December 26, 2025 • 19 mins
On this episode of the Giants Huddle podcast, John Schmeelk sits down with Giants running back, Tyrone Tracy Jr, to talk about the running backs and offensive line, John chats with host of the “Purple Insider”, Matthew Coller, about the matchup with Minnesota, and Bob Papa has his weekly sit down with Giants interim Head Coach, Mike Kafka.
:00 - Wan'Dale Robinson
11:00 - Mika Kafka
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to our special Friday holiday edition of The Giants
Little Podcast, brought to you by citizens Official Bank of
the Giants. I am John Schmilch. Thank you so much
for being with us today. Everybody. Hope everyone had a
great Christmas to those that celebrate, and you are now
relaxing after a lot of the fun but also hard
work if you have children is done. Now. A little
(00:20):
bit of a trunkcated episode today, given the holiday week,
I didn't want to bother somebody out in Las Vegas
with the time change and all that stuff. In terms
of doing a hardcore opponing game preview, giving these two
teams records, I didn't think that was worth it this week.
So we're just gonna have the coach interview with Bob Papa.
He'll interview Mike Kafka. That'll be our second interview on
today's show. But we're gonna lead off with one of
(00:42):
the giants best position players this year on offense, one
of their skill guys, Wander Robinson, closing in on the
possibility of a thousand yards receiving for the first time
in his career. This is my conversation with him, joined
by Giants wide receiver Wando Robinson, Wandel Mary Chrismis Man.
How are you, Mary, christ I'm doing well. How was
your alladay?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
It was good, I said, you know, you got the chill.
And then next week a lot of my family will
be up here for my birthday. Day after the.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Dallas game is my birthday, so oh very good.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
So they'll be up here to celebrate both of those.
And but no, that was good, though.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
What'd you do? Uh?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
I just really chilled at home, watch, watched all the games,
watch football. It's about it.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
At a lot of backup quarterbacks. Christmas Day?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Huh, it was a lot of backups. But you know,
at the end of the day, still still good to
watch the.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Football, Absolutely no doubt about it. So what was it
like growing up? Did you like having the birthday and
the Christmas like close together? Or you wanted to kids
get that, you know that kind of get annoyed by that.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I kind of got a little because my mom would
always tell me you're getting half of your gifts for
christ another half for your birthday. So I'm like, okay,
well because they're ten days apart. But now I don't
mind it too much, you know, just knock him out
both around the same time.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
So absolutely, Well, let's let's talk at your quarterback. Jacksons
are furth. We just talked about a lot of backups.
You have, your starting quarterbacks are ready to go. What
has it been like kind of seeing him develop live
and in person? You've been around a lot of quarterbacks
year as a member of the Giants. What has it
been like kind of see him coming to his own
and figuring out how to play quarterback in the National
Football League. It's been great.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Obviously, you know he's gonna have his ups and downs,
but you know he comes and prepares the right way
and does everything that you want your quarterback to do.
And you know, you can just see each week that
he's kind of growing in certain some aspect of the game.
And I think that's all you can ask of him.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
What was the adjustment you had to make going from
dj to Russ then to Jackson, given how unique all
kind of three of their play styles are.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yeah, when I say he probably has a little bit
more spin on the ball than those three es. He
can spin it whenever he wants to put some heat
on it. And then also I say, obviously you know
his legs just the way he's so mobile, and you know,
no play is dead with Jackson back there. So luckily,
a couple of the big plays that I've had have
come off him just you know, creating outside the pocket
and me just making sure that I find finding him
(02:51):
and finding them where he's got to go.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
You know, they're called out of structure plays, right, That's
what people got to call them. But how much structure
is there too? Out of structure plays? You know what
I mean? Like, how much do you guys really kind
of practice all right, well, if this play, if I'm
rolling right, this is what I want you to do,
how much do you guys really kind of work through
that sort of stuff?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I'd say earlier, whenever he started, it was definitely a
bigger emphasis. But now you know, we've kind of had
that chemistry that we don't really have to really talk
about it. I think, I know, if if I have
a guy beat and I know that I can get
him going down the field, just go ahead and go
that way. Or if I you know, I got to
shut it down to make sure that he just has
a valuable target.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Do you know on a certain play where the space
is going to be if he does either climb the
pocket or roll out, so you kind of know where
you can find space in those situations.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I would say a lot of times just knowing all
the route concepts that are on the field and knowing
where certain guys are going to be. You know, if
I know nobody's really kind of behind me or anything
like that, I know I have a chance of going
deep and even if there is somebody behind me, just
kind of giving that threat that I am going to
run past you, but set it down and go come sure.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
So it feel like to the main choices right either
to your point, and I guess it's for a receiver
this is probably perferctble. You want to get over the
top down. If somebody got you know, someone starts looking
back in the backfield, they lose tracking, you can get
to get behind them. Other times you want to work
your way back towards the court back to give an option.
So how do you kind of figure out on which
play which is the kind of the better option few use?
