1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: Welcome to The Giants Huddle. Get Him in a Huddle, 2 00:00:03,440 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: Get him in a Huddle, Get Him in a Huddle, 3 00:00:04,960 --> 00:00:08,320 Speaker 1: New York Giants Podcast. Welcome to another edition of The 4 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:11,239 Speaker 1: Giants Huddle podcast, which you here on Giants dot Com, 5 00:00:11,280 --> 00:00:14,440 Speaker 1: the Giants Mobile app, and your favorite podcast platform. We're 6 00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:16,599 Speaker 1: now joined by a very special guest, one of the 7 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 1: new additions, the Giants secondary veteran safety Antoine Bithet. Antoine 8 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 1: greatly appreciate the time. I was everything today, Man, good Man, 9 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:26,520 Speaker 1: thanks for having me absolutely so. You're heading into year 10 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: fourteen in the National Football League in the midst of 11 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: the off season program. I'm curious. You've worked with a 12 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 1: variety of teams, You've worked with a variety of players. 13 00:00:34,479 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: What's the mindset of someone like you who's been such 14 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: established in this league versus a rookie in terms of 15 00:00:40,760 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 1: their approach to O T, A S and mandatory minicamp. 16 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: I think for me, Um, my biggest thing is just um, 17 00:00:47,120 --> 00:00:50,040 Speaker 1: like you said, being ah my four year with the 18 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: team is just to come in and um getting my 19 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: feet wet. Um. You know, learn the guys around me, Um, 20 00:00:58,040 --> 00:01:00,400 Speaker 1: how to play off off the guys are gonna be 21 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,000 Speaker 1: around um around me, all the guys that's gonna be 22 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 1: on the field at the same time. UM. Normally one 23 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: main focus would be to Um to come in and 24 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 1: really get into the playbook, learning the terminology. But being that, 25 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:16,119 Speaker 1: you know, I played in the system with betch Um 26 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: a few years ago, I'm coming here. The terminology was 27 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,360 Speaker 1: the same, the scheme was the same, So that wasn't 28 00:01:21,360 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 1: really something I really needed to harp on. But so 29 00:01:24,160 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: for me, UM, it's just really like, okay, UM, how 30 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: does Rabbit like to play? You know, how does um 31 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:32,560 Speaker 1: Pep like to play? So that that was really the 32 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,120 Speaker 1: biggest thing for me, Like coming into the spring, Well, 33 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: you just brought up Jabrill Peppers, who you'll be lining 34 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:40,919 Speaker 1: up alongside at safety. He's entering years three in the league. 35 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 1: What is the relationship to give and take right now 36 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: between the two of you, And the relationship is good, 37 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: I think, UM, I think we hit it off from 38 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 1: on the right terms. UM knowing you know, obviously I'm 39 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 1: a fan first, so UM obviously knowing Um his style 40 00:01:57,120 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: of play on what he's most comfortable at. And for 41 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: me being a you know, I can I can let 42 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 1: him do his thing, and then I can I can 43 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: do my thing. So, um, it's gonna be fun playing 44 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: alongside him this year. I always think the dynamics between 45 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 1: a veteran and a relatively young player, because as I mentioned, 46 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 1: Peppers is only in year three, is interesting because if 47 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:18,959 Speaker 1: you go back to your first year in the NFL 48 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:21,320 Speaker 1: and Twine, I mean, you had Bob Sanders next year 49 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: in Indianapolis and having the influence of an established veteran 50 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: like that, what does that do for a young player? 51 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,919 Speaker 1: It gives you confidence on the field. Gives you confidence 52 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,080 Speaker 1: on the field. I know for me speaking um on 53 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: my behalf, knowing that you know, I had a veteran, 54 00:02:34,840 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: a veteran safety, one of the best safetes of the 55 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:42,080 Speaker 1: game at the time. Um. Really it just let me 56 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 1: be comfortable, um, being who I was on the field, 57 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: being that it was my first year, UM, and let 58 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 1: him really do all the dirty work, you know what 59 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:55,200 Speaker 1: I'm saying. But but again, like you said, um it 60 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: it's definitely given take with a young and a veteran safety. UM. 61 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 1: And one thing, you know, UM, on my end, I 62 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:05,440 Speaker 1: could teach um Jabril some things. And then also being 63 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 1: that young safety, he can keep me on my toes 64 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 1: as well. So it's definitely gonna be a give and taken. 