Head Coach John Harbaugh

JOHN HARBAUGH: Okay, good to see everybody. Appreciate you being here. I saw you just talked to (running back) Najee (Harris), so that was good. He's on board now with us, so we're looking forward to seeing where that goes. Excited about the possibilities. Good practice, working hard again and we'll be out tomorrow morning for practice, and then we'll get on a plane and head down to Miami. So, what questions do you have?

Q: What does Najee (Harris) bring to the room?

JOHN HARBAUGH: He's an experienced back. Anybody that's watched him play knows what type of a back he is. He's a downhill runner, physical runner. I've played against him a lot. I have a good feel for who he is as a player. Everybody that's been around him, my brother (Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh), G-RO (Senior Offensive Assistant Greg Roman), (former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach) Mike Tomlin, love him as a teammate. So, excited for the possibilities.

Q: You have two guys here in Cam and Tyrone that are starters this year, have been competing to start. Devin's (running back Devin Singletary) been a starter in the league. So, when you bring in Najee (Harris) do you have to talk to them about roles and accepting the challenge, or is that something you're just like, hey, best man wins the job?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think they understand. I haven't talked to them about it. If there's any questions, we'll talk to them, but everybody understands. I mean, football's competitive, the NFL's competitive, and we're building the strongest team we can, and he's a really good football player, so that's it.

Q: You mentioned he's maybe not fully into football shape yet. Do you have a concept of how long it's going to take for him now after seeing him?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, I mean, it's going to take a couple weeks, two to three weeks probably, just in time probably. And I think there's always part of that throughout the course of the season, that's ongoing always.

Q: What did you think about how (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) came out of yesterday and then what you saw today?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I thought he handled it well. He looked good today. It was kind of a similar type of a load. They're adding reps to those, he had more reps in the team period than he had yesterday, so they're going to keep building on that. How much we do down there with him will be in question, just because you're going against a different team. So, we can't control the environment quite as well. So, we'll have to give that some thought.

Q: John, what do you need to see before he's ready for contact? Is there a hurdle? Is there something in his body? I mean, guess what determines, like, okay, yeah, now he can get hit.

JOHN HARBAUGH: There are certain formulas that we use that kind of tell us what the risk factors are in practice. So, that's what we ramped the whole team up that way. We're to a point in time now where guys are pretty well protected in a sense. They're kind of calloused up. That doesn't mean you can't get hurt, but just less injuries happen after a certain amount of work. So, that's part of it with him. It's also to your eye. It's also how he feels, and then ultimately with the doctors. So, I think you just do it slowly, and you just keep building to the point where it's not like all of a sudden he's doing something, and now he's doing everything. You just work your way towards that.

Q: Is that something, is that like a non-negotiable for you in order to get back into a game he has to get through contact, or can he potentially go through the rest of the summer in a red jersey?

JOHN HARBAUGH: No, he won't go through the rest of the summer in a red jersey. It's a good question, thanks. No, he'll be out of a red jersey before he plays in a game. He's going to have to get bumped around and hit and fronted up so he knows how to, you just have to feel that and know how to deal with it to protect yourself. It's a good question.

Q: How long is the process you guys have? How close is he to getting out of the red jersey?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I don't know. You don't know. It's just day by day. Some days he might ramp it up more, and he might say, I feel great, and I want more than you had planned. And then the trainers may feel good about that, and if he does it and gets through it, then ooh, we've traveled more miles today than maybe they thought you would. It could go the other way, too. So, it's just day to day.

Q: I imagine, John, that with Malik (Nabers) you had an expectation of how fast this would go, how slow it would go, best case scenario, worst case scenario. Where he is now, has it exceeded some expectations for you?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, it's just so hard to answer because the expectation wasn't that defined, honestly. I've always been hopeful that he would play in the regular season. Still don't know for sure, so we just have to see where we go day to day.

Q: John, I was wondering about your philosophy on practicing in the afternoon. I think that's something you started a few years ago with the Ravens. I know you gave an explanation for it back then, but I'm just wondering what you've seen in the years since then and why you thought that was good to bring over to the Giants?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, well, you play in the afternoon or the evening. You don't play in the morning. That's one thing. And then what we found was over time was there's a certain preparation that you really have to get your body ready to both perform at the highest level and to, we feel, we believe, and to protect yourself. And it's just hard to do that in the morning. Your body, and you're sore from the day before and all that. It's hard to get your body going where you get it going. So, we have a whole process. We start the day with a certain level of strength and conditioning and mobility. That's where they start the day, from 7:30 to 8:30. And then we work into our meetings, and then we do a tempo practice, which we call ACT, in which they're moving kind of a little bit, sort of walk-through type deal, but it's kind of a jog-through, but it's an exaggerated technique. And then we do a 15- to 30-minute preparation right before practice to get them ready. So, the idea is to have them ready for what they're going to have to do, whatever the level of practice is, so they would perform at the highest level that we think they physically can and so we can keep them safer. But we're not in a hurry to get the practice over with. It's not like we want to get it done so we can relax the rest of the day or so everybody feels good that they're done with the hard work. We want to have the best practice we can have. And we're not in Miami, we're not in Houston, when you're in those places, it's so hot, you tend to go in the morning. So, that's why when we go down there, we'll practice in the morning. That's why we're practicing in the morning tomorrow, because we want to get somewhat used to practicing in the morning for Thursday. Was that a long enough, thorough enough answer?

