General Manager Joe Schoen
OE SCHOEN: I hope everybody's doing well. Just a little housekeeping here, practice squad news here. We released (cornerback) JT Woods from the practice squad and we signed (offensive lineman) Geno VanDeMark. Local guy from Lodi, from Alabama, was with the Colts in the preseason. And so, just when you guys get out there, I don't have the numbers yet. They haven't assigned it, but you will see him out there. So, with that, I'll open up for questions.
Q: Joe, this is year five, you're building the roster. What are your expectations having to reach this point for this season now with this group?
JOE SCHOEN: I feel good about the group that we have and expect us to be competitive week in and week out. I really like the group, both sides of the ball, special teams. The cut down was very difficult this past weekend from a depth standpoint, some difficult decisions we had to make. And even the top 70 guys in terms of the practice squad, that was difficult for us. We were able to keep some of our in-house guys. We lost (Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker) Caleb Murphy and we were hoping Muasau (New England Patriots linebacker Darius Muasau) could get to the practice squad. So again, really competitive group, had a competitive camp and I like our team, I like where we are. And now really, we just got to go out and do it but I do like the roster, I like where we are. We had a competitive camp. And I'm looking forward to seeing how things go Sunday versus the Cowboys.
Q: What do you look for, Joe, in a team, to know that it's ready to go into the regular season and what are you seeing from this particular team that I'm sure may make you feel that way?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, first off, the way we've come together as a group, the chemistry, the coaching staff, it's a new defensive scheme. The offense is new. So, in terms of how the coaches have put that together and the execution of it then throughout camp. And then you're looking at your roster personnel-wise compared to other teams across the league, and okay, where do we match up? You start with your division, where do you match up? Where are positive matchups? Where do you continue to need to maybe upgrade? And we're always going to look to upgrade regardless. So, we're not done doing that. We're still working through the waiver the other night. We'll continue to look to upgrade the roster and even the practice squad, cause the practice squad now is truly an extension of the active roster. Your ability to bring guys up and down. So again, we've had a good camp, I like where we are as a team. And again, I'm looking forward to seeing how we do.
Q: Joe, from top to bottom, would you say this is the best roster you're going into a season with in your time here?
JOE SCHOEN: Without going position by position, I do like the roster. I do like where we are. I'm not comparing it to other rosters but again, I do like where we are on both sides of the ball. Special teams as well. Again, all three phases, I like the group. And without going each position, through each position, it's certainly a competitive group and those expectations this year.
Q: You go into every year, I'm sure, saying we need to improve the roster, right? So where do you, I mean, you don't have to go position by position. Obviously, you don't want to do that. But where do you look at a few places you wanted to target and say we are better because of this?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, and without getting into specifics, but we had some of these conversations this morning. There are a few players out there that we are targeting or looking at, or does it make sense financially, or could we sign them? If we sign them, what's the subsequent move? And some of those positions are positions we have really good depth. Like, hey, maybe an extra, whatever it is, last man on the roster at that position, can we upgrade that? We're going to continue to look to upgrade everywhere we can. And so, we're still having those conversations, and we always will. If a player becomes available that'll help the roster, help the 53, and help us go win, that's what we're here for. We're always going to do that. Regardless of position, we'll try to find a way, and we'll continue to be aggressive in building the 53.
