Head Coach John Harbaugh

Alright, great locker room after the game, really fun to be a part of that. That's what winning is. That's what winning teams do. They find ways to win games. That's why they're winning teams and I'm proud of those guys for that. Also proud of their faith. I felt like, I'm going to just be honest with you, I was praying. I was praying and I guess God came through. And you know who else came through? (Cornerback Deonte Banks) Tae Banks! Tae Banks came through with a huge play after a crazy pass interference penalty. I thought you had to touch the guy for it to be pass interreference. I thought that was part of it but you know what, they didn't bat an eye. Nobody flinched, nobody blinked, kept bringing the heat. The pass rush was there all day, forcing that ball out just a little bit early. And that's an accurate thrower. They got some guys that can catch, make some tight, contested plays, which they did on that drive. But our guys kept tackling. I mean, they had four downs from what the four, was it? And we get to stop. That's big.

Q: How do you keep, not you, but the whole team, how do they stay focused after a call like that? I mean, you can cry about it, but that's the call. They got to keep their heads in and try to finish the game.

A: Right, I was crying inside about it. I know. Was it crying? Was it rage? Maybe it was rage. It's kind of a mix of those two things, right? But you're right. You have to play the next play, which is what they do. You gotta keep believing and then you got to do. Keep believing, keep doing, keep believing, keep doing, keep believing, keep doing. That's really what life is. Football is a metaphor for life and that's the way a football game goes. Sometimes it doesn't go your way. But the last two times it did go our way and they were rewarded for that.

Q: What kind of character build is a game like this?

A: I think it's kind of character reflecting probably more than anything. You see, it comes through in those situations. Those are tough situations to face, you know, and under a lot of pressure and guys just kind of took a deep breath and locked in and played the next play. That's hard to do. It's really hard to do. Two weeks in a row.

Q: Coach, the team started off offensively and defensively slow. How were you guys able to turn it around so quickly?

A: I think offensively, we just kind of like, just kind of took a deep breath and just started executing better generally. Defensively, we made a couple adjustments. They came out with a run game. It wasn't runs we haven't seen before, but not runs they had been running. We weren't really set up as well as we could have been for those runs and I thought the defensive coaches made a couple of nice adjustments and took some of those outside runs away and our guys kind of bowed up and just played better. But we did a couple of things to get the edge protected a little better.

Q: The Giants are in first place in the division, which is not something we have said about the Giants a lot. Do you take anything from that or is it too early?

A: It's an opportunity. I mean, the idea is to get the lead, extend the lead. That's the idea in a game and during the season. We're in good position for four games in, but it's only four games in. We have an opportunity. It gives us a great opportunity to go down there to Washington and try to play our best football game. And we can play so much better. We can play so much better. And that's what we'll be chasing.

Q: Do you see a team learning how to win here?

A: I think they showed us how to win, more than that.

Q: I realize you want to win under any circumstances, but when you have the 86 Giants here, is that an extra source of motivation to perform in front of them?

A: I don't know. That'd be a good question for the guys. I don't think anybody was thinking about that because you're so locked in on the football. But the fact that now that you mentioned it that they were here, it makes me really proud. It makes me really proud what they represented, that they could watch a football game like that. Even though it wasn't the most beautiful game as far as played perfectly, it was a winning game. The heart and the determination and handling the pressure and all those things. I'm kind of proud of that.

Q: (Quarterback) Jameis (Winston) and (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) are two different players. How much did you have to adjust the offense to make Jameis more comfortable?

A: It's nothing like that we didn't have in the offense, but it's just a lot of things that you steer it in a different direction for sure. And that was a lot because that's where the reps go and you're kind of reorganizing the reps toward things that you hadn't really been doing quite as much of and all those reps that you had been doing a lot, they kind of don't count anymore because you're not running some of those plays as much as when Jaxson was in there. So, I think it's definitely an adjustment.

Q: This is a Giants first time being a 3-0 at home in 18 years. What does that mean to you in your first year as head coach of the Giants?

A: It means a lot. I think all of us, all of us, the players, coaches, we're all very, the organization. I know Mr. Mara talked to him after the game, everybody's very proud of that, very proud of that. All right, now, next time we come back home, we got to extend it. We got to win the next one.

