, with the ball in Jaxson's hand, that was something I felt really confident about just because of the amount of production and things that he's done over the course of his time here. Really after evaluating and watching every single pass that he has had as a New York Giant, I have a lot of confidence in putting the ball in his hands there and putting the ball in our offensive line's hands and having the ability for our skill guys to go. So, sure, hindsight, you can look at it and evaluate it. But when we talked about it as a staff early in the week, you look at the "gotta have its" and the plays that we like, that was the one that was high on our list. We talked about it, really, two drives before that even came up. And in the four minute "gotta have its," we talk about it on Saturday night. It's the same thing. We go through the checklists and walk through those plays and talk about them. So, when you get in that situation, it's an easy, fast call. The guys can get up and go, and then go operate it.

Q: Obviously the last drive ended well, but when you go back and review it, he put the ball at risk a few times there. Is it to say, hey, just calm down, even though it's a two-minute drill. We don't need to go for a home run when it's first and ten after the penalty.

KAFKA: Which play?

Q: The two guys collided, probably would have been intercepted at the goal line. The post, after you got the first down, the roughing the passer.

KAFKA: I mean, again, it's always a fine line of when you're coaching the quarterbacks of the aggressiveness and over aggressiveness. And we always talk about it, being aggressive not reckless. And so, again, those plays downfield, I think the quarterbacks, he makes that decision, I support it, and he's going downfield to be aggressive. He has a reason for it. And that's, again, going back to the trust level with your quarterback and with your group.

Q: You said you had the trust in Jaxson on the interception play. Because he threw the interception, does any of that confidence wane now?

KAFKA: It doesn't, it really doesn't, just for the simple fact that I know he's going to come back and do it again and go back and make that play. He's done it, he's proven that he can do it. And I don't really second guess the call, I don't have any regrets over it. Besides the fact that it got picked, it's one of those things that happens in football. But you saw that from him, though. He never really flinched. Of course, he's upset, but when we get back another drive, we're able to get back on the horse and let him go make the plays that he did to give ourselves a chance. I mean, that gives us more confidence. And again, in the game, it's not like we wavered as a unit. It's not like we wavered as a team. We went right back to him on first and goal at the 1. So, I think that's kind of where I'm at.

Q: What have your tight ends shown you since the last couple weeks? I mean, specifically Bellinger, who had not really been part of the receiving game in quite some time. What have they shown you since you went to this more emphasis on two tight ends?

KAFKA: Well, since Belly has been here as a rookie, he's done nothing but just been consistent in his approach, consistent with his play. So, each week will be a little bit different in how we want to attack a defense. But over the course of the last couple weeks, Bellinger was part of that plan. And no surprise to me, he came up big in making plays and doing the right things in both the run and the pass game. A guy that we're going to lean on and is one of the leaders of the group, and a guy that I have full confidence in.

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen

BOWEN: Before we get started here, it is just extremely tough, disappointing way to lose, especially how well we played early in that game. We have to do a better job getting these guys in positions to execute, make plays in the fourth quarter. And with that being said, I also have to make sure our best guys are on the field in those critical times. But I believe in the guys in the room. I believe in our coaches. I believe in our players. I know we're going to continue to work to improve, to get better, and be at our best when it matters most in these critical moments. Really excited to get back to work and get focused here on Philly.

Q: The offense scores a touchdown. Do you consult with (head coach Brian Daboll) Dabs about how you want to attack the next series. And just, I'm curious, (linebacker) Dex (Lawrence) also wasn't on the field in that three-man look on the completion, why wasn't Dex on the field there?

BOWEN: Yeah, so I think me and Dabs are always in constant communication on game day. He knows what's going on. It's always back and forth. As what he sees, what I see, along with our defensive staff, I think we got a good communication in terms of that on game day. And again, with Dex, I have do a better job. I have to make sure he's out there on the field.

Q: Everybody acts like if you rush five or six on that play, or four or five, let's say, it's like there's no risk in that. What's the other side of the coin? What are you protecting against by rushing three then?

BOWEN: Yeah, I mean, it's all about how you want to delegate your resources. The situations, they're always changing. They're always evolving. They're all a little bit different. Them not having any timeouts. I think they were in seven-man protection. They had those guys in there. So, I mean, it's a cat and mouse game, understanding how they're going to attack you. I had an idea of what was coming. It felt like we were in a good call. Obviously, it didn't work out, and it wasn't what we wanted it to be. So that's something we're evaluating. I have continue to work that to make sure I can put our players in the best position to execute in those moments.

