Q. Thomas, how did it feel getting that call that you were coming to the Giants?
THOMAS FIDONE: Oh, man, there's no feeling that I can describe it as. Honestly it's just what you think it might be as you're watching it, as someone who's worked their whole life for something. I don't know how to -- it's an indescribable feeling.
Q. When you tore your knee for the second time, did you think that this was still a possibility, or were you questioning it at that point?
THOMAS FIDONE: No, I definitely knew it was going to be a possibility. I just knew that it was going to take more time than I thought, and it wasn't going to be the way that I had originally planned it out in my head. But what we felt as a family, as a team that I was on, definitely always believed in myself and knew that I could put my mind to this and make it to this point.
Q. What were your interactions like with the Giants during the draft process?
THOMAS FIDONE: All very positive. I spoke with the tight ends coach numerous times. He came down for a private workout after a pro day and went over film, and had a Zoom meeting with him, as well. Definitely positive interactions, and there was definitely interest, at least from my side, from both sides, and it's been really good.
Q. What do you think you need to develop to transition to the NFL?
THOMAS FIDONE: I think obviously there's always a learning curve anytime you go from one place to another or one league to another. The NFL is full of amazing players. Just being able to get a chance to, yeah, develop and get better as a player and contribute to a team any way I can, yeah, for sure.
Q. What do you make of the Giants' tight end room as you got to know the coach and just got a little bit more familiar with the team?
THOMAS FIDONE: Yeah, I think they've got a really good job. Daniel Bellinger and Theo and then they have the vet who's been there for a while, all very good guys, and just excited to be able to go in there and put my head down and work and hope to be able to contribute in any way possible.
Q. What do you bring to the table? What are the Giants getting in you?
THOMAS FIDONE: Yeah, they're getting an athlete. They're getting a tight end who can do everything. Really good in the route game. Really good in the blocking game. Very physical. I'm a physical player, also a very competitive player. I want to win every rep. They're getting someone who's going to strive to be better every day and get 1 percent better every practice and every game, just the ultimate competitor.
Q. What did your head coach have to say about the Giants throughout this process? I'm curious to know about Matt. Obviously we know him well around here.
THOMAS FIDONE: Yeah, he was a GA there a long time ago. He definitely had positive things to say about it. He talked to me throughout the process and said that the Giants were interested and he thought that they were interested. It's been good. I'm excited. He definitely -- Coach Rhule is from that area, so it's definitely up in his woods. He definitely had all positive things to say.
Q. I think your scouting report said that you're a big tattoo guy and that you even tattooed yourself. Are you going to put the Giants on your body now or any draft mementos?
THOMAS FIDONE: I might have to. All my tattoos mean something to me, life moments. Definitely something I'll have to think about going forward is a tattoo for sure.
Q. How many do you have?
THOMAS FIDONE: Oh, God, I don't even know. Probably 12 or 13 or so.
Q. How many did you do yourself?
THOMAS FIDONE: I just did one on myself.
Q. Did I hear this right, that your last college game was actually here in New York?
THOMAS FIDONE: Yep, my last college game was in Yankee Stadium.
Q. What was that experience like?
THOMAS FIDONE: It was awesome, being able to play in Yankee Stadium, such a historical place, such a historical team, and then to spend a week in New York for seven, eight days during Christmas was awesome. It was a really cool experience.
Q. Now that you're going to be in New York, do you reflect on that saying, wow -- now you can say that was a preview of what you can expect out here maybe?
THOMAS FIDONE: I mean, yeah. Seems like it. I'm not really sure. I feel like the whole time I stayed in the city, so I'm not too knowledgeable on New York and how it is, if there's much green or how far away the green is and stuff like that. All you ever hear about is the city.
Q. The city looks a lot better from Jersey than it does from when you're in the city, and good Italian food, too.
THOMAS FIDONE: That's all we need. That's all we need.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports