Coach John Harbaugh

JOHN HARBAUGH: Okay, good to see everybody. Appreciate you being here. Good little setup here for the press conference. I like it. Under cover and game week, so we're excited. This kind of kicks off the season. We were talking to the guys in the team meeting today in terms of you look back to when we started this particular journey and it feels two things. It feels like it's taken forever to get here, and it feels like it happened just like that at the same time. And I don't know how that works. Time is a crazy, amazing thing. But it feels both those things at the same time. Yet, they've worked really hard. We all have. There's been a lot – a lot that's gone – a lot of water's gone under the bridge to get us to this point. And now we get an opportunity to see how far it's taken us, and then we'll go from there again. So, that's where we're at. What questions do you have?

Q: Why did you guys cut (Former Giants wide receiver) Darius Slayton?

JOHN HARBAUGH: We always make all of our personnel decisions about what's best for the team immediately and in the long-term future. What gives us the best chance to be the best team we can be and that's the choice that we made.

Q: Why'd you cut him then? Like why wait until Week 1?

JOHN HARBAUGH: No strategy to it. There's a lot of – there's a lot of factors. I mean, maybe you can get a trade. Maybe you try to wait as long as you can to see if you work out a contract change, right? There's a lot of reasons to it, which I really don't feel obligated to explain. I appreciate the questions. You kind of ask them kind of in a sharp way, like you're mad or something about it. I don't really get the emotion coming from you two guys, but we did it because it's the best thing for our team. And that's what we're doing going forward.

Q: I think the thing with Slayton is – the best interest of the team. He's a player who's been productive in the NFL, for like 500 yards a season on a team that needs receiving a bunch. So, what do you see that makes you think you're better without him than with him?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I watch practice every day, you know, and I see a team that we're building going forward. So, looking back on past stats is not the metric that we're using. We're looking at what we're going to be going forward and the type of team we want to build. Darius has been great. I mean, he's a great guy. He worked hard. He worked extremely hard to get himself back from the injury. I don't think he even – he feels like he's fully back yet probably, but he will be at some point in time. And where we're standing right now, it's just not the best thing for us, but maybe not the best thing for him either. I don't know. We'll see how it goes. He's going to be fine. He's going to land somewhere, he's going to play football somewhere and we're going to move forward. So, that's how football goes. Nothing lasts forever.

Q: Did you ask him to take a pay cut?

JOHN HARBAUGH: No, I'm not getting into any of those things. It doesn't matter. None of that matters. Question's answered. I mean, it's a clear-cut answer. It's a straightforward answer. And that's where we're going.

Q: Will (wide receiver) Malik Nabers play this week?

JOHN HARBAUGH: We'll find out on Sunday night.

Q: Did he practice fully today?

JOHN HARBAUGH: He did.

Q: Has he taken some contact?

JOHN HARBAUGH: He did today. We were in pads.

Q: What have you seen from him?

JOHN HARBAUGH: I think he's ready to go, man. We'll see though. I mean, it's still four days, five days, four days until we play. So, if he's ready to go and he feels like he's ready to go, then he'll play. If he's not and he's not ready, then he won't play. That's how it works.

Q: Can you – I mean, you said he took some contact. He's in pads…

JOHN HARBAUGH: There's no – let me just say this. I can just say this right now. We can put a stop to all these questions because I'm not going to tell you who's playing in the game. I'm not going to tell you who's starting. I'm not going to tell you what package we have in. I'm not going to tell you what plays we're running. I'm not going to tell you any of that, okay? So, we can make it great and have a great press conference, or we can make it uncomfortable. But I'm not going to tell you because when you know, the Cowboys know or every other team we play knows. And that's not in the competitive interest of our football team. Does that make sense? So, I think you can respect that.

Q: My question was not about him playing. My question was about, can you as a coach do something in practice? I mean, obviously in training camp, you do things in practice to make sure people stay away from him. Can you do something in practice to get him ready if he was going to play?

