Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and inside linebacker Nate Landman talk about development of the linebackers, consistency in younger players, Landman’s growing leadership role, position depth, and more.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good day.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
Got a lot of different situations. I thought, you know, defensively,
we came out with great energy, we were able to
sustain it pretty good. And then I thought, I like
the way the offense responded in the red area, got
a little four minute situation at the end. So a
lot of really good learning opportunities for us, and it
was a good step in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
And then you know, it was pleased with the group. Sean,
I'm go ahead just being smart with him rest day, Sean.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
With your defense last year, they were they were young
and progress obviously throughout the year, and a great degree
still finish twenty fourth. I believe in not a stats
guy against I know, against the run twenty second, yep,
attacking the quarterback? Sure, what are your wishes in that
improvement to show?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, I think what the key thing you said was
was there was improvement throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
You know, I think you know and I understand your questions.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
It almost understands people that look at stats usually are
probably worried about the wrong stuff.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
I think we're looked at snap in snap out.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
I have a lot of respect and appreciation for some
of the different metrics. But what I'm interested in is
as much of consistent football that we can play, how.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Do we progress throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I thought we continue to figure out and find our
identity as the season progressed last year's over with. What
I do like is I think we have a clear
cut idea of what we want to be.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
There's going to be some necessary agility and adaptability.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
But I thought the guys got better, and I thought
that was a credit to their resilience. I thought the
coaches did an excellent job of being able to help
us progress, and that's what I'm interested in, because whatever
those metrics were, I feel like we were playing as
good a defensive football the latter part of the year
as anybody. I know how those things can accumulate over time,
but I've never been somebody that gets caught up in that.
(01:37):
I want to see us play good quality football with
our style of play, snap in and snap out. I
think we're giving ourselves a chance to be able to
do that, but we focus on everything all different phases.
I've loved the way that the coaches have put together
a teaching progression and then our players have responded in
an excellent way, and I'm excited about us hitting the
ground running.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
But every year is a new year. We know that
keeping it on the defense.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Linebackers kind of flying around, making some plays, especially going downhill.
Can you talk about their play so far?
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, they've been awesome. You know, I think GM Money
our linebackers. Coach does such an excellent job of being
able to provide those guys with clarity. But we've talked
about Nate Lambman. Omar Spates has been outstanding. You know,
you can see he's really taking leaps in his second year,
has real good ownership of what we're trying to get done.
Troy Reider has always been a really productive player for us.
And then I've really been pleased with what the other
(02:25):
guys have done. You know, Sean Dolax done some good stuff,
Tony Fields, Eli Neil and so I think that's a
really good group. But I especially, you know, I really
think those guys that have played some football for us,
you feel their presence, their ownership, and that's exactly what
we're looking for.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Coach.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
I saw you.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
I saw you go up to Kobe Turner after pooping
the coolest forward over in the redit.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
How cerebral is Kobe.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Turner and how how is his mind of value added
to the team.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
It's amazing. I mean, you guys talk to him.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I mean his number one is humility, is consistency, his production,
and then his understanding of the intent. We're able to
do things with some of the things up front because
of a guy like him leading the way, and give
Smith does such a great job with that room as
a whole.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Uh. But Kobe is just you know, he's got a
great spirit.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Uh, he's got an understanding and he's one of those
guys that just got all those natural leadership traits and characteristics.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
He brings people with him.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
We are able to do a lot because of his leadership.
I'll come to you next.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
How has a alarics rehab planned gone? Have you seen
the progress that you've wanted to?
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, I have, you know, and I know he wants
to be out here. Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
I do feel really fortunate that given his circumstances, he's
able to do some of the individual work, he's able
to partake and jog throughs. Can't be smart and you know,
smart enough with some of those different things. But he's
chopping at the bit to be able to get out
here and physically compete I'm gonna continue to follow the
doctor's orders, but I do know that he is uh,
he's he's been outstanding.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
He's handled it really well.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Incredibly mature, and we're hopeful that you know, he'll be
able to play you know, really good quality football for us.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
But the health is the first and foremost you.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Know priority and and uh and I don't even want
to use the concern, but that's you know, our consideration
with him.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
But it's going well.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I think he's been able to do some really good
stuff that's allowed him to move forward good.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
As I mentioned that distinctive identity this year, what's different
about the way you want to play here?