Q: How do you assess how Jameis did today?

A: I thought he played well except for the turnovers and that's the thing he's going to tell you. The turnovers were the thing and those are throws he can make. I mean, he can make in his sleep. So that's something to clean up. I think we just got to keep chasing clean football. Turnover-free football, the fumble was a problem. We run it hard. Our backs ran so hard and so well. All three of our backs, but especially those two guys running, they ran hard and well, but we got to keep the ball off the ground. So, we have to chase the kind of football that doesn't give our opponent any opportunity to breathe. That's the kind of football that we want to play and we've got to keep chasing that kind of football.

Q: What was the thinking of making (quarterback) J.J. (McCarthy) active?

A: We thought we could do it with kind of way we were set up for special teams. We had enough guys playing special teams and it just gave us an option in case we want to put J.J. out there to run certain plays that we had prepared for him, but to think that he was going to be the backup for the whole game was unrealistic. So we had, we had Jake (Haener) up too and that was our thinking. We just felt like we needed three guys for kind of the two roles.

Q: Did you have any thoughts about putting him into a package?

A: We did not during the game in this game. We did not.

Q: You guys could have gone a different direction and gotten conservative on offense after the turnovers. Why not and were you happy with the way they responded?

A: I thought (offensive coordinator) Matt (Nagy) did a great job. He had guys open, guys made some catches and Jameis made some throws, but you just have to, you have to find a way to get first downs. You can't just run the ball every play, it's just not possible. Jameis made some throws and we moved the ball a little bit, got some special teams plays that were big, punt coverage backed them up, punt return got us out, set us up. So kind of, it's like John Mara said, that was a team victory.

Q: Your special teams came up big, especially your field goal kicker for a second week in a row, hitting bombs.

A: Came up big, man. I mean, that kid's doing a great job, but he's going to be thinking about the next kick.

Q: (Weakside Linebacker) Arvell Reese, what did you think of his performance?

A: He was all over the field again. He played great. I could have given him, he may get a game ball yet for defensive player of the game. I don't know, but he had an interception, had numerous, numerous tackles again. He has really taken off.

Q: You blitzed a lot defensively in this game, probably more than you had.

A: Especially down the stretch we did, yeah.

Q: How much was that to plan and what was the thinking behind that?

A: It was definitely planned. I think the thinking was to hurry him up, try to get the ball out of his hand as quick as we could. He was going to get the ball out quick, try not to take sacks, although we got a few sacks. And the ball came out pretty quick those last four plays, so it helped us.

Q: With Deonte, he's been on the wrong side of that with the pass interference, and then it doesn't go his way. I mean, you've believed in him since the day you walked in here. Then he didn't play last week and you put him right back in the starting lineup. The fact that he clinches the ball, and as he's running down, did you ever think maybe just get down, or do you let him run and have his fun?

A: It did cross my mind, but you have to trust him and I guess it just shows you it was in there the whole time. It was in there the whole time and he found it.

Q: Last defensive stance, that execution and effort, could you talk a little bit about that in that last drive?

A: I cannot wait to watch it on tape. I mean, obviously the effort, but also the execution. I mean, you didn't see a quarterback run out of there. You didn't see anybody left wide open. The one touchdown pass they had earlier, we had two guys kind of bump into each other. I mean, that was kind of a fluke, you know? We had tight coverage, I thought, really the whole game. They had to earn all their catches. Every one of them, they had to earn. Maybe one catch the guy came open. Really, the one at the end of the half was the one, and the guy ran a nice route back to the sideline versus man coverage. I thought our guys did a great job. (Defensive backs coach) Addison Lynch is doing a great job with those corners.

Q: What do you expect to hear from your dad tonight?

A: Never had a better win than this. That's exactly what he's going to say. And we did give the guys a 'who's got it better than us'. We did.

Q: Why did you make the decision to go to (center) Bryan Hudson at center?

A: Yeah, (center) JMS (John Michael Schmitz Jr.) had missed a couple days of practice, and Huddy had been doing so well. We kind of felt like he's got the reps. He's made the calls, and we were kind of thinking about starting to work him in a little bit here and there, even some extra line stuff, if possible. And it just made sense. I mean, JMS, he'd been up, his wife had the baby. He didn't have a lot of rest. It just made sense, and I think it paid off. It's not a long-term thing. I mean, we just have two centers we really like.