Q: Joe, when a new coaching staff comes in, there's always the talk about coaches to players, that it's a clean slate for guys. From a general manager perspective, from scouting and personnel, is there ever a clean slate for those departments, or for your job?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, you try your best, but again, it's your first exposure to the players. And when the coaching staff comes in, maybe they don't have anything invested, or it wasn't a draft pick, or didn't pay a player whatever contract it was. So, maybe there aren't any direct ties to it, but this staff has done a phenomenal job of keeping an open mind. And I think that's always important, even through last week, like hey, let's continue an open mind as we build this roster, and let's not lose sight of what happens on Friday night against the Jets. And we can't already have the 53 in mind going into that last week because there were some things that we needed to see in practice. So, this staff has done a phenomenal job, (Head) Coach (John) Harbaugh, keeping an open mind. Maybe there's some players in the past that have underperformed that have done a heck of a job of continuing to work with the guys and make them better players. And I think that's ultimately what the players want. They want coaches that will invest in them and make them better football players, and they've done a good job of it. But Coach Harbaugh is my eighth head coach, so I've been through this before. And you do, you see it. When I was in Buffalo, we came in, Coach McDermott's (Former Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott) first year, and we traded (former NFL wide receiver) Sammy Watkins, and we traded (former NFL cornerback) Ronald Darby, and (former NFL defensive lineman) Marcell Dareus. So, it's natural that there's going to be some turnover, depending on where you are in the build. So, there can be a bias at times, but I haven't seen that at all with this staff. And it's truly, let the best man win, and it's going to be competitive day in and day out at practice. And that's how camp went, and that's ultimately how we came up with the 53.
Q: How is that process different with Harbaugh from all those different coach? What did you learn from him?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, really, it's that, just keep an open mind. There's some players that maybe the staff was excited about that we were a little bit surprised that they liked the guy. Or maybe somebody that we were high on that they didn't like, or whatever it may be. But it's the communication back and forth.
And the communication's been great between the personnel staff and the coaching staff throughout the offseason, and including down to the end, when we came up with the final 53. And the communication, and then how do we get to the right answer, whether it's making cut-up tapes, or this is what we saw. What did you see as a coaching staff? So, the constant communication has been great and the staff has been willing to immerse themselves in the personnel. And ultimately, again, come up with the best 53. So, it's been a good process. And again, I like where we are as a 53.
Q: Beyond keeping an open mind, is there something in working with John about that you've learned, the way he evaluates a player, or what he likes in a player, that has struck you as profound, surprising, or something that you've adopted as part of your approach?
JOE SCHOEN: With Coach Harbaugh, he's invested in it. He's got a passion for not just coaching and X's and O's and schemes, but the personnel part of it. So, that helps a lot. If we all have the same vision when the player gets here, it's going to be important because we're all invested in the same vision that you see it out. That doesn't always happen that way. When you bring a player in and there's a vision, sometimes it can be pushed off to the side. I've got a couple different times I've seen that happen. But Coach is very invested in this, when we drafted this player, or signed this player, or hey, we got an idea, what, maybe move this player that plays center to guard, or whatever, maybe the versatility, he's typically on board with that, and he's, again, part of the process. He knows the league, he pays attention to players around the league, and that's helpful when you're going through the process of acquiring players, whether it be free agency or the draft. So, to me, not only is he a really good coach, he's immersed in the personnel, and he's helpful, makes us think outside the box, challenges us. And that's what has ultimately led to a lot of good conversations, communications, ultimately making the best decision for the New York Giants.
You said it depends where you are in the build before. I'm curious, where are you in the build? It's a little different situation, right? You're building the roster, but you also do have a new head coach. So, how do you view that of where you are in the build at this point?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, I feel good. We have a young quarterback on a rookie deal, going into his second year. We've got a number one receiver in (wide receiver) Malik Nabers. Again, not to go position by position, I think we've got a strong defense, our offensive line we returned four of five starters, and the number 10 pick is being plugged in at right guard. So, should be able to protect the quarterback. So, I feel good about where we are. I feel good about the roster.
Q: You're fairly along in the build, right? That's kind of what you're saying there?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, yeah. Yes, there's talent on the roster to go out and win games and be competitive week in and week out.
Q: Joe, 10,000-foot question, I'm going to give you a (Colts General Manager) Chris Ballard moment. What did you think of the way that players in the NFL were going back to college in the summer? Did any of your 90-man guys inquire about that possibility?