Q: Will you give (cornerback) Art Green a chance to play outside corner this week?

BOWEN: Yeah, we're working through it. We'll see where Adebo's at as we go through the week here. I mean, we got guys there. We got, obviously, we got Art. We signed (cornerback) Korie (Black). We got (cornerback Deontae Banks) Tae. You have (cornerback Cor'Dale) Flott out there. So, we got some guys that we're working through. We'll see where Adebo's at. Got a couple days here to kind of work through with him and see where he's at with everything. So, we'll see where that goes.

Q: Did that give you any pause on that first series when you dropped eight? The fact that Adebo and (safety Jevon) Holland weren't out there. So you had some guys that really hadn't gotten a lot of defensive reps. Was that in consideration or it was really-

BOWEN: Yeah, I mean, I think always throughout a game as you go, you're trying to gauge where we're at and our ability to execute certain things and who's in there and who's not in there. I think that's something you always have to take in consideration along with the offense and how they're trying to attack you.

Q: It certainly seemed like the point where the game changed was when Adebo went out. Did you have to call things any differently with your number one corner out and Banks taking those reps?

BOWEN: Yeah, I mean, I don't know if it was any differently. I think some things change as you go, like you're dealing with different bodies in there, playing some different positions. (Safety) Dane's (Belton) usually our sub linebacker. He has to move back. (Linebacker Darius Muasau) Moose is in that role a little bit more. So, there's some moving pieces that you have to take into account as you go. And just the comfort level with everybody, not just one guy, just with everybody being able to go out there and execute certain things.

Q: What happened with (cornerback) Dru (Phillips) on that (Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin) Mim's completion?

BOWEN: I have to do a better job making sure these guys understand the situation, what it is, understand the call, and how we're going to execute it.

Q: What did you think about what (outside linebacker) Brian (Burns) said? Obviously, there was video of him coming out. It seemed like he was not that happy with the rush three, drop eight. He had a different explanation, but what did you make of that?

BOWEN: Yeah, I mean, we got a good relationship. We talk. I think with all these guys, I got a good relationship with all these guys where I hope they're able to voice their opinions to me, good, bad, indifferent as it goes. Again, we talk through everything as a group, as a coaching staff, and then along with these players as well, making sure we're on the same page. I think the more we can communicate, they can understand my perspective, I can understand their perspective on things. It allows us to kind of come together and understand where each guy's coming from and how we want to play the game.

Q: Did you hear from them specifically on that play?

BOWEN: I talked to all of them about all the play. I talked to them, I approached all those guys about the play.

Q: What about Dex, you said you need to get him on the field. Was that something that he came to you and talked about, or you went to him and talked about?

BIWEN: Yeah, I have to get him on the field. I have to get him on the field.

Q: Who determines who's on, is that the position coach?

BOWEN: It's me, it's all me.

Q: When you said you want to get your best guys on the field at critical times, are you talking about Dex, or-

BOWEN: Yes.

Q: Are you referring to playing, because you're substituting a lot, especially up front. Are you saying you just need to play your A-list guys more?

BOWEN: Yeah, I think I'm referring to that situational play, absolutely. I think the other plays throughout the game, it was tempo there in the fourth quarter, I think we ran over 30 plays in the fourth quarter there. So, there's going to be some moving in and out, and it affects what you're able to do just in terms of packaging and some of that too, because guys are running in and out. And again, just the most critical moments, those critical plays, I have to make sure that our best players are on the field.

Q: How do you balance wanting to have your best players on the field, but also when the players are out there, they have to be ready to go in terms of stamina and energy?

BOWEN: Yeah, that's part of it, and I think all 11, obviously the starters, and then all of our backups, they have to be ready to go, they have to be ready to play, they have to be ready to go. And I think we're talking two different things a little bit about that critical situation play, and then as we go throughout the game, we have to roll guys, you can't play the same guys all the time. So, there's going to be some plays in the game throughout where we might not have a guy in there that we want in there at that time, just based on the nature of the game, and the flow of the game, and the tempo of the offense, and how that plays out.

Q: The first three quarters were as intimidating a defense as I've seen the Giants play, there were big hits, like enforcer type hits, anything to that? You just don't see those kind of big hits, I think of Dane's, I think (inside linebacker) Bobby (Okereke) had one, anything to that, like the physical style you guys were playing?

BOWEN: Yeah, I think they were playing fast, I think they were lined up, ready to go, reacting, and triggering, and making plays. I don't, to me, if we can get lined up, we know what to do, we can play fast and aggressive, I think the more that stuff kind of shows. The fourth-down stop by Dane on the goal line, huge play early in that game, so just continue to make sure these guys, as a coach, we can put them in positions to do the best things they do best, and also execute what we're asking them to do at a high level.

