Interim head coach Mike Kafka

KAFKA: First and foremost, I want to thank the (New York Football Giants co-owners) Mara and Tisch families and our GM (senior vice president, general manager) Joe Schoen for giving me the opportunity here to lead this team. This is a league of incredibly difficult situations, decisions, and I just have the utmost respect for (Brian Daboll) Dabs and what he's done for me, not only as a friend but as a coach. Giving me an opportunity here to be an offensive coordinator. My thoughts are with him and his family, and I just appreciate the things he's done for me, and I've learned a lot from him.

In terms of where we're at right now, I'm excited to lead this group. Focusing each day, taking kind of just one step at a time with the players and the coaches and getting organized. But I'm excited and looking forward to the challenge.

Just a couple things I would say are, first and foremost, I want to make (offensive coordinator) Tim Kelly our offensive coordinator. Really smart coach to help us tie in the run game and the pass game. Does a great job with a lot of good experiences to bank on. We're also going to put (quarterback) Jameis Winston as our starting quarterback, and he'll do a great job. I have a lot of confidence in Jameis, have a lot of confidence in (quarterback) Russ (Wilson), and he'll be the backup as (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) works through the concussion protocol. I think our players are pros. They're pros. So, my job is to get them in the best position to be successful and work through the week here and continue to make adjustments with the staff as we're going to continue to prepare for Green Bay, which is the most important thing. So really taking our time, making sure we cross our T's, dot our I's, put together a great plan for the players because that's really, at the end of the day, those are the guys that have been on my mind the last 48 hours. So, again, I'm thankful and appreciative, and now we're back on track and we've got a big task at hand and a big challenge in front of us.

Q: You still call plays?

KAFKA: Yes.

Q: Do you think of this as an audition for you?

KAFKA: My only focus is just the players. We need to make sure as a group, as a staff, we come together, put together a great plan, and really just focus on what the most important thing is. That's today, our practice, our prep, the meetings that we're in, the communication, and then just working through the details of the game plan because things are going to change and we've got to be able to have some flexibility and adapt to it. So that's probably our biggest messaging in terms of the coaching staff to the players.

Q: You alluded to it that Daboll was just so instrumental in giving you the opportunity here as OC. When you first heard that he was being relieved and that he would be the interim, what were those initial emotions and reaction like?

KAFKA: Yeah, I certainly didn't anticipate it, but it's one of those things, they happen in this league. And, again, I'm appreciative of what Dabs has done for me as a professional, as a coach, as a person, and getting to understand and know his family. There's a human element to it, too, so I'm very sensitive to that, and I wish him nothing but the best. And we'll continue to stay in touch with him because he's a great friend of mine. But there's a time for us in this group to continue to move forward and go enjoy this and enjoy this process and this journey.

Q: What went into turning to Jameis?

KAFKA: I think Jameis has done a great job since he's been here. Just like all our quarterback room, I've got a lot of trust in that room, being in there all the time, pretty much every single day since we've been here. But I've got a good feel for those guys, and I think Jameis will do a heck of a job. He's a great leader. He has a lot of production in this league, and I think he's going to do a great job leading that group.

Q: What was his reaction when you told him? Obviously, he's been a big part of your group.

KAFKA: He's very excited. He's very excited for the opportunity, and I think he'll run with it.

Q: That was your decision to make that change?

KAFKA: Yes.

Q: Did anyone else give input on that decision?

KAFKA: No, it was mine.

Q: Do you anticipate any more coaching changes down the pike?

KAFKA: Right now, no. Right now, Tim Kelly would be the only move. I have a lot of trust in our group and being around these guys for the last several years. A lot of trust, a lot of confidence, and now we can kind of get together and come together with a great plan for the players.

Q: Confidence level is still pretty high with (defensive coordinator) Shane Bowen?

KAFKA: Collectively, as a unit, we've met several times over the past couple of days, getting on the same page, the communication, talking about some of just the minor little tweaks that we would do throughout the week to make it more efficient and to clean up some communication stuff. So that would be, for us, that's probably the biggest thing is me getting on the same page with them. I'm not, up until this point, haven't been privileged to those conversations, so getting caught up to speed and communicating what I like and what I like to see and then them going and doing it.

