Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds

Q: Just wanted to ask you, what do you think was the key to the run defense being so effective the other night?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: Honestly, I think it's just the attention to detail. I think it's something that we put emphasis on all training camp, all offseason. And just to see guys out there making really our priority, trying to make a team like that one-dimensional. Obviously, they got good players all around that offense, from running back is good, we knew, obviously, the line was good and we knew, obviously, the receivers was good. Good tight end. So, we had to figure out ways to make a team like that one-dimensional. And that was just our emphasis going into it. And that always be our emphasis each and every week. So, we got the guys in the room to do it. Guys took accountability to that. And we just held each other to that standard. I mean, it's been like that all camp. So, to be honest with you, I'm not surprised because it's what we've been doing. It's what we've been preaching in our room. So, to see it come to light on that stage it was good to see.

Q: And then I want to ask you about (inside linebacker) Arvell (Reese). Just as you're playing next to him, going back and watching, what did you think of his debut?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: Yeah, it was good. It was good to see him make plays out there. I know he had a good play. They did the swing route to the running back. He was able to show his athleticism and speed on display. Sky is the limit for him. That's only week one. We've got a long season ahead. Continue to get in the film room with one another and just continue to take those steps with one another. And kind of see things how both of us see the game. We out there to help each other out and not just us two, but to incorporate the communication amongst us, the DBs. And to make all of us play faster. That's our next step, just as far as all of us as a whole, but I was definitely excited to see him go out there and make plays.

Q: If memory serves, you and Arvell (Reese) both played every single snap in the game on defense. And that feels kind of rare to me for two inside linebackers to do that with how much this league plays nickel and dime. What do you think that says about kind of the way you two defend the pass and kind of the unique looks you guys can present to offenses who are used to seeing maybe smaller DBs in certain situations and all of a sudden, they're getting more traditional linebacker packages?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: Yeah, well, to be honest with you, man, I've always kind of – I'm used to it. I've always played every single snap out there. As long as I was healthy, I played every single snap.

Q: You have, but has the guy next to you? Have you had two inside linebackers play every single snap? TREMAINE EDMUNDS: It depends. It depends on the system. It depends on the system and how the team is trying to attack. Like you said, sometimes you bring in a DB for dime personnel or have inmate looks. But in this instance, we kept the linebackers out there. I'm a linebacker, man. I'm always an advocate to see the linebackers out there moving around, making plays. So, it's always exciting to see. Hopefully, we can keep gaining that trust from our peers, that trust from our coaches to be on the field. Obviously, we love to be out there to make plays. But like I said, it's different. It depends on who you're playing against. But I'm pretty sure they're going to put us in a position to succeed no matter which way.

Q: And then what do you like about the package where (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) slides inside or even (defensive lineman Chauncey) Golston slides inside and you have like an edge rusher inside on pass rushes? Around here, they call that the NASCAR package because in Super Bowls, they used to do that with (former Giants defensive lineman) Justin Tuck and (former Giants defensive lineman) Osi (Umenyiora) and (former Giants defensive lineman Michael) Strahan and J.P.P. (former Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul) What do you guys like about that package? Do you guys have a name for it yet?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: You probably can ask those other guys. I know they come out with their own names and stuff like that. But just as far as the package and what it presents, I mean, look, man, we got a ton of athleticism on our team. Guys that can make plays and to be able to put everybody on the field at once, I mean, that's hard for the offense. Now you got to not just account for maybe two pass rushers, but you got four. All five, four or five guys that can pass rush and they can get to the quarterback. I mean, that's hard for the offense. So, anytime that we can change, we look up, put guys in different positions, move them around, give the offense a different look and make them have to make checks, make them have to adjust to the stuff that we do. I think that's just taking the hats off to the scheme that we're in. It gives guys ways to put the athleticism on display for the whole world to see. And that's kind of what you saw with that package in particular, just guys moving around. Like you said, KT (Thibodeaux) came down on the inside and anything like that is a different look for the offense. It makes it more challenging for them.

