Los Angeles Rams coordinators talk about preparation heading into their Week 17 matchup against Atlanta. Outside linebacker Byron Young, wide receiver Puka Nacua, and outside linebacker Jared Verse discuss making this year's Pro Bowl and preparing for the Falcons on Monday Night Football.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
What's it like parent's face, Raheem, You know, you don't
even think about it. The only thing I know in
terms of Raheem and Nicky and his wife and his
family and all that is my whole family's going out
there to see them on Sunday, and my sister law,
Matt's wife and their kids are gonna go down. I mean,
there's a lot of coaches on that staff, but when
(00:20):
it comes to like just the ball aspect, it's it's,
you know, our offense versus their defense, and our players
versus their players.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
So that's true.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Can you expand on that on the football side of
it is?
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Do you not?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Is there tendencies that he does?
Speaker 4 (00:36):
Though?
Speaker 5 (00:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah, I don't think you ever want to overthink that,
you know, because I mean, obviously they know a lot
about us, we know a lot about about them. But
if you start overthinking that, it's, you know, hey, what
do they do?
Speaker 6 (00:46):
Well?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
What do they put on tape? They're always going to
have something, I say, just defenses in general, they're always
gonna have something that you know they're gonna do that
we didn't prepare for. Particularly when you have a guy
like Matthew Stafford and you know what he's been able
to do this year and throughout his career, so you're
never surprised by any of it, you know. And again
I mean we know them, they know us, but ultimately,
you know, we go line up and go play ball.
Speaker 7 (01:07):
They put a lot of assets into remaking that pass
r USh during the offseason.
Speaker 5 (01:11):
What do you see from that?
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Yeah, I see juice. I think you know Rob brick Nate,
they're d line coach. You know, they've done a great
job of having a philosophy in terms of what they
were looking for from a talent perspective. They brought that
talent and in those guys go you know, so there's
a reason that they're number two in sacks. Our guys
know that, our guys know they got their you know,
we're cut out for them. But a lot of respect
(01:34):
for what they've done personnel wise, and then how they've
gotten those guys to perform.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
How are you feeling about your run game because they
do have a pretty strong pass defense, but at least statistically,
if they have a weaker spot, it would be their
run defense.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
I mean, I always feel good about our run game
because I trust our guys. But but every week is hard.
I mean, it's hard to run the ball, you know,
so in this league each and every week. But you know,
we put a lot of time into it to try
to put these guys in good positions and then our
guys you know, have to go out in there and
execute it. But they know each and every week, regardless
of what the numbers are, it's it's hard to run
the football in this league, and they know we like
(02:10):
to run it. We've we've ran it pretty well over
the last month or six games or so, so, uh,
you know, I'm sure they're gonna have a plan for
that as well.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
In regard to what was going on with Pooka last
week and kind of in the aftermath of that, do
you talk to him at all or is that purely
Sean's realm?
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I'll keep some of the stuff
that pook and I talk about, you know, between us,
but uh, I just I just check up on the
all these guys, you know, so sometimes organically, you know,
we'll talk about those kind of things. But uh, Pokah's
good dude, you know, and he hears you, and and uh,
you know, I love that dude.
Speaker 7 (02:47):
On that note, regardless of whatever's going on. What is
it about Puka that he's able to turn it on
on game day?
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Seems every single time he's different. He's just he's just
I mean, you guys know him. He has, you know,
that smile when he's at the podium and when he's
not playing ball, but when he straps it up for
the sixty minutes he's out there, I mean, it's it's
a pretty cool little deal. And he's always been like that.
There's a reason he was a stud in high school
and a big time recruit and went to Washington. You know,
(03:14):
he was a stud at BYU. He just was kind
of a little bit banged up here and there. I mean,
I think you guys can see why too. The way
he plays. I mean it's you know, you're gonna get
a little bit banged up at times. But now there's
there's not many people out there in this world that
are like him in terms of when they put that
helmet on.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
It's always been a very strong culture with Sean to
if it's Wednesday, just focused on Wednesday, If it's Friday,
just focused on Friday. Was that harder this week? Come
after what unfolded up in Seattle?
Speaker 1 (03:42):
No No, our guys are they're just locked in for
the day, for the week, you know, focused on Atlanta,
like win, loser, draw. You know, you're always gonna learn
from those experiences. But what's been so cool about this
group led by Sean But these guys are all about
just being present day to day, you know, the practice.
I mean this Obviously the week's been a little bit different.
We haven't played since Thursday. We obviously had yesterday off
(04:02):
in terms of Christmas and all that. We don't play
till Monday night eight o'clock, you know, because obviously we're
out East coast. Oh well we're here today, you know,
just focused on on the Thursday practice, if you will,
getting our third down, our short yardage, finishing up kind
of our base game plan. But with these guys, it's
it's really simple.
Speaker 7 (04:19):
Benottka is taking on a bigger role for these the
rest of the season. Like, what have you learned about
him as a coach working with him?
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, I got to know Ben pretty well this this offseason.
And then obviously, you know during the season, you don't
spend as much time with other you know, areas of
the staff outside of you know, a staff being here
and there so, but he's a good dude. He's been
a really good coach in this in this league. It's
you know, the circumstances are what they are, you know,
so no doubt he's gonna do a great job.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I don't think there's a person who doesn't like Raheem.
How would you describe your relationship with him and what
it will be like an opposite side of the fields
this time.
Speaker 8 (04:58):
Yeah, I mean he's one of my best friends.
Speaker 6 (05:00):
Uh, you know, I owe them a lot.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (05:02):
It was three years under him. I kind of follow
the way he studies the game. He taught me so
much how he studies offense because he, you know, obviously
was coaching offense in Atlanta for a few years before
he came here. I kind of follow his routine of
how he goes about breaking down opposing offenses.
Speaker 9 (05:19):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (05:19):
Pretty sure. All our kids furniture has come from his
house because we kind of followed them. So they're just great,
great friends. He'll be he'll be a great friend for life.
And uh, but as far as the game goes, I mean,
it's an opponent like anybody else. We have a lot
of you know, coaches and friends that we play against.
Just you know, if you're in this business long enough
that that's just part of the deal. So uh, you know,
as soon as the ball kicked off, it'll be fun
(05:40):
to see him pregame, fun to see him before, and uh,
as soon as the balls kicked off, Uh, we'll be
we'll be ready to go.
Speaker 10 (05:46):
We've asked you about Byron Young and Jared Verse. Feels
like every week this season, but just what was it
like seeing their impact recognized with them getting selected the
Pro Bowl.
Speaker 8 (05:55):
Yeah, I was happy for him. You know, you feel
for some of the guys you know that didn't get recognized,
So that's kind of first where you know your mind goes.
But uh so happy for for b Y and you know,
obviously well deserved for both of them. And I think
it's more of just not necessarily the sack numbers. It's
the down in and down out play, how they're affecting
the game, how much of an impact they have on
(06:17):
our defense. So it's just awesome to see those guys
get recognition that they deserve.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
What are you seeing from Kirk Cousins at this point
in his career.
Speaker 8 (06:26):
He's playing at a high level. I mean, he's obviously
cerebral sees the game, knows exactly where he wants to
go with the ball. You know most of this, you
know pretty much every snap the ball is going to
go exactly where it's supposed to go. Obviously, you could see,
you know, with age comes a little bit with the
mobility and things like that, but still playing at an
extremely high level. And you know, you can tell they
they want to get the ball in their playmaker's hands
(06:47):
and he's got a lot of them. So it's gonna
be a huge challenge.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Jean Robinson, What's what kind of do you see with him?
Speaker 8 (06:56):
I mean, he's probably, uh, you know, you can make
an argument, you know, best back, best skill player in
the league, wherever it is, whether he's definitely in the
conversation and uh, you know it's gonna be one of
the best skill players we see all year. And you
know it's huge. It's the explosive play waiting to happen.
He can make something out of nothing. Obviously with the
stretch run game, you know, him looking to cut back,
(07:18):
whether it's the checkdown screens, just him getting the ball
in space, and that's the gender. So we just got
to be on it every single snap. We got a
population tackle, we got to run to the ball, we
got to play with great effort, and it's gonna be
a huge challenge.
Speaker 7 (07:29):
Last few weeks it seems like Kyle Pitts has been
kind of tapping into some of that potential that made
him such a highly regarded prospect coming out. Like what
are you seeing from him the last month or so?
Speaker 8 (07:40):
For sure, you know they're using him really well. You know,
obviously he's got a great he's got a receiver skill
set that plays tight end. So they're moving them all
around the formations and they're getting him in the right
spots where you know, he's running the routes that he's
really good at. And uh, and they're finding him, they're
targeting him and as they as they should. So you know,
he's a huge challenge. He's a matchup nightmare really no
matter if he's covered, he's really not covered because of
(08:02):
his size and his speed, and uh, it's gonna be
a huge challenger or doing a great job kind of
getting dispersed them around and getting in the ball.