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Twinjo Well, I think in a lot of instances, every
single year is a new year.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
But you do want to be able to build on.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Some of the things where we were able to establish
some positive momentum, knowing that you earn it every single year.
What I think is big is you have an idea,
much better idea of who are the guys that we're
going to be playing with. It's probably easier to project
our starters, and I think in a lot of instances,
nobody really knew.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
What it would be like without Aaron Donald.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Nobody knew how quickly Jared Versu and Brad and Fisk
would have send into significant roles. You know, you're talking
about a guy like Omar Spates as a rookie that
comes in and makes big time impacts.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Jalen Mccoli.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
So, I think we've got some guys that really got
a bunch of good experience their rookie year. Tyler Davis
was another factor for us, you know, and then some
second year some third year guys.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
We've got a little bit more experience on the back end.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
But I think having an idea of who we're doing
it with being able to see some you know, consistence
success towards the latter part of the year, I want
to be able to build off of that while knowing that, hey,
we've got to be able to earn it every single day.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
What coach, the biggest difference you've seen it steps in
from last year of this year, Well, is there one
thing you can identify that stands out?
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Well?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I think he's getting a lot more reps just because
of the situation, but confidence, you know, and he's enjoying it.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
You know.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I think when you watched him play at Georgia and
even some of the preseason games when he gets into
a rhythm and he's smiling.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
I think all these great.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Competitors there's an enjoyment, you know, enjoyment for mastering their craft,
but an enjoyment of just being totally immersed in the moment,
and then enjoyment of your teammate's success. And so he's
really having fun. And then I do think that you know,
Dave Raghan's doing such.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
A great job where you talk about repetition is the mother.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Of learning, Gary, He's getting a lot of invaluable reps
and if you want to put a positive on you know,
we'll be excited.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
When Matthew gets back out here.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
But in the meantime, say a right, how do you
look at this through an optimistic lens? Jimmy and Stetson
are getting reps and continuing to improve that wouldn't have
existed otherwise. But I'm really proud of Stet's in and
want to continue to see him just stack blocks and
keep enjoying himself.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
You've seen a lot of rotation on the interior of
that second offensive line.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
What is the approach trying but to.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Just sort out just that, you know, I think what
Ryan Wendell does a really good job of at him.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Is mixing and matching guys.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You know, because you look at it and when you
when you have eight guys up on game day, you
know you have a couple of injuries, and then before
you know what, you're saying, Okay, do we have the center,
do we have the backup guard?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Do we have a swing tackle? So you'll see guys
mix and match.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
We do feel good about our depth, but you know,
Dylan McMahon ends up getting an ankle where he's out,
and you know Bo had a little bit of an elbow,
and before you know it, now Deed it's.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Just playing center with Coleman Shelton.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So things can change really quickly even if you do
feel good about your depth. So I think being able
to give these guys a big picture understanding and then
the value that they do have if you're not solidified
as a starter is how do you get a jersey
on game day where you can play multiple positions? That
adds value to that six seventh and eighth offensive lineman for.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Us, when you talked about not knowing what you be
without a.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
D and first and fisk also Chris Shuley. He talked
about how he kind of had a little.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Bit confidence going into issues, going into the Bible we share.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
How different do you see?
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Do you see a difference?