Q: I was curious. Obviously, we heard a lot from training camp and the spring about how (Head Coach John) Harbaugh wants his team to be very physical and tough. And that's obviously something you take pride in as an inside linebacker. I'm curious, when you look back at the tape, were you amazed or at least impressed with how quickly this team showed that on film? But it's one thing to talk about it, but it's another just to kind of show it for four quarters. Were you amazed with how much this team bought in so quickly to being that physical team that Harbaugh wants?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: To be honest, man, it's like a confidence thing. I was confident even before the game started that that's the way that we were going to play. I mean, like you talked about it, that's the way that we went about training camp. That's the way that we prepared. That's the way that we practiced. So, I wasn't surprised. I will say that I wasn't surprised at all because, I mean, like I said, I mean, going against our offense we've been practicing like that from day one. At training camp, anytime we've had pads on, it's been physical. That's Harbaugh, that's our offense. Obviously you saw the way that they ran the ball, the way that they were blocking and getting everybody in and just being physical as an all-around team. So, I wouldn't – I guess you could say amazed, but I think more so I was just happy to see everything kind of come together. Obviously, that's only week one. We've got to continuously do it, but just to see all the stuff that we practice, all the stuff that we preach about day in, day out, to see guys go out there and really put on display for everybody else to see that was definitely good to see because like you said it's enough talking about it, you've got to go do it and just looking at the tape guys was doing it all game. That's offense, defense, and special teams.

Q: And then also, obviously, we saw what (fullback Patrick) Ricard can do on the field, obviously, with that fullback. You have to go against him in practice. What is that like trying to deal with not just stopping the run against your team, but when Ricard's out there, you got 300 pounds running right at you. What is that like to try to handle that?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: Yeah, I mean, that goes back to like I just said, training camp, man. We were going at it all the time. Offense, defense, obviously having to take on those blocks all of practice. So, just as far as the physicality part that we were just now talking about that's what we strive to be as a football team. And we're used to taking on these big linemen and big blocks and big fullbacks and big running backs, to keep doing that constantly over and over and over again because that's what training camp was. Like you said, my guy Pat's not a small guy, man. So, to be able to constantly do that over and over and over again and one side of the ball keep pushing the other side of the ball, I mean, that's what you want in a good football team. And we've had that, I keep saying it all at camp because that's how it's been. Our camp has been physical and I'm pretty sure any guy that you ask can say that. So, to be able to come out and do it against another opponent was definitely good. And I was happy to see guys flying around making plays.

Q: I wanted to ask you for a guy who has been in the league for a while and is used to preparing for the next opponent, you're looking at schemes and matchups and personnel and things like that. Do you also look at what that team just did? They're coming off a big win. They're coming off a bad loss. We may get them angry. We may get them overconfident. Do you kind of try to get in the psyche of your next opponent as well?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: I think the way that I prepare, man, I prepare worrying about what I can control. What I can control and what we can control as a football team, it's our preparation. I don't get caught up in what happened to this team. Obviously, you understand it. You keep a mental note of it. But at the end of the day, it's all down to our preparation. Prepare the way that we can, do the things necessary that we know what it takes to win. Obviously, like I said, you can't necessarily go into it saying, 'oh, they're going to be pissed off' and this and that. That's football. We can be pissed off, we won but at the end of the day, there is still people out there doubting us. So, all of us can say that we're mad about something. But at the end of the day, football is about, it's the process. It's about preparing for the next week. So, that's what we're going to do. That's what our focus is on. That's what my focus is on. And not necessarily those outside factors.

Q: Right, so the storyline of the Rams after their first week are going to be ticked off, right? You look at that and say, whatever? Or you say, that's not my deal. I don't care what they're thinking?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: I look it as that's a good football team that we have to go play and we got to do all the necessary steps it is to the process of it, to go win a football game. It's not necessarily what happened the week before or what's going to happen the week after. We can't predict that. It's all about being present in the moment and doing all the necessary steps to go out there and win one game. I mean, NFL is a week-to-week league. It doesn't matter if a team got beat by 40 or a team won by 40. You have to show up the next week and got to prepare to go win the game, so that's what our focus is on.