JOE SCHOEN: Not to me, they didn't. So, I'm not sure what those guys are doing. That's something I'm waiting to – this next waiver to go through. I don't know how many of those guys got signed to other practice squads or whatever it may be. But the day that happened, and I'll give a couple of schools credit, they reached out from our rookie mini camp. If you guys remember that weekend, two weeks after the draft, 'Hey, your roster, who were those guys? Was there anybody that stood out?' Or, 'Hey, this kid from X school, did you guys sign him or give him any money, because we can bring him back.' So, yeah, I haven't heard from any of those schools since then. I was telling Dion (Dargin) earlier, I played four years, so the fifth-year rule, at 47, maybe I can go back, I've got one more year in me.
Q: Will it change any of your directions to your scouts this coming year on the homework they do and finding out if – because I imagine signing a guy to your 90-man roster and having him go back to college is not something you want.
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, and if they're draft eligible, we'll go through the proper work and, again, figure out if this is a kid that's going to be all in with us. If it's still a rule by then, who knows what it's going to be a year from now. But our guys, college scouting staff, does a great job with the background and really digging deep on these guys. So, I don't think it'll really affect us moving forward.
Q: (Kicker) Dominic Zvada obviously won the kicking competition. What did you see from Zvada at Michigan, and what are your sort of organizational expectations for him?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, at Michigan, it was interesting because his whole battery was the holder, the long snapper, was all brand new last year, so maybe statistically, it wasn't as good. But he's been really good since he got here this spring, post-draft. Mentally tough kid, he's got some personality and some swag to him, which you like, and a really strong leg. And he's putting it through the goal posts so far. So, that's the goal, hopefully he keeps it up.
Q: How do you feel about where you guys are at at defensive tackle? Do you think you've done enough at that particular spot?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, again, we signed (defensive lineman) DJ Reader, (defensive lineman) Shelby (Harris), we traded for (defensive lineman) C.J. Okoye, we've got DA (defensive lineman Darius Alexander). (Defensive lineman) Bobby Jamison-Travis had a good camp. We've got a couple of vets on the practice squad, probably going to sign another one next week. So yeah, I feel good where we are right now. And again, we'll continue, that's something we'll continue and see what opportunities are out there. But not just D-tackle, but every position. But again, I like where we are right now.
Q: Joe, what did you see from (cornerback Deonte) Banks this summer?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, Tae Banks (cornerback Deonte Banks), starting in the spring. I'll give (Defensive Backs Coach) Addison Lynch, Double D (Defensive Pass Coordinator/Secondary Coach Donald D'Alesio), (Defensive Coordinator) Dennard (Wilson) all credit. They invested in the kid, and he's had a really good camp. And hopefully can continue to build on the camp that he's had. He had a really good day yesterday out there at practice. So, he continues to stack days, and he's working really hard. And again, hopefully he can continue on that trend. But I'm proud of Tae – corner's not an easy position. You're confidence can go up and down. And he's continued to battle and fight. And again, he's taken advantage of the opportunity that he had this year.
Q: Is that the player you thought you were drafting?
JOE SCHOEN: Again, he had a good rookie year, some ups and downs in between. But yeah, he's got to go out and do it. But I like where he is from this camp. He's got to go out and do it on Sundays.
Q: We saw OBJ (wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.) back in number 13 yesterday. Did you have to get involved in that at all, or did they handle that in the locker room?
JOE SCHOEN: I didn't have to get involved in that. I didn't have to get involved in that. So, it worked out, he's happy to be back in 13. And again, another guy that's been – I wasn't here previously with him, so I didn't really have a relationship with Odell. So, it's been good getting to know him, and always admired him from afar. And again, now that he's back in the 13, he looked good in that out there. So, hoping he has a good season for us.
Q: Joe, what do you think you know – September 13, 8:15, right, when things start off? But what do you know about what you're going to get from your head coach? In that game and every game moving forward?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, we're going to be prepared. We're going to be prepared for the game. We're going to be physical. You're going to have to go 60 minutes to compete with us. And we're going to be disciplined on both sides of the ball. And we're going to be ready to go. I know we're going to be ready to go. Week in, week out, we'll be ready.