Q: On game day, you're going to be calling the plays. You're also going to be the head coach the first time. That's a lot. So how do you plan to navigate your game day? Do you need a right-hand man because you can't do everything at once?

KAFKA: Yeah, we have a great team upstairs in the box. With (director of football data and innovation) Ty (Siam) and (offensive assistant/ game manager) Cade (Knox), doing a great job of communicating that. Just like we talked through it throughout the rest of the week, just going through our plan for how we're going to manage the game, fourth down decisions, timeouts, challenges, all of those things that we've talked through throughout the training camp, but now that I'm the decision maker, that will be just kind of ramped up a little bit more and we have to spend a little bit more time on it. But that's really all it is, just the communication aspect of it and talking through how we want to handle this game particularly. There's a lot of factors that could roll up into it. Whether it's the weather, whether it's the time on the clock, timeouts, the opponent you're going against, which is going to be a great challenge.

Q: Understanding that Dart is in the protocol right now, when he does come back, how much of a priority is it to, with the great ability that he has to extend plays with his legs, to get him to slide and be less injury susceptible?

KAFKA: Yeah, just like you said, Jaxson's still in the protocol, but I think having a great plan and, again, working in unison with Coach Kelly and our offensive staff and putting together that plan, that way when he is ready to go, that we have a great plan to keep him healthy.

Q: What have Jaxson's last couple days been like? Has he gotten additional evaluations? Where does he stand in the protocol?

KAFKA: Yeah, he's in the middle of it. And to be honest with you, I have a lot of trust in our medical staff and our medical team, and they're taking great care of him. So, each day I get a little bit of an update, he's right on track and right on pace in the program.

Q: What do you think of the talent of this team that now you're leading into battle?

KAFKA: I really have a lot of belief in this team, a lot of trust in this team, being around them, how these guys fight and battle. I think we've just had some things right there at the end that we've just got to go grasp and take it. So, just keeping that aggressive mentality, keeping that growth mindset, continuing to learn from these situations, and then when we get another opportunity to capitalize on it, then we've got to go do it.

Q: A lot of times people are thrust into this sort of role and maybe they're not ready for it. You've obviously thought about being a head coach for a few off seasons now. What makes you think you're ready for this?

KAFKA: I appreciate that question. Right now, my only focus really is on the players. I've been thinking about them for the last 48 hours, and I'm sure not every single one of these guys have reacted the same way, so I'm really sensitive to that, and it would be selfish of me to think about anything else but the players. So, getting these guys on the same page, getting them a great plan with really decisive calls, a decisive game plan so they can go execute at a high level, that's most important.

Q: What's the biggest change in this elevation?

KAFKA: Yeah, you certainly have a few more meetings, the scheduling of stuff, and there's a lot of details that go into it that you have to make sure you make a good decision on, a well-thought-out decision, and not just take it for granted. You want to be able to set up the players. It's all built around the guys. How are we getting them to maximize the most amount of football time, the most amount of rest so they can have their bodies to be fresh, and then the most efficient way to get the game plan so they can go out and play. So just as going through it and leaning on mentors and leaning on people in my past and putting together a plan and talking with the experts that we have already on the team, what the best way to approach that is, that's what I've been dealing with the last couple of days.

Q: Personnel wise, do you expect any other significant changes as you move forward here?

KAFKA: No, we're done -

Q: I mean, player-wise. Player-wise.

KAFKA: Oh, no, again, working with Joe, we'll have a good plan in terms of as we get closer to game day, working through the injuries and talking about how we want to handle the elevations and stuff. But right now, it's Wednesday. We're working through just the beginning stages of that.

Q: What about practices? Do you anticipate changing or tweaking anything as far as the practice schedule goes?