Speaker 2 (04:04):
I'd say a lot of it kind of depends on
the doubt and just since obviously you know third down
and really just trying to make sure that I get
to where the sticks are and making sure that we
get the first and being a little bit more aggressive
on first and second now you know, just wanted to
hit that big play.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Have you seen teams now that they've kind of seen
Jackson do what he does out of structure, get out
of the pocket, and by the time, have you seen
teams adjust not only what they're doing up front to container,
but also what they're doing back in to make sure
you guys can't find that space over the top.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Oh yeah, no doubt. I mean you definitely start to
see teams a little bit they're staying keeping more contained,
maybe throwing a little bit more spy at them, and
then you know, just guys making sure that they're trying
to get get their hands on us whenever he breaks
the pocket, just to make sure you can't create a
bigger place.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Let's talk about you. You're one hundred yards away from
a thousand be your first one thousand yard year, sir.
I'm sure you know a lot of players don't like
to do the season is over, But have you had
a chance to kind of look at your year and
think about why, besides obviously being healthy the whole year,
you've been able to kind of take that jump this
year and have your best years of pro and youre four.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
I'd say it's just being able to run all different
kinds of routes, you know, not just really being in
the underneath throw like I was. I felt like last
year and this year, and they kind of let me
start running some bigger routes and playing on the outside,
doing a little bit more of everything. So you know,
it's been great.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yeah, your average George for catch is way up from
what it was last year. How much of that is
the fact that the team has gone to a lot
more too tight end stuff, which to a point has
I'm not gonna say it forced the outside, but it
certainly has. Since you're one of the team's the world
wide receivers, you're gonna be in there in an outside
role because they're playing tight two tight ends. So much.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, i'd say, I mean, I think it has a
great deal to do with it, you know, getting that
twelve personnel said and play action coming off of that,
just being able to run the ball well, and you know,
they're just giving me the opportunities to go out there
and get open kind of one on one out there
on the island. So it's been great.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Though, I mean, and I imagine the tight ends, you
take some of that underneath stuff, right, so there's more
stuff the top.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Of the right, more stuff. I get to go down
the field running crossers, kind of throwback routes, so like
faking a little cross during going back out and just
doing things like that.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
So yeah, I feel like this year they've really leaned
into I mean, I'm sure as a wide receiver, you
see a play and you have that deep over route,
that's probably you're like, all right, yeah, now I got
a chance. I got open field. There's a positive corners
playing outside technique. Especially he's not to go hang me
across the field. And then to your point, you start
showing that, well if I fake that and I go
back to the flag, then they get to over pursue.
So when you see kind of those longer developing route concepts,
(06:24):
you just start salvating a little bits of wide receiver
that this is my chance to make a play. Yeah,
no doubt.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Especially you know you kind of see single high and
you know that you're one on one with the corner.
You're like and especially like sometimes they give me an
option where I can go to the cross or or
I can break it back out, so I get the
option of whatever I want to do and just kind
of how I want to play with the route.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
So really, even though you know everyone thinks of the
option routes is you're on the slot, you're one on one,
you can either the inside or out or stick and whatever.
So you're giving the option on some of these deep concepts.
You can read the corner in safety and run whatever
you want.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, yeah, I say, I get to go basically a
fifteen yard option route, and just at the end of
the day, they're just like, go get open. So all
I can ask for for my coaches, you know, like
I said, they're putting me in great positions to go
out there and get open.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I've talked to you a lot about the advantages of
playing the slot, two wags and all that sort of stuff.
As you've played more outside wide receiver this year. What
are some of the advantages you think a wide receiver
has being able to play closer to the sideline on
the perimeter.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
I feel like you don't get brad. I feel like
whenever I'm in the slot now I get a couple
more bracket coverages and things like that. God's pushing to me,
especially in zones on the outside. You know, sometimes it's
just more like, you know, you just got to go win,
and you know, sometimes that's exactly what I want to do.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
What kind of additions did you have to make to
your game, whether it's maybe releases and stuff like that.
Did you have to make this offseason to have the
type of success playing that non slot role that you've
had this year.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah, I'd say I definitely added a couple more releases
to my package, and you know, just focused on being
a complete receiver. Was down in Atlanta, didn't really take
any breaks, you know, just was kind of full throttle ahead,
just training and just doing everything that I could just
to make sure I was a well round the receiver.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Now you've been through some changes year. What has it
been like just just for you dealing with all the changes,
whether it's a head coach, the offensive corner, or just
you know, kind of go through the whole gamut as
to all the changes you've had to deal with over
the course of the year.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It hasn't been too bad, obviously, I say. Luckily, I
have a pretty good relationship with Cap, had a pretty
good relationship with Daves, and so I was always able
to talk to them about anything that was going on
and about what I wanted any game plan, or how
I felt about a certain route. So it's been at
the end of the day, it's still been pretty good
for me. But you know, everybody still has to adjust
to how everything's going.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, how about the Raiders. Patrick Graham runs a lot
of different types of zones. Season allowed to cover three
this year. If if I remember that the percentages, right,
what are some of the things that that he does
with that pass defense, Because it's actually been pretty good
this year, even though they've strolled a little bit as
a team. What do they do from a pass defense
perspective that might give your pass offense a little bit
of a trouble.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Today, I'm in they like you said, they just are
able to match and they match some stuff pretty well.