Q: Yeah, I appreciate it.

JOHN HARBAUGH: Okay. I saw you start like kind of, when is this going to end (laughter), but you asked the question.

Q: I was just going to ask, speaking of keeping them safe, obviously the joint practice, Miami, it's a different environment. Is there something you can do to try to do that in Miami?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Sure. We'll have rules of engagement, we'll call it. Talked to (Miami Dolphins Head) Coach (Jeff) Halfley. He talks to his team. We talk to our team. We have the same rules of engagement. And it'll be the same that we use in our practice. It'll be probably more to the quarterback. We'll emphasize protecting each other's quarterbacks even more, because as soon as somebody gets close, and the other team's going to talk about getting close, and we can't have that, nobody can get close to the quarterback. That's going to be a major point of emphasis. And we're going to stay off the ground, and we're going to be looking for no blindside shots of any kind. We're not looking for that. It's a front-up tackle. That's kind of a front-up type of thud, wrap you can do, but it won't be side shots and things like that. That's the goal. So, we want to protect them as much as we protect our own players, and we want them to protect our players as much as they would protect their own players.

Q: What are you looking to accomplish in those joint practices you're talking about? What are you looking to get from it?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I'm looking to get a good practice against a different team. You get an opportunity to go against different players, different schemes, and evaluate your guys along those lines. It's good. It's just nice to see a different format, different plays, different players. And it's fun. It's more interesting. It's not another practice day for the guys. They're going against a new team.

Q: We agree.

JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah.

Q: We all can see Abdul's (outside linebacker Abdul Carter) physical tools. How would you assess his football IQ?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think it's really high. I think it's really high. I mean, if you watch the plays, you have to say so because the results are really good right now. He's studying the game. I don't know that he's made a mistake on a run read yet. Maybe I've missed one, but he's done really well.

Q: Has he done a good job in leadership, as far as his leadership?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I would say so. He's had a couple talks to the team, and he's also leading by example.

Q: John, I'm just curious, when you had (Baltimore Ravens quarterback) Lamar (Jackson) in his second year as quarterback, I'm curious, how did you see him kind of approach that, and how do you see (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) approach, obviously two different quarterbacks, but how does one quarterback approach the second-year influence how you maybe shape or guide how another quarterback like Jaxson approaches the second year?

JOHN HARBAUGH: That's a great question. I mean, (Lamar) Jackson won the MVP the second year, right? So, I think the approach has been similar from the basic idea that we're trying to build an offense for Jaxson Dart that is amenable to his skill set, I guess you'd say. We did the same thing with Lamar, but they're different people, different quarterbacks, all those kind of things are different.

Outside Linebacker Abdul Carter

Q. How did you feel after Saturday's game?

ABDUL CARTER: I felt good. Honestly, I try to treat preseason games like another day of practice. It's going out there, getting better, getting the reps.

Q. What did you take away from watching back the film?

ABDUL CARTER: I feel like there's a lot of things we could have done better as a whole, but at the end of the day, it's preseason. We learn from it and we make the corrections.

Q. How beneficial for you is it to go up against (tackle) Andrew Thomas every day?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah, we've made each other better all throughout camp. Every rep we get is just best on best. We learn a lot from going against each other, and it's going to prepare us throughout the season.

Q. When you guys were doing one-on-ones, it looked like he beat you the first time. Did you ask to go again?

ABDUL CARTER: No, the way we do it – so, the first rep, when we go to the left side, he goes – well, we both go, then coming back down the line, we go twice.

Q. What makes him such a challenge for anybody?

ABDUL CARTER: I would say just his athleticism, but at the same time, he's strong. He's also big, so when you combine strength and athleticism, you get a good player. And he's smart, too.

Q. You guys were chatting after one-on-ones today. What were you guys talking about specifically?

ABDUL CARTER: Just talking about the rep. How he set me, things I could have done better, just learning off of each other.

Q. How much of that stuff goes on away from the field, with you guys getting together and comparing notes, even if it's just a mental thing, to talk about what you did in the reps or drills?

ABDUL CARTER: Not really much off the field, but whenever we're out there practicing, especially doing one-on-ones, we get that one-on-one time. When we're off on the side, we just get to talk about our rep, little detailed things, and we learn from that.