Speaker 9 (08:09):
The beneficiara of two very good draft classes. How has
the way that Lesson and the coaching stuff put together.
I guess made such an impact for you.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
And your defuse.
Speaker 8 (08:21):
Oh I'm so thankful for our scouting staff, un Lesson
and everybody as a whole. Uh you know, they they
really they really have a feel for guys that will
have success be a success in this defense and then
this system. And uh you know, obviously going into our
first year or my first year as coordinator, having the
class and some of the impact guys that we have
that are still here, it's really guys that the main
(08:43):
thing is is guys that love football and uh you know,
we'll find ways to put him in the best position
or we'll try to and uh, you know, I think
just us, the constant communication that we have leading up
to the draft, I think is a really cool thing
that we have here and uh, you know, constantly talking
about the different guys and uh and and it's really
just guys that are smart, tough, love football, and uh
you know, we'll try and find a role for hm.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
How how rare is it, getting back to Verse and
young in your experience, to have two guy edge rushers
that can be you know, so impactful. I know some
teams have one a dominant and other people that play
off that, but to have two of them. How rare
is that and how does that you know, impact?
Speaker 8 (09:25):
Like I said, it's pretty pretty thankful for it.
Speaker 11 (09:26):
You know.
Speaker 8 (09:28):
You know, there's obviously some few other teams I think
that have some good pairs. You know, Houston, I know,
is a couple of really good ones. But yeah, you
obviously when you have two, you know, they can only
give really attention to one. It's really hard to kind
of give so much attention to both guys all the time. So, uh,
you know, obviously Verse, you know, being the dominant rusher
that he is, he's going to get a lot of attention.
And you know, and now be why starting to you know,
(09:50):
draw a lot of attention. So you know, it is
definitely something pretty rare, but we're thankful to have them.
Speaker 7 (09:55):
Both is going to have a little bit bigger role
these next few weeks.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Like what if you've learned about him working with him
last year.
Speaker 8 (10:03):
I mean I've known him for a while, and uh,
you know, he's a stud. You know, he's got the
military background, he's got great energy. Just love working with
him every single day. You can see he's got a
he's got you know, the guy's real tight, you know,
kind of organized tight, you know, with a good pep
in his step, and he loved football and he's gonna
get those guys playing hard and playing fast.
Speaker 7 (10:23):
Was getting Roger back potentially this week and possibly quittin
now the road.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
What does that do for your defense?
Speaker 8 (10:29):
You know, it just brings another good football player that
that we can utilize our seal sets. So, uh, you know,
we'll take anybody that, uh that's healthy, you know, especially
at this time of year, that's healthy and played a
lot of good football like Roger has. You know, we're
excited to see what he can do. It was unfortunate,
you know, we were expecting to have a big role
in that Tampa game when he came back, and uh,
he's unfortunately got the injury that he did. So uh,
(10:49):
you know, he's going to use all that practice time
and he's been here a while now where he's used
to our system. Uh, hopefully we can use that and
kind of figure out what he does best and put
him in those positions. So and obviously excited to get
queueback whenever that day comes.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Chris, obviously, all this week it's it's all about Atlanta
and scheming for Atlanta. Is there any part of in
your preparation that takes that crappy feeling, that crappy Hey
we lost energy, or don't let this happen again.
Speaker 8 (11:19):
It's it's you know, as soon as we got on
the field, whatever day it was, Wednesday, you know, you're
moved on. You know, it's just you always. It was
a long time, it felt like, from you play that
Thursday game till it's almost you know, six days till
you get back on the field practicing against another team,
and you know, but yeah, we're all in, all in
on the Falcons, and no matter what happened, whether we won,
whether we lost, it doesn't matter. And as soon as
(11:40):
you get on the field and you start you know,
you know, practicing plays and making corrections and playing football,
you know, it all kind of goes away.
Speaker 6 (11:48):
I hope everybody's having a good holiday.
Speaker 5 (11:51):
Excited to get out.
Speaker 6 (11:52):
To Atlanta on Monday night and open any questions you
may have.
Speaker 5 (11:57):
What has the last week been like for you?
Speaker 8 (12:00):
It's been good.
Speaker 6 (12:03):
I love the way that our guys are focused on
the task at hand. I've been doing this for a
long time, so what I really like is our intentionality.
And I'm really excited to be part of a championship
football team, and our group's ready to contribute to that.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
Sean said, he wanted to give you notice that you
would be filling as interim coordinator as early as possible
going into the mini By what did that extra time
allow you to do as you prepared for this week
as coordinator.
Speaker 6 (12:30):
Yeah, it's been beneficial and so allowed you to take
care of some steps. Called up coach Matt Harper, who's
going to help me out. A lot of respect for Matt.
When I was in Washington in those years, Matt was
the assistant in Philadelphia and just knew him as a
person and a professional, and he's jumped right in and
tackled the task that we've asked him to. So that
(12:52):
with the meetings and the walkthroughs and the practice. So
that extra time allows us a little bit of space,
but we'll be right rock and roll Monday night.
Speaker 9 (12:58):
Responsibilities, Well, you just go.
Speaker 6 (13:02):
From assistant to the coordinator. So my responsibility has always
been to help our guys and put them in the
best position to execute their tasks. So that just gets
expanded and so again not a role that I'm not
familiar with. Again, eighteen years in the league, and so
rely on that knowledge, that experience and just working with
the guys. That's what inspires me, is when you see
(13:23):
these guys each day in the meetings wanting to do right,
that really inspires me to do better for them.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
What has to be different? I mean, Sean obviously fell
to change was needed. What will change? What do you?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (13:35):
I think we're always improving, whether you're winning games or
losing games. You know, behind the scenes, there's always corrections
that are made. We've had a couple of plays that
have you know, costs us during the course of the year.
But I love the way that our guys are going
about the business. They understand the urgency. We're part of
a championship football team. We're just ready to contribute to
holding up that Lombardi early next year.
Speaker 4 (13:59):
Congrats on the probo recognition.
Speaker 12 (14:01):
Appreciate that.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
What uh what does that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (14:04):
It means a lot. Just all my hard work on
the past few years, you know, Uh, learning from my
res mistakes and trying to be better at my position,
and you know, just taking a better approach to this
off season. I feel like it paid off. So definitely
proud of myself on.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
That would you play out.
Speaker 12 (14:21):
Excuse me you find out?
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (14:22):
It was I was working out and coach McVeigh walked
in there and showed me me a Verse made it
and then I just ran a verse and you was celebrating.
But you know, it was definitely one of the moments
where I was really you know, happy about you.
Speaker 7 (14:32):
Guys have been like such a duo of the last
two years, you and Jerry.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
What does it mean to share this with him?
Speaker 6 (14:38):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (14:38):
It means a lot, you know. Uh, Like I said,
since you got in the league, I feel like, you know,
we've been feeding off each other.
Speaker 10 (14:43):
Uh.
Speaker 12 (14:44):
He bringing energy to the team and just making me
be a better player. And I just feel like it's
finally paying off and showing, you know, people getting the
recognition that we need.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
So yeah, it was described that you guys are like
brothers sometimes that are push each other, fight all that stuff.
Speaker 12 (14:58):
Yeah, would you describe uh the same way. You know,
we got that type of relationship where you know, we
always joke with each other, we always play fighting, but
at the same time, we push each other to be better,
hold each other accountable. And I feel like that's why
we you know, being successful.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
You w y, it's such an honor to be named
just to get to the NFL. Did you think coming
out of college some day I'm gonna be.
Speaker 12 (15:18):
A Pro Bowl, not gonna out you know. I always had,
you know, high hopes for that and my mission was
to do that. But I never just you know, automatically
think or be a Pro Bowl. I knew that's pretty
hard to do. So just being one of the guys
to be chosen is really just really happy about that.
Speaker 7 (15:34):
You you took such a pointed approach to the off
season in terms of the way you took care of
your body and prepared for this year after Michael's departure. Like,
what has it been like to kind of see the
fruits of your.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Labor on the field.
Speaker 12 (15:46):
Uh, you know, it just really Uh, Like I said,
I'm really proud of myself and happy about everything. Like
you said, when Michael left, I felt like I had
to step up and be, you know, uh a better
veteran and just play my role better and be more
intentional about every thing and being a better leader in
our room. So just taking our approach and you know,
just seeing it all payoff, it's really really amazing to
(16:07):
be honest.
Speaker 4 (16:08):
Have you seen a difference in the way teams are
approaching you as the season has gone on, in terms
of how much attention you're getting in terms of being stopped.