65 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: And like you said, it was kind of that same 66 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: relationship with me and Bob by my first year. The 67 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: fact that you have experienced being moved around, you've played 68 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: free safety, you've played strong safety. What does that do 69 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:23,760 Speaker 1: for you at this stage of your career. UM, It's 70 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:28,960 Speaker 1: enables me to to UM, to really continue to play UM. 71 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:31,360 Speaker 1: It doesn't really pigeonhold myself like, oh he all he 72 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:33,679 Speaker 1: can do is play in the post UM. So it 73 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 1: really enables me to to be able to play UM 74 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: that safety role, not just a strong safety or free safety, 75 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:43,440 Speaker 1: but play that the totality of the safety position. And 76 00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: that's one thing that you know, we we well, you 77 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: know even coaches tell you. It's the more that, the 78 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: more you can do, the longer you'll be able to 79 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: play in this UM play in this league. So that's 80 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 1: something that you know, I've hold close UM to my 81 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: heart since I've been in this league. Well, and your 82 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 1: production has remained steady, have also been extremely durable, averaging 83 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: at least thirteen games this season. What do you attribute 84 00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: to that? Antoine's why you've been able to stay on 85 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: the field. Man a little bit of luck, A little 86 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: bit of luck. Um, I'm blessed um. And then also 87 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:15,880 Speaker 1: you know, taking care of myself off season and doing 88 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,599 Speaker 1: the season, you know, working out hard, um, trying to 89 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: eat um, trying to eat good, and you know, stretching 90 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,919 Speaker 1: and massages or whatever the case may be, whatever I 91 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: need to do to be able to stay on that 92 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 1: field as um as when I first came into league. 93 00:04:29,400 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 1: The guys you just say the best ability of your availability. 94 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:35,720 Speaker 1: So so that's something that you know, I still hold 95 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 1: on to this day. I always get a chuckle out 96 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:41,160 Speaker 1: of this, and I'm sure you're probably tired of hearing it, 97 00:04:41,200 --> 00:04:43,120 Speaker 1: But I know, since you've met with the media a 98 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:45,280 Speaker 1: few times here in New York, Antoine, there must be 99 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 1: a record and how many times they bring up your 100 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:49,360 Speaker 1: age to remind you. And I'm sure you're getting tired 101 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:50,960 Speaker 1: of hearing it. But the reason I bring it up, 102 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: as I mentioned, your production has remained steady. Do you 103 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: have a chip on your shoulder at this point even 104 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: leading your career where you want to quiet those skeptics 105 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: who constantly bring up the age factor. Man, A part 106 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: of me does, but then a part of me doesn't, 107 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:06,240 Speaker 1: you know, I think that's just so that's a cop out. 108 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: Oh you're getting old, Like, that's a cop out. Like 109 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: So if that's the if that's the first thing that 110 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: you're gonna bring up, then so big. You know, Um, 111 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: it's all about your production on the field. So that's 112 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:20,080 Speaker 1: where I'm kind of coming at it with. You know, 113 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 1: if I was if I was my thirty in the 114 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: league and I wasn't producing, I'll be out the league. 115 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:32,159 Speaker 1: So even though it's year fourteen, I'll be thirty five 116 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:35,159 Speaker 1: this year. Um, if I wasn't producing on the field, 117 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 1: I would be out of the lead. So to me, 118 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: all that matters is production. So you know, for the 119 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 1: people who are saying, oh he's old, I mean so big, 120 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: I mean how unfair? Though? Do you think that label 121 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 1: is just in general? I know the athlete has a 122 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: different lens than the media the fans, but is it 123 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: unfair that somebody who's such a veteran is always synonymous 124 00:05:57,200 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: with well, you know, maybe the end of their career 125 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:02,719 Speaker 1: is mean sooner writer than later, as opposed to hey, 126 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:04,760 Speaker 1: maybe they're still in the peak of their career. I mean, 127 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,280 Speaker 1: it is what it is. I mean, father time is undefeated. 