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Well, I think here's what I would say, Kurt.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I think one of my favorite things about Chris is
he is mentally tough.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
He's been brought up in a football.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Family where he knows not the ride the wave. There
are ebbs and flows that go on throughout the course
of a season. But I think he understood that his players,
his coaches, he knew that I did had his back.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
And what I like is he was solution oriented.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know, it was a humbling start to us, but
you can either do one of two things. You can
either feel bad for yourself or you can say I'm
gonna swing, I'm gonna fight, and I'm gonna figure out
what's the next best thing to try to do the
right by these players and buy these coaches.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
And that's exactly what he's built on. That's what he's
all about.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
And I do think the amount of experiences that he
got in his first year as as the defensive coordinator
was invaluable because it wasn't easy, because there were some
things that you work through and that's when you find
out about people and that's why you know him and
you know a lot of people that we have on
this team are made of the rest and that's what
we're looking for and that's what we want.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
To be about because adversity is going to be inevitable.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
In our ability to handle it the right way will
hopefully be a separator for us.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Coach Pooker made the you know, amazing coach catch there.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
That was the hell of a catch, wasn't it hell
of a catch? You caught a touchdown? Me too? I agree,
I love it. But with a player that's so successful
early on in his career, you know, get.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Getting into year three, what are some things that you're
looking for or that you have seen so far as
far as helping his game?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
And yeah, well, I think the first thing is is
the curiosity. You know, every great player that I've ever
been around, or anybody that's great at their craft, at
their craft, they're continuous learners.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
There's a humility that exists.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Uh, there's a student of the game approach, there's an
enjoyment for the mastery of your craft. But the curiosity
is what sticks out to me. In the standards that
he has for himself, you know, the expectations of how
much can I consistently put together good snaps, And I
do think that consistency is the truest measurement of performance.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
I've loved watching him, you know, ask questions from Devonte.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I've loved how receptive he is to coaches being able
to give him feedback, whether that's Eric Yarbor, natchiuse, Rob
Calabrese or Mike Lafleur. And he is a stud and
it's why people love him. He's got this just great
way about himself, but this humility that even though he's
done some pretty special things these first couple of years,
you wouldn't know it.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
And that's that's why people love being around him.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
And that's why he's gonna continue to get better and
better every years.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Yeah, so so Cam Curle. You know, we were really fortunate.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
He's so tough, got kind of his footstepped on and
rolled his ankle a little bit.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
We'll we'll take him a day at a time. He'll
be week. The week Forbes felt a.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Little tweak in his hamstring, and you know, it'll probably
be a week or two with him. He can't be
smart enough with some of those soft tissue injuries, especially
with some of those you know, perimeter skill players.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
But I've been really pleased with him Manual. He's going
to attack as.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Rehab the right way and and cam Curl's as tough
as it gets. And that was a bad feeling temporarily
where it looked like it was gonna be something, and
then he's so tough he walked off and we're fortunate
to get some good news on something that could have
been really, really tough for us.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
And I'm really glad it's not okay. Thank you guys,
appreciate How's it going very well?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
I'm doing great. Thanks thanks for asking.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
That's the first week plus of Tampa and for so far.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
It's been great. Today today it was a big step
for us and the defense especially. I think we came
out we started fast, taking all the lessons we've learned
from the first week now to the second kind of
block four day block that we've been rolling on, and
great way to go into the off day and just
continue on the momentum that we've started off. In camp,
we heard a couple of.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Times about your communication skills and your leadership, where.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
Did that develop in your career? Where did that come?
Speaker 4 (10:44):
I think that started in high school and then really
you know, blossomed in college. My coach in college put
a lot of responsibility on me to do that, talk
to the defense, get them set up. And now in
college they have the MIC, so it's easier. Back then
we didn't have the mic. But I think just from
high school to college and then having a few opportunities
to deal with the falcons and now being a primary
(11:07):
primary role here, I think just I've taken a step
each in one of those aspects of the game top
the field.
