Tuesday Ben McAdoo Conference Call

Rashad Jennings – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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TUESDAY BEN MCADOO CONFERENCE CALL…
New York Giants Head Coach Ben McAdoo addressed the media by conference call on Tuesday to discuss the team’s 21-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals:

McAdoo: Tough to win in this League especially against a good, healthy and fresh veteran football team. I thought our guys stayed the course through all the ups and downs. It took all three phases to find a way to get it done in the end last night.

The defense, a tremendous effort from the defense all night. Third down, short yardage and sudden change were all big in the ballgame. The defensive line, a pressure package all impacted the quarterback’s production especially in the second half. We won the downs at a high level. What we need to work on is tightening up our red zone efficiency. Getting back on track there.

Offensively, we started fast and finished strong. Situational football was encouraging with the green zone, third-down short yardage and four-minute. We hit the “rule of 53” which is a combination of runs and completions. What we need to work on, we need to take care of the Duke. Two INT’s, four drops, not good enough.

Special teams, what we did well, I thought we set the table for the last touchdown. We pinned them deep on punt. Defense got a three and out and the punt return to the 47-yard line. Bobby Rainey did a nice job fielding the ball there. Also, pinning them deep with 6:17 to go in the ballgame was big. They had to cover some ground to get into field goal range there. What we need to work on is tightening up our coverage teams.

Q: Why was DRC limited last night?

A: DRC was primarily playing inside. His lower back tightened up on him a little bit. He’s had some of that issue in the past. With that, and the game plan, we thought it would be better to minimize his role.

Q: Is it something that is a long term concern, or can he jump back quickly?

A: I think so, yes. I hope so.

Q: When was the decision made to use him in that role?

A: We talked about it yesterday morning.

Q: How’s Brett Jones doing?

A: He’s sore. Had an MRI. We just have to see how the week goes.

Q: Has this defense emerged a little bit in getting used to and understanding Spags’ system?

A: I think so. I think they’re growing. It was a good night for them last night. They seemed to gain confidence as the game went on. They played aggressive. The defensive line had some good snaps, that’s for sure.

Q: How’s JPP doing?

A: He’s sore. Nothing new to report there.

Q: How about Dwayne Harris?

A: Another guy we will take a look at how the week’s going to go. See what he can do in Thursday’s practice.

Q: None of these guys seem long term?

A: The challenge is it’s a short week. We’re not going to do much tomorrow. Thursday’s practice will be big for a lot of these guys.

Q: How did you think Sensabaugh did? Was he supposed to play that role last night?

A: They all get reps there and they all get reps at practice. They get work there. We roll guys in. We’re confident with the corners that we have. We have a good group there. A healthy, veteran group. A smart and talented group. We work them all in in practice. We just shuffled around the playing time a little bit.

Q: After the game, Odell said you’re looking forward to the Super Bowl in Houston. Do you believe that you can get to the Super Bowl?

A: I’m glad he was listening. That’s our goal. That’s why we come to work every day. We want to make sure we get here, put our work and our time in. That’s our one goal. We have a lot of work to do until we get to that point. It’s good to have aspirations.

Q: What do you think of your playoff chances at this point?

A: I know this; I’m sitting here talking to you when we have a lot of preparation to get done for Chicago. That’s what I’m focused on right now. We have to get ready for Chicago.

Q: Was Cincinnati determined to take Odell away from your offense? Did that hurt them in the end?

A: It’s a good defensive scheme. They had two weeks to prepare for us. Two weeks and a day to prepare. They put a good plan together. They made it tough to get Odell the ball. I thought we made some progress in some other areas that we talked about earlier. Running the ball was one of them. They were committed to trying to take him out of the game, yes.

Q: With the offensive line, how do you think the chemistry worked out with all those changes?

A: I think you saw how often we roll these guys in at practice. They get a lot of reps with each other. Some of them have been here two or three years together. The communication was clean. They played well together.

Q: Can you talk about the adjustment Eli made on the third and six on the final drive?

A: Yes. He went from a run to a run. Saw a look that we could take advantage of. There’s not many runs versus the defense they had called. He wanted the one that we’ve been practicing. Rashad did a nice job setting it and splitting it.

Q: Pretty big play. What did you think about the blocks to set up the hole for Rashad?

A: I thought they blocked it well. I think it says a lot about Marshall Newhouse. Not only did he switch from a right tackle position to the left side, but he jumped inside to guard. That’s tough to do. Things move a lot faster in there. He’s mixed inside a little bit and gotten some reps inside a little bit, but for him to go in there and play well enough to give us a chance to win a game says a lot about him.

Q: When you decide to go for it on fourth down, how much of that is you on your research, or just your natural philosophy?

A: We were down by six. It’s tough to move the ball against that defense. It’s a good defense. I have confidence in our offense and I have confidence in the way we prepare and practice for the green zone. I thought we had a good plan. I liked our stack there.

Q: It’s more trust for you?

A: I liked our week of preparation down there. That’s first and foremost. If we didn’t practice well down there, we would’ve kicked the field goal. We practiced well. I thought he was spinning it pretty good. The play calls we had down there I was comfortable with and confident in. I just let him know ahead of time. When it’s goal to goal on the nine and it’s tough sledding, you have to find some completions and get a little bit closer to give yourself a chance. I thought Eli played it well and everyone did a nice job on that fourth down call.

Q: Philosophically, do you consider yourself a natural aggressive coach?

A: I like to think so.

Q: Do you have to say anything to your team about avoiding a let down this week?

A: Yes. This is the National Football League. You have to prepare your best for the highest level. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. Throw all the records out the window. Anyone can beat anyone, anywhere in this league. We need to have a great week of preparation. We’re on a short week. We’ll have one big practice on Thursday and an 80 percent launch day on Saturday. We need to be at our best, especially when we get in the building tomorrow.

Q: Do you expect Victor Cruz to be back at practice this week?

A: I expect him to practice Thursday. Tomorrow is a jog thru.

Q: What did you think of Eli’s first interception?

A: I think the DB made a heck of a play. Give him credit.

Q: How do you think Roger (Lewis, Jr.) held up in general?

A: I think he had some moments where he needs to play better. I expect him to learn from those moments. He’ll improve.

Q: How did you think Eli Apple played?

A: Eli bounced back. He had three good tackles and was good in coverage. He had one missed tackle that we’ll clean up. He bounced back nicely.

ARTICLES…

• Giants’ Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie’s role reduced vs. Bengals | Snap count analysis by Dan Duggan for NJ.com

WHAT’S UP NEXT…
The players return to practice on Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Chicago Bears.