JOHN HARBAUGH: You just put them through practice. You just put them through practice and it's the same practice everybody else has. And that's what you do. You don't do anything special. No, we're not going to go tackle him in practice when we're not having a tackling practice. We're not scrimmaging out here today. We're preparing for the Cowboys and he's preparing for the Cowboys just like everybody else on the team is.

Q: Coach, your first game week with the Giants and you're prepping for a bitter divisional rival. Does it feel similar to other divisional rivalries? Does it feel different?

JOHN HARBAUGH: It feels like a big game, an opening game that we have against a division team. And I'm excited about it. It's the first time for me, personally, in this rivalry. It's going to be the first time – like some of the other guys on the team, too, and some of the other coaches to be in that stadium for a regular season game. That's going to be exciting. I can't wait to see it. I can't wait to be a part of it. I'm really fired up about it, and I'm looking forward to it. Yet I'm trying to keep it in perspective just like the other guys are. It's a football game that we need to go out and we need to operate. We need to do our best. We need to perform and make good decisions and all those different kinds of things as best we can. So, that's really what you think about. It's not so much about how does it feel. It's more about like, 'Okay, let's be ready to go and do our best.'

Q: Coach, you took over in Baltimore in 2008 after a 5-11 season. You guys go 11-5 your first year there. Any experiences of being your first year in a new program in terms of the culture and any memories from there that apply to this team?

JOHN HARBAUGH: No, it was too long ago. I really don't apply those things right now. It's this team, at this time, these guys, this opponent, this place, this media group. It's all this experience. Just try to run into it. There's smoke in front of us. Let's run into it full speed and take on whatever's in there waiting for us.

Q: You've been pretty high on this rookie group and obviously, like you said, I'm not going to ask if they're starting or not, but just how confident do you feel about this rookie group with how well they performed that they're ready to play on Sunday?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Every single person we're putting out there, we're confident that they're ready to play winning football or they wouldn't be going out there.

Q: How different is it going from camp and preseason to now? I know you've been game planning all along, behind the scenes, coaching staff, but when you game plan in a practice, how different is your approach, method, in terms of getting the team ready now for Sunday? Do you look for different things as the team's preparing? Just in terms of a preseason, training camp, you're not game planning for anything. So, do you see things differently or look for things differently out of your offense, out of your defense, things that maybe you weren't?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Well, it's definitely, yeah, I mean, yes, to your point, it's focused on the game plan. I mean, that's what you're working on. It's just focused on execution and trying to get the execution and the timing and trying to get them prepared for the different looks. I mean, offense, there's a lot of different things the defense can do. So, you try to, as much as you can, prepare them for all the different possibilities so they're not surprised when you get out there and see something. And yet, you can't prepare for everything because it's endless almost. And you only, so many reps. I mean, you don't want to wear everybody out. I mean, you could be out here all day and all night and not see everything that you would need to see. So, you've got to lean on the training and the rules of the calls and all those kind of things. So, it's different.

Q: John, this is not Jaxson's (quarterback Jaxson Dart) first start, obviously, but it's his first opening start. He wasn't a starter last year. What do you think you know about your young quarterback now going into a very competitive, nationally televised game that makes you think good thoughts about your quarterback?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Well, I mean, I know he's prepared. I mean, he couldn't have prepared any more or any harder or worked any harder at it or been more determined to be ready. I know he knows the game plan and quarterback's tough, man. I marvel. I never played quarterback. I was a defensive back. We didn't have nearly as many things to learn as these guys do, and those guys have a lot to know. All the quarterbacks do, and he's done a great job. He's worked really hard at it. I think he's diligent. He wants to do well. He wants to understand everything inside and out. He wants to be sharp and on point, and he's worked at it. So, he's prepared to play.

Q: Speaking of quarterbacks, you brought (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) back on a new deal. What has he meant to this team in just your short time here?

