Giants general manager Jerry Reese took time to trade some questions and answers with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: Eli Manning won’t have to answer any questions about whether he’s an elite quarterback.
A: Here in this market, you always have to play well. You have to produce. That’s the way it is. I think we’re all driven by that here. We relish the challenge of playing in this city and putting a good product out there for our fan base.
Q: How comforting for you having Eli as your quarterback and Tom Coughlin as your coach?
A: I’ll put those guys up against anybody. They’ve done it … and they’re both driven to continue to do it. You really can’t ask for more than that.
Q: Is the entire organization driven?
A: I think so. Our goal is to be relevant every year and give ourselves a chance to qualify for the tournament and give ourselves a chance to win the championship. That’s been since George Young, then Ernie Accorsi, that was his thought process. We want to continue to do that.
Q: Las Vegas views the Giants as third best in the NFC East.
A: We just worry about the Giants. We’re focused on what we do. People in Vegas have a job to do. You have a job to do. We have a job to do. The players have a job to do. So everybody has a job to do.
Q: How do you see the division?
A: It’ll be close, just like always. Our formula is: You win the physical battle, you play as a team, you don’t beat yourself with bad fouls, you have a chance to win.
Q: Do you believe your team is the team to beat?
A: I always feel good about our team. I think we have a strong nucleus of players coming back. I think we can be very strong again. We have to do it. Every year your team changes. I’m excited about the team. Our coaching staff is terrific. We have some core veterans coming back. We think we added some nice new pieces.
Q: Why is it so difficult to repeat?
A: All the teams are so equally matched, that’s why. Dynasty teams are a thing of the past. It’s a really fine line between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs. There’s a fine line between 3-13 and 13-3.
Q; How will this team respond to being “the hunted”?
A: The last time after we won a Super Bowl we responded pretty well. I know our coaching staff knows the drill. Hopefully we have enough veterans who can help police the locker room. We’re going to take everyone’s best shot, because we do have the title as champions. … Plus we play in a tough division. The schedule looks tough. But when you’re playing a tough schedule, it helps your team become battle-tested down the stretch. People started tossing around the whole Super Bowl hangover stuff — some unfortunate things happened [Plaxico Burress’ gun mishap] where we didn’t really get a chance to finish that season like we wanted it. We still have to do the things that got us here in the first place. … There are no layups in the National Football League.
Q: What did you think about Amani Toomer saying Tony Romo is better than Eli Manning?
A: I have zero reaction to that. Amani’s part of the media now. There’s nothing wrong with him having an opinion about that. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion. It was blown out of proportion more than it should have been (chuckle).
Q: Could there be another Victor Cruz on your roster?
A: You never know. That’s the beauty of personnel. I hope there are a couple of Victor Cruz-kind-of-guys on the roster.
Q: Cruz is asked repeatedly about his contract.
A: I think he’s done a good job publicly.
Q: What is the organization’s position?
A: There’s really nothing to talk about at this point. He’s under contract. It’s really private at this time.
Q: Are you optimistic Hakeem Nicks (foot) will be ready for opening night?
A: We’ll be very careful with him. We don’t want any setbacks. I do think he’ll be ready to play in a couple of preseason games. We won’t rush him.
Q: Have you had a conversation with David Diehl following his DUI?
A: I have spoken to David. It was a private conversation. He’s very remorseful about that situation.
Q: Are you relieved that the Osi Umenyiora contract situation is behind you?
A: It’s not like you’re relieved or anything. I’m happy Osi is in camp and ready to go. I expect him to have a tremendous season.
Q: Your team is built around the quarterback and the pass rush.
A; Our team is built around the team. If you build yourself any differently, it’s going to be hard to win in this league. If you don’t play as a team, it’s hard to win in this league.
Q: What’s the status of Terrell Thomas?
A: He’s probably pretty close to 100 percent. We’ll monitor him and make sure he’s on track to be up and running full speed for the first game.
Q: Will Beatty?
A: We think he’s a young left tackle that can hold down that position and do a good job.
Q: Martellus Bennett?
A: He’s a gigantic man who has played behind a Hall of Fame tight end [Jason Witten] in Dallas. The ball’s in his court. We expect him to play well.
Q: Linebacker Keith Rivers, whom you got in a trade with the Bengals?
A: Obviously he’s had some injury issues he had to suffer through that hindered his production. When you’re the ninth pick of the draft, people around the league think you have a lot of talent. He’s going to have a chance to show the league he can stay healthy and play at a high level in a tough conference.
Q: Marvin Austin, your No. 2 pick in 2011, is back after missing the season. How does he differ from Linval Joseph?
A: Linval can hold the point of attack. Marvin Austin is a guy you have to put on the move, more of a gap-charger kind of player.
Q: “All In” and “Finish” were the catch words last year. What will they be this year?
A: Those kind of catch words will come into focus as the season gets started.
Q: Describe the Giants’ White House visit.
A: If you’re going to the White House, it means you had a tremendous season. To go back for a second time, that was really special. Having an African-American president there in the White House was a special moment for me as well. I reaped the benefits of the people who really suffered and paid the price before me. I don’t take that lightly.
Q: Justin Tuck has mentioned the dynasty word again.
A: If you say that “D” word, they can stretch it in a lot of different directions. We’re just trying to win the next game. The dynasty stuff is when we’re all in rocking chairs.
Q: A message for Giants fans?
A; You’re going to have a hard-working, driven team that wants to prove that we’re still a good football team … a smart football team every Sunday they’re going to be proud of.
steve.serby@nypost.com