Q: You mentioned those camp battles with the offense. I'm interested more specifically, just what has impressed you or maybe what stands out the most to you about the offensive line, which obviously had a great game on Sunday?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: Yeah, I think just the finish. I mean, we just got out of team meeting and putting plays up there, seeing guys finish, the will to win and guys not giving up on plays. I think that's a key component of being a good football team. When it's not just, okay, the play may be away and I'm just going to cruise through it. No, you see guys straining to finish. You see guys straining to get that extra block in. It shows up when these backs are breaking these big runs and doing these big things that some of the things may not be talked about as far as blocking, but when you turn the tape on and see the guys' will to win and how physical everybody is, that's the kind of stuff that popped out to me. But like I said, I keep saying it over and over again. I'm not surprised. That's the way that we practice, I've been seeing it all of camp. And to see them go out there and execute and just have fun. I think that's the biggest thing as well. I'm seeing guys have fun and really take pride in what they do. That's one. We've got to keep going. We've got to head down. We've got to work to prepare for this week.

Q: What did you make from (offensive lineman Francis) Mauigoa debut? Did he look like a rookie to you at all at any point?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS: No, I think he played good. I think he played good. Obviously, I'm on the defensive side, so I haven't seen all the things they may have talked about in their meeting rooms, but just the little stuff that I've seen, I mean, he was physical. He's been physical since he got here, so I was definitely excited for him.

Fullback Patrick Ricard

Q. We talked so much about the physicality and the training camp that you guys had. You know, you've been through this with (Head Coach John) Harbaugh a bunch of times, of course, but this is a new team that's learning how to win. Was it important to validate all the work you guys did this summer, you know, with the kind of performance you had on Sunday?

PATRICK RICARD: I think whenever you step on the football field, I think you're trying to win the game, so I think it's always important to go out there and try to win. I think it validates just working hard and doing everything that we did in training camp is going to equate to wins, and I feel like that was a good first step. You know, if we went out there and we just looked terrible and we got our butts kicked, I think you'd be like, 'Oh,' maybe you start questioning things. But the fact that we went out there and we executed, we played at a high level, and we got the win, I feel like that just kind of validates that working hard and trusting the process that Harbaugh's brought here is key to success, and we're going to keep going.

Q. What have you learned about this group, this team so far? Obviously, it's a different group than you've been with in Baltimore.

PATRICK RICARD: I just see how hungry and how humble everybody is here. They just – they want – there's so many guys here that want to prove themselves. They want to win, and you just see it with how they work, how they prepare, and how much they love each other. I remember when I first got here for OTAs, just seeing how much the guys are cheering each other on in our running workouts and being there for one another and hanging out in the locker room two hours after we were done for the day. And I'm thinking, I'm like, 'Wow, New York City is right across the river, right there, and guys would rather be in the locker room hanging out two hours after.' So, I feel like that was just things I noticed right away, and I think it's so important for a team to want to win and want to be crazed, loving one another and working hard.

Q. With your history with Harbaugh, we're going to probably ask you a lot of these types of questions as things go along, as we get to know him. But you've been with highs and lows with him. When you come off a good start like you had on Sunday, what is his approach going to be like this week? I mean, I guess you've already had the team meetings – what was the message there, and how will he approach this week?

PATRICK RICARD: It was pretty much just stay humble, stay hungry, and just what can we do to get better, 1% better. What are the things we can look at to improve? Because, like everyone knows, it's a long season. It's one week, it's one game, and we're going to celebrate it. We're going to look at the tape. We're going to look at the good things, look at the bad things, and we're going to continue to improve because, Harbs said this morning, it's like right now it's Week 1, you have teams, they're going to be like this, slowly getting better, there's going to be teams that are slowly getting worse, and by the time we get in December, that's what you're going to start seeing. You're going to start seeing teams really be the ones that are competing for the playoffs and the ones that are already going to Cancun, is right now is the teams that are getting better week to week. And after wins, after losses, it doesn't matter. You're just going to take it one day at a time, one week at a time, and you're going to just keep trying to get better as a person, as a player, as a team. And that's, I think, the main focus right now.

Q. For how long you've been around him, how often are you sitting there and being like, 'Oh, I've heard this before.' Does he surprise you sometimes and have some new material?

PATRICK RICARD: I feel like ever since we've been here, I feel like I've heard some new things. This is my 10th year now with him, so, of course, I'm going to hear a lot of similar things. But his messages are always really good, and I feel like for guys who haven't heard it before, I feel like it's really impactful. For me, maybe hearing it for the second, third, fifth, maybe tenth time, or whatever it is. It still hits my brain, but I've obviously heard some of the stuff. But guys have been locked into these meetings all year.