KAFKA: Yeah, we'll have some minor tweaks. I think one of the most important things I stressed to the players was we're not just going to change stuff to change it for no reason. We're going to have a plan and have an intent on what we want to emphasize that day. Whether it's first and second down, whether it's at the end of the game, whether it's our pressure packages or anything that we want to emphasize that week, and it's just communicating with the coaches. So yeah, there'll be some minor tweaks and some little things for the players that they'll need to be flexible on. But again, we have a great staff, and we communicate great. Starting with (director of coaching operations Laura Young) LY, who's been doing a great job helping me get organized these last couple days and getting that to the players.

Q: How did Russ take being quarterback three now, and do you expect him to spend the rest of the season here rather than ask to leave?

KAFKA: Russ is a true pro. Russ is a true pro, and I know he's been through a couple tough things. And listen, the way he responds is unbelievable. I have a ton of respect for Russ. And again, he's going to be the backup this week. He's one play away, just like he was last week. So, we need him, and he's a crucial part of our offense. He's a crucial part of our unit and our group and our leadership group. So, I'd expect nothing less from him and how he would respond to the news.

Q: How have things changed with Russ? He's gone from starter to lose the job to Jaxson, and now he's lost the job to Jameis as well.

KAFKA: I think those are, I mean, that's a valid question because I love Russ. I love Russ, but it's like I don't want to continue to revisit that. Russ understands the direction we're going moving forward. That's really where our focus is, is like today and moving forward, and Russ is part of that plan. And his role is defined as the backup, and he's ready to attack that role. We had a good conversation. I'm sure it wasn't necessarily easy for him, which I understand that, the human element of it, but Russ is one of the best team players I've ever been around. He's one of the best locker room guys I've ever been around, and I know he'll attack this role with everything he has.

Q: What did (chairman) Steve Tisch and (president) John Mara tell you about the expectations for you now going into the last few games of the season?

KAFKA: It was a great conversation. I'll leave it privately between us, but it was a great conversation, and it was cool to kind of talk through a little bit of my plan and now go implement it and put it in place.

Q: Will Jameis be the backup the rest of the year when Jaxson's healthy?

KAFKA: For this week, this is where it's at, and we'll just evaluate it. Jaxson, he's in the protocol. We'll make that decision and go through it, but right now we're just going to live in this week and live in just today. You get into this role, and there's a lot of things going on. You don't want to get yourself too far over-extended into the future. You want to just make sure that we're ready and prepared for today, get the things going, and start getting prepared for the rest of the remainder of this week, because we have a huge challenge. I understand why you're asking that, but there's some other things that we've got to make sure we get accomplished before we get to that point.

Q: What do you hope for at 1 o'clock kickoff on Sunday that the fans see from this team that maybe they haven't seen before with you at the helm now?

KAFKA: Again, we are focused on today, and I want to make sure our players understand that. We don't play the game today, so our guys are going to be prepared. Where we're at today is in the first-second down. We're talking through the first-second down blitzes, the run game, the pass game. We're talking about what our strengths and weaknesses going into this game are going to be and how we're going to attack the other crew in the Green Bay Packers. It's going to be a great challenge. We're just taking it day by day, and I think that's what's most important. Our guys have got to live in this moment right now, and then we'll put them again in another plan, and we'll attack that tomorrow.

Q: Green Bay is coming off a loss, but obviously it was such a big defensive battle. What did you see in (Green Bay Packers defensive linebacker) Micah Parsons and that whole unit that just made the battle of the trenches so intense?

KAFKA: It's a great unit. Really, all three phases, they have talented players everywhere. Micah particularly, (Packers defensive tackle Rashan) Gary. Those guys stand out because of their sack production, but their defense, they're well coached. They're very aggressive, and they know how to rush the passer. It's a tough crew. I think it's a great challenge for us and our offensive staff. It will be a great challenge for our special teams unit and our defensive unit as well. I know our coaches are doing a hell of a job prepping for this and getting our guys ready.

Q: What makes a great head coach in your mind, and how does that compare to the challenge of having to step in as an interim head coach when there's a lot that's already put in place for you?

