Q&A with "One-Five"

Q: I’ve watched you practice to see if your Achilles injury impacted your speed.
A: Can I ask you, do I look fast?

Q: You do. In addition to looking very fast, you go from zero to speed exceptionally quickly. Is that a characteristic of a track guy?

A: I think it’s a characteristic of track guys, but also of very fast football players. I’m so happy to be back on the field after being injured, though right now, I feel a little shaky catching the ball. But it’s coming, and I’m very confident that I’ll step up my game. I expect to get better and even a little faster yet.

Q: Last year before you were injured, it appeared that you had made the team. But every year the roster is becoming more crowded with high draft picks at your position. Realistically, do you think the politics of high draft picks vs. your being a free agent could edge you out?

A: Every year that seems to be the case, but that’s just one of the realities of being a free agent. It will make it even more special when the season starts and I’m on the team. I will have persevered through adversity in the same way that the Giants did. No one thought that the Giants would be the Super Bowl champions either, but we did it.

Now looking at the roster you would think that there’s no way free agent Michael Jennings will be on the final roster. And just as the Giants had something to prove, I have something to prove, to myself, to my coaches and my teammates. And at the final cut down, I’m going to be wearing a Giants’ jersey.

Q: Why is it that you will be wearing a Giants’ jersey? You have exceptional speed but what else do you feel you can offer the Giants?

A: Swagger, confidence. I believe that some way I’m going to get the job done. If it’s not by speed, it will be however I have to do it but I will get the job done. Speed is one of my main things but it isn’t everything. I’ve learned that technique is equally important. When I’m all the way back from my injury I believe I’ll be on top of my game. I also have sneaky quickness when I need to use it.

Q: Since you didn’t play college football, naturally you looked very raw when you were first with the Giants. How polished do you feel your game is now compared to a player who has played the game since he was a kid?

A: I feel when I look at the Michael Jennings of the past, I’m seeing a different Michael Jennings now. There’s still more polishing I have to do but I feel that I’m as polished as a draft pick now. I’m still learning a lot from guys and at times, I’m teaching the other guys. In the NFL you have to become a veteran very fast. Shoot, after your first year, you’re a veteran or you’re gone. So each year you have to be more polished or you’re not going to be around. So, this year I have to be more polished. Coaches want to see if you learn from your mistakes and get better so #15 is going to get better.

Q: You mentioned needing to polish some things. What would they be?

A: I analyze Amani Toomer and I think he’s the most consistent receiver I ever played with -- and I’ve been on a lot of different teams. I’ve learned a lot from him. Other than consistency, there are a lot of little things. I can get a little better at route running and catching the ball. I’m not catching the ball as well as I want to, but I will get better.

Q: You’re listed at 5-11 and cornerbacks are getting longer every year. Does that put you at a disadvantage?

A: I’m not a tall receiver, but I watch Plaxico Burress. He’s a long receiver, and I look at what he does (to maximize his height) and I just try to be the longest receiver I can be. If I can play bigger, my 5-11 might go to 6-1.

Q: How do you feel you would be best used in the Giants’ offense?

A: In the slot and as a punt returner. Punt returning is one of my goals. Two years ago I returned a punt for a touchdown and it’s something that I’ll never forget. A while ago, I told Coach Coughlin that I wanted to be the best punt returner in the league, and I’m still working toward that goal.

Q: There’s been a lot of discussion about the no force-out rule. How do you feel about it?

A: The NFL is a physical game. There’s nothing I can do about the rule, so I don’t worry about it. I just put in my mouthpiece and go play some football.

(by G. Bahr)