And you know, they play like they're really smart their
sticks awareness, especially on third down and stuff like that.
And you know, they got the they got some guys
that can run in I say at the linebacker level.
You know, they can run and carry, carry crosses and
stuff like that, which you would think would be those
covered three things. But you know, just being able to
(09:08):
find that space and get.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Open and no big plays. They really kind of put
a little over it over the top. What is it
about the way they play that allows them to prevent
those big plays?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, like those corners they're getting, the're getting up out
of there, the safeties they play pretty deep too, and
then whenever they want to change it up there, like
you said, they're just keeping a shell on top of
the defense and not really trying to let guys get open.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Is that the importance of being patient in a week
like this where don't try to force it. If you know,
if they're giving me that seven yard stop, I'll take
the seven yard stop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
So you just got to kind of take what they
can give you. And you know, we like to say
this is going to be a big run after catch
the game. You know, find find the find the voids,
and you got to make your magic happen after the catch.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Is it really important for you to get to a
thousand yards? Is that like is that something you've thought
about that some people matter, some people.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
A Yeah, I mean i'd say it for me for sure.
I say, you know, gout my size, you usually don't
see guys going for a thousand yards and you know
so and so slot guys, and you know, I think
it's just big for me to hit that accomplishment. I
think every receiver it will tell you that that's an
accomplishment that they all want to want to hit. And
you know, just being really really close, you know, I'm
shopping to get it.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Absolutely. Finally, have you thought at all about what this
offseason might look like for you just in terms of
like big decisions and by the way, and some of
your decisions, some of the team decisions, see whatever happens happens.
But have you kind of thought about what this might
be like the first time you've ever like, I know
you transfer to column, but it's really the first time
you've a free agency, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah, I've thought about it a little bit, but try
not too too much. At the end of the day,
you know, let my agents and stuff handle handle everything.
And right now, just trying to go out there and
play my best football and then everything else will take
care of itself from there.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
And I know we've spoken before. Obviously you like being
here right being there.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I love New York. I love being up here.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Absolutely. Mondo, good stuff, man, good luck on something. Sim
Robinson Gihn's wide receiver. Hop get in here. If you're
lined up here, you gotta go over the middle with
at the score great. How do we make that happen?
I don't know, but.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Does it makes sense if your money with CITIS since
official bank of Eli manning great So.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
From one though Robinson there just to remind their Johnsontal
podcast is brought to you by Citizens, the official bank
of the Giants. From game day celebrations to your everyday
financial needs, Big New Fans can get the most out
of everyone with Citizens. Learn more at Citizens bank dot
com slash Giants. All right, now let's get to the
interview with the hey coach of the New York Giants,
Mike Kafka Bob Popas spoke to him.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
We're joined by the head coach of the New York Giants,
Mike kafkan uh coach. First of all, belated Merry Christmas
to you and your family. I know you had a
little different week as far as the schedule was concerned
with the players. Just talk a little bit about how
that whole thing unfolded and sort of the way you
feel it all played out this week.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Thank you very much, Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to
you as well. Yeah, so this you know, this week,
you know, had an opportunity to talk with the leadership
Council and talk through the week and you know, really
kind of lay the schedule for how we want to
handle the holidays. And it's I think it's a unique
it's unique things that happens again, you know, in the
middle of the week, kind of middle of the work week.
So we made a decision and talk with the guys,
(12:03):
and we thought it was important that you know, we
kind of pushed our weekly schedule up one day, so
instead of giving an off day on Tuesday, we give
them the off day on Thursday, which happened to be Christmas.
And you know, it all worked out. We you know,
we thought that was the right thing to do in
terms of our our team, our guys and the Leadership
Council and our coaches, and I think it worked out well.
(12:23):
It was good to kind of get, you know, get
the bulk of the install first, second down, third down
stuff early in the week, have a day off, enjoy
with our families, and then here we go. We're back.
We're back in on Friday and rolling.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
All right, so let's talk about this game that you're
taking on the Raiders today here in Las Vegas. This
is a Raider team that obviously has had their woes
this year and a record that's the same as yours.
But when you put the tape on it and you
watch the way they competed last week against Houston, or
you'd look at you know, the fact that their game
(12:56):
against Jacksonville was a one point game, and so many
other games that they had this year that they've been
in it. What are some of the things that you
watch this team that say, hey, this goes on the
board right here. If we don't do this, this team
can really hurt us here.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Yeah, I think overall all three phases, these guys do
a really nice job. But obviously they're well coached with
coach Pete Carroll, he does a great job. He's got
a winning pedigree and a championship pedigree that he's carried
with his entire career. I got a lot of respect
for him and how he operates. And these guys just
play their tail off. You see it all over the tape.