KAFKA: I think the best head coaches I've been around are guys that are confident, poised, have a direction, have a plan, and then go execute the plan. If something goes just a little bit differently, then you go back and you adjust. You have flexibility to adjust. Accountability, holding guys accountable to the highest standard. If it's not right, fix it, don't wait and let things just kind of trickle and snowball. You want to be able to do that. Guys that empower players to be their best. Those are things that I've learned over my past that I think are great qualities in a head coach and things that I try to mirror.

Quarterback Jameis Winston

Q: What was your reaction when you got the news?

WINSTON: I was just grateful. I was grateful that I had this amazing opportunity. I'm so happy and grateful that I get to be the starting quarterback for the New York Giants for this week.

Q: How did you endure during that stretch where you weren't the guy? Like how did you get through that stretch?

WINSTON: Serving. Serving every single day as best as I can. And that's not going to change. I'm still going to continue to serve my teammates. And do all I can do with what I have knowing that there is more.

Q: What do you want the Giants fan base to see out of your first start in their uniform?

WINSTON: I just want them to be excited. Come ready. Expect us to give it all we got. Just like y'all. Just like when the Giants fans come up. We know we're going to feel them. We know that we're going to receive them. Receive us with open arms and we're going to give you what you desire.

Q: When did you find out you were starting?

WINSTON: (Interim head coach Mike) Kafka shared with me yesterday.

Q: You've been in a situation like this where a team needs to be galvanized. What does that take? What does it take to get a team that's down, up for a game and just have the emotions and the energy of the game different?

WINSTON: In times like this it's just action. Who's going to focus on being the solution? Who's going to focus on doing all that they can do to be the solution for this team? And me, I'm just taking it one day at a time, one play at a time, and I'm encouraging everyone else, just do your best. That's all the fans want. The fans just want us to come out there and do our very best. And when we come out and execute and do our very best, we're a tough team to beat.

Q: What have you learned the most just from watching, obviously, (quarterback) Russ (Wilson) and (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) start? Just, obviously, communicating with both of those guys. What have you gained the most from just watching their process and them leading this team?

WINSTON: Well, we're all a part of the same process. Obviously, the insight from Russ of being a Super Bowl-winning quarterback is developing Super Bowl habits, how we approach every single day, and the fun and intentional detail that Jaxson possesses because he's so hungry and so grateful for this moment. He's just a young rookie, and I can look in his eyes and just tell how bad he wants it. And I was that young rookie, and I'm still in my heart that young rookie, and that's why I'm so happy and grateful for this moment. When you get a chance to get opportunities like this or any opportunity, you do your best to capitalize on those moments and stay present and do all you can do.

Q: With Mike now taking over, what about him gives you confidence that he can lead this team?

WINSTON: He's poised. He's very poised on the sideline. And don't get me wrong, this is a very challenging situation because I would not be here if it weren't for Brian Daboll. And I am so grateful for him and the opportunity that he forwarded me to come to New York and do what I love. I'm happy for Kaf, but I'm thankful for Brian Daboll and what he has done for this team. I know how the business goes, and I've been in that position before, but I'm extremely grateful for him, more importantly. And I'm excited for Kaf. Just like as a quarterback, you want the opportunity to lead the team. I know he's been waiting on this moment, not waiting, but preparing for this moment to be a head football coach. And I know he's going to do the best that he possibly can.

Q: You mentioned that you got through the stretch by serving between a rookie quarterback and a veteran quarterback. What was the best way that you were able to serve?

WINSTON: By being persistent, being the same every single day, but by asking them questions of what they would love and how am I able to serve them, and just by acting on it. Not just asking just to ask a question but doing more than what's required. Watching film with Jaxson, sending Russ specific plays, specific thoughts that may help us in the process. Brainstorming and collaborating with them both about what we're seeing and how we're going to attack this defense.

Q: You haven't played in a while. What's the concern about – obviously this is the first day out, leading the group, but rustiness and all that kind of thing. And how much did Cleveland experience maybe, how does that help you? Because you've been through this a little bit.