Speaker 5 (11:13):
Is that leadership intuitive like in how you're raised.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Yeah, you know, I'm the youngest of four, and so
I've got older brothers. My dad played professional sports. So
just some some of those things that I haven't been
instilled to me as as a younger brother and anna son.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
What Realipe said that he almost wants to call your
penut punch land because of how much you you know,
just attack the ball in people's hands. What's kind of
the way that you approach you know, trying to force
fumbles while not sacrificing, you know, making the tackle first
and foremost.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Yeah, that's the key really is is knowing when your
opportunity is to go attack the football without sacrificing the
integrity of the tackle. For me, you know sometimes that
the football, when you're tracking a hip on the tackle,
it shows up right there and there's your ops. For me,
I'm a stronger right hand tackler, ball opportunity ball punch
the right hand than him with the left. So I'm
(12:02):
definitely more comfortable moving that way, and that's when I
kind of tend to seek those opportunities with a carrier
going away or a receiver you know, catching tucking and
I can throw that jab in there.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
So a newcomer, what is your your vision coming into
this defense that's young, got their feet wet big time
last year and have some huge potential this year.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Yeah, So I came into an established culture. Sean got
those guys going. Shawn's been for so long his established culture.
You know, those guys came in and joined that culture.
So now it's just me coming in here, similating to
that culture and then bring what I can bring to it.
Just being myself coming in there every day. But the team,
you know, from last year taking that step to this
year and those guys are incredible. The front we have
(12:43):
in front of me. Those guys are insanely smart. They
play super hard, they're running out of the stack, they're
playing makers, they're they're talking. Just guys that I could trust.
Guys are elevating my game, allowing me to be a
better linebacker and a better leader.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Did you talk to Raheem about this situation at all,
Sean playing in this fence here or anything like that
at all?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
No, we did not have any conversation. Nate.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
You and Omar are playing with extreme synergy and just communication.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Can you talk to me about your off the field relationship?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Yeah, me and Omar are super close. I think our
whole linebacker unit is super close. You can see synergy
throughout the whole room. So it's not just me and
Oh but something that you know, money that's instilled us
in the group and the way we run our meetings
and stuff like that. But I think as a whole unit,
you know, we're super close knit. We hang out outside
outside just a practice room, We're having lunch together, we're
(13:30):
watching film together. You know, we're we're roommates here while
we're in camp. So just that shared that shared grind,
that we're in, you know, allows us to have that
close knit group.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
How are you guys starting to see the game similarly.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Yeah, we're playing off each other. Well, you know, when
he sees some things he makes up for if I
make a mistake and vice versa, or if he sees
this way playing a boot, you know, then I'll play
off him. If I see him shoot this gap to
the run, then I can know I can play on
the top. It's just getting those game reps in during practice,
seeing what works, what doesn't work, not being afraid to
fail together, and then growing from those from those lessons.
(14:06):
You said, bring what you can bring, and you'll surely
heard Sean say stacking block, stacking blocks.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
When you think about those two, what is that for you?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Bringing what you can bring in stacking blocks?
Speaker 4 (14:17):
For me, it's being vocal out there. You know. I've
always grown up in the defense where the mic linebacker
middle linebacker is kind of the quarterback of the defense,
you know, directing traffic. And that's that's a place where
I feel comfortable in. I think it elevates my game.
Allows me to know what the front's end, where the
dbs are coming down, if this safety is coming down
here on this motion. So I think just just being myself,
(14:40):
stuffed all the lessons that I've learned throughout my career
in football, bringing it here and trying to not change
the culture because the culture here is amazing, but just
to add where I can add being myself into the
culture that's already been established. And you spoke about your dad,
what has he taught you about being yourself?
Speaker 1 (14:54):
But still leaning on that experience.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
Yeah, just playing my game, not trying to step out
of my circle, not trying to do too much, instilling
that discipline of me as a kid and me and
my siblings. Someone I can always lean on, you know,
who's made it to a you know, high level of sports.
So having him has been great. But he always just
tells me to reach fort me to play my game
and the rest will you know, handle itself. Not trying
to step outside of my zone, just be myself.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
The ink on your left shoulder, is that a homage
to the beginnings or is that a football? Can you
kind of talk about the line.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
So I was born in Zimbabwe, in in Africa. I
moved here in two thousand and two, and so it's
a culture that I'm super proud of a lot. Of
My family still lives in Zimbabwe, so my tattoos represent
that culture and just something I hold near and dear
to my heart.
