New York Giants vs. New Orleans Saints ● Monday, November 28, 2011
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS COACH SEAN PAYTON
"Obviously, it was a big win for us. I thought our guys came off sharp off the bye. Like any game, it wasn't perfect. We had a lot of penalties. We'll have a chance to watch the tape and try to get some of those things corrected, but I thought all three aspects; defense, kicking game and offensively, we did a real good job. It was an important win for us to get to eight. Starting this next stretch of the season after the bye week we felt like this was going to be a tough opponent coming in with the two losses they've had prior to our game. I thought our players handled the schedule well and I was pleased with the win."
(on Drew Brees) "It's that confidence that players around him have, and obviously, we have in him. I've said this before about Drew; he's his own worst critic and he is as hard on himself as anyone else could possibly be. The time he has been in our system, we're on year six now and he's throwing the ball with great rhythm and anticipation. He would tell you that we are doing a good job of protecting, we had the balance we're looking for in November and December; I thought we ran it well tonight, we ran it very well. Those are all things that are good allies for a quarterback, but he made some fantastic throws tonight."
(on drive at end of first half) "The ball's on the 20, and there's times where we're going to be smart with the sequence, there is a big play in that drive if I'm not mistaken that gains about 388 yards and all of the sudden it really changes how you approach it. Drew understands that; he understands the situation, and when we are sending the play in it's with the mindset we are going to be smart. What you're kind of looking for is a play that brings you near midfield, and all of the sudden we got that and ended up capitalizing on it."
(on if having a QB like Drew Brees changes certain situations) "Yes, absolutely, but you're over a minute. I think when you get down in the 30 second range, each scenario is different, but to answer the question, yes. There's a confidence we have in that he understands the situation, and he understands the significance. We try to gain as many possessions as we can and we still felt we had enough time on the clock. You start a drill like that for a play, maybe a field goal, and we just had enough big plays that we ended up scoring."
(on Jimmy Graham) "He is a big part of what we do. You saw the last third of the season last year, you saw him really come on. He is a big factor for is in the red area. He's got very good hands. He's tough. With all the athleticism and the talent he has, he's very intelligent and he is an extremely dedicated worker. Those special players have all of those things. He's a young player that keeps getting better and we are excited for him. You can see the confidence that Drew has in him and that his teammates have in him."
(on what ways the team is better than opening week) "I think we have found balance. It's a long season, and the thing we try to do as best we can is just trying to improve and win each week and win each day at practice. There is a lot that goes into that. We felt like early in the season we hadn't played the red zone as well as we'd like to defensively and offensively, but this last month or so it's been an area that we have gotten better at it. You have go to take a win like tonight and be critical of yourself and look at some of the things that we need to correct. The minute you stop doing that I think you start going the other direction."
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PLAYERS
QB #9 DREW BREES
(on score at end of first half) "I think we feel very comfortable and confident in the two-minute drill. I think it does a lot for your psyche.
"I think what it comes down to is we have a lot of confidence and we play very aggressive. We put a value on going down and getting points. Is there risk involved? Yes. When you do it as much as we do with the mentality we do, you make it part of the way you operate.
(more on end of first half) "It's huge. They come out and score the first possession of the second half. Instead of being 14-10, it's 21-10.
(on dunk attempt after rushing TD) "I knew I was going to get some flak for that. I deserve it. I can dunk it. Pull up Miami '09. I've been telling Jimmy (Graham) and the rest of the guys that I've got a dunk coming. I don't know when's the next opportunity I'll get to do this. Right as I went off one leg, I didn't quite get the oomph I was hoping for, so it turned into a finger roll.
(comparisons to 2009) "I feel like we have the opportunity to be better. We're not there yet. As I look at our guys, we have a lot of guys from that '09 team. The guys we've added – Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram – not too shabby.
"I expect perfection. I understand that's impossible to achieve. Deep down, I know there's some things I can do better.
"After tomorrow, we have to put this thing behind us and it's on to Detroit. There's never a time to rest and never a dull moment.
TE #80 JIMMY GRAHAM
"Things were just cooking tonight. Anything we tried, it seemed to work.
"We really talked about winning the month of November. That's something we really focused on. We did a great job with that. Now it's the next step. For us, it's just one game at a time.
"I'm doing all right. I'm figuring it out, but I've still got a long way to go. I'm definitely learning. Drew's a big part of that, just helping me to learn at a much faster pace."
CB #22 TRACY PORTER
"Gregg (Williams) has confidence in me. Playing the nickel is a difficult position. A receiver only has so many routes, but the slot guy can use all over the field. It's just a testament of the confidence that Greg and the rest of the defensive coaches has in me. I just have to accept that challenge."
"Coming in week and in week out we want to win the turnover battle. We are near the bottom in the interceptions on the season. You want to finish on the positive end each game. That's what we strive to do week in and week out and that's what we did tomight."
LB #54 WILL HERRING
(on INT) "It's one of those opportunities that you hope to get in the game. My number was called. We had pressure coming off the strong side. I think they ran a go vertical route. I was matched up with the tight end and made the play."
"I think that we were very prepared. Going in we had some good tips as far as knowing run/pass downs. From what I saw, they held true. Our defensive coaches did a great job. They give us a ton of information on Tuesday and we spend our free time processing it. We had one that we'd like to get back at the end. For the most part, we held true."
WR #16 LANCE MOORE
"It feels good. We'll enjoy it tonight, but we'll get right back to work tomorrow. That is definitely how our offense should roll. Any guy could have a big night. Fortunately, it was me early in the game and Jimmy (Graham) later in the game. Drew Brees is the guy that makes us go. As long as he is back there calling plays and making those throws than we have a chance."
(on TD at end of first half) "It's one of those situations where we felt like we have enough time. Drew is the guy running the show back there. He was in Coach Payton's ear saying let's go. We made those plays and scored right before the half."