WINSTON: Yeah, I've been waiting on this moment, man. So, the shock was off, the rust is off. It's like, hey, you get to play. And when you get to play, nothing else matters but taking it one play at a time and doing your very best. Because we all have different circumstances, conditions, and facts and I know that. But, man, I'm extremely grateful. I choose to focus on what's true and that's my mentality, that's my opportunity, being able to lead this team, and that's my action. So going out there, being energetic, enthusiastic, serving every single way that I can, and playing the best football I possibly can play.

Q: When did you find out Brian Daboll had been fired and what was your immediate reaction?

WINSTON: Man, we were in Bible study when we found out. Russ had told me. And then next thing you know, we had the meeting. Like, it was no time to really grasp the whole thing. I immediately was just like, man, I'm so grateful for that man. The person that Dabs is, he's a people person. One of the first head coaches that I've had to FaceTime me, introducing his wife to my wife. He didn't have to do that. He could just talk to Ciara (Russell Wilson's wife) and Jaxson's parents. But he went out of his way to make sure that everyone was involved. And that's why I'm so grateful for him. The way that he led, the way that he did things, it was the right way. We just had unfortunate circumstances on the field. And in this business, that's all that matters. Like, I tell Jaxson and Russ all the time, I take pride in being a great person. But if I don't go out there and throw touchdowns and create excitement, no one will really care. You know, when you think about the grand scheme of things, like, no one really cares unless you are producing and unless you are showing up day in and day out.

Q: What do you want fans to know about you?

WINSTON: I want fans to know that I'm going to do my best. Obviously, I'm going to have fun. But I'm going to execute, have a surgical execution, and just play ball, man. Like, this is something I've been doing since I've been four years old. I just get to do it in the greatest city in the world. I'm going to be singing it with my son. It's the greatest city in the world. Yeah, that's a Hamilton reference, if y'all don't know. A 10-year reunion.

Q: You mentioned that you were in a Bible study. Is that with Russ and other teammates?

WINSTON: Yeah, that was with all our teammates that attend a weekly Bible study. Yeah, and that's when we got the news. I'm so happy and grateful I was in that position because I was in a state of gratitude and of deep listening. Like I said, it happened so fast when the decision was made and we were made aware of it that I really didn't have time to really think. I just thought okay, there's a seed of good in everything. I immediately just thought about how grateful I was for Brian Daboll of believing in me to seek me and give my family a chance to be in New Jersey and New York and experience this. And now I'm the starting NFL quarterback.

Q: So, the spot that you're in right now in your career, there's a possibility if nothing happened maybe you wouldn't play another game. Did you ever think about that at all?

WINSTON: No, I never thought about that. I never thought about not playing another game because that's what I attract. And every time I'm on the sideline, do you see me on the sideline? I might not be on the field, but I'm playing the game. You know what I'm saying? That's just the love and passion that I have for this game, man. Like, I'm always playing the game. Now, I might not be playing the game physically and don't you say that we're not speaking that. But I'm playing the game. Every single game I'm out there prepared to play.

Q: You've been a great support system for Jaxson. You've talked about how being here with him for him from the summer obviously is a tough thing he's going through right now and the protocol out of people's control. How does that move forward for you? Do you view this Sunday as a one-shot deal and saying, you know, we know Jaxson is the future. We want him to be here. How do you approach that?

WINSTON: Yeah, I view Wednesday as a great day to talk to the media and address that I'm the starting quarterback for the New York Football Giants. I view Thursday as tomorrow, so as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And when Sunday arrives, I will be very grateful and present that I'm able to be the starting quarterback for the New York Football Giants. But until Sunday comes, I won't really have an answer for you about how I will be feeling on Sunday besides energetic, enthusiastic, and grateful that I'm the starting football quarterback for the New York Football Giants.

Q: Where do you think this team is mentally and emotionally off of this big change and coming off of this?

WINSTON: I think we are just ready for a win. And I think that's the consensus, even with you guys. I mean, I think it's tough when you guys don't get a win. So, I think this city, this stadium, we are willing to do any and everything for the New York Football Giants to be celebrating at the end of the day. And we know a good football team is coming in, but it's not about them. It's about us playing our very best. And it's not about our circumstance, conditions, and facts with our coach and with new changes. It's about us being grateful for the Maras, giving us this opportunity to put on a uniform, like this is what we signed up for. So whether we're 10-0 or 2-7 or 2-8, we signed up to do this. So, we have to be willing to do more than what we're required to do when they gave us this opportunity.