Q: Joe, when you signed (wide receiver Darnell) Mooney, how much of a concern was it that – I don't know, generally speaking, it seemed like his strengths overlap with (wide receiver) Darius Slayton's strengths, and is there room for both of them to play every day?
JOE SCHOEN: Yeah, no concern there. Again, Coach Nagy (Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy) had him. Some of his most productive years have come with Matt Nagy calling the plays. You've got to lean on the coaches on those type of things in terms of how they're going to use the pieces that they have on offense. And the type of routes that Mooney's going to run are routes that he had success with Nagy in Chicago, so not concerned about that at all. Again, excited to see how Matt Nagy puts it all together at the receiver position, tied in with the run game. I think it's going to be really good.
Head Coach John Harbaugh
JOHN HARBAUGH: Okay, thanks for being here. Good practice to finish up this week. The guys will get away now for a few days and kind of gather themselves and get some rest and recovery and get the spirit ready for the haul, which will start Monday, we'll be back practicing Monday and then we'll be off on the season, but it was good. Proud of them, thought we got a lot done. I think we're a team that's ready to go start the season and we're looking forward to that. So, what questions do you have?
Q: What signs do you see that tells you they're ready?
JOHN HARBAUGH: They practiced well. Every day. I mean that's really it. I mean just look at the football. I think we look good but how good we look you never know until you start playing games, honestly. I mean, you can you feel good about things or you can feel bad about things in practice, but you start playing the games, that gives you an idea of really where you're at.
Q: Coach, yesterday I asked you if the players are anxious for the season. How about you? This is your 19th season opener as a head coach, but of course your first with the Giants.
JOHN HARBAUGH: Absolutely, very excited about it. Very looking forward to it, for sure. Can't wait for the game to start but also excited for how many days we got between now and then? 11 days to get ready and a lot goes into it. It means a lot to everybody, it means a lot to our fans. Our fans are excited, they should be excited and we're looking forward to doing the best we can to make them proud of us.
Q: Kind of a vague question, but what has been different for you. I'm sure you've thought about this or not thought about this. You were in the same place for 18 years. What's been different?
JOHN HARBAUGH: It's a tough question. It's the psychology of the whole thing, huh? I don't know if I'm really prepared to answer that because it's more about just you work every day at the football and that's really what it is. So, it's this team at this time with these guys in this setting and this city with our fans. And that's what's different about it. And it's all new and we're ready to go, we're ready to go fight some football battles.
Q: John, I know you said before with (running back) Najee (Harris) when you signed him it would be more of a ramp up to get him back. Where's he at right now from what you've seen physically?
JOHN HARBAUGH: I think he's on his way. I mean, he's in good shape. He came in in good shape. He's even leaned up a little bit. I think the football movement has got him kind of chiseled a little more than he was and he looks good. He looks good. He looks like he's ready to play, so we'll see where we're at with all that. All those decisions have to be made but he's going to be ready to go.
Q: You said the plan every day with (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) is day-to-day. What was the plan for him today?
JOHN HARBAUGH: He practiced. He was out there start to finish. Yeah, yeah. Oh, that's right you guys weren't out there the whole time. Yeah, he was there start to finish.
Q: So, it was more than, because yesterday he didn't do the individuals.
JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah. The individual was shorter today, it was only like 10 minutes.
Q: John, I'm curious with (defensive lineman) DJ Reader when you signed him, what did you know about him going in and obviously what do you see from him now that you've been around him more?
JOHN HARBAUGH: Well playing against him all those years and he was always just a real pain to play against. I mean, he's a great, great football player. Has been, has had a tremendous career, one of the top defensive linemen in the league over the last 10 years and I don't really see any drop-off. I see the same guy every single day. We look forward to seeing how he does starting in the games but that's what we've seen so far.