Speaker 12 (16:18):
Oh yes, I said, you know, I've been getting chipped
a little bit more again, guard help a little bit,
you know, definitely seeing that a few times. So, you know,
just something I just feel like it's another stuff for
me to be better and just work on my craft
and find ways doing at the end of the day.
But you know, just no excuse to not win. But
I just gotta keep on going and just look at
it as an op and like you know, that just
means you're being better as a player.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
So any disappointment that more defensive guys weren't named.
Speaker 12 (16:43):
To the Pro Bowl, can you say that?
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Any disappointment that other teammates.
Speaker 12 (16:47):
Were named percent you know, I just looking at the
body to work that a lot of the guys doing,
you know, and just seeing them you know, not really
you know, making the Pro Buls, like you know, don't
like it, but I definitely know it's gonna be like
a chip on they shoulder. You're gonna be hong remotivation.
So I love that part too. But you know, definitely
was surprised on some of the guys not being name.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Off the field. Are you and Jared do you guys
hang out or I mean are you Are you guys
as close off the field as you seem to be
in the locker room?
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, we we are.
Speaker 12 (17:16):
He always saw I never show up to dinner when
he INVI liked me. But part of that is true.
But you know, I just like to myself. But you
know I do put up sometimes to dinner. But you know,
we definitely got friendship off the field and stuff like that,
and you know we sometimes do stuff together.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
So yeah, what are.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
You see him from the side? Plan run game?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (17:34):
You know, having him back like him, you know, b
John Robinson. Uh, definitely a guy that's you know, top
of the league probably if not the best, you know,
but do everything run, pass, run the ball, and receive
the ball. So you know, just gotta be smart with him.
You gotta play out eleven as one and you know
I got swarm him to the ball.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
What impresses you earlier this season, Raheem said he was
the best player in the league. What impresses you most
about him?
Speaker 12 (17:56):
Oh, just the way he could make guys miss I
think that's the biggest thing. Like I feel like he
had turned a negative run into a positive just like that.
So it's like watching him play and just the detail
and the focus he have. You definitely gotta keep him
play really smart. You gotta be disciplined. You, like I said,
you got to play the eleven as well. He'll hurt
the whole team.
Speaker 7 (18:14):
So it's gonna be strange to see Rahiem on the
other sideline.
Speaker 12 (18:18):
Uh, not that much. I mean, I'll play. I went
in one year, you know, so you know he taught
me a lot, but you know that was my rookie year.
But it would be good to see him, No, for sure.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
So I think this is the first time we've spoken
to you since you were fine. Just what your reaction?
Did you expect that and what was your reaction to it?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
That Wan definitely hurt, But I think it was just
something I was expecting. And yeah, just I guess I
learned mo man an experience to learn from and man
to never let happen again, and the opportunities of Man,
there's gonna be moments of frustration later on in the career,
whether it's ups and downs on my personal half or
on the team's half, So just being able to manage
those emotions and be able to uh send that energy
(19:01):
in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
I'm assuming you're happy to have that week behind and
looking ahead.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
A hundred percent. I mean Christmas. I'm like, I'm glad
there was something like a big thing going on, like
something that would kind of push everything out to.
Speaker 8 (19:15):
The previous week.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
So it's been it's been nice to enjoy, celebrate and
rejoice and then get ready for what's ahead of us.
Speaker 10 (19:21):
What do it mean to you to be named with
for a ball?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
It was exciting. I feel like it was an offensive world.
I think Coleman, Shellen and Big Rob were some of
the first guys to congratulate me, and I just think,
I'm like, man, I can't do without you guys. I
mean it starts up in the front, and I think
I hope they know that that comes from the truest
meeting of my heart and because of that there, that's
where it is, and that's how you should play the
game of football is how they do it in the trenches.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Puts something to you to kind of share that with Matthew.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
I think it's fun. I know there's been some of
the things after my rookie year of just like Man,
Matthew having great wide receivers and leading them two great seasons,
and I'm like, there's nobody I'm more great before the
number nine, from the moment I walked in and then
to the commerce stations we have now, Man, there's nobody
I'd rather be catching balls front. But also to go
out there on the football field with I think everybody
in our locker room feels.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
That the same way.
Speaker 9 (20:07):
Everyone talks about how strong Matthew is. Mentally, what does
he when he's giving you guys the play call? What
is he taking off your load mentally with how long
that play call is and kind of the information he's
communicating to you.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Yeah, I guess. I mean it could be narrowed down
to it's just just catch the ball, kid. I mean
there's a lot of thinking and there's a lot of
pain that he goes through to get that ball and
in the spot that he believes that is the opportunity
for us to make a play. And Man, and I
think of we had a third down conversion just barely
in the Seattle game where Man, he takes a shot,
(20:42):
he stands in there and delivers the ball in the
one spot it can be and we're able to convert,
and it's everybody's like, man, the contested catch and be like, oh,
you watch it, and you watch back of like, man,
there's a guy staring down the barrel right now and
being able to in your seventeen take that blow, And
so you never take those moments for granted.
Speaker 9 (20:57):
Is he giving you guys tidbits during when he's given
you guys play call?
Speaker 2 (21:01):
I think there is to some degree of things that
we have either talked through the week or things that
may be changed and based on what we're seeing on
the sidelines. But I know if there's a piece of
information to help us go out there and execute, it's good.
Definitely going to come out of his mouth.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Especially productive of the last three games. It was like,
you're really kind of on a roll, maybe making a
push for other postseason recognition. What do you kind of
attribute this most recent run to for your personal.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Mmm, I think just the excitement that has been in
our in our locker room, and man, I think of
the time that I get to spend with Number nine
while we're watching other people's tape in the morning and
we're talking about plays or while we're in install just
the information that we're going to be able to make
these plays come to life. It's something super fun. We've
had some different concepts we're going in the year. People
(21:51):
are watching what we do, and it's a it's a
there's a moment of truth out there when you're going
out there to call those plays to execute to its finest,
and I feel like we've been thriving in those moments.
So it's been fun to have the pressure moments because
that's what you play sports.
Speaker 8 (22:02):
Where you live for that.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
They're down the fourth down conversions and just whatever way
you're finding whatever way to convert. But it makes it
fun when those opportunities come up.
Speaker 7 (22:11):
We didn't see the excitement in the locker room the
last few weeks. Has that been different these last few weeks.
Does it feel like you guys are kind of building
up towards January?
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Now, I'd say there's something that, man, when you go
out there and I feel like the prepared the way
we do and we I mean, I think it was
funny we're out there, this is our first Thursday without
Thursday without pads today and some of the guys being like, man, like,
we don't have pads on. So I think it's just
there's just an excitement to continue to go out there
and improve ourselves, and so it makes it fun when
we get the reward you want.
Speaker 13 (22:41):
On Sunday, wrapping up your second season, it's one of
the NFL's top receivers. How does a little kid and
you feel, you know, fantasizing about being in the NFL
and all of that stuff and being one of the
top players.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
I think, yeah, it's something that I've mentioned before. I
feel like I am truly black, but I imagine myself
has having success in the NFL, but I never imagine
it to this measure. So I'm extremely grateful for the
people around me who helped me while I've been in
the NFL, and then my family who's been supporting me
throughout this lifelong journey. But it's been really fun, and
I am like the journey's not over yet, so I
still got to do more.
Speaker 5 (23:19):
Ahead.
Speaker 9 (23:20):
This game won't be in the elements. But you've played
in a couple of cold weather games this season. Is
there anything you do specifically to prepare for play.
Speaker 8 (23:26):
In the cold ooh.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I normally do prefer the shy SA It does get
difficult sometimes when they squirt you with the water and
then you start to kind of like suffocate, so like
it maybe last like a series or two. But then
I'm like the big jackets, I'm like, I want I
want that to the last second of the rest. Kick
everybody out of the huddle of IM like, I want
to be as warm as possible. I'm like sometimes I'm
like in a mini sauna. I'm sweating so much in
those things.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Obviously, you had.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
An enormous game on Thursday night football? Is that a
coincidence with And I asked, because now you're playing on
Monday night football? Is it a Is it a big
deal to play on Monday night football? Or is it
another game?
Speaker 2 (24:01):
I think it's It's exciting because this is the opportunity
for us to kind of to come back and to
have a response, And I think that's something that we're
a while looking forward to, knowing how the result not
going our way in the opportunity, this is how we
get to show that we've improved and we learned from
that experience.
Speaker 7 (24:15):
Playing against playing against Rahian Morris this year, do you
see any DNA of him and the defense you're preparing
them face.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
I think one hundred percent. I think there's a there's
a confidence and how they play and the ability to
trust yourself, and so I think it's fun. Especially being
the dB coach and the great mouthpiece that coach ra
has and the way he can articulate words and uh
and man get everybody to perform at their best. I
think it's something that makes this game of football super fun.