Quarterback Jameis Winston

Q: What's it like to be standing up here after another win?

JAMEIS WINSTON: It feels great. It feels great, man. Praise God. I just love the way we're playing complementary football right now. And honestly, that's all that matters at the end of the day.

Q: The guys were saying in the locker room that your week of preparation was amazing. How did you feel during the week leading up to this game?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Yeah, every week I go in and prepare to be my very best. And I'm just happy we were able to go out there and apply it and pull out a win for our fans today.

Q: Can you talk about the touchdown pass to (tight end) Theo Johnson?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Great catch by Theo. Just his preparation, being ready, and when the opportunity presents itself, he goes and snatches it down, and put us ahead.

Q: Jameis, what are the final ten seconds like in that game? So, (cornerback) Deonte (Banks) has the pick, you guys know you've won, he's running down the field, the stands are erupting, the clock's still going, but you know you've won. Did you look up? What were the emotions in that moment?

JAMEIS WINSTON: I just was grateful. Two weeks in a row, our defense held strong, man. And to see Tae Banks (cornerback Deonte Banks), man, someone who has faced his trials, man, but still finds a way to persevere. And for that to happen to him, and for him to finish in the end zone with that ball, I was so proud of him. And I talked about forgetting that which is behind you, and reaching forward to which is ahead, and that's what he did. Obviously, he talked about that first drive, his welcome back moment, because he's been locking down stuff since training camp. But sometimes it's not how you start, it's how you finish. He finished in the end zone to lead us to a victory.

Q:  You and (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) are two totally different players. So, going into this week, how much of a difference was there in preparation, game planning, and all that, just to make you comfortable?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Yeah, I believe that the coaches are doing a great job to get us ready, get us ready to go. There's obviously still some things that we want to perfect and master. And that mastery is never going to stop. So, the preparation, the consistency, the congruency of myself, the receivers, tight ends, running backs, and the coaching staff, it's a process that never stops. We always keep growing.

Q:  Jameis, obviously there's a lot of chatter about you recently, the last couple weeks. They brought in a new quarterback. How much did that or does that motivate you? Do you even listen to that, do you use it as self-motivation? How did you handle that?

JAMEIS WINSTON: I'm just grateful for the opportunity I have now. And right now, I get to smile and say I'm the starting quarterback for the New York Football Giants. So, focusing on what I would love is winning games with my team, being the best that I can be. And I just feel like that, man, I'm heating up and I'm starting to get better, better, and better. Last week, I was questioning if I could even throw. This week, I've got people talking about the Jamis Winston experience again. So, I'm just still so curious and I'm so inspired to be the best me every single day. And that alone pushes me. Not another man, not another teammate, just my desire to be what I would love.

Q:  Your touchdown pass to (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers), can you talk about that one?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Yeah, Malik gets open. Can't guard Leek (wide receiver Malik Nabers). I think it was a great play call. Malik one-on-one with a back up the middle of the field, man. It's just any time that we can get him the football in that type of matchup, it's really a win for us.

Q:  And how about the first touchdown to (wide receiver) Malachi (Fields)?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Oh, I'm so happy, so happy, executing the scramble drill for him to get his first NFL touchdown. I told him this was going to be the week that he gets his first NFL touchdown, and God brought it through. So, I'm just proud of him and I'm happy he was able to get that.

Q: You mentioned the fans earlier a little bit ago, but this is the third straight home win for the Giants, and they're 3-0 at home for the first time in 18 years. What does that mean to you?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Well, it means a lot to us because the fans are a big part of this entire organization. Without their support, without their commitment to coming to the games and being loud – man, did y'all hear them on that stand, cheering up for our defense? We've got players on the stands, man, I'm over there praying, but we hear everybody, everybody just getting turnt, man. So, we love that. That's what we do this for. That's why you want to win games, because that vibrational frequency, it's beautiful when you say the Giants find a way, and so far we have been finding a way and I'm so proud of our team for doing that. And I think it's definitely because of our fans.

Q:  You're 3-1 and in first place, what's the feeling around the team?