128 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: So for the for the for the average fan or 129 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 1: somebody in themedia to say that, hey, I mean, they 130 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: have all the right to say that because Father Time 131 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 1: is undefeated. Sometime within the year two or three or four, 132 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:22,600 Speaker 1: you know, I'm gonna have to buy out just because 133 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,520 Speaker 1: you know, it's a young man's league. But um, it's 134 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:30,480 Speaker 1: an individual basis. You know, you gotta take every guy 135 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 1: and look at that individual and determined that based upon 136 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 1: that individual. I just think the media and fans say, oh, 137 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:41,200 Speaker 1: it's not too many thirty five year old safety that's 138 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 1: played in the league. Is not too many fourteen years 139 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 1: safeties that's played in the league. So and take you know, 140 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: they take a fourteen year and safety he's gonna be 141 00:06:50,080 --> 00:06:51,720 Speaker 1: thirty five and said, oh man, he can't do it. 142 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: But like I said, it's all about production. Well, and 143 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: speaking of production, one of the things that James Betcher 144 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: brought up when he recently addressed the media, which I 145 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 1: found very interesting, that he feels the defense now entering 146 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:06,520 Speaker 1: year two. I know you were in it within Arizona, 147 00:07:06,560 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 1: but year two for the nucleus of this defense is 148 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: getting to the point where conversations are so advanced in 149 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:14,800 Speaker 1: the film room that you're anticipating Okay, what is the 150 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: offense going to throw the way the defense as opposed 151 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: to just focus on maybe peripheral exs and oose. How 152 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 1: valid is that and what are the conversations like? It's 153 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: very valid? UM, just like UM uh you say, like 154 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:31,320 Speaker 1: a player in the league, they take their biggest jump 155 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: from year one the year two, you know, and UM, 156 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 1: I think that's the same as far as when you're 157 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 1: in a in a scheme. UM. Obviously there was their 158 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: first year last year, so you know it was things 159 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: that you know, guys are getting used to, UM seeing 160 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: things differently, so UM having a whole year in the 161 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,240 Speaker 1: system and then coming off year too. Like Bet said, 162 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:51,720 Speaker 1: you know, it's not about UM. The first year, the 163 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:55,000 Speaker 1: question might have been about the scheme or what am 164 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: I supposed to do if UM, we get this formation, 165 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: But now it's about Okay, well since we know we're 166 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 1: in this formation, I know I have this, but say 167 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: hypothetically we get this route, UM, can we do this 168 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:10,680 Speaker 1: instead of doing that? You know? So those are type 169 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: of conversations that we're having, UM. And it's good where 170 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 1: it's coming from from different people. It's coming from a linebacker, 171 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 1: it's coming from a corner and safety or it's coming 172 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:21,160 Speaker 1: from the D line. So now you can really tell that, 173 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 1: you know, guys are really honed in and zeroed in 174 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,720 Speaker 1: on what we have to do defensively. But UM to 175 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 1: make that, UM to turn that into okay, well, trying 176 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:32,719 Speaker 1: to predict what the offense are gonna do and how 177 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 1: we can change it and give the offense different looks. UM. 178 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 1: That speaks volume about you know, how how comfortable the 179 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: guys are on the defense from your experience being in 180 00:08:42,040 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: multiple defenses amongst different teams and coordinators, how rare is that? 181 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 1: Or when does that normally register where you see these 182 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: type of advanced conversations. These advanced conversations come when you 183 00:08:52,800 --> 00:08:55,400 Speaker 1: know guys are comfortable, they're playing, they've played with one 184 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: another for a few years. So for us to be 185 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 1: in that um having these conversations and in year two, 186 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,840 Speaker 1: that's where your good defense has become great, you know. UM. 187 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 1: So I'm pretty sure like when when when Ed Reid 188 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 1: and Ray Lewis and was that the Ravens these the 189 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 1: type of conversations that they were having, when Bryan or 190 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: Lacker and the guys Peanut, Timo Warri and Um and 191 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:18,160 Speaker 