Q. What is the evaluation process like after a preseason game where you only play about half your starting defense, so you're not out there with all your guys, but obviously you're trying to look at certain things you're doing well. So, I mean, what's that balance like?

ABDUL CARTER: I would just say, for me, I just try to chase perfection. I try to spread that, first, throughout my room, then throughout the whole defense. Just chasing perfection, try to do all the little things right so it can translate to the regular season.

Q. How much are you looking forward to going against – the joint practices – going against another team, and kind of seeing where you guys are as a defense?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah, that's going to be fun, just going against another opponent. Like I said, I treat it like practice. Joint practice is the same thing, just getting work in.

Q. With this defense, it seems like you guys are rotating a lot of guys into the interior defensive line. Obviously, stopping the run is the key of the defense. What have you seen from that group, yourself included, the edges included, in terms of stopping the run?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah, I feel like we're doing a good job. I feel like we can definitely be a little bit better there, but we're just trying to find the right guys, the right fit. Like I said, we're all just chasing perfection, and once we stop the run, everybody knows what we can do rushing the passer.

Q. What does it do to have guys that play the edge like (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) and (defensive lineman) Chauncey Golston playing with you?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah, shoot, I feel like our room is probably the deepest on the team, and all the guys in our outside linebacker room, we all compete with each other, and we all learn from each other.

Q. (Defensive lineman) DJ Reader's obviously a different guy on the nose for you guys this year. What have you learned about him, and what do you think of playing with him?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah, he's a 10-plus year vet. You can tell that he's been in the league a long time. He's also smart. He's a savvy veteran. Like just today in practice, I took an inside move, and without even communicating to him, he knew to replace me, coming back out from the edge. So, he's going to be real big for us.

Q. I don't think we've asked you yet, but you changed your number this year. Is there a story behind why you went number three?

ABDUL CARTER: I mean, it was honestly the best number available after I had 51, but it is some crazy numerology. I was born on October 3, 2003, and I was the third pick.

Q. You big on numerology?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah.

Q. Are you in a lot better shape than you have been?

ABDUL CARTER: I feel like it. I feel like I'm in my best shape right now. But, yeah, I feel good.

Q. How have these practices with (Head Coach John) Harbaugh just kind of made you – obviously you've only been in two training camps – but how has this been more maybe beneficial, you seeing maybe – not compared to last year – but what have you seen differently just from the way Harbaugh runs his practices now that you've been through three weeks of them now?

ABDUL CARTER: Yeah, I feel like the last time I had practices this long was in college, so I feel like I'm getting that type of atmosphere back. Just the dog days, just every single practice we're out here, just two and a half hours, maybe more. So, it kind of feels like a college practice, but it's all good work.

Q. What is it like this year practicing in the afternoon in the summer as opposed to in the morning last year?

ABDUL CARTER: Were they in the morning last year?

Q. Yeah, you guys were going in the morning, in training camp anyway. Just like it's hotter.

ABDUL CARTER: It doesn't really much matter. I prefer to practice in the morning, but however he wants it, in the morning, noontime, it doesn't matter. We're going to work.

Q. On that, if my count is correct, today is your 16th full practice. It was quite a bit later in the season when you guys had 16 full practices. Do you feel a level of preparation differently than you did last season?

ABDUL CARTER: I don't really much remember that much during this time last year. I'm just so in the moment right now. But I feel like we feel good. I feel like obviously everybody is going to be sore, day 16, but at the end of the day, you've got to keep coming out here and fighting and putting the work in and keep getting better. I feel good, though.

Q. You mentioned how this group is – the edges – are maybe the deepest on the roster. So. does that mean you guys should carry the most? Should you guys carry the most responsibility on the team?

ABDUL CARTER: Oh, yeah. We already do. We already say this team goes as far as we go. So, we already put that chip on our shoulder.

Q. Does that mean the Giants should lead the NFL in sacks?

ABDUL CARTER: Absolutely. We've got to put the work in, though. I don't want to talk about that. We're going to be about it.

Running Back Najee Harris

Q: How do you feel to be on the field? And coming off that injury, how do you feel overall?

NAJEE HARRIS: I'm good, man. Ready to get back, I feel great.

Q: What have the last several months been like, just trying to work back?

NAJEE HARRIS: Yeah, it's been a process, but learned a lot about myself. Just trying to get back, get the strength back and push off of it. Went really well. Had a great offseason with the PTs at Elite OrthoSport in L.A. They got me back and got my confidence back, too, in all of it. I'm feeling really happy about it and I'm proud of the work that I did.

Q: Was there a point where the last couple of weeks or a month or so or even just being out there today where you were like, 'Okay, I'm back to being me'? Or are there still some hurdles you need to clear?