You see it on offense, see on defense, special teams,
(13:32):
or tackleing on the run around. They play with great
team speed, and so you know, these are just these
are just the things that are just popping off on
tape for me. But on top of that, you gotta
you handle, you know, just the elite players they have,
and I know for the offensive side, and you know
Max Crosby and the way he operates and the way
he plays, He's he's certainly you know, a guy you
(13:53):
gotta know where he's at on every single play.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
Yeah. From a defensive standpoint, would you would you say
that they're a moderate blitzed level team. Do they bring
a lot of heat at least tendencies that they've shown
so far.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Yeah, I'd say their defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, he does
a nice job mixing it up. Not every game is
the same. I don't think they're trying to hit a
quota or anything like that. I think they're going to
have a you know, a specific game plan for how
they want to attack us.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
And whether it's a.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Lot of pressure, whether it's a little pressure. We've got
to be able to handle both of those and have
and have the ability to adjust to whatever they want
to throw at us.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Coach, I thought last week, speaking of pressure as you
went against Minnesota, I thought the old line did a
really nice job last week for the most part. I mean,
you're not going to shut shut down talented players completely.
But when you look back on it, how would you
assess the performance of your old line under pressure considering
that they're probably going to face some more this week.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Yeah, I've been really proud of how our offensive lines
played this entire season. You know, no one game will
define us, regardless of what the result is. But I think,
you know, our guys have been there. We have a
veteran group guys stepping up now. You know, we'll see
how things shake out this week. But I think it's
been a great room. I'm really excited about it, really
excited about the room there. And they're playing their butts
(15:13):
off man in run game, in the past game, pass protecting,
and going against some of the elite top end rushers
in this league and doing a really nice job with him.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Coach, I want to ask you about Wandelle Robinson, who
has a chance to get over a thousand yards for
the first time in his career. He's obviously been really
tough for you this year. It takes a lot of shots.
He's made some big plays for you. Can you just
talk a little bit about because you've been around him
since he's been here, sort of his maturation as a player.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I love Wandell. He's kind of
the heartbeat of the offense in terms of just creating energy,
doing everything the right way. I'd love for him to get,
you know, to get that milestone in terms of a thousand.
I know, you know, talking with him, he wants the
w you know, he wants he wants us to get
win first and foremost and let those other personal accolades
kind of.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Come with it.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
But you know, I think I'd love for that. I'd
love that for him just because I've been around for
such a long time. I know what this guy means
to the team. I know what he means to me,
and that'd be cool. That'd be cool for him to get.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
That, you know, Coach Jackson dart last week against Minnesota,
the numbers weren't there, but with that said, there was
an opportunity to win the football game once again, you know,
like breaking that seal as a player, especially when you're
a young player, to get one of these fourth quarter drives,
(16:35):
to get one of these things under his belt. Is
that one of those things where you feel like once
he and this team, you know, sort of get a
taste of it, that it becomes learned behavior.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Yeah. I mean, obviously, you know you don't want you
want to win the games. You want to be able
to win these games without having to do that. But
I mean that'd be ideal, But.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
It is the NFL, Right, it's the NFL.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
They're all close, They're all going to be one point
one score, probably come down to the last drive type
And yeah, I mean I think the more you're in
these situations, and we try to do this in practice, right,
we try to simulate these situations in practice, and you
know there's a winner and loser. It's not like we
just go and just leave. Like we try to make
it as competitive as possible and either an offense is
gonna win or the defense is going to win that drill.
(17:18):
And so yeah, you build those you build those learning pathways,
you build those opportunities for growth, and then when you
get into the game, now you go and nail that situation.
And I think, yeah, the more times we're in it,
the better off will be. And I think Jackson will
continue to learn and grow from those.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Coach we appreciate a couple of minutes. As always, we'll
do it again next week. Best of luck today against
the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Sounds great. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
If you want to know how to manage two minutes
of crunch time football, I'm your man. But if you're
wondering about a long term financial plan, you should talk
to Citizens. Hey, I can also talk long care. I'd
like to learn about a Mollia routine. Yes, I knew
I could help make sense of your money with Citizens.
Really good stuff from Mike Kafka. Thank you to him
and Wandell Robinson and Bob Pop as always for joining
(18:00):
us on this Friday edition of the Giants Total Podcast.
Of course, both these teams on long losing streaks. They're
tied for the worst record in the National Football League,
so not a lot of stake record wise, but two
young teams trying to continue to play better football and
try to close their season on a winning note. Of course,
for those that are interested, there is the draft implications
(18:21):
in this game as well. The loser of this game
good chance they will have the top overall pick in
the draft. For the Raiders, that could very well mean
drafting a quarterback, whether it's Finana Mendoza or somebody else.
If it's the Giants, more likely than not, that's an
opportunity to trade down out of that top overall pick.
Find the team looking for a quarterback. Stack draft picks,
(18:41):
and try to put yourself in good position moving forward
to continue to fill out this roster. If you're the
New York Football Giants, but of course the Giants trying
to win this football game on Sunday in Las Vegas,
the final road game of the year for the New
York Football Giants. Thank you for joining us today, everybody
on the Giants Totle Podcast, brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the Giants, in the Hackensack Boney
Hill Podcast. To you keep getting better, I'm John Schmelch
(19:03):
again thanks to Bob Popp and Mike Cafkin Wanda Robinson.