So it'll be an exciting challenge.
Speaker 12 (24:45):
It was cool.
Speaker 11 (24:46):
I mean I didn't get to go see my family
anything like that. It was just one day off but
just got out the legs for a little bit longer.
It was pretty cool. On the phone my family got
to see them, everything like that. See my nephew opened
a couple presents.
Speaker 4 (24:55):
It was cool.
Speaker 5 (24:55):
How about.
Speaker 4 (24:57):
The Pro Bowl record?
Speaker 1 (24:58):
Thank you?
Speaker 4 (25:00):
How is that for you personally and also to share that.
Speaker 11 (25:04):
With Yeah, I mean personally it's it's incredible on it obviously,
you know, one of the top players in the league
and be able to be recognized for that, to be
able to you know, have the opportunity to go to
the games and everything like that. Obviously I don't want
to go. I'm not planning on going anything like that,
but you know to be you know, liked for it
and everything like that, just to make you know, feel
like my presence, the things I'm doing, my impacts not
being let up. Why are you in here? Did be
(25:26):
not a it's not being taken advantage of, but to
do it with b Y it was amazing. Like I
wish y'all could have saw, Like when we both found
out Chanta both of us was on opposite side. I
was on the field, he was in the weight room
and we found out and he can't run it out.
It was kind of weird the way we like hyped
up each other. It was it was a little bird,
but like just enough. I would not describe it. I
will not describe it, but it's good. Like Wise, like Julie,
(25:49):
somebody I consider a brother, I think like besides football,
take away football from my life is like I think
me and Hi would be friends, just you know, being
interacting with church. So that that's somebody I genuinely consider
a brother.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
Why was it so important for you to see his reaction?
Speaker 11 (26:02):
Can you give us that the amount of work be?
Why puts in Like I know a lot of people
only see the impact on the field and everything like that,
and you know, people HiPE him up because how much
sacks a year to you know, the pleasure and everything
like that he does. But like to see the amount
of work he puts in to see I finally pay off,
not just you know, this year, but even last year
when when I was you know, being an income and rookie.
See I finally pay off. Like you saw the light
in his eyes, Like how happy he was to share
with his family. He immediately went outside, called his mom,
(26:22):
called his family and everything like that. I was like,
but nobody says it more than Hume.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
He said.
Speaker 3 (26:27):
He was telling us you were busting his chops for
not showing up for dinner at his house. Can you
describe how he has that relationship is helped you?
Speaker 11 (26:37):
Yeah, And I mean obviously like be a b why.
I'll get on b a why for anything. Like I
saw him trip the other day and I climbed him
for like two days, like it was it's a late
But not to see the you know, the things that
like he does and everything like that in my relationship,
how it can translate to the field, Like you watch
somebody genuinely talk to outside of here if I have
any problems in my personal life, me and him will
be talking to each other. You'll see me and him
like it goes from like smile and smile that, Like
(26:57):
I will say his relationship, because that's somebody I genuinely account.
If I'm going through a tough time, I come to
him and vice versa.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
What you know, people in our.
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Business, we often focus on stats, and I'm sure you
guys want to accumulate them as well, But what does
it mean to you as someone who isn't necessarily among
the league leaders in sacks, but to get that recognition
from peers and coaches and fans.
Speaker 11 (27:21):
Yeah, I mean, honestly, like, not getting the stats can
be frustrated at times, you know, especially like me. I'm
my big social media I might be on Instagram here
and there, but I'm not like You're not gonna see
me on Twitter or anything like that. I don't think
I've posted in months. But like you know, when you
get on you know, social media and people yelling at
you're like, oh, you didn't do this, you didn't do that.
Some dude threatened me because I didn't get a sack
for him and I messed his part lay up. I'm like,
what are you gonna do to people like, let's be honest,
(27:43):
but you know, like it can be frustrating at times.
But know my impacts styll being foult felt. You know,
I might be getting doubled here, I might be getting
a chip here, and I can't do anything more than
what I'm doing. Like I'm I'm trying my hardest, so
to know that my impact stell being felt is a
good feeling.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
You like playing on.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Monday night football.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
I was like, does is does Monday night football feel
different because it's Monday night?
Speaker 11 (28:04):
Yeah? I mean not really to me. I just kind
of like in my head, I mentally mess with myself
and just be like, all right, every day's one day back.
Like to me, today's like third, Like was like Saturdays
on Daday or whatever it is. I'm not even sure.
I don't even check it the day, but everything's a blood.
I'm not gonna lie here. Good.
Speaker 4 (28:19):
How are you.
Speaker 13 (28:20):
Feeling thus far, this far into the season, how's your
body feeling?
Speaker 11 (28:23):
I feel good. I mean I feel like I've been
taking pretty good care of my body. I've been doing
a lot of extra stuff stuff that you know, my
rookie I kind of learned that needs to be done.
To be able to make it this far in the season.
I feel like that's probably one of the biggest jumps
I've made, is you know, on the off the field stuff,
and I feel I feel good. I feel like.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
Buy said, he's felt like some changes in how teams
are approaching him in terms of blocking and things like that.
I'm curious if there's any trickle down effect to how
you're feeling that, if you feel any.
Speaker 5 (28:48):
Impact from teams paying him more attention on the other
side of the line.
Speaker 11 (28:51):
No, not really, so like I I every now and
I'll get like a you know, one on one and
stuff like that, but I'm still getting the similar chips.
I'm still getting, you know, similar to this that It's
not anything that's really too crazy affected me. It does
help the interior guys, though, because now these tackles have
to kick out a little bit more from me and him,
so now the b gaps are wide open and everything
like that. It really does help When me and him
line up right next to each other though, that's when
(29:13):
it helps the most because now they might be able
to chip him. The tackles kind of sits on me
and he could just rush right by them.
Speaker 7 (29:19):
How do you deal with, like the if there is
any frustration from how much attention you get, Like is
it like you obviously know you're helping your teammates out
with that attention, but like, how do you kind of
like internalize that or whatever.
Speaker 11 (29:33):
I just take it as a I'm like very harsh
on myself. I just take it as a you're not
doing enough. You gotta be better. Like you can't get
blocked by two people. That's not something that should be
able to happen to you. You can't be getting chipped.
You have to be better than that. I take it
as a I have to be better, so I will
be better. That's the only way I can think about it.
As it's not the oh my teammates there or my
teammates out?
Speaker 4 (29:51):
What was me?
Speaker 11 (29:52):
I gotta be better what you guys are through?
Speaker 9 (29:54):
You guys are not playing in the elements this week,
but you've played in some cold games this year. Is
there anything you do personally to prepare for a game.
Speaker 11 (30:01):
I don't change anything up for me. I mean some
people wear ski masks pre games, go shirtless. I did
that one time. Not happening again. It's not happening again.
I I don't prepare too much differently than that, it's
just kind of like, go out there play. Obviously you'll
be a little cold, but some teams, like most teams
got like heaters on the sideline, So just go out there,
ball out, warm yourself back up on the sideline.
Speaker 9 (30:20):
When did you go shirtless? And what happened?
Speaker 11 (30:22):
It was the Jets game last year when we went there.
That was the coldest game I've ever played in my life.
And that already used to practice in the snow. So
that was that's saying a lot no it it was
it was freezing that game and we on the sideline.
Maybe why I looked at you. I was like, but
I'm not doing it again. That's not happening again.
Speaker 10 (30:39):
What's the story behind uh By sometimes not showing up
to dinner when you invite him?
Speaker 11 (30:44):
Why is the worst person in the world, Because it'll
look in your eyes, You'll genuinely believe him. It'll be like,
but I'm gonna be there. I'm like, but you, like,
you can just tell me no, And I'm like, but
I'm not gonna take offensive, Like you just say no.
He's like, no, but I'm gonna be there. So one
one didn't actually would go out. I texted and that
I'm likeybod, we're gonna don know yare ya. I'm like,
I'm leaving right now because I live other than him.
He's all right, but I'm on the way. I said,
well you actually, but he's like, I'm on the way.
I passed out, I said, A He's like, I'm walking
(31:05):
out the door now. I said, okay, I get there.
He's like, hey, but I'm pulling up. I'm twenty minutes
I said, okay, but I get inside twenty minutes past.
I call him, he doesn't answer. He calls me back,
let's ring one time, it hangs up, and I didn't
hear him the rest of the night. So I don't
trust me why anymore
What's it like parent's face, Raheem, You know, you don't
even think about it. The only thing I know in
terms of Raheem and Nicky and his wife and his
family and all that is my whole family's going out
there to see them on Sunday, and my sister law,
Matt's wife and their kids are gonna go down. I mean,
there's a lot of coaches on that staff, but when
(00:20):
it comes to like just the ball aspect, it's it's,
you know, our offense versus their defense, and our players
versus their players.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
So that's true.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Can you expand on that on the football side of
it is?
