On the Giants result: "That's just what happened. It was out of our control. There was nothing we could do about it other than going out to win the game we played and beating the opposition. That was our focus this week and not focusing on some things that are out of our control."
On if he was surprised by playing the whole game: "I wasn't surprised at all. Our objective every week is to win the game however we can do it. There's no reason to go there and play with a different mindset if you're going to step on the field because you'll get yourself hurt. I love playing the game of football and I love playing with the guys in the locker room. This is what I was born to do. If I'm out there, I'm out there and I'm giving it everything I've got, 110%, and that will never change."
On when he learned of the Giants result: "I found out around the second quarter. I played the whole first quarter still motivated, not to say that changed once I found out the outcome. But I admit, it was a bit of a let down and that's because I'm human and I have emotions. The objective was to finish strong…I know that every guy in that locker room is proud of themselves and proud of how far we've come as a team."
"Nobody had to say anything. We stayed motivated. We knew those guys on defense were playing tough. They didn't want to get embarrassed like what happened last time. They gave 110% effort and we did the same."
On if this late season success will transfer to next year: "Absolutely. I've watched this team grow as the weeks have went on. The last three or four weeks, we've come together as a team. It's a family environment, a family atmosphere and that translates to winning. That's why you see a different team. I think we are well put together and well fit. We're playing together and that's what it's all about. But it takes time to build that chemistry, build that unity, that togetherness. Doing it now, it's exciting for me and there's not a place that I'd rather be each and every day."
"In the game of football, you look at all the teams that have won the Super Bowls the past couple of years, those teams have been together for a long time. That's how leaders are born. That's how guys learn to step up and accept the challenge of their role…It's got to be a balance and certain things have to happen. You've got to have veteran guys and leaders and guys who have been together for a long time who learn to become a voice in the locker room. These guys are doing that now…That's big for us."
On if this team could have done well in the playoffs: "Absolutely. If we would have gotten into the playoffs, I feel we would have definitely done some damage. It's unfortunate that we didn't and that's the game of football. If you make some mistakes early and you get behind in the count in the win/loss column,you sell yourself short in the end and you're in the position that we are in. We're just happy that we are finishing strong. We have one more game to play and we're going to give it everything we've got."