We will talk to you next week.
Welcome to our special Friday holiday edition of The Giants
Little Podcast, brought to you by citizens Official Bank of
the Giants. I am John Schmilch. Thank you so much
for being with us today. Everybody. Hope everyone had a
great Christmas to those that celebrate, and you are now
relaxing after a lot of the fun but also hard
work if you have children is done. Now. A little
(00:20):
bit of a trunkcated episode today, given the holiday week,
I didn't want to bother somebody out in Las Vegas
with the time change and all that stuff. In terms
of doing a hardcore opponing game preview, giving these two
teams records, I didn't think that was worth it this week.
So we're just gonna have the coach interview with Bob Papa.
He'll interview Mike Kafka. That'll be our second interview on
today's show. But we're gonna lead off with one of
(00:42):
the giants best position players this year on offense, one
of their skill guys, Wander Robinson, closing in on the
possibility of a thousand yards receiving for the first time
in his career. This is my conversation with him, joined
by Giants wide receiver Wando Robinson, Wandel Mary Chrismis Man.
How are you, Mary, christ I'm doing well. How was
your alladay?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
It was good, I said, you know, you got the chill.
And then next week a lot of my family will
be up here for my birthday. Day after the.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Dallas game is my birthday, so oh very good.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
So they'll be up here to celebrate both of those.
And but no, that was good, though.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
What'd you do? Uh?
Speaker 2 (01:14):
I just really chilled at home, watch, watched all the games,
watch football. It's about it.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
At a lot of backup quarterbacks. Christmas Day?
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Huh, it was a lot of backups. But you know,
at the end of the day, still still good to
watch the.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Football, Absolutely no doubt about it. So what was it
like growing up? Did you like having the birthday and
the Christmas like close together? Or you wanted to kids
get that, you know that kind of get annoyed by that.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I kind of got a little because my mom would
always tell me you're getting half of your gifts for
christ another half for your birthday. So I'm like, okay,
well because they're ten days apart. But now I don't
mind it too much, you know, just knock him out
both around the same time.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
So absolutely, Well, let's let's talk at your quarterback. Jacksons
are furth. We just talked about a lot of backups.
You have, your starting quarterbacks are ready to go. What
has it been like kind of seeing him develop live
and in person? You've been around a lot of quarterbacks
year as a member of the Giants. What has it
been like kind of see him coming to his own
and figuring out how to play quarterback in the National
Football League. It's been great.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Obviously, you know he's gonna have his ups and downs,
but you know he comes and prepares the right way
and does everything that you want your quarterback to do.
And you know, you can just see each week that
he's kind of growing in certain some aspect of the game.
And I think that's all you can ask of him.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
What was the adjustment you had to make going from
dj to Russ then to Jackson, given how unique all
kind of three of their play styles are.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Yeah, when I say he probably has a little bit
more spin on the ball than those three es. He
can spin it whenever he wants to put some heat
on it. And then also I say, obviously you know
his legs just the way he's so mobile, and you know,
no play is dead with Jackson back there. So luckily,
a couple of the big plays that I've had have
come off him just you know, creating outside the pocket
and me just making sure that I find finding him
(02:51):
and finding them where he's got to go.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
You know, they're called out of structure plays, right, That's
what people got to call them. But how much structure
is there too? Out of structure plays? You know what
I mean? Like, how much do you guys really kind
of practice all right, well, if this play, if I'm
rolling right, this is what I want you to do,
how much do you guys really kind of work through
that sort of stuff?
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I'd say earlier, whenever he started, it was definitely a
bigger emphasis. But now you know, we've kind of had
that chemistry that we don't really have to really talk
about it. I think, I know, if if I have
a guy beat and I know that I can get
him going down the field, just go ahead and go
that way. Or if I you know, I got to
shut it down to make sure that he just has
a valuable target.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
Do you know on a certain play where the space
is going to be if he does either climb the
pocket or roll out, so you kind of know where
you can find space in those situations.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I would say a lot of times just knowing all
the route concepts that are on the field and knowing
where certain guys are going to be. You know, if
I know nobody's really kind of behind me or anything
like that, I know I have a chance of going
deep and even if there is somebody behind me, just
kind of giving that threat that I am going to
run past you, but set it down and go come sure.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
So it feel like to the main choices right either
to your point, and I guess it's for a receiver
this is probably perferctble. You want to get over the
top down. If somebody got you know, someone starts looking
back in the backfield, they lose tracking, you can get
to get behind them. Other times you want to work
your way back towards the court back to give an option.
So how do you kind of figure out on which
play which is the kind of the better option few use?