Q: What do you see when you look at the Packers' pass rush?

WINSTON: I see they traded for (Green Bay Packers defensive lineman) Micah Parsons, and they already had a good defensive end in (Packers defensive tackle Rashan) Gary, I feel like number 95, (defensive tackle Devonte) Wyatt, is a great defensive lineman. And I know that (Packers head coach) Matt LaFleur is a great head coach and got another young quarterback that can spin it, a productive offense. But their defense is a true bend-but-don't-break defense. I think this is one of the fastest defenses that we've seen in terms of how they run to the football. They're high energy, and they're very sound. And as a defense, when you know what you're doing, you can rep the plays that you have seen against you the whole year and play fast and play together.

Q: How much sleep do you think you're going to get between now and Sunday?

WINSTON: It's beautiful when you can get sleep because you feel like you're where you desire to be. I'm just extremely grateful that I get to be the starting quarterback for the New York Football Giants.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton

Q: What has this week been like with the coaching change?

SLAYTON: It's been a whirlwind of a week, but unfortunately in this league when you don't win, things like that happen. Obviously, I wish (former head coach Brian Daboll) Dabs the best. I've been here a time or two in my career, it's kind of the repercussions of not winning.

Q: Is it a situation where after the way you guys lost again, was this a shock or not a shock?

SLAYTON: It was definitely a shock. I mean, obviously people write about it and all that, but in here, as long as people are showing up to work and you're showing up to work, you assume they're going to be here. We never assume that somebody's going to be gone, so it definitely was a shock to us as players. But at the same time, we also understand the business and how it goes.

Q: You give your all every day, but still at the end of the day, it resulted in somebody losing their job. Do you feel almost like a sense of regret?

SLAYTON: Not regret because, I mean, we tried, you know? It wasn't like we didn't go out there and give our best effort to get the wins that obviously would have ultimately helped him keep his job. We just weren't able to get that done. I wouldn't say regret is the word, but obviously you feel for him, feel for his family, and wish him the best.

Q: You've known (interim head coach) Mike (Kafka) for a while. Is he ready for this, and what's he going to bring?

SLAYTON: Yeah, I think so. I think he's done a great job of leading us as an offense. Obviously, he gets to kind of expand his role into leading the entire team with defense and special teams, so I think he's ready for it. He does a great job of standing in front of the guys and kind of giving the charge and giving direction over the past couple of days, and obviously we know he's a good play caller, so I think he'll do a good job.

Q: Did you notice anything different about him today? Today was the first day you ever knew him as a head coach. Did he seem any different to you? Do you look at him any differently?

SLAYTON: Yeah, I think he definitely had a lot of energy. I feel like he was energized today. He came in, you could tell he had a positive mindset, an opportunistic mindset, so to speak. I think anybody that gets a chance to get a job and get a promotion, you should be that way.

Q: We don't see a lot of his personality. Is there more passion, more fire, more energy to him than maybe we've seen with him as the number two?

SLAYTON: Yes, for sure. I think in a football setting, whether that be in a meeting or on the sideline, I definitely think he has some fire and passion in him. But at the same time, he's probably naturally a little bit more of a calmer personality, so to speak. But that can be helpful, especially in a high-pressure game like we're in, week in and week out, that calmer presence can definitely be beneficial.

Q: As a team leader, you've gone through this before. There are some guys who haven't. What would be your message to the guys who haven't gone through this who maybe are uncertain right now?

SLAYTON: I mean, the human nature in them would be, we have two wins through 10 weeks, we have seven weeks left. Some people would pack it in, say the head coach got fired, whatever. But the reality of this league is that with change comes change, and you don't know whether or not you will or will not be a part of those changes. So, it would behoove you as an individual to do your best over these seven weeks and give your best effort and try to get some wins on the board in order to try to keep yourself in the Giants uniform. That's mostly what I would tell guys is like now is definitely not the time to relax, we need to go out there and try to put our best foot forward.