JAMEIS WINSTON: I think the feeling around the team is celebrate today, but we want to continue to stack wins. We want to continue to get better. We would love to continue to eliminate the negatives and build on the positives so we can make ourselves a complete football team.

Q:  Jameis, I know the game is still fresh in your mind, but quickly, what do you think the offense needs to do to get better?

JAMEIS WINSTON: I believe that we just have to continue to fine-tune some execution things. I, myself, will continue to work on my footwork and timing, and I believe that as we can just continue to rep at practice and develop a congruency with me and Malik Nabers, with me and (tight end) Isaiah Likely, with me and (running back) Cam Skattebo, with me and (running back Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.), and just all of our guys, I think that is going to allow us just to continue to grow. And also, this film is very good for our coaches, for our coaches to watch the tape and get better from it, and find things that fit me well, find things that allows us to win games.

Q: How would you describe the Jameis Winston experience?

JAMEIS WINSTON: Well, my experience, it functions from gratitude. So, every time I'm out there, you know, it's a privilege for me to go out there and play. You know, there are only 32 quarterbacks that are starters in the NFL. So, that's a privilege. It is. So, my experience is just to go out there and glorify the kingdom of God, man, and be my very best. That's my experience. That's the experience that I'm living.

Q: When you read about it, what do you think when you read it?

JAMEIS WINSTON: When I read it, I really don't read it. I more so hear it. I think it's just a thing that people say, and they laugh and joke about it. But at the end of the day, my desire is to continue to get better. And my desire is to be the best that I can be. And that's what I'm focused on. Not an experience, even though it's an amazing experience to be out there playing.

Q: You mentioned the footwork. Is that something you noticed that was off, and that led to some of the off-target throws recently?

JAMEIS WINSTON: I'm always watching tape. And I know that just to help my overall accuracy in general, it always starts with the feet and eyes. So, continuing to hone in on that and keep my quarterback pocket presence and being able to move in a pocket and make throws accurately, precisely, is beneficial for our team.

Q:  Jameis, you said last week that this is a game the Giants lose last year. Now you win a similar game in a similar way. What is different about this team that now you're over the hump in winning these types of games?

JAMEIS WINSTON: It's just the faith. The faith that no one's doubting. We have a tremendous amount of confidence that we can and that we will win. And I'm just grateful that as a team, coaches, players, organization, that we have zero doubt that we can and we will pull it through.

Q: Jameis, we know that winning games is what matters the most, but it's got to feel good to get that ball in the end zone after the last game. You got the win for sure, but to get the ball in the end zone and get the momentum running with the offense, it has to feel good.

JAMEIS WINSTON: Yeah, I mean, we all know that getting the ball in the end zone is the key. You know, touchdown is one of the most proudest moments for any team, offense, defense, special teams, whatever. So, that does feel good. But at the end of the day, all that matters is you're 1-0, right? But you always want six points.

Linebacker Arvell Reese

Q: Being able to play such a great game with (former Giants linebacker) Lawrence Taylor here?

ARVELL REESE: Oh man, that means a lot bro. With a guy like that in the building, him setting the standard for how that position is supposed to be played back in the day. It definitely means a lot to play a decent game like that.

Q: Decent?

ARVELL REESE: To me, yeah.

Q: You don't think you played great today?

ARVELL REESE: A bunch of plays I left out there, so yeah.

Q: Take us through the interception a little bit. What did you see on (defensive lineman) Shelby (Harris) there?

ARVELL REESE: Oh yeah, I was just man on the back. I see the ball coming my way. He's there and I look at the QB, I see the ball coming my way.

Q: How were you able to dominate? How were you able to dominate the way you were today? I mean, you were making at least a play every drive.

ARVELL REESE: I think it's just being in the moment. Being poised and knowing, having that win the game on defense mentality. Just trying to show up, play for the person beside me. Not playing selfishly, trying to show up for the person beside me.

Q: You and these rookies, (wide receiver) Malachi (Fields), (kicker) Dominic (Zvada), Sisi (offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa), you guys have all been playing really well. What is it about you guys that's been able to show up on the field these first four games today?

ARVELL REESE: Like I said, I think it's just that playing unselfishly. Really trying to win and playing for the person beside you. Like I just said, bro, I play because I don't want to let the person beside me down. I do my job and try to dominate so he can know I've got his back.