1: the Bears. With the Bears, these are the conversation that 192 00:09:18,200 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 1: they're having, so UM that that's indicative of of a 193 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:25,839 Speaker 1: great defense. How much does the presence of yourself Karee 194 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 1: Martin O, Saint Pierre Marcus Golden helped in these advanced 195 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:33,720 Speaker 1: discussions considering you all have familiarity with the scheme. UM, 196 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:36,000 Speaker 1: it helps. But then again, you know you can't take 197 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: away to UM. You know the guys that were here 198 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: last year, UM, obviously they had, you know, how to 199 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 1: go through some some growing pain. So I'm obviously learning 200 00:09:44,559 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 1: from those growing pains and then coming back and having 201 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: a whole year under their belt. UM. I just think 202 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:52,680 Speaker 1: it's UM, it benefits the whole room having guys that's 203 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: that's been in their system. I was looking up your 204 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,200 Speaker 1: last few seasons, Antoine, and I mean to be reunited 205 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 1: with James Betram. I'm sure he is somewhat refreshing, because 206 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:03,560 Speaker 1: correct me if I'm wrong. Two thousand thirteen, Greg Manusky 207 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: in Indianapolis, two thousand fourteen, Vic Fangio, San Francisco, two 208 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,719 Speaker 1: thousand fifteen, Eric Mangini, San Francisco. Then Jim O'Neill your 209 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: last season, Okay, you get Betcher in Arizona in seventeen, 210 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 1: I'll hold them. In two thousand eighteen, you're back with Betcher. 211 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: So that's been six defensive coordinators and in the span 212 00:10:20,920 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 1: of six of the previous seasons. What is that? Like, man, 213 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:27,199 Speaker 1: I mean, it depends how you want to look at it. 214 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: And you know, you can look at him like man, 215 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 1: it's it's a lot of disarray. You know, six six 216 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: defensive coordinator, six different personalities, um, six different schemes, um, 217 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: and six years. Or you can look at it and say, well, 218 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 1: it's six different people that has six different outlooks on 219 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: different type of defenses. Where I can I can pick 220 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 1: different things from each coordinating and incorporated into my game 221 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 1: and um as far as game knowledge from these these 222 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: six different coordinators who are smart guys. So it just 223 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:56,679 Speaker 1: depends on how you look at it. And I just 224 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 1: you know, I like to take the positives out of everything. 225 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 1: So you know, six different coordinators and six different years. 226 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:05,440 Speaker 1: That was just more um, you know, more knowledge from 227 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 1: these different guys that's been in the league where like 228 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,040 Speaker 1: I said, like I said, I can incorporate to my 229 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 1: game and also pass off to the younger guy. Well, 230 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: and that brings me to the young nucleus in the 231 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,280 Speaker 1: secondary because you brought up Generora's Jenkins. But let's face 232 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:19,720 Speaker 1: an antwine. Outside of Genora's Jenkins, it's a lot of 233 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 1: youth because the Giants invested in a lot of young corners. 234 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 1: So how valuable of an asset do you become. It's 235 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: not just the teammate, but sort of as a mentor 236 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:30,680 Speaker 1: and a teacher type of. I think as as a veteran, 237 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 1: you kind of even if you don't want to take 238 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: that role, it kind of it comes with it, um 239 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 1: and and being that guy in the room where um, 240 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: even on the field, you know you can you can 241 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,200 Speaker 1: be that mentor. You can um pull a guy to 242 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:45,840 Speaker 1: the side and give them pointers. You know, not only 243 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: on the field, but off the field, dealing with different 244 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 1: issues whether it could be relationship, family members, money, or 245 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:54,720 Speaker 1: whatever the case may be. Because we've all gone through it. 246 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: So I'm definitely you know, um, um stepping up to 247 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,040 Speaker 1: being that mental and off the field or something that 248 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 1: you know comes with the role. And um, something that 249 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 1: I don't you know shot away from you just referenced family. 