JOHN HARBAUGH:  Well, first of all to me, Jameis is a really good quarterback. So, if you saw him play in the preseason, I was impressed with the way he played in the preseason. I always have been impressed. I've seen him a lot; we've played against him quite a few times. So, he's a veteran, experienced, starting quarterback in the National Football League who we have on our team, and not just that, though. It's more than that. Everybody in the circle knows what Jameis brings to the team, right? He's a leader, and he's one of those guys that drives everything forward, makes everybody around him better every single day. So, to get him, to have him be under contract for a few more years and to have him as our guy. At some point in time, everybody's going to need to play. So, I feel very confident and very excited that he is still with us.

Q: What do you see when you look at the Cowboys as a team, or what do you think?

JOHN HARBAUGH: Hard to say, it's hard to say. I mean, I have tons of respect for (Cowboys Head) Coach (Brian) Schottenheimer, tons of respect for the organization. They're always, I mean, the Cowboys are the Cowboys. They're talented, they're tough, and you've seen them more than I have. We played them a few times, I've seen them on tape, but nothing but respect for what they do. They do it their way and they've got a bunch of guys, fast football team that flies around. A lot of talent on offense, they're rebuilding their defense, they have a new defensive coordinator, comes from a great system. He's a really sharp, up-and-coming guy. So, they're a very formidable football team, very formidable opponent. But you don't really know where anybody's at yet. So, all these games get played early in the season, we'll start to get a gauge on everybody, but tremendous respect for the Cowboys and everybody there.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart

Q: Jaxson, (Head) Coach (John Harbaugh) was just saying he never played quarterback but marvels at how much you guys have to process. In year two, learning a new system, how ready do you feel for the opening week here against the Cowboys?

JAXSON DART: I feel, first of all, I'm just really excited about this offense, this team has come a long way, so I feel really good right now. I feel confident, feel comfortable in the system and excited to put it on display Sunday.

Q: You've started a bunch of games in this league. Does starting opening day, which is something you haven't done, is that something you think is going to be special?

JAXSON DART: Oh, absolutely. I mean, I think that I've just been waiting for this. I think this is just the coolest stage, the coolest opportunity to play in front of our fans, Sunday night football against a team like the Cowboys and go out there and compete and it's going to be an electric atmosphere and I can't wait to be a part of it.

Q: Did you get any sense of that? I mean, you started against the Cowboys once last year. It's kind of a different sort of game. What little taste did you get of the rivalry from that game?

JAXSON DART: I just think the history of it, the competitiveness, not only from just the teams but the fans as well. I love being a part of rivalries and so being able to play a team like this on a stage like this, I think that as a competitor, as a young quarterback, as a guy coming into this league, I think that you look forward to these opportunities and just can't wait to go out there and play.

Q: Do you feel like a different player going into your first start in your second season versus year one?

JAXSON DART: I mean, I feel like I'm not even the same person at all. Obviously, the growth that you make from the experiences that you have from one year to the next. And I just feel like I've grown a ton through this offseason. So, I feel comfortable. I feel like I'm seeing things really well. And this is going to be a really good test for our team and with a team like the Cowboys are going to be really competitive.

It's going to be great for us to go out there and compete.

Q: Jaxson, do you feel like everything you've done on the field, whether it's last year in games or in practice this summer, doesn't necessarily include all the work you've done off the field and practicing at night. (Tight end Isaiah) Likely said you're here late at night digging on tape. Has that been as big of a reason for your growth over the last month or so than anything else?

JAXSON DART: I think anytime that you are really pushing yourself to your limits on end, I think that's where and really in any profession, whatever you're doing, you're going to grow the most. That was an emphasis that I really wanted to put on myself coming into year two. Having a different situation than last, where this year I was the guy and I want to take the necessary steps to go out there. And I think that there's a ton of extra motivation from this past season. And I want to do something special. And all the guys in the locker room are, too and we're starving for this. So, whatever it takes, that's the same that we say in the locker room all the time. So, it doesn't matter the time that you got to put in, whatever it takes to win and whatever it takes for you to be ultimately your best is required day in and day out.