Speaker 2 (04:04):
I'd say a lot of it kind of depends on
the doubt and just since obviously you know third down
and really just trying to make sure that I get
to where the sticks are and making sure that we
get the first and being a little bit more aggressive
on first and second now you know, just wanted to
hit that big play.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Have you seen teams now that they've kind of seen
Jackson do what he does out of structure, get out
of the pocket, and by the time, have you seen
teams adjust not only what they're doing up front to container,
but also what they're doing back in to make sure
you guys can't find that space over the top.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Oh yeah, no doubt. I mean you definitely start to
see teams a little bit they're staying keeping more contained,
maybe throwing a little bit more spy at them, and
then you know, just guys making sure that they're trying
to get get their hands on us whenever he breaks
the pocket, just to make sure you can't create a
bigger place.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Let's talk about you. You're one hundred yards away from
a thousand be your first one thousand yard year, sir.
I'm sure you know a lot of players don't like
to do the season is over, But have you had
a chance to kind of look at your year and
think about why, besides obviously being healthy the whole year,
you've been able to kind of take that jump this
year and have your best years of pro and youre four.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
I'd say it's just being able to run all different
kinds of routes, you know, not just really being in
the underneath throw like I was. I felt like last
year and this year, and they kind of let me
start running some bigger routes and playing on the outside,
doing a little bit more of everything. So you know,
it's been great.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
Yeah, your average George for catch is way up from
what it was last year. How much of that is
the fact that the team has gone to a lot
more too tight end stuff, which to a point has
I'm not gonna say it forced the outside, but it
certainly has. Since you're one of the team's the world
wide receivers, you're gonna be in there in an outside
role because they're playing tight two tight ends. So much.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Yeah, i'd say, I mean, I think it has a
great deal to do with it, you know, getting that
twelve personnel said and play action coming off of that,
just being able to run the ball well, and you know,
they're just giving me the opportunities to go out there
and get open kind of one on one out there
on the island. So it's been great.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Though, I mean, and I imagine the tight ends, you
take some of that underneath stuff, right, so there's more
stuff the top.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Of the right, more stuff. I get to go down
the field running crossers, kind of throwback routes, so like
faking a little cross during going back out and just
doing things like that.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
So yeah, I feel like this year they've really leaned
into I mean, I'm sure as a wide receiver, you
see a play and you have that deep over route,
that's probably you're like, all right, yeah, now I got
a chance. I got open field. There's a positive corners
playing outside technique. Especially he's not to go hang me
across the field. And then to your point, you start
showing that, well if I fake that and I go
back to the flag, then they get to over pursue.
So when you see kind of those longer developing route concepts,
(06:24):
you just start salvating a little bits of wide receiver
that this is my chance to make a play. Yeah,
no doubt.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Especially you know you kind of see single high and
you know that you're one on one with the corner.
You're like and especially like sometimes they give me an
option where I can go to the cross or or
I can break it back out, so I get the
option of whatever I want to do and just kind
of how I want to play with the route.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
So really, even though you know everyone thinks of the
option routes is you're on the slot, you're one on one,
you can either the inside or out or stick and whatever.
So you're giving the option on some of these deep concepts.
You can read the corner in safety and run whatever
you want.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, yeah, I say, I get to go basically a
fifteen yard option route, and just at the end of
the day, they're just like, go get open. So all
I can ask for for my coaches, you know, like
I said, they're putting me in great positions to go
out there and get open.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I've talked to you a lot about the advantages of
playing the slot, two wags and all that sort of stuff.
As you've played more outside wide receiver this year. What
are some of the advantages you think a wide receiver
has being able to play closer to the sideline on
the perimeter.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
I feel like you don't get brad. I feel like
whenever I'm in the slot now I get a couple
more bracket coverages and things like that. God's pushing to me,
especially in zones on the outside. You know, sometimes it's
just more like, you know, you just got to go win,
and you know, sometimes that's exactly what I want to do.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
What kind of additions did you have to make to
your game, whether it's maybe releases and stuff like that.
Did you have to make this offseason to have the
type of success playing that non slot role that you've
had this year.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah, I'd say I definitely added a couple more releases
to my package, and you know, just focused on being
a complete receiver. Was down in Atlanta, didn't really take
any breaks, you know, just was kind of full throttle ahead,
just training and just doing everything that I could just
to make sure I was a well round the receiver.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Now you've been through some changes year. What has it
been like just just for you dealing with all the changes,
whether it's a head coach, the offensive corner, or just
you know, kind of go through the whole gamut as
to all the changes you've had to deal with over
the course of the year.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It hasn't been too bad, obviously, I say. Luckily, I
have a pretty good relationship with Cap, had a pretty
good relationship with Daves, and so I was always able
to talk to them about anything that was going on
and about what I wanted any game plan, or how
I felt about a certain route. So it's been at
the end of the day, it's still been pretty good
for me. But you know, everybody still has to adjust
to how everything's going.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, how about the Raiders. Patrick Graham runs a lot
of different types of zones. Season allowed to cover three
this year. If if I remember that the percentages, right,
what are some of the things that that he does
with that pass defense, Because it's actually been pretty good
this year, even though they've strolled a little bit as
a team. What do they do from a pass defense
perspective that might give your pass offense a little bit
of a trouble.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Today, I'm in they like you said, they just are
able to match and they match some stuff pretty well.
And you know, they play like they're really smart their
sticks awareness, especially on third down and stuff like that.