250 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 1: I know you recently wrote a book, bet on Yourself 251 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 1: inside the mind of the ultimate underdog. And you talk 252 00:12:12,960 --> 00:12:16,319 Speaker 1: a lot about the influenced family had on your professional 253 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:18,480 Speaker 1: career as well as your personal life. What type of 254 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:20,679 Speaker 1: impact and what type of mark did that leave on? Man? 255 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: All positive? You know, all positive stuff, man, Um, you know, 256 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 1: being that my you know, my dad was military. UM. 257 00:12:28,960 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 1: My mom, you know, her her health, her health scares, um, 258 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:35,679 Speaker 1: you know, through my life. UM, so just you know, 259 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: taking positive outlooks on everything my brother is going through, 260 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:43,680 Speaker 1: you know, um life and death situations as well. So man, 261 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,319 Speaker 1: you know all those things that I can just really 262 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: um bring into into the football world. Was like, you know, 263 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 1: this is a game that you love, a game that 264 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: you cherish, you know, don't take it for granted. It 265 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: could be gone, um at any time. So um, definitely, 266 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,960 Speaker 1: you know, the family, Um, it is just one of 267 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 1: the pillars in my life that I hold on too strong. 268 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 1: How much was that motivation and telling that side of 269 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 1: your story in helping to write this book last year? 270 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 1: I mean it was it was It was important, you know, UM. 271 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 1: And I got tell everybody everybody asked me, you know, 272 00:13:14,960 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: what was your motivation to write this book? And I'm like, 273 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 1: you know, everybody has a story. To tell, So why 274 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 1: not tell it? Um? You not, you don't know who 275 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: who we can touch, who can gain some some positive 276 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 1: insight from you telling your own story, So um myself, 277 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: why not do it well? And part of it also 278 00:13:33,000 --> 00:13:36,720 Speaker 1: taps into your upbringing in Newport News, Virginia. And I 279 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: was reading you played football and basketball Antwina High school 280 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:45,959 Speaker 1: and didn't receive one single scholarship. Why did that become 281 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 1: an issue you think for you? Man? I was honestly, 282 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 1: I was five ten a hundred seventy pounds playing middle linebacker. 283 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 1: So you know, obviously when if the scout comes in, 284 00:13:55,960 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 1: it's uh, you know, I really never played dB. It 285 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:02,320 Speaker 1: was always lying by er um and that was my thing. 286 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 1: So you know, it was just one of those things 287 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: that I just didn't you know, I'm receiving any offers. 288 00:14:07,160 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 1: But you know, again, everybody has a story to tell, Um. 289 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 1: Everybody can't go down that same road. I went down 290 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: my role and it was the best role for me. Um. 291 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 1: So it was just one of those things that I 292 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: looked back on it, you know at the time, and 293 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 1: I'm I was salty, but you know it worked out 294 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: for me. It did indeed, in terms of what you've 295 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: been able to produce on the NFL level. I'm curious 296 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: was it tough to the side between football and basketball 297 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:32,560 Speaker 1: or did you always have your heart settled on football. No, 298 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: my my first love wasn't his basketball. You know, that 299 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 1: was my thing. So growing up, you can't tell me 300 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: I wasn't going You wouldn't see on a basketball scholarship. 301 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 1: That was my thing. But I had, Um, I had 302 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: my football coach man. He was my um. He was 303 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: actually my history teacher man. And one one one day, UM, 304 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 1: we used to always have those talks. You know. He 305 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 1: was one of those guys in the hallways that was 306 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:56,880 Speaker 1: always pulled you to the side and have those real 307 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: talks with you. He went to I went to college 308 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: when the football s out of ship, and um, he 309 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 1: was like, look to one and I know you love basketball, 310 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 1: but um, you know football could be your could be 311 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: your be a ticket. And you know, I really didn't really, 312 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: you know how you young guy. You know here it 313 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:16,480 Speaker 1: goes in one and out the other. But it was 314 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: one of those things where it kind of and this 315 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 1: was my sophomore year, but you know, my junior year, Um, 316 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 1: you know I was playing really well and it was 317 