Q: Are you going to have your antenna up to look for guys that maybe are kind of throwing in the towel prematurely?

SLAYTON: No, because I don't think that'll be a problem on this team. We have the right kind of guys around here, and I think guys will go out there and give their best effort. Obviously, if this is your first time going through this, you just don't know. But I do know, so I just try to share wisdom when I can.

Q: Is it a little bit different for you this time because the last two coaches that got fired were at the end of the season, and now it's happening in the middle of the season? How does that get processed differently for you and the guys when it happens in the middle of the season?

SLAYTON: In the middle of the season, obviously it's like somebody gets promoted to interim. It's more so shifting to that person, but in the span of 48 hours, as opposed to in the off-season, it's like you sit, you wait, somebody gets announced, then you don't even see them until OTAs. You have a lot of time to sit and get ready, but in-season, we've had 24, 36 hours, whatever, to get ready for Kaf. But we're ready for him and he seems to be ready and we're ready to rock.

Q: Is it just odd coming in today? The guy who has been the head coach here for the last three-and-a-half years, he's a big presence here. Is it odd to come in and he's gone, that's it, and somebody else is there?

SLAYTON: Yeah, of course, it's the head coach. You're obviously going to notice that presence being gone. But like I said, Kaf's filling the role and he's going to do a great job, and we look forward to working with him.

Q: Have you had questions from your defensive teammates who haven't really dealt with Kafka much? What's he like? What can we expect?

SLAYTON: Not a ton, but I just try to tell them what he's like as a guy and what to expect.

Q: It sounds like you guys are going to have your third different quarterback starting this week. We've seen a lot of energy, it looks like, from (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) on the sidelines and whatnot. What is he going to bring this week?

SLAYTON: I think just positive energy. Jameis is a positive guy, but he's also kind of an electric personality. A guy that draws people in and makes people believe, so I look forward to playing with him this week.

Q: He's a quarterback that's going to give his guys a chance. I don't think there are too many 50-50 opportunities with him, he's going to give you a chance to tilt it in your odds. How does that change your mindset when you're out there?

SLAYTON: You know everybody's alive. It doesn't matter where you're running or what you're running, he can gun it anywhere and he will gun it anywhere. For a receiver, that's what you love. You love to have a chance, you love to feel like the guy is going to give you a chance, and I think that's kind of been Jameis' whole career is that type of M.O. and why he's led the league in passing before. So, like I said, I think he'll do a good job this weekend.

Q: Considering everything that's going on, could that energy that he brings be something that's helpful?

SLAYTON: For sure, of course. I think everybody's kind of going about this the best they can, adjusting as fast as they can. But obviously there are differences in how Dabs versus Kafka coach things. There are small changes for us. But, I think on top of that, having somebody like Jameis that's a steady presence, a veteran presence, it definitely helps.

Q: How are you feeling?

SLAYTON: I'm good.

Q: You didn't practice at all today, did you?

SLAYTON: We walked through today.

Q: You were able to finish the game. Did you exacerbate the hamstring or something?

SLAYTON: No, it didn't get any worse.

Q: Just something you're going to have to manage, I guess, the rest of the year?

SLAYTON: Yeah. It is what it is.

Q: Do you think with Kafka being the interim and now you've got a new OC, is there much you guys can realistically change to your system in the last seven games?

SLAYTON: Not like massive changes, no. But like I said, small imprints. He has his imprint. Even kind of been shown today, the approach and somethings we're going to get to. But obviously, also with Jameis being the quarterback, there is also new there. He's not (quarterback Jaxson) Dart. He's not as much of a runner as Jaxson, all that type of thing. There will be small imprints and nuances.

Outside linebacker Brian Burns

Q: You've been through a coaching change before. What goes through your mind when something like this happens? What changes?

BURNS: Nothing. The goal is still to go out there Sunday and play our best, win the game. Yeah, I've been through this a couple of times.

Q: How hard is it for you personally?