And you know, they got the they got some guys
that can run in I say at the linebacker level.
You know, they can run and carry, carry crosses and
stuff like that, which you would think would be those
covered three things. But you know, just being able to
(09:08):
find that space and get.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
Open and no big plays. They really kind of put
a little over it over the top. What is it
about the way they play that allows them to prevent
those big plays?
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Yeah, like those corners they're getting, the're getting up out
of there, the safeties they play pretty deep too, and
then whenever they want to change it up there, like
you said, they're just keeping a shell on top of
the defense and not really trying to let guys get open.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Is that the importance of being patient in a week
like this where don't try to force it. If you know,
if they're giving me that seven yard stop, I'll take
the seven yard stop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
So you just got to kind of take what they
can give you. And you know, we like to say
this is going to be a big run after catch
the game. You know, find find the find the voids,
and you got to make your magic happen after the catch.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Is it really important for you to get to a
thousand yards? Is that like is that something you've thought
about that some people matter, some people.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
A Yeah, I mean i'd say it for me for sure.
I say, you know, gout my size, you usually don't
see guys going for a thousand yards and you know
so and so slot guys, and you know, I think
it's just big for me to hit that accomplishment. I
think every receiver it will tell you that that's an
accomplishment that they all want to want to hit. And
you know, just being really really close, you know, I'm
shopping to get it.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
Absolutely. Finally, have you thought at all about what this
offseason might look like for you just in terms of
like big decisions and by the way, and some of
your decisions, some of the team decisions, see whatever happens happens.
But have you kind of thought about what this might
be like the first time you've ever like, I know
you transfer to column, but it's really the first time
you've a free agency, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Yeah, I've thought about it a little bit, but try
not too too much. At the end of the day,
you know, let my agents and stuff handle handle everything.
And right now, just trying to go out there and
play my best football and then everything else will take
care of itself from there.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
And I know we've spoken before. Obviously you like being
here right being there.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I love New York. I love being up here.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Absolutely. Mondo, good stuff, man, good luck on something. Sim
Robinson Gihn's wide receiver. Hop get in here. If you're
lined up here, you gotta go over the middle with
at the score great. How do we make that happen?
I don't know, but.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Does it makes sense if your money with CITIS since
official bank of Eli manning great So.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
From one though Robinson there just to remind their Johnsontal
podcast is brought to you by Citizens, the official bank
of the Giants. From game day celebrations to your everyday
financial needs, Big New Fans can get the most out
of everyone with Citizens. Learn more at Citizens bank dot
com slash Giants. All right, now let's get to the
interview with the hey coach of the New York Giants,
Mike Kafka Bob Popas spoke to him.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
We're joined by the head coach of the New York Giants,
Mike kafkan uh coach. First of all, belated Merry Christmas
to you and your family. I know you had a
little different week as far as the schedule was concerned
with the players. Just talk a little bit about how
that whole thing unfolded and sort of the way you
feel it all played out this week.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Thank you very much, Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to
you as well. Yeah, so this you know, this week,
you know, had an opportunity to talk with the leadership
Council and talk through the week and you know, really
kind of lay the schedule for how we want to
handle the holidays. And it's I think it's a unique
it's unique things that happens again, you know, in the
middle of the week, kind of middle of the work week.
So we made a decision and talk with the guys,
(12:03):
and we thought it was important that you know, we
kind of pushed our weekly schedule up one day, so
instead of giving an off day on Tuesday, we give
them the off day on Thursday, which happened to be Christmas.
And you know, it all worked out. We you know,
we thought that was the right thing to do in
terms of our our team, our guys and the Leadership
Council and our coaches, and I think it worked out well.
(12:23):
It was good to kind of get, you know, get
the bulk of the install first, second down, third down
stuff early in the week, have a day off, enjoy
with our families, and then here we go. We're back.
We're back in on Friday and rolling.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
All right, so let's talk about this game that you're
taking on the Raiders today here in Las Vegas. This
is a Raider team that obviously has had their woes
this year and a record that's the same as yours.
But when you put the tape on it and you
watch the way they competed last week against Houston, or
you'd look at you know, the fact that their game
(12:56):
against Jacksonville was a one point game, and so many
other games that they had this year that they've been
in it. What are some of the things that you
watch this team that say, hey, this goes on the
board right here. If we don't do this, this team
can really hurt us here.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Yeah, I think overall all three phases, these guys do
a really nice job. But obviously they're well coached with
coach Pete Carroll, he does a great job. He's got
a winning pedigree and a championship pedigree that he's carried
with his entire career. I got a lot of respect
for him and how he operates. And these guys just
play their tail off. You see it all over the tape.