00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:25,360 Speaker 1: kind of one of those things like, man, he might 318 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: be right. So even though I didn't get that scholarship 319 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 1: at the beginning, UM again, you know, he put that 320 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: birdie in my put that birdie in my ear, and 321 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,240 Speaker 1: UM kind of set me on that path and you 322 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:41,479 Speaker 1: ultimately received an opportunity at Howard. What was the mindset 323 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: when you first entered Howard in order to grasp that 324 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: scholarship eventually? Well, you know, uh, the coach Petty he was, UM, 325 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: he was actually the defensive coordinator at Norfolk State. UM, 326 00:15:52,200 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 1: and he was recruiting me at Norfolk State. He ended 327 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 1: up getting the head coaching job at Howard. When he 328 00:15:56,680 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: got that head coaching job at Howard, UM, it was 329 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:00,960 Speaker 1: kind of late in the game. So when he got 330 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: the head coaching job, you know, the previous coaching staff 331 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: had kind of brought guys in, so you know, really 332 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 1: didn't have that minium scholarships left. So he said, look 333 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: what I can do. I can give you, um, you 334 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:13,960 Speaker 1: know a little bit of money for some books and meals, 335 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 1: but everything else you have to really really pay for. 336 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: So I said, okay, Well, my my mental, my mental 337 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: has always been, you know, give me an opportunity I'm 338 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: gonna make the best of my opportunity. So um, he said, 339 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:27,040 Speaker 1: you know, if you worked hard, you do what you're 340 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,880 Speaker 1: supposed to do, that second year you can Uh, we'll 341 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: see about that scholarship. You know, I did everything I 342 00:16:32,240 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 1: needed to do my first year, Um, all for me 343 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 1: in scholarship, my second year, my sophomore year, and the 344 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 1: rest is history. Well, and I think that speaks volumes 345 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 1: in an twined terms of what education and the opportunity 346 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:47,720 Speaker 1: receiving that provided for you, not just in your professional life, 347 00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: but your personal life, because I believe you also run 348 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 1: a foundation where you now give back and allow high 349 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:55,520 Speaker 1: school students the exposure to college through tours. But what 350 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 1: has that experience been like? So it's been great, you know. 351 00:16:58,080 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: Um again, you know, it's always been up situation for me. 352 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: If I get the opportunity, I'm gonna get back. So 353 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 1: I love to get back to my to my my neighborhood, 354 00:17:06,440 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: the community I grew up in. So one of the 355 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:13,040 Speaker 1: things my foundation is, um, you know, but their family foundation. Um. 356 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:15,159 Speaker 1: So one of the things is just you know, giving 357 00:17:15,160 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 1: back to kids that's want to do continue education after 358 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 1: high school. So um, this year we was able to 359 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 1: UM award two students with five to UH to FIVETT scholarships, 360 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:29,120 Speaker 1: so they're going off to college. So any any any 361 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:31,159 Speaker 1: little park can help, any little bit can help. And 362 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,919 Speaker 1: I I know that because you know my Frosty in college. 363 00:17:33,960 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 1: It was a struggle for my parents, you know, so UM, 364 00:17:36,760 --> 00:17:39,159 Speaker 1: and any little thing I can do to help, I 365 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: know it goes along way. I know you don't necessarily 366 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: do these things for publicity. Clearly you just spoke of 367 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:46,480 Speaker 1: your passion. But in a day and age, Antoine, where 368 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: maybe fans media focus is so much on football production, 369 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:53,080 Speaker 1: how important is it for some of the focus to 370 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:56,440 Speaker 1: return to what players like yourself are actually doing off 371 00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:01,280 Speaker 1: the field. I think that's the most important thing, because um, 372 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:05,479 Speaker 1: you know, UM, as athletes, we are role models. You know, 373 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:07,879 Speaker 1: even if we don't want to accept that that title, 374 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 1: but we are role models. You know, people look up 375 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:12,160 Speaker 1: to us. UM. So you know, like you said, I mean, 376 00:18:12,200 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 1: so so many people put so much emphasis on, um, 377 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 1: what we do inside the lines. You know, that's just 378 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 