DE OSI UMENYIORA
Q: The pass rush seemed to really come together today...remind you of old times?
A: I mean we're not there yet. We just knew we had to get them into a situation where they were passing the football and we did that. We have the rushers to get after anybody.
Q: What was it like getting a win in the new stadium for the first time?
A: It was necessary. The way we closed out our last stadium was terrible, so we had to find a way to open up this one better.
Q: That first play where you got to Moore, were you mad that you missed him?
A: Yeah, I was sick to my stomach. It happens. As long as I keep putting pressure on the quarterback, it'll come.
S KENNY PHILLIPS
Q: There were some questions about how you'd respond when you came back, how do you feel you answered those?
A: I feel good. They really doubted me, but my teammates didn't, coaches didn't , trainers didn't. Everybody around me believed in me, and I think that's what kept me going.
Q: Is it gratifying to have a performance like that after all you've been through physically?
A: I think so. There are some things I need to work on, but the defense played great. I'm just glad to be a part of it.
Q: Do you feel the way you did a year ago, or two years ago?
A: I feel better, especially with the guys I have around me. They make it really easy for me.
WR HAKEEM NICKS
Q: Having that kind of a game in the first game here with the way the last year ended, how does it feel?
A: It's really big. We wanted to go out there today and start the tone off right this season. I feel our defense did a good job, and our offense did a good job, special teams as well. I think we came together as a team and that's the main thing.
Q: What's it like for a guy to catch three touchdowns in the first game of the new season?
A: It's great, but I want to keep going up from here.
Q: What does it mean for you to be the guy that Eli is looking for in big scenarios:
A: It means a lot. I definitely want to be that guy that he can depend on. My goal this year is to be more consistent than last year, so I want to keep on pushing it and keep on working hard.
S DEON GRANT
Q: Talk about the interception play and how it unfolded:
A: The motion of the back turned my head, man on man. The tight end was riding up the seam, and I saw the running back even up, so I left my man. He was covered by the MIKE but I saw it and knew it was going to be a high throw because he was kind of tall. I just went up and got the ball.
Q: Coach talked about the tackling today, what do you think was the key to this game?
A: Turnovers, and getting that pressure on the quarterback. Getting that pressure on the quarterback is number one. If he's out there and he has to release the ball, we have a lot of speed on our back end. We have a lot on that front four also, but when it comes to the linebackers and our backs, we have a lot of speed. They put the pressure on the quarterback, and we're going to come up with a lot of turnovers so I would have to say that it's being able to create turnovers, and our defensive coordinator calling a great game.
RB BRANDON JACOBS
Q: How'd you feel the game went today?
A: I thought it went fine. I had a chance to get in and get some carries, and had a chance to make some blocks in the pass protection. I thought it was fine. It's just low key for me.
Q: Do you think that it's going to be a hot hands kind of thing of who gets the carries?
A: No, I just think there are different times where plays were called in for me as well. I'm a big rider, and I get into somebody and I make something happen the best I can. Ahmad, on the other hand, is shifty and a runner. He runs hard, but sometimes when it's just not there, it's not there. That's the same thing that goes for me. You have to get in there and try your best to make it happen just let them play another play.
Q: You ran that flip play the second half and that's something that Ahmad might do. Was it done for an element of surprise thing?
A: We both do that. There's not really anything to that. You just take a step and run as fast as you can and that's easy. I've run that before. It's a change of pace for me but I can get it done. I can run whatever is in our playbook, that's not an issue.
Mathias Kiwanuka on overall performance of defense:
We spent the whole offseason putting the emphasis on defense. This just shows how well we prepared and how well our coaches prepared us, too. We executed really well today, and I'm proud of the way we played. We had a lot of different schemes today and hopefully that is just the beginning of it. We are going to mix it up a lot and it's going to give a lot of people the chance to get to the quarterback. It was a very important game, especially the way we ended last year. With all of the money that was spent on the stadium and knowing what our goal is, we had a lot of motivation to go out there and win this game.
Shaun O'Hara on today's win:
There were just so many things that this game represented, and with yesterday being 9-11, obviously we felt like we represent the City. With today's game, with the new stadium, it was a huge day for the fans, for this organization, and everybody on this team. We couldn't have had it go any other way. This is the way that it was supposed to be.
Barry Cofield on today's defensive performance:
That is what this defense is all about - making big plays. Big plays can cure a lot of other evils. One of the things that I am most proud about is that we held them to a lot of field goals. When teams score those ‘sevens' and get ahead, you don't get a chance to get pressure on the quarterback. The fact that we were able to hold them to field goals it enabled us to turn our athletes loose. Our db's did a great job of getting interceptions today, and with the pressure that we got, it worked hand in hand. That is when we are at our best.
Keith Bulluck on today's game:
What we have been saying all preseason is that when a team gets down in the red zone, green zone, doesn't mean they have to score. Our secondary did a great job of making plays in the end zone. They took 21 points off the board with those three interceptions in the end zone. The d-line did their job because they were harassing the quarterback all day, making him throw errant passes. It allowed our people to make plays. I think it was a great overall day. Due to the fact that it was the first game of the season, with the anniversary of 9-11, and the new stadium, it was definitely a huge day. And to walk away with an earned win makes it even better.
Mario Mannington on his performance today:
Our receiving corps has a new attitude this year - we are just trying to come out here and win every game. When we play good we win. We want it on our shoulders at the end of the game. Eli, Hakeem and Steve - they were sharp today. Defense set the table for us many times today. When we have an opportunity to capitalize on that, we just want to go out there and make as many plays as possible. I think we did that today, but we still left some plays on the field. We can definitely get better. And we will. The first game of the season is always real important. It can kind of set the tone of what is to come. We still remembered what happened last year.
Deon Grant on today's performance:
We definitely met our goals today, but we can definitely get better. We have to be happy with this one. We did a lot of good things today, and everybody contributed. We don't like a team to go down there and get any points. Obviously three is better than seven. Today we were able to shut them down with some huge turnovers. It is a huge, historic win today for this organization. We had a turnout crowd for the opening of our new stadium and what we wanted to do is put a smile on everybody's face. But because of the 9-11 Weekend, that made it bigger than anything. (On interception) I read the receiver, I read the tight end and I read the quarterback, and just went out there and made the play. It became one of many huge stops today.
Chris Snee on today's victory:
Today was very important, especially being the first game in our new stadium. As much as we didn't want to talk about it the whole week, the way we finished last year, today was a chance for us to regain our pride. There were a lot of errors today. The run game wasn't as good as it could have been and there is certainly a lot of room for improvement. That is the good thing though - we were able to put up 31 points with all of those errors.
Corey Webster on defensive performance today:
I think we did a great job today. We created havoc on the quarterback which enabled us to get some picks. I think we could have been a little smoother out there, but you have to remember that it is the first game and we have a long way to go. We played with a lot of enthusiasm today. It is a great place to start and we can definitely build on this.