You see it on offense, see on defense, special teams,
(13:32):
or tackleing on the run around. They play with great
team speed, and so you know, these are just these
are just the things that are just popping off on
tape for me. But on top of that, you gotta
you handle, you know, just the elite players they have,
and I know for the offensive side, and you know
Max Crosby and the way he operates and the way
he plays, He's he's certainly you know, a guy you
(13:53):
gotta know where he's at on every single play.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
Yeah. From a defensive standpoint, would you would you say
that they're a moderate blitzed level team. Do they bring
a lot of heat at least tendencies that they've shown
so far.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Yeah, I'd say their defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, he does
a nice job mixing it up. Not every game is
the same. I don't think they're trying to hit a
quota or anything like that. I think they're going to
have a you know, a specific game plan for how
they want to attack us.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
And whether it's a.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Lot of pressure, whether it's a little pressure. We've got
to be able to handle both of those and have
and have the ability to adjust to whatever they want
to throw at us.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Coach, I thought last week, speaking of pressure as you
went against Minnesota, I thought the old line did a
really nice job last week for the most part. I mean,
you're not going to shut shut down talented players completely.
But when you look back on it, how would you
assess the performance of your old line under pressure considering
that they're probably going to face some more this week.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Yeah, I've been really proud of how our offensive lines
played this entire season. You know, no one game will
define us, regardless of what the result is. But I think,
you know, our guys have been there. We have a
veteran group guys stepping up now. You know, we'll see
how things shake out this week. But I think it's
been a great room. I'm really excited about it, really
excited about the room there. And they're playing their butts
(15:13):
off man in run game, in the past game, pass protecting,
and going against some of the elite top end rushers
in this league and doing a really nice job with him.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
Coach, I want to ask you about Wandelle Robinson, who
has a chance to get over a thousand yards for
the first time in his career. He's obviously been really
tough for you this year. It takes a lot of shots.
He's made some big plays for you. Can you just
talk a little bit about because you've been around him
since he's been here, sort of his maturation as a player.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I love Wandell. He's kind of
the heartbeat of the offense in terms of just creating energy,
doing everything the right way. I'd love for him to get,
you know, to get that milestone in terms of a thousand.
I know, you know, talking with him, he wants the
w you know, he wants he wants us to get
win first and foremost and let those other personal accolades
kind of.
Speaker 1 (16:03):
Come with it.
Speaker 3 (16:04):
But you know, I think I'd love for that. I'd
love that for him just because I've been around for
such a long time. I know what this guy means
to the team. I know what he means to me,
and that'd be cool. That'd be cool for him to get.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
That, you know, Coach Jackson dart last week against Minnesota,
the numbers weren't there, but with that said, there was
an opportunity to win the football game once again, you know,
like breaking that seal as a player, especially when you're
a young player, to get one of these fourth quarter drives,
(16:35):
to get one of these things under his belt. Is
that one of those things where you feel like once
he and this team, you know, sort of get a
taste of it, that it becomes learned behavior.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Yeah. I mean, obviously, you know you don't want you
want to win the games. You want to be able
to win these games without having to do that. But
I mean that'd be ideal, But.
Speaker 4 (16:53):
It is the NFL, Right, it's the NFL.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
They're all close, They're all going to be one point
one score, probably come down to the last drive type
And yeah, I mean I think the more you're in
these situations, and we try to do this in practice, right,
we try to simulate these situations in practice, and you
know there's a winner and loser. It's not like we
just go and just leave. Like we try to make
it as competitive as possible and either an offense is
gonna win or the defense is going to win that drill.
(17:18):
And so yeah, you build those you build those learning pathways,
you build those opportunities for growth, and then when you
get into the game, now you go and nail that situation.
And I think, yeah, the more times we're in it,
the better off will be. And I think Jackson will
continue to learn and grow from those.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Coach we appreciate a couple of minutes. As always, we'll
do it again next week. Best of luck today against
the Raiders.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Sounds great. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
If you want to know how to manage two minutes
of crunch time football, I'm your man. But if you're
wondering about a long term financial plan, you should talk
to Citizens. Hey, I can also talk long care. I'd
like to learn about a Mollia routine. Yes, I knew
I could help make sense of your money with Citizens.
Really good stuff from Mike Kafka. Thank you to him
and Wandell Robinson and Bob Pop as always for joining
(18:00):
us on this Friday edition of the Giants Total Podcast.
Of course, both these teams on long losing streaks. They're
tied for the worst record in the National Football League,
so not a lot of stake record wise, but two
young teams trying to continue to play better football and
try to close their season on a winning note. Of course,
for those that are interested, there is the draft implications
(18:21):
in this game as well. The loser of this game
good chance they will have the top overall pick in
the draft. For the Raiders, that could very well mean
drafting a quarterback, whether it's Finana Mendoza or somebody else.
If it's the Giants, more likely than not, that's an
opportunity to trade down out of that top overall pick.
Find the team looking for a quarterback. Stack draft picks,
(18:41):
and try to put yourself in good position moving forward
to continue to fill out this roster. If you're the
New York Football Giants, but of course the Giants trying
to win this football game on Sunday in Las Vegas,
the final road game of the year for the New
York Football Giants. Thank you for joining us today, everybody
on the Giants Totle Podcast, brought to you by Citizens,
the official bank of the Giants, in the Hackensack Boney
Hill Podcast. To you keep getting better, I'm John Schmelch
(19:03):
again thanks to Bob Popp and Mike Cafkin Wanda Robinson.
We will talk to you next week.
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