Speaker 4 (00:33):
Do you not?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
Is there tendencies that he does?
Speaker 4 (00:36):
Though?
Speaker 5 (00:37):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Yeah, I don't think you ever want to overthink that,
you know, because I mean, obviously they know a lot
about us, we know a lot about about them. But
if you start overthinking that, it's, you know, hey, what
do they do?
Speaker 6 (00:46):
Well?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
What do they put on tape? They're always going to
have something, I say, just defenses in general, they're always
gonna have something that you know they're gonna do that
we didn't prepare for. Particularly when you have a guy
like Matthew Stafford and you know what he's been able
to do this year and throughout his career, so you're
never surprised by any of it, you know. And again
I mean we know them, they know us, but ultimately,
you know, we go line up and go play ball.
Speaker 7 (01:07):
They put a lot of assets into remaking that pass
r USh during the offseason.
Speaker 5 (01:11):
What do you see from that?
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Yeah, I see juice. I think you know Rob brick Nate,
they're d line coach. You know, they've done a great
job of having a philosophy in terms of what they
were looking for from a talent perspective. They brought that
talent and in those guys go you know, so there's
a reason that they're number two in sacks. Our guys
know that, our guys know they got their you know,
we're cut out for them. But a lot of respect
(01:34):
for what they've done personnel wise, and then how they've
gotten those guys to perform.
Speaker 4 (01:38):
How are you feeling about your run game because they
do have a pretty strong pass defense, but at least statistically,
if they have a weaker spot, it would be their
run defense.
Speaker 5 (01:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
I mean, I always feel good about our run game
because I trust our guys. But but every week is hard.
I mean, it's hard to run the ball, you know,
so in this league each and every week. But you know,
we put a lot of time into it to try
to put these guys in good positions and then our
guys you know, have to go out in there and
execute it. But they know each and every week, regardless
of what the numbers are, it's it's hard to run
the football in this league, and they know we like
(02:10):
to run it. We've we've ran it pretty well over
the last month or six games or so, so, uh,
you know, I'm sure they're gonna have a plan for
that as well.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
In regard to what was going on with Pooka last
week and kind of in the aftermath of that, do
you talk to him at all or is that purely
Sean's realm?
Speaker 1 (02:28):
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I'll keep some of the stuff
that pook and I talk about, you know, between us,
but uh, I just I just check up on the
all these guys, you know, so sometimes organically, you know,
we'll talk about those kind of things. But uh, Pokah's
good dude, you know, and he hears you, and and uh,
you know, I love that dude.
Speaker 7 (02:47):
On that note, regardless of whatever's going on. What is
it about Puka that he's able to turn it on
on game day?
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Seems every single time he's different. He's just he's just
I mean, you guys know him. He has, you know,
that smile when he's at the podium and when he's
not playing ball, but when he straps it up for
the sixty minutes he's out there, I mean, it's it's
a pretty cool little deal. And he's always been like that.
There's a reason he was a stud in high school
and a big time recruit and went to Washington. You know,
(03:14):
he was a stud at BYU. He just was kind
of a little bit banged up here and there. I mean,
I think you guys can see why too. The way
he plays. I mean it's you know, you're gonna get
a little bit banged up at times. But now there's
there's not many people out there in this world that
are like him in terms of when they put that
helmet on.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
It's always been a very strong culture with Sean to
if it's Wednesday, just focused on Wednesday, If it's Friday,
just focused on Friday. Was that harder this week? Come
after what unfolded up in Seattle?
Speaker 1 (03:42):
No No, our guys are they're just locked in for
the day, for the week, you know, focused on Atlanta,
like win, loser, draw. You know, you're always gonna learn
from those experiences. But what's been so cool about this
group led by Sean But these guys are all about
just being present day to day, you know, the practice.
I mean this Obviously the week's been a little bit different.
We haven't played since Thursday. We obviously had yesterday off
(04:02):
in terms of Christmas and all that. We don't play
till Monday night eight o'clock, you know, because obviously we're
out East coast. Oh well we're here today, you know,
just focused on on the Thursday practice, if you will,
getting our third down, our short yardage, finishing up kind
of our base game plan. But with these guys, it's
it's really simple.
Speaker 7 (04:19):
Benottka is taking on a bigger role for these the
rest of the season. Like, what have you learned about
him as a coach working with him?
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, I got to know Ben pretty well this this offseason.
And then obviously, you know during the season, you don't
spend as much time with other you know, areas of
the staff outside of you know, a staff being here
and there so, but he's a good dude. He's been
a really good coach in this in this league. It's
you know, the circumstances are what they are, you know,
so no doubt he's gonna do a great job.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I don't think there's a person who doesn't like Raheem.
How would you describe your relationship with him and what
it will be like an opposite side of the fields
this time.
Speaker 8 (04:58):
Yeah, I mean he's one of my best friends.
Speaker 6 (05:00):
Uh, you know, I owe them a lot.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (05:02):
It was three years under him. I kind of follow
the way he studies the game. He taught me so
much how he studies offense because he, you know, obviously
was coaching offense in Atlanta for a few years before
he came here. I kind of follow his routine of
how he goes about breaking down opposing offenses.
Speaker 9 (05:19):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (05:19):
Pretty sure. All our kids furniture has come from his
house because we kind of followed them. So they're just great,
great friends. He'll be he'll be a great friend for life.
And uh, but as far as the game goes, I mean,
it's an opponent like anybody else. We have a lot
of you know, coaches and friends that we play against.
Just you know, if you're in this business long enough
that that's just part of the deal. So uh, you know,
as soon as the ball kicked off, it'll be fun
(05:40):
to see him pregame, fun to see him before, and uh,
as soon as the balls kicked off, Uh, we'll be
we'll be ready to go.
Speaker 10 (05:46):
We've asked you about Byron Young and Jared Verse. Feels
like every week this season, but just what was it
like seeing their impact recognized with them getting selected the
Pro Bowl.
Speaker 8 (05:55):
Yeah, I was happy for him. You know, you feel
for some of the guys you know that didn't get recognized,
So that's kind of first where you know your mind goes.
But uh so happy for for b Y and you know,
obviously well deserved for both of them. And I think
it's more of just not necessarily the sack numbers. It's
the down in and down out play, how they're affecting
the game, how much of an impact they have on
(06:17):
our defense. So it's just awesome to see those guys
get recognition that they deserve.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
What are you seeing from Kirk Cousins at this point
in his career.
Speaker 8 (06:26):
He's playing at a high level. I mean, he's obviously
cerebral sees the game, knows exactly where he wants to
go with the ball. You know most of this, you
know pretty much every snap the ball is going to
go exactly where it's supposed to go. Obviously, you could see,
you know, with age comes a little bit with the
mobility and things like that, but still playing at an
extremely high level. And you know, you can tell they
they want to get the ball in their playmaker's hands
(06:47):
and he's got a lot of them. So it's gonna
be a huge challenge.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Jean Robinson, What's what kind of do you see with him?
Speaker 8 (06:56):
I mean, he's probably, uh, you know, you can make
an argument, you know, best back, best skill player in
the league, wherever it is, whether he's definitely in the
conversation and uh, you know it's gonna be one of
the best skill players we see all year. And you
know it's huge. It's the explosive play waiting to happen.
He can make something out of nothing. Obviously with the
stretch run game, you know, him looking to cut back,
(07:18):
whether it's the checkdown screens, just him getting the ball
in space, and that's the gender. So we just got
to be on it every single snap. We got a
population tackle, we got to run to the ball, we
got to play with great effort, and it's gonna be
a huge challenge.
Speaker 7 (07:29):
Last few weeks it seems like Kyle Pitts has been
kind of tapping into some of that potential that made
him such a highly regarded prospect coming out. Like what
are you seeing from him the last month or so?
Speaker 8 (07:40):
For sure, you know they're using him really well. You know,
obviously he's got a great he's got a receiver skill
set that plays tight end. So they're moving them all
around the formations and they're getting him in the right
spots where you know, he's running the routes that he's
really good at. And uh, and they're finding him, they're
targeting him and as they as they should. So you know,
he's a huge challenge. He's a matchup nightmare really no
matter if he's covered, he's really not covered because of
(08:02):
his size and his speed, and uh, it's gonna be
a huge challenger or doing a great job kind of
getting dispersed them around and getting in the ball.
Speaker 9 (08:09):
The beneficiara of two very good draft classes. How has
the way that Lesson and the coaching stuff put together.