BURNS: It's tough. You develop a relationship with somebody. You get to learn what they want, their ways, and they get to learn you as well. It's tough. It's like a breakup.

Q: How did you find out? When did you get the word?

BURNS: I found out when everybody else found out.

Q: Did you meet with the team or did you see it on social media?

BURNS: I was working out when, I guess, the news dropped. I came back in and they told me.

Q: (Interim head coach) Mike's (Kafka) been on the offensive side of the ball all this time. How much of a relationship do the guys on the defensive side have with him right now?

BURNS: I don't know. I can't speak for everybody. But me personally, we haven't had a ton of conversations, but we've talked throughout the halls and out in practice. But we haven't had like any in-depth conversations besides now.

Q: So, it's a learning process?

BURNS: Yeah.

Q: You were pretty demonstrative with Brian (Daboll) after the game in support that It's not the coaches, it's everybody. How do you process the feeling when you said what you did and then it comes out that they did end up making a coaching change?

BURNS: It's just the nature of the business. Like I said, I've been through this a couple times, so it's not like brand new to me. I kind of understand how the business goes and how things operate. It's still tough at the end of the day. It's not anything you get used to, but I've been through it.

Q: Do you feel it was necessary?

BURNS: Anybody else got something to say?

Q: What changes for the defense? Anything?

BURNS: No. We've got the same scheme, same coordinator. Everything is pretty much the same as far as the game plan.

Q: I mean, he's the new head coach. Do you expect Kafka to want tweaks to the defense? Like you said, you've been through this. Does the interim head coach usually come in and make changes on the other side of the ball, or just kind of let that coordinator run things the way they are?

BURNS: I think it depends on his expertise. When I went through the coaching change with (former Panthers head coach) Matt Rhule, (former Panthers interim head coach Steve) Wilks kind of took over our defense, but that's what he does. So, I don't know if he's going to make any tweaks or not. We'll know the more we game plan for the Packers.

Q: As a team leader and a captain, what would you hope comes out of this in the locker room? Your coach was fired, what would you hope the reaction is this week in the locker room and on the field?

BURNS: I hope the guys would stick together, come together, come even closer. I kind of just told them that in situations like this, everybody's under evaluation. Even though this is happening, nobody's going to turn on the film and be like, oh, this was after Daboll got fired, that's why he's playing this way. Nobody cares. So, I just told them, if there was ever a time to play your best ball, if there was ever a time to bond together, stick together, it's now.

Q: After Brian got let go, did you guys meet together as a whole, just players, after the firing?

BURNS: No.

Q: Is there almost a sense of regret? You mentioned you're all in this together. But still, personally speaking, do you feel like you kind of let Coach Daboll down a little bit?

BURNS: I do, personally. That's just me though. I don't know about everybody else.

Q: What are the challenges when an interim coach comes in, from your experience before, to kind of keep the team together and keep playing well?

BURNS: Just dealing with the change. Obviously, a lot of things are different. The schedule is going to change. Just everything, the mood might change. Just dealing with that. But if everybody goes about it the right way, the professional way, it shouldn't be too much of a distraction.

Q: You're talking about guys going about it the right way. Have you seen, after a change like this, where some guys don't go about it the right way?

BURNS: Yeah, I have. Yeah, you don't want that.

Q: Are you going to be more vigilant to keeping an eye out for those guys and getting them right?

BURNS: I'm just going to kind of lead by example, lead from the front, just call guys up to the stand and pull guys along with me. Because like I said, I've been through this. I know how it should look and how it should go.

Q: Have the coaches told you guys anything about what might change as far as practice, regimen, or anything, just change ups to the logistics of practice or anything like that?

BURNS: Yeah, it's going to be little small nuances like that to the schedule that may change, the practice schedule, the way it's operated. Everybody has their own process, how they think it should go. So, we already talked about that. We'll get a little more in-depth as the week goes on.

Q: Can a change like this help the team? I mean, they're not changing it to make it worse.

BURNS: It's happened before, I mean, I guess. But I don't know. It's all in how the team responds. I think that's the main thing. I don't think it's necessarily the coaching change that makes something work. It's just how the team responds.