Good day.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
Got a lot of different situations. I thought, you know, defensively,
we came out with great energy, we were able to
sustain it pretty good. And then I thought, I like
the way the offense responded in the red area, got
a little four minute situation at the end. So a
lot of really good learning opportunities for us, and it
was a good step in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
And then you know, it was pleased with the group. Sean,
I'm go ahead just being smart with him rest day, Sean.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
With your defense last year, they were they were young
and progress obviously throughout the year, and a great degree
still finish twenty fourth. I believe in not a stats
guy against I know, against the run twenty second, yep,
attacking the quarterback? Sure, what are your wishes in that
improvement to show?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, I think what the key thing you said was
was there was improvement throughout the season.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
You know, I think you know and I understand your questions.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
It almost understands people that look at stats usually are
probably worried about the wrong stuff.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
I think we're looked at snap in snap out.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
I have a lot of respect and appreciation for some
of the different metrics. But what I'm interested in is
as much of consistent football that we can play, how.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Do we progress throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I thought we continue to figure out and find our
identity as the season progressed last year's over with. What
I do like is I think we have a clear
cut idea of what we want to be.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
There's going to be some necessary agility and adaptability.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
But I thought the guys got better, and I thought
that was a credit to their resilience. I thought the
coaches did an excellent job of being able to help
us progress, and that's what I'm interested in, because whatever
those metrics were, I feel like we were playing as
good a defensive football the latter part of the year
as anybody. I know how those things can accumulate over time,
but I've never been somebody that gets caught up in that.
(01:37):
I want to see us play good quality football with
our style of play, snap in and snap out. I
think we're giving ourselves a chance to be able to
do that, but we focus on everything all different phases.
I've loved the way that the coaches have put together
a teaching progression and then our players have responded in
an excellent way, and I'm excited about us hitting the
ground running.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
But every year is a new year. We know that
keeping it on the defense.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Linebackers kind of flying around, making some plays, especially going downhill.
Can you talk about their play so far?
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, they've been awesome. You know, I think GM Money
our linebackers. Coach does such an excellent job of being
able to provide those guys with clarity. But we've talked
about Nate Lambman. Omar Spates has been outstanding. You know,
you can see he's really taking leaps in his second year,
has real good ownership of what we're trying to get done.
Troy Reider has always been a really productive player for us.
And then I've really been pleased with what the other
(02:25):
guys have done. You know, Sean Dolax done some good stuff,
Tony Fields, Eli Neil and so I think that's a
really good group. But I especially, you know, I really
think those guys that have played some football for us,
you feel their presence, their ownership, and that's exactly what
we're looking for.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Coach.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
I saw you.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
I saw you go up to Kobe Turner after pooping
the coolest forward over in the redit.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
How cerebral is Kobe.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Turner and how how is his mind of value added
to the team.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
It's amazing. I mean, you guys talk to him.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I mean his number one is humility, is consistency, his production,
and then his understanding of the intent. We're able to
do things with some of the things up front because
of a guy like him leading the way, and give
Smith does such a great job with that room as
a whole.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Uh. But Kobe is just you know, he's got a
great spirit.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Uh, he's got an understanding and he's one of those
guys that just got all those natural leadership traits and characteristics.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
He brings people with him.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
We are able to do a lot because of his leadership.
I'll come to you next.
Speaker 5 (03:20):
How has a alarics rehab planned gone? Have you seen
the progress that you've wanted to?
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Yeah, I have, you know, and I know he wants
to be out here. Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
I do feel really fortunate that given his circumstances, he's
able to do some of the individual work, he's able
to partake and jog throughs. Can't be smart and you know,
smart enough with some of those different things. But he's
chopping at the bit to be able to get out
here and physically compete I'm gonna continue to follow the
doctor's orders, but I do know that he is uh,
he's he's been outstanding.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
He's handled it really well.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Incredibly mature, and we're hopeful that you know, he'll be
able to play you know, really good quality football for us.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
But the health is the first and foremost you.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Know priority and and uh and I don't even want
to use the concern, but that's you know, our consideration
with him.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
But it's going well.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
I think he's been able to do some really good
stuff that's allowed him to move forward good.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
As I mentioned that distinctive identity this year, what's different
about the way you want to play here?