I guess made such an impact for you.
Speaker 5 (08:19):
And your defuse.
Speaker 8 (08:21):
Oh I'm so thankful for our scouting staff, un Lesson
and everybody as a whole. Uh you know, they they
really they really have a feel for guys that will
have success be a success in this defense and then
this system. And uh you know, obviously going into our
first year or my first year as coordinator, having the
class and some of the impact guys that we have
that are still here, it's really guys that the main
(08:43):
thing is is guys that love football and uh you know,
we'll find ways to put him in the best position
or we'll try to and uh, you know, I think
just us, the constant communication that we have leading up
to the draft, I think is a really cool thing
that we have here and uh, you know, constantly talking
about the different guys and uh and and it's really
just guys that are smart, tough, love football, and uh
you know, we'll try and find a role for hm.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
How how rare is it, getting back to Verse and
young in your experience, to have two guy edge rushers
that can be you know, so impactful. I know some
teams have one a dominant and other people that play
off that, but to have two of them. How rare
is that and how does that you know, impact?
Speaker 8 (09:25):
Like I said, it's pretty pretty thankful for it.
Speaker 11 (09:26):
You know.
Speaker 8 (09:28):
You know, there's obviously some few other teams I think
that have some good pairs. You know, Houston, I know,
is a couple of really good ones. But yeah, you
obviously when you have two, you know, they can only
give really attention to one. It's really hard to kind
of give so much attention to both guys all the time. So, uh,
you know, obviously Verse, you know, being the dominant rusher
that he is, he's going to get a lot of attention.
And you know, and now be why starting to you know,
(09:50):
draw a lot of attention. So you know, it is
definitely something pretty rare, but we're thankful to have them.
Speaker 7 (09:55):
Both is going to have a little bit bigger role
these next few weeks.
Speaker 5 (10:00):
Like what if you've learned about him working with him
last year.
Speaker 8 (10:03):
I mean I've known him for a while, and uh,
you know, he's a stud. You know, he's got the
military background, he's got great energy. Just love working with
him every single day. You can see he's got a
he's got you know, the guy's real tight, you know,
kind of organized tight, you know, with a good pep
in his step, and he loved football and he's gonna
get those guys playing hard and playing fast.
Speaker 7 (10:23):
Was getting Roger back potentially this week and possibly quittin
now the road.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
What does that do for your defense?
Speaker 8 (10:29):
You know, it just brings another good football player that
that we can utilize our seal sets. So, uh, you know,
we'll take anybody that, uh that's healthy, you know, especially
at this time of year, that's healthy and played a
lot of good football like Roger has. You know, we're
excited to see what he can do. It was unfortunate,
you know, we were expecting to have a big role
in that Tampa game when he came back, and uh,
he's unfortunately got the injury that he did. So uh,
(10:49):
you know, he's going to use all that practice time
and he's been here a while now where he's used
to our system. Uh, hopefully we can use that and
kind of figure out what he does best and put
him in those positions. So and obviously excited to get
queueback whenever that day comes.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
Chris, obviously, all this week it's it's all about Atlanta
and scheming for Atlanta. Is there any part of in
your preparation that takes that crappy feeling, that crappy Hey
we lost energy, or don't let this happen again.
Speaker 8 (11:19):
It's it's you know, as soon as we got on
the field, whatever day it was, Wednesday, you know, you're
moved on. You know, it's just you always. It was
a long time, it felt like, from you play that
Thursday game till it's almost you know, six days till
you get back on the field practicing against another team,
and you know, but yeah, we're all in, all in
on the Falcons, and no matter what happened, whether we won,
whether we lost, it doesn't matter. And as soon as
(11:40):
you get on the field and you start you know,
you know, practicing plays and making corrections and playing football,
you know, it all kind of goes away.
Speaker 6 (11:48):
I hope everybody's having a good holiday.
Speaker 5 (11:51):
Excited to get out.
Speaker 6 (11:52):
To Atlanta on Monday night and open any questions you
may have.
Speaker 5 (11:57):
What has the last week been like for you?
Speaker 8 (12:00):
It's been good.
Speaker 6 (12:03):
I love the way that our guys are focused on
the task at hand. I've been doing this for a
long time, so what I really like is our intentionality.
And I'm really excited to be part of a championship
football team, and our group's ready to contribute to that.
Speaker 7 (12:17):
Sean said, he wanted to give you notice that you
would be filling as interim coordinator as early as possible
going into the mini By what did that extra time
allow you to do as you prepared for this week
as coordinator.
Speaker 6 (12:30):
Yeah, it's been beneficial and so allowed you to take
care of some steps. Called up coach Matt Harper, who's
going to help me out. A lot of respect for Matt.
When I was in Washington in those years, Matt was
the assistant in Philadelphia and just knew him as a
person and a professional, and he's jumped right in and
tackled the task that we've asked him to. So that
(12:52):
with the meetings and the walkthroughs and the practice. So
that extra time allows us a little bit of space,
but we'll be right rock and roll Monday night.
Speaker 9 (12:58):
Responsibilities, Well, you just go.
Speaker 6 (13:02):
From assistant to the coordinator. So my responsibility has always
been to help our guys and put them in the
best position to execute their tasks. So that just gets
expanded and so again not a role that I'm not
familiar with. Again, eighteen years in the league, and so
rely on that knowledge, that experience and just working with
the guys. That's what inspires me, is when you see
(13:23):
these guys each day in the meetings wanting to do right,
that really inspires me to do better for them.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
What has to be different? I mean, Sean obviously fell
to change was needed. What will change? What do you?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (13:35):
I think we're always improving, whether you're winning games or
losing games. You know, behind the scenes, there's always corrections
that are made. We've had a couple of plays that
have you know, costs us during the course of the year.
But I love the way that our guys are going
about the business. They understand the urgency. We're part of
a championship football team. We're just ready to contribute to
holding up that Lombardi early next year.
Speaker 4 (13:59):
Congrats on the probo recognition.
Speaker 12 (14:01):
Appreciate that.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
What uh what does that mean to you?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (14:04):
It means a lot. Just all my hard work on
the past few years, you know, Uh, learning from my
res mistakes and trying to be better at my position,
and you know, just taking a better approach to this
off season. I feel like it paid off. So definitely
proud of myself on.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
That would you play out.
Speaker 12 (14:21):
Excuse me you find out?
Speaker 4 (14:22):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (14:22):
It was I was working out and coach McVeigh walked
in there and showed me me a Verse made it
and then I just ran a verse and you was celebrating.
But you know, it was definitely one of the moments
where I was really you know, happy about you.
Speaker 7 (14:32):
Guys have been like such a duo of the last
two years, you and Jerry.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
What does it mean to share this with him?
Speaker 6 (14:38):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (14:38):
It means a lot, you know. Uh, Like I said,
since you got in the league, I feel like, you know,
we've been feeding off each other.
Speaker 10 (14:43):
Uh.
Speaker 12 (14:44):
He bringing energy to the team and just making me
be a better player. And I just feel like it's
finally paying off and showing, you know, people getting the
recognition that we need.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
So yeah, it was described that you guys are like
brothers sometimes that are push each other, fight all that stuff.
Speaker 12 (14:58):
Yeah, would you describe uh the same way. You know,
we got that type of relationship where you know, we
always joke with each other, we always play fighting, but
at the same time, we push each other to be better,
hold each other accountable. And I feel like that's why
we you know, being successful.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
You w y, it's such an honor to be named
just to get to the NFL. Did you think coming
out of college some day I'm gonna be.
Speaker 12 (15:18):
A Pro Bowl, not gonna out you know. I always had,
you know, high hopes for that and my mission was
to do that. But I never just you know, automatically
think or be a Pro Bowl. I knew that's pretty
hard to do. So just being one of the guys
to be chosen is really just really happy about that.
Speaker 7 (15:34):
You you took such a pointed approach to the off
season in terms of the way you took care of
your body and prepared for this year after Michael's departure. Like,
what has it been like to kind of see the
fruits of your.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
Labor on the field.
Speaker 12 (15:46):
Uh, you know, it just really Uh, Like I said,
I'm really proud of myself and happy about everything. Like
you said, when Michael left, I felt like I had
to step up and be, you know, uh a better
veteran and just play my role better and be more
intentional about every thing and being a better leader in
our room. So just taking our approach and you know,
just seeing it all payoff, it's really really amazing to
(16:07):
be honest.
Speaker 4 (16:08):
Have you seen a difference in the way teams are
approaching you as the season has gone on, in terms
of how much attention you're getting in terms of being stopped.
Speaker 12 (16:18):
Oh yes, I said, you know, I've been getting chipped
a little bit more again, guard help a little bit,
you know, definitely seeing that a few times. So, you know,
just something I just feel like it's another stuff for
me to be better and just work on my craft
and find ways doing at the end of the day.