NAJEE HARRIS: No, there (aren't any) hurdles. I didn't really do too much of individual. I'm slowly ramping up into it. But the offseason of me just doing the drills and getting back to conditioning and getting back to football work, that's kind of where I've, to answer your question, that I felt that, like, 'Okay, I'm ready to go' type stuff was in the offseason. And then this stuff right here, just doing the individuals and when I get back to doing team work, that's kind of just going to put the cherry on top of it. But I know I'm confident in all that stuff, so I'm just ready to get out there and work.

Q: (Head) Coach (John Harbaugh) said you look like you're not really in football shape yet. How far away from being able to take live reps?

NAJEE HARRIS: He said I don't look like I am?

Q: No, I mean, he said when you worked out, he said, 'he's not 100 percent there yet.' But I'm just wondering how long you think that's going to take?

NAJEE HARRIS: I don't know. Am I fully in football shape? No, I just got my pads today. There's a difference between getting in shape and in football shape because it's hard to replicate pads in the offseason other than just putting it on and going out there and work. So, can I go out there and run some plays? Of course I can. But am I where I want to be, like (where) Najee wants to be at? No, probably not. And how long is it going to take? I don't know. But I mean, I'm going to be good. It's not going to take a long time. It doesn't take a long time for me to get in shape. I take that seriously. I'm committed to that. I'm not really too worried about that at all.

Q: When did you start doing those football drills that you were talking about?

NAJEE HARRIS: That's a good question. Let me remember. Probably when I got cleared – really like maybe the last two months. I'll say maybe something like the last two months, really.

Q: This depth chart has (running back) Cam Skattebo and (running back) Tyrone Tracy and (running back) Devin Singletary? I assume you want opportunity. Why did you come here?

NAJEE HARRIS: Exactly, I want opportunity. I think this is a good opportunity here. I think the style of play that they're heading towards is the style of play that aligns with me. Harbaugh coming from the AFC North, me playing against him a lot of times, I know the type of style of football he wants. I think that we align with each other with what type of football we want to play. I think that just coming here is a good opportunity, and I'm willing to just put my foot in there and help out in any way I can.

Q: Does being with his brother (Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh) have any benefit? I mean, obviously (Senior Offensive Assistant) Greg Roman worked there also and similar schemes offensively maybe to some degree…

NAJEE HARRIS: What are you saying exactly?

Q: Is there a benefit that you were with Jim (Harbaugh)…

NAJEE HARRIS: A little bit in the play calling. Yeah, I don't know, to be honest with you – I don't know.

Q: John obviously said that essentially his brother gave you a stamp of approval.

NAJEE HARRIS: Is that what he said? (Laughter)

Q: He said he talked to his brother...

NAJEE HARRIS: Then if he talked to his brother, then I'm good with it. Yeah, I don't know because – I don't really know. I know I've got to learn the playbook.

Q: Do you come with a bit of a chip on your shoulder that you had to wait? I know you didn't get cleared until about two months ago, but you had four 1,000-yard seasons and then all of a sudden it looked like, where was the market?

NAJEE HARRIS: That's a really good point and good question. But, yeah, to answer your question, yeah, for sure. I most definitely go into every year with a chip on my shoulder, but more so much this year. I have a lot to prove as somebody coming back from a torn Achilles. Really everything that I did in the past is in the past, and everything I do now is really what matters. I know there are going to be a lot of questions of how I'll come back looking, and I'm ready to answer all those. To answer your question, yeah.

Q: What do you make of the other guys in the running back room?

NAJEE HARRIS: Really good players, man, really good players. Cam (Skattebo) and just everybody there. I feel like they've all got their own special talent, and they're all good players. They're all guys who can be ones and I feel like we all could just elevate each other and make each other better. And I thought the guys in there are all great guys, and it's a good room, really good room.

Q: You mentioned, obviously, you went against Harbaugh. What's it going to be like now getting coaching from Harbaugh after all those battles you guys had in the AFC North?

NAJEE HARRIS: Yeah, me talking to Coach Harbaugh, there are a lot of similarities with him and Mike T (Former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin), just the style of play. Just to hear kind of what somebody will critique or say about you that's lined up and played against you is really good to hear. What (are) the things that maybe he said that when I was playing against him on the Steelers and he was on the Ravens, some stuff that maybe I didn't do (well), some stuff I did (well), some stuff I need to work on, and some stuff that's my strong area or whatnot. So, to hear that from somebody that I played against for four years, twice a year, it'll be really good. That kind of benefits me because, that's kind of like, it's a rival right there. Nobody in the league really would know you better than Harbaugh, a guy you played against, especially against the Ravens. (Those were) probably the most physical games that I played against in the NFL. And we know that when we line up against the Ravens, they know us, we know them, we know their players, they know us. Harbaugh knew me ever since I got in the league, literally, and he knows all the stuff that I need to work on and all the stuff that I'm good at. To hear that and to hear him and to have him coach me would be really good for me.