Q: There's been so much talk at corner about (cornerback Paulson) Adebo and particularly (cornerback) Deonte Banks and it almost feels like (cornerback) Greg Newsome's camp kind of went under the radar. But judging from the fact that he didn't play against the Jets and the other two did I'm guessing you feel very secure with the summer he had?
JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, we do. He was very, very consistent. Very consistent every single day, same guy, played at a high level. Expect him to play really well.
Q: Where does that competition stand?
JOHN HARBAUGH: It stands where it stands. And we'll be moving forward with it and see where it goes. How's that? (Laughter) Is that sufficiently vague. We get some vague questions so sometimes I think I should be able to give some vague answers just being fair.
Q: Are you going to rotate in games?
JOHN HARBAUGH: It could be that way. It could. Or it could be two guys out there the whole time.
Q: Are you going to name a starter?
JOHN HARBAUGH: I don't know, probably not. There's no reason to because if we name the starter then our opponents know how we're going to go.
Q: John, the 70 players, the 53 and the 17, it can change a little bit but this is the basic group. The goal of every team is to get as strong a roster as possible. Where do you think the roster is right now? Do you feel this is a strong roster going into a season?
JOHN HARBAUGH: I do, I do. I mean, I'm optimistic. I feel good about our guys but that's always something that has to be proven. That's our mission, our mission statement is to be the best team in the National Football League and prove it because that's what it requires.
Q: I asked (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe (Schoen) this but now that you know what your team is, you got a summer to sort of digest it and look at it, what are your expectations for this group?
JOHN HARBAUGH: I mean, I know they'll go out there and be the very best football team they can be. That's my expectation. What that ends up being depends on how good we are. And that's what you find out when you play the games, everything else is just talk.
Q: John, it always becomes a cliché in these parts of the holding people accountable from a coaching perspective whether it be coaches, players. What does that mean to you in terms of holding people accountable and how do you go about setting that standard?
JOHN HARBAUGH: Well it's interesting to think about that because really what we owe one another is a commitment to help each other be the best that they can be. To basically do everything we can to help our teammates, when we're coaches, we're part of the team, the players, coaches, our teammates, to fulfill their dreams. To have every football dream that they ever had come true, what can we do to help each other do that. So, that's what holding each other accountable is. I mean, if somebody wants to wants to win a Super Bowl and they want to be an All-Pro football player, they want to make the team, and they want to be a starter, what is that going to require? It's I'm going to do everything I can and we're going to do everything we can for each other. That's what a friend does is to help you achieve that dream. And that's what it is. So, you got to be willing to take the risk to let somebody know what's required. And if they're not quite there, they're not quite up to standard in terms of what that's going to take, then you should let them know, should help them. You should let them know they got lettuce in their teeth one day and let's get it out of there. So, let's make it better, right? And that's what that is.
Q: Can we get an update on (offensive lineman) Bryan Hudson. Did he practice?
JOHN HARBAUGH: He did not. He was held out by the trainers today, but it's not serious.
Q: John, (Senior Personnel Consultant) Chris Mara said recently on a radio interview that the organization has so much confidence in you watching training camp in the preseason that they no longer hope to win, they expect to win. Do you think that kind of expectation is too lofty for right out of the gate, week one, new program, new coach, new team, or do you embrace exactly this?
JOHN HARBAUGH: Yeah, I get it from the standpoint of expectations, but of course we expect to win. How do you go out there and compete at this level if you don't expect to win? If you don't expect to win, you certainly aren't going to. I've said this before, we expect and we plan to and we'll be playing to win every single one of our games this year. That's our expectation, that's our plan, that's what we'll be striving for. We think we can, we believe we can wholeheartedly.
Tight End Isaiah Likely
Q: How do you feel like the preseason went for the offense?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I feel like it went good. I feel like, obviously, going into a new offense with a lot of new players, there's going to be some hiccups, learning curves, but I feel like overall, all in all, things that we tried to improve on, we improved on, things we were good at, we showed it, and things we had to work on, I feel like we hammered it in practice.
