Outside Linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux
Q: Obviously, there's going to be a bigger role for you now with (outside linebacker) Brian Burns out. So, I'm curious, just first, how are you feeling with Burns out and how do you feel about this opportunity?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: No, it definitely hurts, man. Having Burns go down, he gives so much to the game. He gives so much to the room – I'm definitely wishing (him) a speedy recovery.
Q: And then for you stepping into this role, obviously, what do you feel about, not necessarily your confidence, you always have confidence, but just what do you see is going to be key for you stepping into this role now with more reps and everything like that?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I've just got to play my game. I've got to command, and I've got to make my presence known.
Q: How do you do that?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Just by playing hard, making plays, being there for my team.
Q: Obviously, the more versatile you are, the better, is like an NFL saying. But in a way, is this going to get the best out of you? Obviously, you were unselfishly playing on the inside quite a bit. But is returning to your more natural edge role going to bring out the best in you?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I would say definitely, just being able to kind of focus on one job and be out there and be able to deliver for the team.
Q: And then totally switching gears for a second, Kayvon, your reaction to the news of the day, which is (wide receiver) Odell Beckham getting released here…
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Odell?
Q: Yeah, obviously wasn't playing much, but I'm sure he earned all your respect just in the way he humbled himself to make this team. What's your reaction to the end here for Odell?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Man, just wishing him the best. He's a legend in the game and he's fought so hard to make his way back in this league. And he's definitely going to be able to make a statement somewhere. So, I'm not worried about him.
Q: When a veteran, a young veteran, but a veteran like yourself, when something really catastrophic happens to the franchise, when you lose your starting quarterback. Do you and do people in the locker room look and say, are there signs of panic in the coaches in the front office? Are they going to make moves to help us here? Are they going to cash in and say, okay, we'll play hard, but the season's lost. Is that something that resonates with guys in the locker room?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I would definitely say I look at it as like a stabilization period that we have to go through as a team. And, of course, they're doing what they've got to do in the front office. But I think for us, we've just got to keep taking every week one by one and just realize that it's still football at the end of the day. We've got a next man up mentality, and I think that as long as we continue to sharpen our tools and get better, we can still compete with anybody. So, not try to think too big picture or too small, but just controlling what we can control.
Q: Obviously, you guys have a lot of faith in (quarterback) Jaxson Dart. I'm sure there's faith in (quarterback) Jameis (Winston). Knowing, as we see with Brian Burns, guys get hurt and other guys have to step in. They picked up (quarterback) J.J. McCarthy, we'll see how that works out. But how important is it for the whole team to know, okay, they're taking steps to make us as competitive as possible at quarterback. Because if you don't have a quarterback who can function, you can't win…
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: What was the question?
Q: The question is, is it important for guys like you who don't play quarterback to look out there and say, you know what, I trust this guy. And if he can't play, I trust this guy. And if he can't play, I trust this guy…
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Well, I would say in this profession, you've got to really just focus on your one of 11. You've got to really do your job, and I think that's kind of a pillar that I have my vets kind of teach me, is when things start getting cloudy, just go back to doing the fundamentals and basics. So, for us, we're not too much focused on what everybody else's job is. For me individually, being a better player and then us being a better defense for the Giants.
Q: Quick one about your opponent this weekend. I know you guys are worried about yourself, but how do you best contain a guy like (Cardinals quarterback) Jacoby Brissett, who's been in the league for so long?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: You've got to change the picture on him. You've got to get him to hold the ball. I think we've got to run, we've got to play fast, we've got to hit and we've got to defend MetLife.
Q: It sounds like you've really been just focused on your job, your fundamentals. But what's the last week been like just on this team of you lose your starting quarterback, then Burns, the team make this big trade and now the OBJ (Beckham) news – how you're processing all of that.
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: I think there's always a big turnover in the league. You kind of never know when it's going to happen or who's going to happen to. But I think these are all kind of war wounds on the path to success or greatness. And I think for us as a team, obviously upstairs they've got to do what's best for the team moving forward. But for us, we've definitely got to take a moment of silence for each of our kind of like lost members at this point, and then we've got to keep going forward.
Q: I wanted to ask you about the run defense, which has been a lot better this year to start off with. And you've got a big challenge coming up this week with (Cardinals running back) Jeremiyah Love coming in. Can you talk a little bit about that challenge and also why the run defense this year has just kind of come together?
