QB Michael Vick
On the importance of the first divisional matchup of the season:"This game is very important. It's an NFC East rivalry game and there's a lot at stake. It's two good football teams that kind of know each other really well. I think it's going to come down to execution but it's going to be a great game."
On whether he looks at the 2011 Super Bowl Champion Giants and thinks the Eagles could have gone on the same run:"I try not to look at it that way but the New York Giants are a good football team. They have a great quarterback in Eli (Manning) and do a lot of good things on offense, exceptional things on defense, and that's what makes a great football team. When you're able to gel together and put it all together then you're able to go on a run like that. We did pretty much the same thing but it was just too late."
On how concerned he is with the turnovers the team has surrendered in three games:"I'm very concerned about the turnovers. Being the competitor that I am, I understand that you have to protect the football. I cut back on the interceptions last week and had two fumbles but it's something that I know I can get corrected."
On whether he has spoken with Coach Reid about the comments made on Monday that he was the starting quarterback for now:"We talked about it. We spoke about it but it wasn't anything serious. We're in a position where we have to look forward to this week. We have to get ready for this game (and) that's what is most important. Any outside distractions can become a deterrent to this team so we're just trying to move forward and get ready for the next game."
On whether he worries about his job security:"No, not at all, I know that it can be corrected. That's the most important thing and I know I can get my job done week in and week out. As a whole you have to go out there and put it all together. That's what I'm focused on and nothing in between."
On whether he feels he should have received a vote of confidence following his turnovers:"No. I heard it but I really don't pay attention to what's being said unless I hear it from Coach himself. Other than that, we've talked about it and it's all about me going out and getting ready for this week against New York."
On what he remembers about playing against Brian Dawkins:"Brian Dawkins was a great player. I think the hardest hit I ever took was from Brian Dawkins. He was an outstanding leader, a competitor, and an ambassador for the NFL."
On the challenge that the offense will be faced with this Sunday:"They're a good football team. They do some good things on the defensive front. They have some veteran guys who (have) been around the block. They have Super Bowl rings so they know what it's like to play in the tough games. We just have to come out and play sound (and) play disciplined and try to put it all together."
On whether something has to change on offense to get into a rhythm to minimize turnovers:"I pretty much expect us to go out there and put it all together at some point."
On if the team can continue to do the same thing even though it hasn't worked for three games:"It depends on what happens. I can't sit here and give you the game plan. All I can say is that we have to just play better."
On whether he is having trouble with blitz recognition:"We had no trouble with blitz recognition. Everything is good with our offense. Everything is in sync. Everything is intact. We just have to get better. (If) we eliminate the turnovers and start fast (then) we give ourselves a chance to win games."
On how important offensive balance is to sustain success throughout the season:"Obviously it's important to balance everything out. That's something that we're going to try to work on. It's at the coaches' discretion. We just have to continue to go out and do what we're asked to do as a team and make the most out of our opportunities right now."
On how he plans to correct his mistakes that cause turnovers:"Just not doing it but it's hard, this game is tough (and) it's not as easy as it looks. You look around the league and there's a lot of guys struggling right now. It's tough. Defenses are getting better, they're scheming. We just have to make sure we do what we have to do in the moment."
On how his body feels after taking a lot of hits the past three weeks:"Feels good. I'm still standing upright so I'm ready to get onto the next game."
TE Brent Celek
On whether he thinks that he will be blocking more this week with the Giants depth on the defensive line:"Not necessarily. It depends on what they'll bring at us defensively. There might be times where I do stand and they'll be times that I don't. We really don't know. We prepare for everything. Whatever they want to throw at us during the game, we'll be ready for."
On whether the guys have rallied around QB Michael Vick after the last game:"I think we always do that. I think the big thing is we have to protect him. We have to do a better job protecting him and he has to protect himself. We've all got a hand in that. It's not just Mike and it's not just the o-line, it's everybody involved in that. We just have to go out and execute better. Then, he won't be on his back as much."
On whether there is concern about the turnovers the offense has had:"That's just something that we as an offense have to fix. Not all of those are Mike's fault. I take credit for one of those because it bounced off my hands. Those are things that we can all fix. If we just focus a little bit harder and pay attention to the small details, those are things that we can clean up." * *
On whether anyone is listening to the outside criticism of QB Michael Vick:"We're always behind Mike 100 percent. It's a team game. It's not just one thing that he's doing out there that is making us lose the game. It's all of us. It's obvious if you watch the film that it's not just Mike."
On whether he feels any extra energy or motivation going into the Eagles first division game:"We know the Giants are a big rivalry. We are always ready to play when they come to town because they're one of the best teams in the league. Obviously, they won the Super Bowl twice in the last five years. They're a great team, and we're going to have to be ready for them. It's always a hard fought, physical game with them."
G Evan Mathis
On how the new offensive line is jelling now that they have had a full week of practice and game under their belt:"I think we've been focused on improving daily, and I think we've been doing that. We still have a ways to go to be as good as we can be. All five of us are working to do just that."
On whether the offensive line had trouble communicating with the crowd noise in Arizona:"I don't think there were very many communication errors at all. We did the best we could to talk to each other. We could hear Michael just fine. (C) Dallas (Reynolds) made his calls just fine. There weren't very many communication breakdowns."
On whether a better balance of running and passing plays helps the offensive line:"We're not worried about it. Whatever is called, we're ready to execute. I'm in no place to say if there was more balance, it would work better or not because sometimes you can throw the ball 60 times and run very few and still be dominant. It just depends on who you are playing and the way things unfold."
LB DeMeco Ryans
On his first Eagles-Giants game:"It's a big game, a big week. With this being a divisional game, it's huge for us. Our first divisional game is when we're looking to start out really good in our division."
On how the rest of the locker room reacts to the criticism of Michael Vick:"Everybody has to continue to get better. It doesn't just fall on one person. We all have to continue to do our job and get better."
On whether it is important to make plays early against the Giants offense:"It is, and you have to start very fast against these guys. You can't get behind. They do a good job. They are a very balanced offense. It's something you don't see very often in this league. They're very balanced – they can run and they can pass the ball. You have to start out early and get stops on third-down and get off the field."
On the different challenges they bring with their personnel:"Like I said, they can do both. Most teams are strong in one area or another, but they are a balanced team. With that, you just have to be ready to stop the run first and foremost, and then see if we can get after the quarterback." * *
K Alex Henery
On how much it helps that he has a head start with newly acquired punter and holder Mat McBriar because he was with the team in training camp:"It's nice because I've worked with him before. I know how he handles the ball and everything. I can just go with that and get ready for this week."
On whether it is an adjustment to work with someone different:"Yes. When you change, anyone can be an adjustment."
On whether it will be an adjustment if he has to use a new long snapper due to the injury of Jon Dorenbos:"I watch the snapper snap the ball, which is different than a lot of guys. I am able to see the trajectory of it and the speed. I base (how I kick the ball) off of when I first take my steps. We'll time it and see if I have to wait after he snaps the ball."