Q: You're coming from a team that felt like all they ever did was win games consistently, and this group here, for a while, it's struggled to do that. What have you seen throughout the camp to this point that makes you think that this group can get to that point again or get to that point, too?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Really, not looking too far ahead into the next days. I mean, really just staying where your feet are, relishing in the moment and really just trying to be 1-0 that day. And I feel like whether we're going against the defense, whether we're going against each other in group install, learning in the meeting room, I mean, just trying to get better one percent day in and day out has really probably helped us.
Q: You and (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart) have had really strong chemistry in the training camp, so I'm curious from your perspective, how is that going and how have you been able to connect with him so quickly?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I'll really say just trying to pick his brain as much as possible. It's my first time with a younger quarterback, so it's really just seeing the game from his point of view, seeing the game from his eyes, and really just trying to make his life as easy as possible is my number one priority.
Q: What have you learned, kind of, from picking his brain?
ISAIAH LIKELY: He's an interesting guy. But, I mean, he's all about football. I mean, Jax (quarterback Jaxson Dart) stays – we'll be here until 9:30 at night just watching film, just talking about anything, and you can go from talking about ball one time to talking about real life to having him incorporate it back into football. So, just seeing just how his mind works and really just, when we're on the field, try to be exactly where he needs to be every time.
Q: How is that different with a younger quarterback? I guess for you as a little bit older, just with the process, I guess.
ISAIAH LIKELY: I'll say really just – when you're with an older quarterback or a guy that's played a lot more ball, they've probably seen it once or twice. So, really just them being able to say it from their point of view, being able to see it from good ways that things are done, bad ways, and things that improved on to help them have cleaner looks. So, with Jax, it's just having, from my point of view, seen it a couple times, where he probably hasn't seen it yet, just coming off a rookie year, to saying, 'Hey, I've done it this way. Do you like it this way?' Or having him saying, 'I've seen it on film this way. I kind of like you in this spot.' And so, really just seeing the best things and going from there.
Q: (Ravens quarterback) Lamar's (Jackson) going to hear you call him old.
ISAIAH LIKELY: I always call him old (laughs). That's my dog, though.
Q: Are you a personal goals guy? Anything you want to share? Like, do you have numbers in mind for what you can reach now that you're finally like a number-one tight end target?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I'm just happy to be back healthy. I mean, I feel like that was just the number one priority. Leaving last season was – coming into this offseason, leaving training camp a hundred percent. And I feel like I've done that.
Q: What most guys have talked about is this camp was a grind. It was a hard one. So, to come out feeling healthy and also having worked the way that you did, I mean, you were as prepared for this year maybe as you've been in recent years?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Absolutely. And I feel like last year, breaking my foot, really kind of put in perspective of how fast this game can go. So, really just harping on the little things going into the year, and then maintaining a great offseason, whether it was here at OTAs, training camp, or really just where I train at, really just harping on the little things, making sure I'm in football shape so when I come here, I can put my best day every day.
Q: Is there anything (Head Coach John) Harbaugh does that seems normal to you because you've been with him, and kind of surprised some of the guys here? Or what's different about him that has stood out to guys that's commonplace for you?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I'll say really that first two weeks we had in Greenbrier, out of 11 days, 10 practices, I feel like that's normal to me. Like, I'm just – if I wake up, I'm putting on cleats. That's just the mantra I have. So, hearing how Giants training camp was in the past, that was kind of mind-boggling to me, but I feel like the guys embraced it. We had a good time in Greenbrier, and then when we got here, I feel like now everybody's on the same mantra as, if we're in the building, it's all ball.
Q: You came from a Ravens team that had acknowledged very strong rosters and won a bunch of games. When you come here, when you see what you have here, now, with this group, what do you think of this roster?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I feel like we're young in areas that we need to be, but we're also vets. I mean, we have a lot of young vets from (outside linebacker Brian) Burns, Maine Eluemunor (offensive lineman
Jermaine Eluemunor), AT (tackle Andrew Thomas). (Quarterback) Jameis (Winston) is probably the oldest vet that we probably have. So, really just guys that are hungry to prove a lot in an organization that obviously hasn't had as much success in the past, but putting that behind us and understand that it's a new team, new development, and really just trying to be where our feet are and trying to be 1-0 every week.
Q: What about the talent? You came from a team that had a lot of talent.
ISAIAH LIKELY: Yeah, I'll say – I mean, y'all watch it every day. I mean, I feel like this is a great, talented roster from all points, from the offensive line, skill positions, from defense to offense, and I feel like every day we get each other better. So, I feel like every time I go out there, I mean, I can go here and gloat as much as I want to about the team, but like you said, Week 1 is next week. We've got to prove it. I mean, I can come up here and tell y'all how good we are in practice, and y'all can go ahead and rewrite my words next week if we lay an egg. So, just going out here and really just proving it every day we get out there.
Q: How can – you spent most of your training camp in 11-on-11s without (wide receiver) Malik Nabers. The last, whatever, week or so you've got to see him in 11-on-11s. How can you two help each other as receivers in terms of drawing attention away from each other?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Well, I can say that, watching him out there, definitely running routes, I see why he's the alpha receiver that he is. I mean, obviously, it's a big difference when one's on the field and one's not, and, I mean, you can watch it on film all you want, but seeing it out there by yourself – seeing it out there with your own eyes, it's definitely something. So, really just being out there, trying to help Leek (wide receiver Malik Nabers) take as much, I want to say, double bracket as much as he sees as possible, to have him have his life easy, and then obviously vice versa. And then after that, really just having the other guys, like (wide receiver) Malachi (Fields), (wide receiver Darnell) Mooney, (tight end) Theo (Johnson), Slay (wide receiver Darius Slayton), I mean, watching those guys work as well. I mean, I feel like all of us would be in tandem to be able to do that for each other.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II
Q: How do you feel like your individual summer went? Because obviously, you proved a lot if you didn't even have to play the last preseason game with all the guys who were locked in as starters.
GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I think I had a pretty good summer, pretty good camp. Started off in OTA's, I think just playing in this new scheme, (Defensive Coordinator) Dennard (Wilson), Harbs (Head Coach John Harbaugh) and all the coaches just putting a lot of trust in me. I think I'm going to thrive really well in this scheme.
Q: What's the scheme asking for?
GREG NEWSOME: Aggressive, press coverage. That's what I did in Cleveland. That's what I did very well. I'm super excited to get back in a scheme that really shows my strong suits.
Q: This cornerback battle's been interesting with you, (cornerback Paulson) Adebo, (cornerback Colton) Hood and (cornerback Deonte) Banks. So, I'm just curious, what are you seeing from those three guys? Just kind of how you guys been working in and learning from each other?
GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I think, man, like I said, I think we've got the best cornerback room in the league when you talk about depth and just guys having the ability to play. I feel like all of us can be out there week one and play at a very elite level. Tae has been amazing just in his press coverage, very strong, very physical, a cerebral player. Hood being a rookie, what I like about him is he takes a lot from the vets. He asks questions, he learns, and he's been growing each and every day. Then, obviously, Adebo, he gets his hands on a lot of passes. He's been another great vet to have in the room. Me and him bouncing ideas off each other and things like that. I think everyone has been doing a great job.
Q: With Hood, I'm curious because we've heard a lot about he's going to challenge this room when he got drafted. So, I'm curious, when he's asking you guys questions and you see him on the field, what stands out about him just as a rookie coming in, wanting to soak in that knowledge but also proving on the field as much as he's done so far?
GREG NEWSOME: Just that confidence. I feel like that's the biggest thing and that's something that he shows. We believe and he truly believes there's not anyone better than him, and they're going to have to prove it to him every single day at receiver. I love that confidence in him. Like I said, he's a guy – we're always around each other at lunch and everything like that, (he's) just asking questions. And I'm just trying to just give him some knowledge. But a very smart, young player. He's going to be a great player in this league.