But you know, just no excuse to not win. But
I just gotta keep on going and just look at
it as an op and like you know, that just
means you're being better as a player.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
So any disappointment that more defensive guys weren't named.
Speaker 12 (16:43):
To the Pro Bowl, can you say that?
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Any disappointment that other teammates.
Speaker 12 (16:47):
Were named percent you know, I just looking at the
body to work that a lot of the guys doing,
you know, and just seeing them you know, not really
you know, making the Pro Buls, like you know, don't
like it, but I definitely know it's gonna be like
a chip on they shoulder. You're gonna be hong remotivation.
So I love that part too. But you know, definitely
was surprised on some of the guys not being name.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Off the field. Are you and Jared do you guys
hang out or I mean are you Are you guys
as close off the field as you seem to be
in the locker room?
Speaker 2 (17:15):
Yeah, we we are.
Speaker 12 (17:16):
He always saw I never show up to dinner when
he INVI liked me. But part of that is true.
But you know, I just like to myself. But you
know I do put up sometimes to dinner. But you know,
we definitely got friendship off the field and stuff like that,
and you know we sometimes do stuff together.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
So yeah, what are.
Speaker 5 (17:32):
You see him from the side? Plan run game?
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Uh?
Speaker 12 (17:34):
You know, having him back like him, you know, b
John Robinson. Uh, definitely a guy that's you know, top
of the league probably if not the best, you know,
but do everything run, pass, run the ball, and receive
the ball. So you know, just gotta be smart with him.
You gotta play out eleven as one and you know
I got swarm him to the ball.
Speaker 3 (17:49):
What impresses you earlier this season, Raheem said he was
the best player in the league. What impresses you most
about him?
Speaker 12 (17:56):
Oh, just the way he could make guys miss I
think that's the biggest thing. Like I feel like he
had turned a negative run into a positive just like that.
So it's like watching him play and just the detail
and the focus he have. You definitely gotta keep him
play really smart. You gotta be disciplined. You, like I said,
you got to play the eleven as well. He'll hurt
the whole team.
Speaker 7 (18:14):
So it's gonna be strange to see Rahiem on the
other sideline.
Speaker 12 (18:18):
Uh, not that much. I mean, I'll play. I went
in one year, you know, so you know he taught
me a lot, but you know that was my rookie year.
But it would be good to see him, No, for sure.
Speaker 4 (18:29):
So I think this is the first time we've spoken
to you since you were fine. Just what your reaction?
Did you expect that and what was your reaction to it?
Speaker 2 (18:39):
That Wan definitely hurt, But I think it was just
something I was expecting. And yeah, just I guess I
learned mo man an experience to learn from and man
to never let happen again, and the opportunities of Man,
there's gonna be moments of frustration later on in the career,
whether it's ups and downs on my personal half or
on the team's half, So just being able to manage
those emotions and be able to uh send that energy
(19:01):
in the right direction.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
I'm assuming you're happy to have that week behind and
looking ahead.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
A hundred percent. I mean Christmas. I'm like, I'm glad
there was something like a big thing going on, like
something that would kind of push everything out to.
Speaker 8 (19:15):
The previous week.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
So it's been it's been nice to enjoy, celebrate and
rejoice and then get ready for what's ahead of us.
Speaker 10 (19:21):
What do it mean to you to be named with
for a ball?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
It was exciting. I feel like it was an offensive world.
I think Coleman, Shellen and Big Rob were some of
the first guys to congratulate me, and I just think,
I'm like, man, I can't do without you guys. I
mean it starts up in the front, and I think
I hope they know that that comes from the truest
meeting of my heart and because of that there, that's
where it is, and that's how you should play the
game of football is how they do it in the trenches.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Puts something to you to kind of share that with Matthew.
Speaker 2 (19:48):
I think it's fun. I know there's been some of
the things after my rookie year of just like Man,
Matthew having great wide receivers and leading them two great seasons,
and I'm like, there's nobody I'm more great before the
number nine, from the moment I walked in and then
to the commerce stations we have now, Man, there's nobody
I'd rather be catching balls front. But also to go
out there on the football field with I think everybody
in our locker room feels.
Speaker 4 (20:06):
That the same way.
Speaker 9 (20:07):
Everyone talks about how strong Matthew is. Mentally, what does
he when he's giving you guys the play call? What
is he taking off your load mentally with how long
that play call is and kind of the information he's
communicating to you.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Yeah, I guess. I mean it could be narrowed down
to it's just just catch the ball, kid. I mean
there's a lot of thinking and there's a lot of
pain that he goes through to get that ball and
in the spot that he believes that is the opportunity
for us to make a play. And Man, and I
think of we had a third down conversion just barely
in the Seattle game where Man, he takes a shot,
(20:42):
he stands in there and delivers the ball in the
one spot it can be and we're able to convert,
and it's everybody's like, man, the contested catch and be like, oh,
you watch it, and you watch back of like, man,
there's a guy staring down the barrel right now and
being able to in your seventeen take that blow, And
so you never take those moments for granted.
Speaker 9 (20:57):
Is he giving you guys tidbits during when he's given
you guys play call?
Speaker 2 (21:01):
I think there is to some degree of things that
we have either talked through the week or things that
may be changed and based on what we're seeing on
the sidelines. But I know if there's a piece of
information to help us go out there and execute, it's good.
Definitely going to come out of his mouth.
Speaker 4 (21:16):
Especially productive of the last three games. It was like,
you're really kind of on a roll, maybe making a
push for other postseason recognition. What do you kind of
attribute this most recent run to for your personal.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
Mmm, I think just the excitement that has been in
our in our locker room, and man, I think of
the time that I get to spend with Number nine
while we're watching other people's tape in the morning and
we're talking about plays or while we're in install just
the information that we're going to be able to make
these plays come to life. It's something super fun. We've
had some different concepts we're going in the year. People
(21:51):
are watching what we do, and it's a it's a
there's a moment of truth out there when you're going
out there to call those plays to execute to its finest,
and I feel like we've been thriving in those moments.
So it's been fun to have the pressure moments because
that's what you play sports.
Speaker 8 (22:02):
Where you live for that.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
They're down the fourth down conversions and just whatever way
you're finding whatever way to convert. But it makes it
fun when those opportunities come up.
Speaker 7 (22:11):
We didn't see the excitement in the locker room the
last few weeks. Has that been different these last few weeks.
Does it feel like you guys are kind of building
up towards January?
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Now, I'd say there's something that, man, when you go
out there and I feel like the prepared the way
we do and we I mean, I think it was
funny we're out there, this is our first Thursday without
Thursday without pads today and some of the guys being like, man, like,
we don't have pads on. So I think it's just
there's just an excitement to continue to go out there
and improve ourselves, and so it makes it fun when
we get the reward you want.
Speaker 13 (22:41):
On Sunday, wrapping up your second season, it's one of
the NFL's top receivers. How does a little kid and
you feel, you know, fantasizing about being in the NFL
and all of that stuff and being one of the
top players.
Speaker 2 (22:56):
I think, yeah, it's something that I've mentioned before. I
feel like I am truly black, but I imagine myself
has having success in the NFL, but I never imagine
it to this measure. So I'm extremely grateful for the
people around me who helped me while I've been in
the NFL, and then my family who's been supporting me
throughout this lifelong journey. But it's been really fun, and
I am like the journey's not over yet, so I
still got to do more.
Speaker 5 (23:19):
Ahead.
Speaker 9 (23:20):
This game won't be in the elements. But you've played
in a couple of cold weather games this season. Is
there anything you do specifically to prepare for play.
Speaker 8 (23:26):
In the cold ooh.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
I normally do prefer the shy SA It does get
difficult sometimes when they squirt you with the water and
then you start to kind of like suffocate, so like
it maybe last like a series or two. But then
I'm like the big jackets, I'm like, I want I
want that to the last second of the rest. Kick
everybody out of the huddle of IM like, I want
to be as warm as possible. I'm like sometimes I'm
like in a mini sauna. I'm sweating so much in
those things.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Obviously, you had.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
An enormous game on Thursday night football? Is that a
coincidence with And I asked, because now you're playing on
Monday night football? Is it a Is it a big
deal to play on Monday night football? Or is it
another game?
Speaker 2 (24:01):
I think it's It's exciting because this is the opportunity
for us to kind of to come back and to
have a response, And I think that's something that we're
a while looking forward to, knowing how the result not
going our way in the opportunity, this is how we
get to show that we've improved and we learned from
that experience.
