QBREES9

QA with Giants QB Eli Manning

NewOrleansSaints.com,
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 5:00 PM


Q: How is your foot feeling?

A: The foot’s feeling good. I took most of the reps today and I’m still trying to be smart with it and not overdo anything in practice and get the reps that I need. I’m not staying away from anything specific. Coach just wants to be smart with it.

Q: Can you talk about what the secret to the success your team is having on offense is this year?



New Orleans Saints - QA with Giants QB Eli Manning

A: I think our offensive line has done a great job of protecting me and giving us the chance to get it down the field. Our receivers have done well. They’ve made plays and they have a good idea for what’s going on. I know we have a few playmakers and some more speed and some more explosiveness at receiver this year, so I’m trying to take advantage of that. They’ve made some mistakes and there are some things we need to improve on, but they don’t repeat mistakes and they’re learning quickly and trying to learn from every game experience. I think we’ve gotten better from every game we’ve played so far. We just have to continue that attitude and continue to work hard.


Q: Have you played in the Superdome at any level?

Q: This is the first one. Both of my brothers got to play in high school. Newman where I went to high school set up a game every year when they were there. By the time I was there they no longer did that. I never made it to the state championships. In college I never got to play there. This is the first one and I’m looking forward to it.

Q: Did you think of that immediately when you saw the schedule?

A: Yes, when I saw we were playing the Saints and playing in New Orleans and that opportunity to go back to your hometown and be in the Superdome where my dad played so many games. He played most of his career in the Superdome where he has his number up on the ceiling there. It was something I was really looking forward to. A few years ago we had it marked on the calendar to play there, but Katrina messed that one up. I’m looking forward to this opportunity.

Q: Do you have any plans to get together with friends or family on Wednesday?

A: No, I’m kind of keeping my same routine that I do every week for an away game. I’m not going to go to my parent’s house or anything, just kind of treat it like a business trip and keep my same routine.

Q: What do you guys need to prove at this stage of this season against another unbeaten team?

A: Obviously the Saints are a very talented team on both sides of the ball. Their offense has a lot of explosiveness and can score a lot of points and their defense can cause a lot of turnovers and making big plays on defense and playing very well. We just have to come in. It’s going to be a loud environment. The fans will be screaming. It’s going to be a tough place to play. We know we have to be at our best. We have to come in and play great, smart football and know we can’t make mistakes. Everybody has to communicate very well at practice, everybody understanding some different stuff on defense. We have to be well prepared which I know we will be and have to execute very well also.

Q: Do you think the Giants might have an advantage because your team has more experience playing in big games over the past five years?

A: I don’t think so. I know the Saints have played in big games in the past and are a very talented team. I think it’s just a matter of us going in there and playing well.

Q: Are you in pain with the foot injury or is it more a threshold issue?

A: No, I don’t feel like I’m in pain. I feel like I can do everything. I can run the offense. I’m not limited in what I can and can’t do.


Q: Have the criticisms about your easygoing manner and your leadership role from certain players; is there any accuracy to any of those perceptions? Do you think you’ve grown to become a better quarterback the last two years?

A: I think I’ve grown as a quarterback over the years. I think every year you improve and learn something new, adjust to the NFL and what your offense is doing. I’m trying to improve from every year I’ve played. I don’t think I’ve changed my attitude. I don’t think I’ve changed my personality. I’ve always worked very hard. I might not get too fired up or too down, or scream or yell at my players. I get on them when something needs to be done. I try to lead by example. It’s just kind of one of those things where if you’re winning games, whatever you’re doing is right. If you’re not winning, whatever you’re doing is wrong. That’s kind of the way it is in New York. We’ve been winning games lately. They’re supporting the way I act. That’s just the way it is.

Q: Has the atmosphere in the huddle changed since a certain fiery tight end has moved down to New Orleans?

A: No, Shockey was a tremendous player for us. He got fired up. A lot of times he us fired up, got our team going and got the crowd into it. My first touchdown pass was to Jeremy. I only have good things to say about him. I’ve been hearing the media say a lot of stuff about me and what was going on. They kind of said the same thing with Jeremy. We did good things when he was here and big reason for us even making it into the playoffs that year (2007) was because of the games that he played in early in the season where he made big plays to help us win.

Q: Have you guys been in contact since the trade?

A: I haven’t’ talked to him this year or this season. I’ve probably seen him around since he was traded. I can’t recall exactly. I have no ill feelings or ill blood with Jeremy. By all means, he was a great teammate of mind while he was here.

Q: How have Jabari Greer and Darren Sharper helped the Saints secondary?

A: Both of them are talented and make plays. That’s what you see. They’re making plays. They’re either getting interceptions or breaking up balls. They’re just playing aggressive. That’s what you see. You see on defense when you get turnovers and interceptions and return them for touchdowns and an explosive offense, it just makes them stronger.

Q: Did your new contract change you at all or did you buy anything extravagant?

A: No, I didn’t celebrate it. I tried to come out and earn it, play my best and have a good season. It’s a good start, but we have a long season ahead of us with a lot of tough games, especially this one, playing the Saints, who are playing probably better than anyone and I work hard every week and just do my job.

Q: How critical is your offensive line to what you’ve been able to do and what you’ve been able to accomplish?

A: Our offensive line has been a strong point in our offense’s success. I’ve really had them for the last five years playing. They work well. They communicate well. They run block. They are the strength of our team and have been since then. They’re a reason for any success we have as a team and as an offense.

Q: Are you going to get to see your folks at all?

A: I saw them last weekend. They came up there for the game so it’s not like I haven’t seen them lately. I don’t think I’ll see them on Saturday and I’ll probably see them after the game.

Q: Is there anything you have to eat when you get down here?

A: No, I don’t think some of that Cajun food is the best thing to eat right before a game, so I know its great food and I miss it a lot. I don’t think eating oysters right before a game will help out anything.

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

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