1: our job. That's just what we do. It's not who 379 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 1: we are. So a lot of a lot of the 380 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: guys that's in the NFL do a lot of great 381 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: work in the community, and um, I don't think I 382 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:31,880 Speaker 1: don't think it's highlighted enough of what guys do um 383 00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 1: do off the field and um the impact that they 384 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,880 Speaker 1: have in their respect the community. Yeah, because the impact 385 00:18:36,920 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 1: off the field sometimes it's just as important of what 386 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: you do on the field. And that brings me back 387 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: to the football side of things. Unique that you had 388 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 1: the ability to win a Super Bowl Antwine as a rookie. 389 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: Many guys go through fourteen years, they don't even have 390 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: a chance to get it. Takes to that that spoiled me. Man, 391 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,400 Speaker 1: it's spoiled, you know, getting the ring my my rookie year. 392 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: But it was a great experience. And then you ultimately 393 00:18:58,840 --> 00:19:01,119 Speaker 1: went to another one and four really lost the Saints. 394 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:04,320 Speaker 1: But the experience of going to two in the span 395 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,480 Speaker 1: of your first four years in the league, how important 396 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: was it to remain sort of open minded, big picture 397 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,679 Speaker 1: perspective that this is unusual for most players to do that. 398 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:19,040 Speaker 1: But one thing, Um, the core group of guys and 399 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:22,360 Speaker 1: the coaches that I was around at that time, they 400 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 1: made sure that you know, we knew that, you know, 401 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 1: with coach Dungee, Coach Carl Well, you know, with Peyton 402 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: man and Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison. We had some some 403 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 1: some hall of famers, you know, all all across the board, 404 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: we have some hall of famers. So, um, one thing 405 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 1: that they always did was keep things in perspective. And 406 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: obviously you know those years with some golden years for 407 00:19:46,040 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: the for the for the coach. But like I said, 408 00:19:48,840 --> 00:19:51,480 Speaker 1: they kept things in perspective and just let everybody know, 409 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 1: like you know, don't take this for granted. And um, 410 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: it's it's funny that you said that because my first 411 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 1: I wanna say, my eight years with the coach, we 412 00:19:59,119 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 1: went to play off seven times. Um, haven't been back since. 413 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 1: So you know, maybe you were the secret and creating 414 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,640 Speaker 1: and twine you know. May so hopefully you know, we'll 415 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,159 Speaker 1: get we'll make that run this year here with with 416 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 1: the with the Giants. Well and related to that, before 417 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 1: I let you go, you're probably an answer to a 418 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:17,920 Speaker 1: unique trivia question not many players have at the opportunity 419 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: to play with Peyton Manning and then all of a 420 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:24,400 Speaker 1: sudden his brother, Eli Manning. From your recent interaction was 421 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: with Eli, how much of a similarity do you see 422 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:29,879 Speaker 1: perhaps from your time with Peyton, I would say that 423 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 1: the biggest thing, and I've been asked this question a 424 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 1: few times since I uh signed with the with the Giants, 425 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 1: is that attention to details? I think, Um, I think 426 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 1: that's why they've played in the late so long as 427 00:20:42,440 --> 00:20:45,600 Speaker 1: at such a high level. It's a very detail oriented, 428 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:49,080 Speaker 1: you know, I know Peyton was really really detailed and 429 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,680 Speaker 1: UM just you know, looking at ELI and analyzed and 430 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 1: ELI you know, UM, you know, even t meet room 431 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: and on the field very detail oriented. So UM. Obviously yes, 432 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:03,119 Speaker 1: UM A big, a big part of what they've been 433 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,919 Speaker 1: successful well, and certainly you have had great success wherever 434 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:08,560 Speaker 1: you've gone trying to do the same thing here with 435 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:11,160 Speaker 1: the New York Giants. Antoine, really appreciate the time. Great 436 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: to get and you know you better here on the 437 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: latest Giants Huttle podcast. Thanks so much, thank you. You 438 00:21:15,840 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 1: can listen to the Giant Huttle Podcast on Giants dot Com, 439 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,640 Speaker 1: the Giants Mobile app, and your favorite podcast platform. I'm 440 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: Lance Meadow. We'll speak to you next time.