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Twinjo Well, I think in a lot of instances, every
single year is a new year.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
But you do want to be able to build on.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Some of the things where we were able to establish
some positive momentum, knowing that you earn it every single year.
What I think is big is you have an idea,
much better idea of who are the guys that we're
going to be playing with. It's probably easier to project
our starters, and I think in a lot of instances,
nobody really knew.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
What it would be like without Aaron Donald.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Nobody knew how quickly Jared Versu and Brad and Fisk
would have send into significant roles. You know, you're talking
about a guy like Omar Spates as a rookie that
comes in and makes big time impacts.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Jalen Mccoli.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
So, I think we've got some guys that really got
a bunch of good experience their rookie year. Tyler Davis
was another factor for us, you know, and then some
second year some third year guys.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
We've got a little bit more experience on the back end.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
But I think having an idea of who we're doing
it with being able to see some you know, consistence
success towards the latter part of the year, I want
to be able to build off of that while knowing that, hey,
we've got to be able to earn it every single day.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
What coach, the biggest difference you've seen it steps in
from last year of this year, Well, is there one
thing you can identify that stands out?
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Well?
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I think he's getting a lot more reps just because
of the situation, but confidence, you know, and he's enjoying it.
Speaker 5 (05:19):
You know.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I think when you watched him play at Georgia and
even some of the preseason games when he gets into
a rhythm and he's smiling.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
I think all these great.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Competitors there's an enjoyment, you know, enjoyment for mastering their craft,
but an enjoyment of just being totally immersed in the moment,
and then enjoyment of your teammate's success. And so he's
really having fun. And then I do think that you know,
Dave Raghan's doing such.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
A great job where you talk about repetition is the mother.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Of learning, Gary, He's getting a lot of invaluable reps
and if you want to put a positive on you know,
we'll be excited.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
When Matthew gets back out here.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
But in the meantime, say a right, how do you
look at this through an optimistic lens? Jimmy and Stetson
are getting reps and continuing to improve that wouldn't have
existed otherwise. But I'm really proud of Stet's in and
want to continue to see him just stack blocks and
keep enjoying himself.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
You've seen a lot of rotation on the interior of
that second offensive line.
Speaker 1 (06:09):
What is the approach trying but to.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Just sort out just that, you know, I think what
Ryan Wendell does a really good job of at him.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Is mixing and matching guys.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
You know, because you look at it and when you
when you have eight guys up on game day, you
know you have a couple of injuries, and then before
you know what, you're saying, Okay, do we have the center,
do we have the backup guard?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Do we have a swing tackle? So you'll see guys
mix and match.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
We do feel good about our depth, but you know,
Dylan McMahon ends up getting an ankle where he's out,
and you know Bo had a little bit of an elbow,
and before you know it, now Deed it's.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Just playing center with Coleman Shelton.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
So things can change really quickly even if you do
feel good about your depth. So I think being able
to give these guys a big picture understanding and then
the value that they do have if you're not solidified
as a starter is how do you get a jersey
on game day where you can play multiple positions? That
adds value to that six seventh and eighth offensive lineman for.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Us, when you talked about not knowing what you be
without a.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
D and first and fisk also Chris Shuley. He talked
about how he kind of had a little.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Bit confidence going into issues, going into the Bible we share.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
How different do you see?
Speaker 3 (07:11):
Do you see a difference?