Q: How excited are you with some of these new weapons? Obviously, (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) is not new, but you haven't really played a lot with him. But just how excited are you to kind of just see what you guys can do on this offense with (wide receiver Darnell) Mooney, Likely, some of these new guys that you didn't play a lot with last year?

JAXSON DART: Well, I think that, like I said, this is going to be a really good test for us playing against a team like the Cowboys. I've seen a lot of the guys that we have this year, just their tape in the past and how much of a playmaker they are. So, I think personally, for me as their quarterback, just being able to get them a ball, watch them go do their thing. I'm really eager for it. I know they are as well. And I think that we've all made a ton of really big growth these past months, this training camp. And anytime that you have a chance to go out there and play football on a stage like we're going to play on Sunday, you just want to take advantage of it. And I can't wait for myself and for all the other guys to go out there and do their thing.

Q: Speaking of past tape, have you practiced any, you know, right at the pylon, long, one-handed catches to (wide receiver) Odell Beckham (Jr.)?

JAXSON DART: He just kind of does that – he's messing around all the time, just doing it. There's been a few catches where – I think that there's one that's gone viral for years of the practice tape of the one-on-one where he's catching it like this. And you see it every day in practice. So, I think it would be incredible to see it on game day. But he's a guy that really can just do anything when he's out there on the field.

Q: Jaxson, you mentioned about enjoying rivalries. Have you ever been in a rivalry that you've totally dominated?

JAXSON DART: I feel like most rivalries I've totally dominated. Yeah, I don't know if I've ever been on the other side of a rivalry.

Q: Which one in particular do you feel you've dominated?

JAXSON DART: I mean, we lost one in college against Mississippi State, but I feel like Ole Miss has dominated that rivalry. Dominated all my high school ones. And then, just trying to stack and build on that into the league today.

Q: As a quarterback, I mean, (Cowboys quarterback) Dak Prescott, before you beat him last year when he played a half, had won 14-straight games in this rivalry. I mean, that's the goal, isn't it, as a quarterback?

JAXSON DART: Oh, absolutely.

Q: Can you imagine what 14 games in a row would feel like?

JAXSON DART: I mean, I think that regardless of who you're playing, your expectations to go out there and win. You know, I haven't been here for really any of those, but I'm excited to go get the chance to play against him. He's a great quarterback, and it's going to be fun to go against him head-to-head.

Q: You've got a couple of rookies who might get a chance to get a lot of reps on Sunday, so I'm curious, from obviously last year, what would be your advice to them to kind of just prepare for this moment, to start this rookie year?

JAXSON DART: I think the biggest thing is just understanding that not everything is going to be smooth. You have the expectation of yourself to go out there and play a perfect game, but in all reality, that's not the case. But I think the biggest thing is being able to play the next play, being able to execute the next play, be completely where your feet are. At times, emotions run high, and I think that just putting yourself in a situation of being understanding, obviously being critical of yourself to get better, but at the same time, I tell them, 'We've got great players around you, so you never have to put it all on yourself to make things right. The guys around you are going to make plays, and then at the same time, you're going to help other guys make plays. So, don't get too high, don't get too low. It's your rookie year. There's going to be mistakes, and that's okay, but the biggest thing is how are you able to respond the next play and learn from those and not make the same mistake twice?

Q: I noticed something with you is you throw it from a lot of different angles, right? See it in training camp, even. Where does that come from, and how much is that something you work on?

JAXSON DART: I was a baseball player my whole life. Played middle-infield and thought that I was pretty good. So, being able to have the arm talent to do those, I think, is something that I feel confident translating over into this game. Being able to manipulate different throws, being able to even just get out of trouble sometimes. I think that that's a skill that you're kind of seeing this game kind of go into a little bit with quarterbacks being able to throw off-platform. I think the biggest thing is, that stuff's all cool, but you've got to be really consistent in the easy things as well, the completions that you got to have, the in-rhythm throws, I think those are the ones that you really try to excel at, and then, off-platform, different arm angle stuff is just a strength when you've got to go out there and just make a play.