Post columnist Steve Serby tracked down Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara to cover some Q&A.
Q: Are you recognized out in public now?
A: People have been recognizing me, but I mean I’m not like, ‘Oh, like there’s Kobe [Bryant], like, ‘Oh there’s Eli [Manning,]’ ‘Oh there’s Victor. [Cruz].’ I mean I’m not a prominent name yet, but I’m not worried about that.
Q: Do you think one day you will be a prominent name?
A: I think one day I’m gonna be a beast in this league, and I think everyone probably will know me.
Q: Why do you think you will be a beast?
A: I think that’s everybody’s goal is to be the best at what they do, and that’s definitely [my] goal, and I don’t think I’d be here if I didn’t think that, if I didn’t believe that.
Q: Why did your teammates get on you about not having swag?
A: I really don’t know. Swag can be a different definition to different people. What I may think is swag might not be the same as what they think is swag. I think swag is just … it’s confidence. I don’t know how they see it. They probably see it like in how you dress, or how you act, how you carry yourself.
Q: You think you have swag?
A: For sure.
Q: How does your swag differ from someone else’s swag?
A: Being a believer, like I’m a Christian, so like I know my confidence comes from Christ. I don’t know what everyone else’s confidence comes from, if they have to dress it or just act like it. … I’m just trying to be real.
Q: What makes Packers QB Aaron Rodgers so unique?
A: He seems very precise in his decision-making when throwing to receivers, and he has the ability to extend the play and scramble and still throw a great play. So when you have a quarterback that doesn’t make a lot of bad decisions, you gotta play your best that day.
Q: What are your memories of last season’s NFC Championship in Green Bay?
A: The Hail Mary pass Hakeem Nicks caught [at the end of the first half]. … [And] it was just cold.
Q: Why were you able to frustrate Rodgers that day?
A: I think us as a unit did a good job of disguising and just getting our hands … not letting them (receivers) free releases down the field.
Q: What are your thoughts on breakout Packers WR Randall Cobb?
A: He’s very elusive, and he’s a guy that they could put in the slot, they put him in the backfield. They line him wide, and that’s what you do with your great players, you just try to give him the ball.
Q: Sum up your New York Giants career so far.
A: It’s been like a roller coaster. I’ve been trying to stay on the field more consistently, and I’ve been trying to find my role on the team, and I think I’m close to finding that. I don’t regret anything that’s happened so far.
Q: Not even the cold tub?
A: No, not even the cold tub (smile).
Q: Do you laugh about that now, when Jason Pierre-Paul tossed you in the tub?
A: You know what, it got me a lot of exposure, but best of all, I think it brought bullying a lot of exposure and got some awareness for that. It’s funny how it worked because I’ve been trying to just set up a foundation for that. The cold tub, it wasn’t bullying, but I’m glad everyone saw it as bullying just so it brought bullying some awareness.
Q: How would you sum up what the cold tub was?
A: Roughhousing … playful fun.
Q: Why did JPP pick you to do that?
A: It’s not like he hand-chose me. The story’s so long. I guess they just thought [a prank was played by] me so, probably just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Q: Did you pull a prank?
A: No. I was there when it happened.
Q: The prank was on …?
A: It was actually on just a group of guys. I guess someone threw water on them and I was right there and they thought it was me.
Q: What has it been like playing in New York?
A: I can’t compare [it] to no place else, because I haven’t been anywhere else, but from what I hear, like all I hear is the media, New York media, New York market, and stuff like that, so this is all I know. So I don’t know if you guys are too harsh. I don’t know if there’s a lot of you guys. But I just know that we play for a city that loves winning and that cares about the team.
Q: Favorite New York things?
A: I enjoy the food. … There’s this church called Hillsong that’s been a huge part of my life so far. I like Fashion Night Out. The Nets, the Knicks. Am I allowed to be a fan of both?
Q: I guess you can.
A: Sweet.
Q: Your teammates get on you for not having enough bass in your voice at practice.
A: I’m not worried about the bass in my voice, I’m just worried about getting my calls out.
Q: Describe your frustrating rookie season after breaking your foot in training camp.
A: Just being drafted in the first round, you have expectations for yourself and everyone has expectations for you.
Q: Your mentality on the field?
A: Just very physical and aggressive. I don’t think I have been playing as aggressive as I did in the past, and I think it’s just because I’m still getting a feel of the game, but I think
once that feel is over, I think
I’m gonna be a lot more aggressive.
Q: Favorite Tom Coughlin quote?
A: My all-time favorite is this one, and he got it from Abraham Lincoln: He said Abraham Lincoln said if he had eight hours to chop down a tree, he’d spend six hours sharpening his axe.
Q: You think he’s the best coach in the NFL?
A: Of course. He does a great job in getting us ready to play mentally.
Q: Your best NFL play so far?
A: I think I played great against the Cowboys [Kevin Ogletree]
in press coverage. Press
coverage is my specialty. I
did a really good job just
jamming the receivers.
Q: Memorable scenes that should be in any movie about your life?
A: I think getting drafted would definitely be one of them. And when I first gave my life to Jesus.
Q: How old were you?
A: 15.
Q: What do you remember about that moment?
A: I was at FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Camp in Flagstaff (Ariz.). At first I thought I was just going up there to showcase my talent to play football. You started hearing all these sermons and they showed a video of “Passion of the Christ.” … I just remember the speaker saying, “If you’re done living your life for yourself, then come up to the stage and say this prayer.” I looked around to see if anyone else was going up, and then I went up. It was very emotional for me.