Speaker 7 (24:15):
Playing against playing against Rahian Morris this year, do you
see any DNA of him and the defense you're preparing
them face.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
I think one hundred percent. I think there's a there's
a confidence and how they play and the ability to
trust yourself, and so I think it's fun. Especially being
the dB coach and the great mouthpiece that coach ra
has and the way he can articulate words and uh
and man get everybody to perform at their best. I
think it's something that makes this game of football super fun.
So it'll be an exciting challenge.
Speaker 12 (24:45):
It was cool.
Speaker 11 (24:46):
I mean I didn't get to go see my family
anything like that. It was just one day off but
just got out the legs for a little bit longer.
It was pretty cool. On the phone my family got
to see them, everything like that. See my nephew opened
a couple presents.
Speaker 4 (24:55):
It was cool.
Speaker 5 (24:55):
How about.
Speaker 4 (24:57):
The Pro Bowl record?
Speaker 1 (24:58):
Thank you?
Speaker 4 (25:00):
How is that for you personally and also to share that.
Speaker 11 (25:04):
With Yeah, I mean personally it's it's incredible on it obviously,
you know, one of the top players in the league
and be able to be recognized for that, to be
able to you know, have the opportunity to go to
the games and everything like that. Obviously I don't want
to go. I'm not planning on going anything like that,
but you know to be you know, liked for it
and everything like that, just to make you know, feel
like my presence, the things I'm doing, my impacts not
being let up. Why are you in here? Did be
(25:26):
not a it's not being taken advantage of, but to
do it with b Y it was amazing. Like I
wish y'all could have saw, Like when we both found
out Chanta both of us was on opposite side. I
was on the field, he was in the weight room
and we found out and he can't run it out.
It was kind of weird the way we like hyped
up each other. It was it was a little bird,
but like just enough. I would not describe it. I
will not describe it, but it's good. Like Wise, like Julie,
(25:49):
somebody I consider a brother, I think like besides football,
take away football from my life is like I think
me and Hi would be friends, just you know, being
interacting with church. So that that's somebody I genuinely consider
a brother.
Speaker 3 (25:59):
Why was it so important for you to see his reaction?
Speaker 11 (26:02):
Can you give us that the amount of work be?
Why puts in Like I know a lot of people
only see the impact on the field and everything like that,
and you know, people HiPE him up because how much
sacks a year to you know, the pleasure and everything
like that he does. But like to see the amount
of work he puts in to see I finally pay off,
not just you know, this year, but even last year
when when I was you know, being an income and rookie.
See I finally pay off. Like you saw the light
in his eyes, Like how happy he was to share
with his family. He immediately went outside, called his mom,
(26:22):
called his family and everything like that. I was like,
but nobody says it more than Hume.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
He said.
Speaker 3 (26:27):
He was telling us you were busting his chops for
not showing up for dinner at his house. Can you
describe how he has that relationship is helped you?
Speaker 11 (26:37):
Yeah, And I mean obviously like be a b why.
I'll get on b a why for anything. Like I
saw him trip the other day and I climbed him
for like two days, like it was it's a late
But not to see the you know, the things that
like he does and everything like that in my relationship,
how it can translate to the field, Like you watch
somebody genuinely talk to outside of here if I have
any problems in my personal life, me and him will
be talking to each other. You'll see me and him
like it goes from like smile and smile that, Like
(26:57):
I will say his relationship, because that's somebody I genuinely account.
If I'm going through a tough time, I come to
him and vice versa.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
What you know, people in our.
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Business, we often focus on stats, and I'm sure you
guys want to accumulate them as well, But what does
it mean to you as someone who isn't necessarily among
the league leaders in sacks, but to get that recognition
from peers and coaches and fans.
Speaker 11 (27:21):
Yeah, I mean, honestly, like, not getting the stats can
be frustrated at times, you know, especially like me. I'm
my big social media I might be on Instagram here
and there, but I'm not like You're not gonna see
me on Twitter or anything like that. I don't think
I've posted in months. But like you know, when you
get on you know, social media and people yelling at
you're like, oh, you didn't do this, you didn't do that.
Some dude threatened me because I didn't get a sack
for him and I messed his part lay up. I'm like,
what are you gonna do to people like, let's be honest,
(27:43):
but you know, like it can be frustrating at times.
But know my impacts styll being foult felt. You know,
I might be getting doubled here, I might be getting
a chip here, and I can't do anything more than
what I'm doing. Like I'm I'm trying my hardest, so
to know that my impact stell being felt is a
good feeling.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
You like playing on.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Monday night football.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
I was like, does is does Monday night football feel
different because it's Monday night?
Speaker 11 (28:04):
Yeah? I mean not really to me. I just kind
of like in my head, I mentally mess with myself
and just be like, all right, every day's one day back.
Like to me, today's like third, Like was like Saturdays
on Daday or whatever it is. I'm not even sure.
I don't even check it the day, but everything's a blood.
I'm not gonna lie here. Good.
Speaker 4 (28:19):
How are you.
Speaker 13 (28:20):
Feeling thus far, this far into the season, how's your
body feeling?
Speaker 11 (28:23):
I feel good. I mean I feel like I've been
taking pretty good care of my body. I've been doing
a lot of extra stuff stuff that you know, my
rookie I kind of learned that needs to be done.
To be able to make it this far in the season.
I feel like that's probably one of the biggest jumps
I've made, is you know, on the off the field stuff,
and I feel I feel good. I feel like.
Speaker 7 (28:36):
Buy said, he's felt like some changes in how teams
are approaching him in terms of blocking and things like that.
I'm curious if there's any trickle down effect to how
you're feeling that, if you feel any.
Speaker 5 (28:48):
Impact from teams paying him more attention on the other
side of the line.
Speaker 11 (28:51):
No, not really, so like I I every now and
I'll get like a you know, one on one and
stuff like that, but I'm still getting the similar chips.
I'm still getting, you know, similar to this that It's
not anything that's really too crazy affected me. It does
help the interior guys, though, because now these tackles have
to kick out a little bit more from me and him,
so now the b gaps are wide open and everything
like that. It really does help When me and him
line up right next to each other though, that's when
(29:13):
it helps the most because now they might be able
to chip him. The tackles kind of sits on me
and he could just rush right by them.
Speaker 7 (29:19):
How do you deal with, like the if there is
any frustration from how much attention you get, Like is
it like you obviously know you're helping your teammates out
with that attention, but like, how do you kind of
like internalize that or whatever.
Speaker 11 (29:33):
I just take it as a I'm like very harsh
on myself. I just take it as a you're not
doing enough. You gotta be better. Like you can't get
blocked by two people. That's not something that should be
able to happen to you. You can't be getting chipped.
You have to be better than that. I take it
as a I have to be better, so I will
be better. That's the only way I can think about it.
As it's not the oh my teammates there or my
teammates out?
Speaker 4 (29:51):
What was me?
Speaker 11 (29:52):
I gotta be better what you guys are through?
Speaker 9 (29:54):
You guys are not playing in the elements this week,
but you've played in some cold games this year. Is
there anything you do personally to prepare for a game.
Speaker 11 (30:01):
I don't change anything up for me. I mean some
people wear ski masks pre games, go shirtless. I did
that one time. Not happening again. It's not happening again.
I I don't prepare too much differently than that, it's
just kind of like, go out there play. Obviously you'll
be a little cold, but some teams, like most teams
got like heaters on the sideline, So just go out there,
ball out, warm yourself back up on the sideline.
Speaker 9 (30:20):
When did you go shirtless? And what happened?
Speaker 11 (30:22):
It was the Jets game last year when we went there.
That was the coldest game I've ever played in my life.
And that already used to practice in the snow. So
that was that's saying a lot no it it was
it was freezing that game and we on the sideline.
Maybe why I looked at you. I was like, but
I'm not doing it again. That's not happening again.
Speaker 10 (30:39):
What's the story behind uh By sometimes not showing up
to dinner when you invite him?
Speaker 11 (30:44):
Why is the worst person in the world, Because it'll
look in your eyes, You'll genuinely believe him. It'll be like,
but I'm gonna be there. I'm like, but you, like,
you can just tell me no, And I'm like, but
I'm not gonna take offensive, Like you just say no.
He's like, no, but I'm gonna be there. So one
one didn't actually would go out. I texted and that
I'm likeybod, we're gonna don know yare ya. I'm like,
I'm leaving right now because I live other than him.
He's all right, but I'm on the way. I said,
well you actually, but he's like, I'm on the way.
I passed out, I said, A He's like, I'm walking
(31:05):
out the door now. I said, okay, I get there.
He's like, hey, but I'm pulling up. I'm twenty minutes
I said, okay, but I get inside twenty minutes past.
I call him, he doesn't answer. He calls me back,
let's ring one time, it hangs up, and I didn't
hear him the rest of the night. So I don't
trust me why anymore
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