KAYVON THIBODEAUX: Well, first, I think they've got a great team, a great run scheme. I think for us, we're just going to have to contain them, keep them playing C-to-C and just being able to all kind of hold the front. Secondly, I would say for us, just practice (laughter) – I know it's funny to just say practice, but we work at it every day. If you keep doing something, eventually you'll get better at it.
Tight End Isaiah Likely
Q: What are your thoughts on (wide receiver) Odell (Beckham Jr.) getting released after everything he did to make this team?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Yeah, I mean, hearts (out) to him. I mean, obviously, I loved playing with O. Played with him the past couple of years. I was blessed to play with him in Baltimore and again here. Hopefully, wherever he ends up, he does what Odell does. But looking forward to the Cardinals.
Q: You guys traded for a quarterback yesterday. What did you know about (quarterback) J.J. McCarthy before he got here? Have you had a chance to meet him yet?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I didn't know much about J.J. Obviously know that he was drafted high, winning quarterback, won when he was at Michigan. Tough runner, tough player, and I've seen him a little bit during a team meeting. But going to learn more about him as the week goes on.
Q: What do you do – so, he's not your starting quarterback, but obviously there's a chance he'll play at some point this year. He is going to be learning the offense. You're obviously a huge part of this offense. So, what do you do now to try to get on the same page with him without taking away from your time with (quarterback) Jameis (Winston)?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Really just trying to reiterate the things that I'm talking about with Jameis to him, whether it's on the field, in the film room, or just walking around in the hallway. Just making sure that whatever quarterback is out there, making sure that I'm on the same page as them. Just trying to get – be 1-0 that week.
Q: You seemed to be very much on the same page with (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart). It looked like you guys had been playing together for years, not just weeks or months, the way you guys had synced on the field. How long is that going to take with Jameis? It did not look like that sync was there last week. Would you agree with that, and how long will it take to get there?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I mean, I'd say the starting points with me and Jaxson wasn't there as well. But obviously things took time. Me and Jax had early mornings, long nights, and that's just the same mantra I'm having with Jameis. And I feel like we're taking strides. Obviously, some passes we're going to want back, whether it's me running a route or him throwing the ball, but that's just growing pains in the offense. I mean, at the end of the day, we got the W. Me and Jameis are fighting like heck to try to be on the same page, so when the time comes on those needed downs, that we're on the same page and we get to move those chains.
Q: What does that mean, 'fighting like heck'? What is that? Is that early mornings, late nights?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Absolutely. I mean, whether it's at practice, harping on a rep over and over, whether it's a crucial route that we're going to have to hit with the game on the line, or whether it's a coverage that he's going to want me to see the same point of view as him, just making sure we're on the same page, so when the time comes in the game, that we're good to go.
Q: I'm curious, you've been around (punter) Jordan Stout, obviously. When you see this man boot 70-yard punts, I mean, what do you think when you see that and just kind of what does that do for this team, seeing that – having a weapon like him?
ISAIAH LIKELY: Absolutely. I mean, when it's tough elements outside, you're going to want to have a great punter, and Jordan's the best that there is. Obviously was All-Pro last year, and he's showing everybody why he was All-Pro, is going to be All-Pro this year. And just watching his swagger when he goes out there, knowing that he's going to boom the ball away, is a good sight to see for the offense, knowing that you're going to pin them in. The defense is obviously going to get a three-and-out, and then the offense has a great field position to go back and put points on the board.
Q: Is it kind of a mixed feeling? Like, obviously, he is such a weapon, but you obviously – if he's punting, that means the offense isn't doing his job. So, is it kind of a mix, like we want to make sure he doesn't punt as much, but when he does, we know that he can pin them down inside the 20.
ISAIAH LIKELY: Absolutely. I mean, obviously my job is to make sure that he never has to use his leg, but at the end of the day, I joke with Jordan and say, 'You're going to have to earn your paycheck every now and again.' Just having him, seeing him going out there and punting 70 yards, definitely a good sight to see.
Q: Currently, the Giants only have three wide receivers on the roster. I'm sure that may change, but that being said, do you feel like there's more, I don't know if pressure is the right word, but do you feel like you have to really step it up even more so than you already do?
ISAIAH LIKELY: I wouldn't say necessarily just me in general. I mean, obviously, everybody in the offense has a piece that they have to worry about. But like I said, I tell you guys all the time, I love being called a chess piece, knowing that whether I'm in the slot, in the backfield, out wide, wherever they've got to have me going in the offense for the play design, is where I'm needed. So, I just take that, whether it's me in the film room or me just learning the playbook, I never take that for granted. So, just really diving into my playbook, knowing where I'm supposed to be, where the play calls me, and really just getting my opportunities.