Q. (Running back) Cam Skattebo said something after the game about how Harbaugh preaches these games are 15-round fights, and you guys want to wear teams down by the fourth quarter. When you guys saw it – I mean, you've obviously seen it with these Harbaugh teams – but when you saw this Giants team be able to execute the way it did in the second half and demand the fourth quarter with those two drives that went very long, how impressive was it that this team was able to impose its will just in the first game playing like that?

PATRICK RICARD: Yeah, I mean, that's what we want to do, right? We want to be on the field as long as we can, eating up the clock, getting points after every drive. And for me it was really encouraging. It's Week 1. You don't know how we're going to shake out. You don't know how well we're going to execute. You just don't know because we haven't played a full game as starters in the offense. It was a lot of fun, a lot to build on, and that's what we're going to be focused on this week, is just how can we just keep improving with our drives. I think the fact that we punted, I think that's – I told (punter) Jordan Stout, 'You're not punting this game.' I was just trying to set the tone early for the season, and we punted once. So, this game and every game moving forward, we're going to try (to have the) punter not punt.

Q. And I think, speaking of the physicality, there were a couple of plays where we saw you line up behind (quarterback Jaxson) Dart and you kind of pushed him a little bit on that. Is that just another way of just this physicality that you want to bring where it's not just bulldozing people, but also like, 'Hey, if I got to line up and, you know, add a little heft behind Dart,' that's something you're willing to do as well too?

PATRICK RICARD: Yeah, I mean, whatever the coaches ask for me to do to help his team win, I'm going to do. I mean, look, I was an undrafted defensive lineman. I played D-line, I played offense, I played both sides of the ball. I played special teams. Line me up in the backfield, on the line, in the slot, have me do this, that. You know, whatever it is, I'm going to try my best. And they asked me on this play, you're going to motion and ball snap, you're going to push Dart, and you're going to do whatever to drive to get him yards. Honestly, I didn't have to do much. Dart already got it himself. That was more me almost going for the ride. I always try to be as physical as I can, whatever play it may or may not be. But as long as we're having success, that's all that matters to me.

Q. It seemed like you kind of enjoyed that play a little bit too, I'm guessing, just being that extra push behind Dart.

PATRICK RICARD: Yeah, it's fun. You know, it's cool. I like getting first downs, so being a part of it is cool.

But, I mean, I've got to give the credit all to Jaxson on that.

Q. Harbaugh was asked yesterday about the role of fullback in the NFL, fewer teams are using it. How do you feel you've been used differently now at that position than maybe earlier in your career?

PATRICK RICARD: I feel like, early on, I didn't play offense in college, so for me it was like they had to almost limit what I could do my first maybe couple years just because I was still learning the position and learning offense in general. But I feel like now it's like I've been in – I've had (Senior Offensive Assistant) Greg Roman as my run game coordinator, offense coordinator, and now being back in his scheme, it's like there's so much to build off of to where they can plug and piece me in any spots. Motion me, shift me, to where – I've done it all to the point where I can execute it at a really high level to where I feel like that's like what G-Ro (Greg Roman) said about me is like I'm like the spaghetti sauce on the offense. I'm like the secret sauce to where you put me in different spots to get the advantage, and I'm usually a mismatch of who I'm blocking because I'm usually bigger than them, to where I think it's really an advantage for the offense. And it's a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun to be in this offense, to be moved around a lot in motion and shift and be in different spots. It's almost like Where's Waldo on Sundays, and it can be a lot for a defense to defend.

Q. What stood out to you the most about (offensive lineman Francis) Mauigoa's NFL debut? What were your impressions of how he played?

PATRICK RICARD: Yeah, I think, seeing some plays on film that jumped out, it's just his finish. Seeing him running to the ball, seeing him finish blocks, trying to put guys in the dirt. That's what you want for an offensive lineman, especially a guard. And to see that for the first game, it's just really encouraging. And you want an offensive lineman to set the tone for the whole offense. And me seeing that, it makes me want to be doing that every play. So, it gets me going. It's a good start for him and we're going to keep pushing him to keep continuing to play like that.

Q. Just the big picture question here is, what kind of mentality does it take to do what you do, which is play however many hundred snaps a year and know you're only getting the ball five times?

PATRICK RICARD: I mean, look, I played defense for most of my life, so for me to play on offense, I (couldn't) care less if I ever get the ball. For me, it's all about, I want to impose my will on defenses, and I have the most fun when I'm pancaking people and I'm springing big blocks for my guys to have success, getting lots of points, getting a lot of first downs, winning. I think that's where I get my enjoyment. I get my drive and desire to play. But yeah, I mean, if the ball comes my way, cool. If not, then I'm not going to be getting in (Offensive Coordinator Matt) Nagy's face like, 'I need the ball,' or getting mad at Jaxson for not giving me the ball. It's fine by me because these guys that are on my team, they're playmakers, dynamic, and I feel like they would be better with the ball in their hands and me blocking for them. So, that's what I'm cool with. And it's a lot of fun to block for our guys here.

Q. I don't know if it happened in Baltimore where you became like a cult, fan favorite, but I think that's going to happen here where – (former Giants fullback) Henry Hynoski was a fullback here, he did the 'Hynocerous' thing. And I think Giants fans, they love physical, 1980s-style football. I'm wondering if out and about or whatever, in the stands on game days or at practices, if you felt that love from Giants fans for a guy who probably doesn't get a lot of spotlight attention.

PATRICK RICARD: I definitely felt it when I signed here and I've been around. But after this game, my social media has been flooding with just so much support from Giants fans just telling me how much they love how I play, MVP of the game, all this stuff. And I think it's more of just how excited they are to have a fullback and the way I play. I'm all for it, I love it. I'm (going to) continue to play hard and do whatever I can to help the Giants keep getting wins.

Q. I asked (inside linebacker) Tremaine (Edmunds) this earlier. You're a veteran who, one game ends, the next day, you've got to start preparing for the next game. When you look at the next opponent, no matter who it is, do you kind of try to get in their heads at all? You've got to look at their scheme and who their defense is, but, 'Oh, man, this team's coming off a bad loss. This team's coming off a great win. They may be overconfident. They may be feeling down in the dumps. They may be angry,' that kind of thing. Do you try to figure out what they're thinking as you go into the week?

PATRICK RICARD: You know, maybe initially kind of – we're all human, right? So, we're all like, 'Okay, what happened to this team?' Like you look at the Rams. Like, you're going to initially think they're going to be pissed off, right? Like, they had to go to Australia, and they obviously didn't win that game. So, I feel like they're going to come back, and they have a vengeance and they're going to be really just – so yeah, there is a little bit to it. But I feel like at the end of the day all that really matters is, after a game get your bodies right, get recovered, start feeling good for the week, dive in on who we're playing, kind of get the personnel, and then get the game plan from our coaches, and then just practice and execute those plays and learn the best we can. And then have a good week of practice and then just get ready to play. But maybe you do look at the emotions a little bit of just where teams are, and what's happening to the team. It's always good to know that stuff just so you kind of know what you're getting into, versus just watching tape. But I feel like at the end of the day that's all that really matters, is just getting the game plan in, getting your bodies right and just getting ready to play.

Q. So you just said, okay, the Rams, all the things they did in Week 1, they're going to be ticked off, right? Now, the other team can look at you and say they're coming off a great win at home, everyone thinks they're great, primetime, beat the Cowboys. The Giants, they're going to have to go cross-country. Maybe they're feeling really good about themselves…

PATRICK RICARD: You could say all those things, right? Like that's like the human thing to do. And as players, we have to look at it as week-to-week. Everyone's probably saying, 'Oh, the Giants are this and that, they're so good, they're so great,' because we won. If we lost this game, what would you guys say? That, 'Oh, the Giants are this and that, that they're not good, they're bad, they're going to be pissed off,' and all that. It's like you can say all those things, right? But it's a week-to-week thing where we won, that's great, we're moving on already and now we're focusing on this next week and this opponent, and the Rams are thinking the same thing. If we go and we win again, it's going to be like, 'Oh, they're this and that.' And that's the whole thing. We're trying to stay humble; we're trying to stay hungry, and as we keep playing these games, it's a week-to-week thing to where, those human emotions, we're trying to stay level, we're trying to stay even keel throughout this whole thing so that we can play and perform at a high level every week.