For this week’s Q&A, Post columnist Steve Serby targeted the Giants tight end, one of Eli Manning’s new favorite targets.
You were inactive on the sidelines for last year’s infamous, 38-31 loss to the Eagles. … What do you remember as Matt Dodge punted to DeSean Jackson?
Dodge, great guy, but I know sometimes things get to him … so I didn’t have the best feeling going into that punt. So I’m thinking, “All right, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. All he has to do is kick it out of bounds, it doesn’t matter. So I saw him squaring underneath, it told me, “OK, it’s inbounds, that’s not good.” Then I saw him fumble and I’m like, “All right, we got it.” Then when he just took that one cut and went upfield it was just like … it was disbelief. This is crazy that this just happened. And then when he turned to run the length of the goal line, I was in shock, just like everybody else. I couldn’t even imagine what the players who were playing were feeling like, ’cause I felt awful.
Do you think this team tonight will remember what happened?
I think everybody who played in that game will remember it. It’s gonna be in the back of their minds, but I don’t think it’s gonna be their main focus.
But at least you’ll have an opportunity this time to make a difference.
Yeah, absolutely. I’m putting in extra film work, extra weight room, taking practice seriously and make sure I do everything can to make sure that cannot happen again.
What did that game-winning touchdown catch in New England do for you confidence or mean to you?
It makes me know that I can help out the team, and when the pressure’s on I will perform.
Do you like pressure moments?
I always feel like I play better in pressure games. … I’m pretty cool, calm and collected, so [when the] pressure’s on, I’m just gonna try and do what I normally do and do my job.
Has Eli Manning played a practical joke on you?
No, not on me yet, but he did give me a pretty tough time about my interviews on ESPN I did a couple of weeks ago, He said I wasn’t emotional enough in my interview — coming from Eli, who, let’s be real, he doesn’t show the most emotional up there on the stand (smile).
What did you tell him?
“Sorry man, it’s my first one, I’ll get better at it (smile).” Then they asked me a question on ESPN, “What did Eli say to you guys in the huddle before that last drive?” I was like, “Well you know, he came to the huddle, and he was confident, he said, ‘Hey, we need to go down there and score, so let’s do this.’” He might not [have] said, “Let’s do this,” but I said it on there. He said, “Did I really say that? ‘Cause I don’t remember saying anything to you guys.” And I’m like, “Sorry, man, I’m just trying to get you some good pub.” (Smile) I’m adding to the Eli legend.
What was it like when you were cut the first time by the Giants?
It made me feel helpless, ’cause it’s not like they were cutting me because I flat out couldn’t do the job. They had to cut me ’cause I was hurt (hamstring), and that was just like a dagger to me. Like, “This is my opportunity to be in the NFL, and I’m hurt, and I can’t do anything about it. All I can do is just wait for it to heal up, and we’ll see what happens.”
Who is your boyhood idol?
Shaquille O’Neal. When he was playing for the Magic, I always watched him play. I was like 5, 6 years old. Then after he went to the Lakers, I remember I’d stay up late to try and watch all their games, any ones that were on in Ohio. And I used to see his not-so-good movies, but I thought they were great. … I just think he’s a pretty cool guy. I was always a big kid growing up — “I’m gonna be like Shaq and want to play basketball.”
You had basketball offers from MAC schools?
My senior year Ohio State, after I was done with football, preparing for the draft, Coach [Thad] Matta came up to talk to me, “Hey Jake, I want to congratulate you on a great career. I enjoyed watching you. I really wish we could have had you your freshman year too.” I was like, “What are you talking about?” And he’s like, “Well, after football season I went over to Tress (football coach Jim Tressel) and like, ‘Hey, we’re short on numbers, we’d love to have Jake play for us.’ And Coach Tress was like, “Jake’s a freshman and we need him to concentrate on football. So don’t worry about that — don’t even mention it to him.” I understood I was there for football scholarship. I respect Coach Tress more than most people in the world, and he’s a great guy and I understand where he was coming from.
Michigan offered you first?
I had just gotten a cell phone. I woke up, and I had like four missed calls from my high school coach. I called back, I’m like, “You OK? Why’d you call me this much?” He’s like, “Michigan just offered. I’m gonna call you back. Ohio State coach John Peterson told me to let him know if anything happened.” So I run outside, my dad’s mowing the yard, he’s going crazy once I told him. Twenty minutes later my high school football coach calls. He’s like, “You ready? … Ohio State just offered.” So I hang up the phone, tell my dad, and he’s going crazy, and we can’t believe this is actually happening. … [Tressel] told me, he’s like, “Jake, I stress to my coaches that we want to find the best kids in the country. And you’re one of these guys we kept coming back to. Once Michigan offered, we didn’t want to let you slip through our hands. We definitely want to get you out of that blue and get you in scarlet and gray.”
And that sold you?
Yeah, and he asked me little questions like, “Who’s your favorite NFL player? Who’s your favorite Buckeye if there is one? What do you like in school? What do you do on the weekends?” We talked for like 15, 20 minutes.
What did you tell him when he asked you about your favorite NFL player?
At that time? [Jeremy] Shockey.
How did you feel not being drafted?
It hurt. … Sixth, seventh round, I’m seeing all these tight ends go from … schools that I just wasn’t familiar with.
Who would you say you’re similar to?
I think Jason Witten’s a great tight end who I could see myself maybe becoming. He’s not a burner, but he runs great routes, heady payer. … I think I can maybe eventually grow into being like that. If I could get anywhere close, that would be a great accomplishment.
What was it like participating in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry?
It was gonna come down to who could run the ball and who could stop the run, because in late November in Ohio and Michigan, it’s cold, and the balls are hard, you’re not looking to pass very much. At the beginning of every Michigan week, our facility would be decorated in Michigan stuff. Like all their signs, you’d see their helmets everywhere. … Our scout team players would have to decorate their helmets like Michigan’s helmets. They’d have to put blue tape on scarlet and grey helmets, then put those yellow wings on ’em.
Is it like Giants-Eagles?
If you shut ’em out that year, hey, you got braggin’ rights the … year. If you get shut out, you don’t want to talk about it. It’s … similar.
Three Dinner guests?
George Washington, Woody Hayes, John Wayne.
Why Woody Hayes?
He really cared about his players, and people around him. It’s a hard thing to do is put everybody else in front of yourself.
Favorite movies?
“Gladiator,” “The Patriot,” “Braveheart.” I’m a big fan of the Harry Potters, actually.
Favorite actor?
Gerard Butler.
Favorite actress?
Blake Lively.
Favorite entertainer?
Toby Keith or Garth Brooks.
Favorite meal?
Chipotle.