Q: But why wasn't Dex out there for that?

BOWEN: Yeah, it's on me, I have to do a better job just making sure he's out there.

Q: I guess what was the thinking of the strategy?

BOWEN: It's on me, I have to do a better job in that situation making sure he's on the field.

Q: There's been a lot of pressure on you from outside the building, I'm wondering how much you feel that, how much do you feel that maybe internally, and how do you handle all this?

BOWEN: Yeah, look, it's the NFL, it's a week to week, you have to perform each week. Week in and week out, excited for the opportunity this week to play a really good team on the road. Get back out there, get this taste out of our mouth, lean on the guys, lean on the coaches, we're in this thing together. One way or another, good, bad, indifferent, we're in this thing together. Lean on those relationships I've built with those guys. And again, alluding back to your last question, constant communication about where we're at and where we need to go.

Q: What was that interaction like with Brian after the game? It seemed like things were heated.

BOWEN: Nothing of note with me.

Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial

GHOBRIAL: Before I take any questions, I'll address a couple of misses that we had, obviously, last game. Went into the game really confident with our operation. It had been clean before we had started. The past few weeks, there was a level of continuity and comfort. (Kicker) Jude (McAtamney) had been doing a nice job kicking, did a nice job in pregame. But ultimately, we don't have four downs to get it right, and those misses are on me. So, I'm going to put that on me. We've got to be better. These games are, I've said this before, are decided on a score differential of six points or less, over 50% of these games. When you don't execute on fourth down, whatever unit it is, especially when it comes to points, that hurts us. So that's my fault. We've got to be better, I've got to be better, and we'll move forward.

Q: When you went back and looked at it, what did you see? The two misses I'm talking about in particular.

GHOBRIAL: The fact of the matter is there are so many things that you could point to of why it went a certain way, all that. The ball was down on the spot. We've got to be able to execute on a PAT. There are obviously nuances from a fundamental standpoint, whether somebody plants too deep and they decide to push the ball, whether the operation is too fast. Those are all things that deal with me that I've got to make sure that is clean, especially in those situations and really any situation. Because again, like I've said before, whenever we send out our field goal unit, whether it be a field goal, a PAT, the expectation is we come out with points. When we don't come out with points, that's a reflection of me, and I've got to be better.

Q: With (kicker) Graham's (Gano) history of getting hurt - and he's older - either before the game or right at the start of the game, will you push for you guys to have (kicker Younghoe) Koo active as insurance, like on a game day elevation from the practice squad?

GHOBRIAL: We're going to have lots of discussions as coaches as this week progresses. They obviously opened up Graham's window, did a nice job kicking yesterday. We're going to explore every option in giving our team the best opportunity to win the football game. Every week is unique, so we'll exhaust every option.

Q: I'm sure you've gone into seasons and game to game, where you're not even thinking of that. If we asked you the idea of having an insurance kicker on game day, you'd look at us and you'd go, why? Why would we go into a game thinking a guy would get hurt? The fact that it's happened to you guys on several occasions, early in the game and in warm-ups, how do you avoid thinking like that, when you have these conversations with the coaches and the trainers? The idea of, we don't want that to happen again. How do you avoid it since it's already happened?

GHOBRIAL: Honestly, it's that answer. You've got to have really educated discussions amongst coaches, amongst trainers, that everybody has conviction going into the game that he's going to give us the best opportunity to win the game and sustain and stay healthy. Have obviously had some unfortunate luck the past few years when it came to that. So again, we've got to explore every option and on Saturday, we'll have a better idea of what that plan is. But obviously, whatever we decide to do, we'll have ultimate confidence. The one thing I'll say about these players, whether they be kickers, punters, snappers, core players, offensive players, defensive players in the kicking game, these players pour so much into the game. They pour so much, both from a physical standpoint, from an emotional standpoint, the mindset, people are away from their families. When these players pour so much into it, the confidence then stems from that. They don't shortchange the process. That's everybody involved in this organization and that's something that we'll obviously stay connected to as a football team.

Q: Is it possible, though, to trust Graham, to go in convicted that Graham is going to stay healthy when some of these ailments have come up, like soft tissue issues before games?

GHOBRIAL: You just have to make sure that he's at full health and he's kicking the ball well. Those are things that going into the week that you'll never jeopardize if somebody is somewhat hurt or is still coming back, all that stuff. You're going to look at where he is right now. You're going to put a lot of educated opinion based off of the medical staff and talk, obviously, as coaches and move forward from that. And with that, you could have confidence.

