​J.J. McCarthy’s first scrum with New Your reporters happened, and the now-former Vikings quarterback didn’t have a bad word to say about his two-plus years in Minnesota. “It’s been a whirlwind,” McCarthy said. “I’m extremely blessed. I’m extremely grateful for all the time in Minnesota. So many great relationships, so many learning lessons and growth. I’m just so fired up to be a New York Football Giant.”McCarthy might be the No. 2 quarterback on Sunday when the Giants host the Arizona Cardinals. Jameis Winston is starting, but head coach John Harbaugh didn’t want to say whether McCarthy or Jake Haener will be the backup QB. “We’re probably still figuring it out,” Harbaugh said Friday. Without overanalyzing everything McCarthy said in his media session, here are some of his responses that Vikings fans will find the most interesting. How focused is he on making a first impression?“Who you are is who you are. I just try to be authentically me, because the locker room’s going to find out eventually. I just try to be myself and do whatever I can to just be a guy that let’s them know that I love this game, I’m going to work my butt off, and I love these guys around me.”Why didn’t it work out in Minnesota?“There’s a multitude of things you could think of, but at the end of the day, it’s in the past. All I care about is what’s important now: that next rep, that next meeting, that next game, and that’s all I’m really focused on.”How much does he think he needed a fresh start?“At the end of the day, I’m so locked into the present moment. I’m not thinking about fresh starts. I’m thinking about, ‘How can I attack this game plan and be as prepared as possible?’ When I was in Minnesota, I wasn’t thinking about anything outside of just doing my job each day. When I got the call here, yeah, it was a shock. I didn’t anticipate it, but at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to take advantage of. I love these guys already, and I can’t wait to do it for them.”What does he think of people who say everything he throws is a 105 mph fastball?“Obviously, the finesse is a constant work in progress, no matter who you are. Your body gets stronger, and you gotta adapt. At the end of the day, it’s about learning this playbook, learning my teammates’ names, learning everyone’s name in the building, and doing whatever I can to be as prepared as possible. And help out Jameis (Winston), help out Jake (Haener). This week to next week, whenever it comes, and just keep attacking every single day.”We are in the age of big media consolidation and content networks. But even with the proliferation of AI, nothing can beat the quality and inherent knowledge of local sports journalism. Our writing room consists of a Wildcat, a Gopher, and even a Mustang. We know the Minnesota towns and the great names that played on its diamonds, courts, fields or rinks. Subscribe NOW to the ne