Q: Did you feel when you signed here that there was a pathway for you to become a starter here and you'd just have to go do it? And you think you've done that?
GREG NEWSOME: Yes, for sure. I think no matter what team I signed with, my goal is to be a starter. I believe I am a starter in this league. I believe I'm a top corner in this league. Now it's just time to prove it every single game, every single day at practice. I think the inconsistency is where things happen. So, just trying to be consistent as much as I can this year and just trying to prove the coaches right, prove myself right.
Q: I think when Coach Harbaugh was asked about you just earlier, I think the first word he used was consistent. So, is that something you guys have talked about?
GREG NEWSOME: No, not really. Just me knowing myself and things like that, just being the same player every single day. That's the mark of a great player. I feel like that's with everybody, they're trying to be as consistent as possible. I think I am a pretty consistent guy, but that's just something that I'm trying to show every single day is trying to be the best version of myself every single day.
Q: What have you learned about this offense after going against them?
GREG NEWSOME: It's similar to what, I've obviously played against Harbs a lot, but they sprinkle in some different things as well. Obviously, I can't talk too much about what my offense is going to do, but I'm super excited for them to go out there and showcase what they can do. (Quarterback) Jaxson's (Dart) been looking amazing going into his second year. And I feel like we've just got a lot of weapons everywhere. I think they're really sleeping on our receiving core. I think we have a great group of guys, a lot of depth there. And then the running back room is one of the best in the league. You've got three, four guys that can all get 1,000 yards on the ground. So, I'm super excited for them.
Q: How long have you been studying (Cowboys wide receiver George) Pickens and (Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee) Lamb for this summer?
GREG NEWSOME: I mean, I've played against Pickens in the AFC North a lot. And then obviously, CeeDee, somebody that obviously I've played against him as well. My job is simple. Don't let them catch the ball. Don't give up any explosive plays. When they do catch the ball, make them feel it and tackle. Definitely two great receivers, but we'll be ready.
Q: You mentioned that you might have the best cornerback room in the league, that might be the best receiver duo in the league. Is that like a hey, bring it on, like you might as well test yourself against the best right from the start?
GREG NEWSOME: For sure. That's a cornerback's dream is to go against the best. If you want to be the best and that's what we want to be this season, why not showcase it week one? I'm super excited for the challenge and my guys will be ready.
Q: You and Skatt (running back Cam Skattebo) settle whatever it was last week that flared up?
GREG NEWSOME: Oh, man, like I said, brothers fight. We were cool right after it. Me and Skatt, that's my guy. Like I said, I like the energy. If you can't do this with your teammates and be cool in two seconds, then that's not a mark of a great team. You've got to have that energy. You've got to have that competitiveness. So no, that's my guy.
Q: How much of a pain in the neck is he for a defense, you know the other team's defense is going to have to start doing that?
GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I think Skatt can do a lot of things. Obviously, people see him as a big meathead, run through people, but he can do a lot of things very well on the football field. Obviously, he showcased that in college. He showcased that a little bit last season in the games he did play. I'm super excited for him going into year two as well.
Q: You've gone against Harbaugh a lot. Now that you're under him as a coach, preseason is in the books. What stands out to you most about how this preseason went?
GREG NEWSOME: Yeah, I see why his teams are always physical. His teams are always smart. They're not penalized much and everyone's pretty disciplined. I think that's a credit to what he does as a coach and just being a part of it this little time I've been here so far, I can tell why in late December and January, they're playing meaningful games every single year.
Q: You've gotten into it with Pickens in the past. How much are you looking forward to reacquainting yourself with him?
GREG NEWSOME: I'm super excited. Like I said, going against a really good receiver, I'm super excited always. Obviously, like I said, we've played each other a lot and I'm super excited for the challenge. I'll be ready.