Q: During weeks when you have kicking competitions, like when you were deciding between, let's say, Koo and Jude in recent weeks, how many field goals do they take in a practice week like that? What does a competition look like?

GHOBRIAL: So it varies, obviously, depending on week to week, what day you're playing. Thursday to Sunday to Monday, all those things kind of vary. Traditionally, kickers kick two times a week. In that, whether they kick a Wednesday, Thursday, or whether they kick a Wednesday, Friday, you're usually aiming to have anywhere between 20 to 45 balls. That's been pretty consistent with all the kickers that I've been around at this level.

Q: That's each? Per day?

GHOBRIAL: Yeah, per kicking workout. You obviously don't want to exhaust them on a practice day, but they've got to get their good work in. So, there's a high volume of kicking snaps, but not too much to where their leg gets exhausted. Then you basically paint the field. When I say paint the field, I'm saying you start off with some bunny field goals that are inside the 10-yard line. Then you get to a PAT, whether that ball be on the middle of the field, whether it be on the hash, depending on the kicker. Then you start to get it a little bit longer, whether that be a 50-yard field goal, a 55-yard field goal. You challenge them in an end-of-half, end-of-game situation. You challenge them to do those kicks at times with time expiring. So, you try and give them every situation possible, and obviously keep them healthy, and then you just mix it up throughout the week.

Q: Is Koo taking kicks in practice this week even with Graham back?

GHOBRIAL: Yeah.

Q: How much work is he doing?

GHOBRIAL: Consistent enough with having success on Sunday. We've got to get everybody that's healthy ready, and ultimately we want to give each of those guys an opportunity to excel come Sunday, to where if their number is called, they feel confident in their ability. The great thing is you have two veterans that have seen it all, have been around the game for a long time. They flourish with the opportunity to compete and to try and be the best versions of themselves.

Q: You guys went with Jude. Obviously, it's dependent on if Graham is able to go this week, but what gives you confidence in Koo if you have to go with him this week?

GHOBRIAL: He's been here for the past few weeks, has gotten more comfortable with the operation of (punter/holder) Jamie (Gillan) and (long snapper) Casey (Kreiter). Understands how we do things here, has kind of worked on some nuances coming from Atlanta that would allow him to have more sustained and consistent success. Obviously, Koo has had really good years in the National Football League. At times with that, when you come into a new building, learning the new operation may take some time. Honing in on your craft is also another avenue that a kicker coming into a new building has to do. I think he's in a good place mentally and in kicking form.

Q: Do you have any regrets about maybe putting too much on Jude's plate for what he was able to handle?

GHOBRIAL: Whoever we put out there, I always have confidence in them. Again, it goes back to the preparation, execution in practice, the execution in games prior. Every decision made is made with tons of information that's gathered and whoever we put out there, I have confidence in.

Q: How much has Gano been able to do the last couple weeks as he's kind of built up here?

GHOBRIAL: I can only speak to yesterday, because of the designated to return. He did a nice job yesterday on what would constitute a normal Wednesday for him and did a good job with his kicks.

Q: But with his program, does a kicker, when they're injured, go kick on the side, because obviously they can't kick with you, right? Do they go kick on the side on their own as they build up? Is that kind of how it works?

GHOBRIAL: Honestly, I can't speak to the acclimation process when they're working with the trainers, but all those things are involved in getting a player ready to be designated for return. When a player is designated for return, they've got to show the medical staff that they have the ability to factor in that week.

Q: With Graham, we know physically is obviously what you're watching this week. But I'm curious mentally, emotionally, he's had some ups and downs the last couple of years that haven't been easy, especially at the beginning of this season. We're going to get the opportunity to talk to him at some point, but from your perspective, someone who knows him, how hard is that for a veteran kicker who knows how good he can be when he has some of the things that have happened to him? Were you watching for his confidence, making sure that he's seeing things the way he needs to see it, in addition to all the physical attributes that he needs to have to perform for you guys?

GHOBRIAL: Yeah, I think that all culminates to a good kicker in this league, is both the physical ability to do it and the confidence to do it, and I think that's with any position. Graham is a guy that's had success, and had success before he got hurt for us. I think what gives him confidence is when he sees the ball go through the uprights, and be like, okay, that's my A ball. Again, he did a nice job yesterday. So, evaluating the confidence level of him, I've got tons of confidence in him. He's kicking well, and we'll obviously see as the week progresses who gives us the best opportunity to go win.