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Well, I think here's what I would say, Kurt.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
I think one of my favorite things about Chris is
he is mentally tough.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
He's been brought up in a football.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Family where he knows not the ride the wave. There
are ebbs and flows that go on throughout the course
of a season. But I think he understood that his players,
his coaches, he knew that I did had his back.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
And what I like is he was solution oriented.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know, it was a humbling start to us, but
you can either do one of two things. You can
either feel bad for yourself or you can say I'm
gonna swing, I'm gonna fight, and I'm gonna figure out
what's the next best thing to try to do the
right by these players and buy these coaches.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
And that's exactly what he's built on. That's what he's
all about.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
And I do think the amount of experiences that he
got in his first year as as the defensive coordinator
was invaluable because it wasn't easy, because there were some
things that you work through and that's when you find
out about people and that's why you know him and
you know a lot of people that we have on
this team are made of the rest and that's what
we're looking for and that's what we want.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
To be about because adversity is going to be inevitable.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
In our ability to handle it the right way will
hopefully be a separator for us.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Coach Pooker made the you know, amazing coach catch there.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
That was the hell of a catch, wasn't it hell
of a catch? You caught a touchdown? Me too? I agree,
I love it. But with a player that's so successful
early on in his career, you know, get.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Getting into year three, what are some things that you're
looking for or that you have seen so far as
far as helping his game?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
And yeah, well, I think the first thing is is
the curiosity. You know, every great player that I've ever
been around, or anybody that's great at their craft, at
their craft, they're continuous learners.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
There's a humility that exists.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Uh, there's a student of the game approach, there's an
enjoyment for the mastery of your craft. But the curiosity
is what sticks out to me. In the standards that
he has for himself, you know, the expectations of how
much can I consistently put together good snaps, And I
do think that consistency is the truest measurement of performance.
Speaker 1 (09:00):
I've loved watching him, you know, ask questions from Devonte.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I've loved how receptive he is to coaches being able
to give him feedback, whether that's Eric Yarbor, natchiuse, Rob
Calabrese or Mike Lafleur. And he is a stud and
it's why people love him. He's got this just great
way about himself, but this humility that even though he's
done some pretty special things these first couple of years,
you wouldn't know it.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
And that's that's why people love being around him.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
And that's why he's gonna continue to get better and
better every years.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Yeah, so so Cam Curle. You know, we were really fortunate.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
He's so tough, got kind of his footstepped on and
rolled his ankle a little bit.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
We'll we'll take him a day at a time. He'll
be week. The week Forbes felt a.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Little tweak in his hamstring, and you know, it'll probably
be a week or two with him. He can't be
smart enough with some of those soft tissue injuries, especially
with some of those you know, perimeter skill players.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
But I've been really pleased with him Manual. He's going
to attack as.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Rehab the right way and and cam Curl's as tough
as it gets. And that was a bad feeling temporarily
where it looked like it was gonna be something, and
then he's so tough he walked off and we're fortunate
to get some good news on something that could have
been really, really tough for us.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
And I'm really glad it's not okay. Thank you guys,
appreciate How's it going very well?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
I'm doing great. Thanks thanks for asking.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
That's the first week plus of Tampa and for so far.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
It's been great. Today today it was a big step
for us and the defense especially. I think we came
out we started fast, taking all the lessons we've learned
from the first week now to the second kind of
block four day block that we've been rolling on, and
great way to go into the off day and just
continue on the momentum that we've started off. In camp,
we heard a couple of.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Times about your communication skills and your leadership, where.
Speaker 5 (10:42):
Did that develop in your career? Where did that come?
Speaker 4 (10:44):
I think that started in high school and then really
you know, blossomed in college. My coach in college put
a lot of responsibility on me to do that, talk
to the defense, get them set up. And now in
college they have the MIC, so it's easier. Back then
we didn't have the mic. But I think just from
high school to college and then having a few opportunities
to deal with the falcons and now being a primary
(11:07):
primary role here, I think just I've taken a step
each in one of those aspects of the game top
the field.
Speaker 5 (11:13):
Is that leadership intuitive like in how you're raised.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Yeah, you know, I'm the youngest of four, and so
I've got older brothers. My dad played professional sports. So
just some some of those things that I haven't been
instilled to me as as a younger brother and anna son.
Speaker 5 (11:27):
What Realipe said that he almost wants to call your
penut punch land because of how much you you know,
just attack the ball in people's hands. What's kind of
the way that you approach you know, trying to force
fumbles while not sacrificing, you know, making the tackle first
and foremost.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Yeah, that's the key really is is knowing when your
opportunity is to go attack the football without sacrificing the
integrity of the tackle. For me, you know sometimes that
the football, when you're tracking a hip on the tackle,
it shows up right there and there's your ops. For me,
I'm a stronger right hand tackler, ball opportunity ball punch
the right hand than him with the left. So I'm
(12:02):
definitely more comfortable moving that way, and that's when I
kind of tend to seek those opportunities with a carrier
going away or a receiver you know, catching tucking and
I can throw that jab in there.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
So a newcomer, what is your your vision coming into
this defense that's young, got their feet wet big time
last year and have some huge potential this year.
Speaker 4 (12:22):
Yeah, So I came into an established culture. Sean got
those guys going. Shawn's been for so long his established culture.
You know, those guys came in and joined that culture.
So now it's just me coming in here, similating to
that culture and then bring what I can bring to it.
Just being myself coming in there every day. But the team,
you know, from last year taking that step to this
year and those guys are incredible. The front we have
(12:43):
in front of me. Those guys are insanely smart. They
play super hard, they're running out of the stack, they're
playing makers, they're they're talking. Just guys that I could trust.
Guys are elevating my game, allowing me to be a
better linebacker and a better leader.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Did you talk to Raheem about this situation at all,
Sean playing in this fence here or anything like that
at all?
Speaker 4 (13:01):
No, we did not have any conversation. Nate.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
You and Omar are playing with extreme synergy and just communication.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Can you talk to me about your off the field relationship?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Yeah, me and Omar are super close. I think our
whole linebacker unit is super close. You can see synergy
throughout the whole room. So it's not just me and
Oh but something that you know, money that's instilled us
in the group and the way we run our meetings
and stuff like that. But I think as a whole unit,
you know, we're super close knit. We hang out outside
outside just a practice room, We're having lunch together, we're
(13:30):
watching film together. You know, we're we're roommates here while
we're in camp. So just that shared that shared grind,
that we're in, you know, allows us to have that
close knit group.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
How are you guys starting to see the game similarly.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
Yeah, we're playing off each other. Well, you know, when
he sees some things he makes up for if I
make a mistake and vice versa, or if he sees
this way playing a boot, you know, then I'll play
off him. If I see him shoot this gap to
the run, then I can know I can play on
the top. It's just getting those game reps in during practice,
seeing what works, what doesn't work, not being afraid to
fail together, and then growing from those from those lessons.
(14:06):
You said, bring what you can bring, and you'll surely
heard Sean say stacking block, stacking blocks.
Speaker 1 (14:13):
When you think about those two, what is that for you?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Bringing what you can bring in stacking blocks?
Speaker 4 (14:17):
For me, it's being vocal out there. You know. I've
always grown up in the defense where the mic linebacker
middle linebacker is kind of the quarterback of the defense,
you know, directing traffic. And that's that's a place where
I feel comfortable in. I think it elevates my game.
Allows me to know what the front's end, where the
dbs are coming down, if this safety is coming down
here on this motion. So I think just just being myself,
(14:40):
stuffed all the lessons that I've learned throughout my career
in football, bringing it here and trying to not change
the culture because the culture here is amazing, but just
to add where I can add being myself into the
culture that's already been established. And you spoke about your dad,
what has he taught you about being yourself?
Speaker 1 (14:54):
But still leaning on that experience.
Speaker 4 (14:56):
Yeah, just playing my game, not trying to step out
of my circle, not trying to do too much, instilling
that discipline of me as a kid and me and
my siblings. Someone I can always lean on, you know,
who's made it to a you know, high level of sports.
So having him has been great. But he always just
tells me to reach fort me to play my game
and the rest will you know, handle itself. Not trying
to step outside of my zone, just be myself.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
The ink on your left shoulder, is that a homage
to the beginnings or is that a football? Can you
kind of talk about the line.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
So I was born in Zimbabwe, in in Africa. I
moved here in two thousand and two, and so it's
a culture that I'm super proud of a lot. Of
My family still lives in Zimbabwe, so my tattoos represent
that culture and just something I hold near and dear
to my heart.
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