April 9, 2025 • 46 mins
Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen, Linebacker Foye Oluokun and Quarterback Trevor Lawrence meet with the media on Day 1 of Jacksonville's Offseason Program in preparation for the 2025 NFL Season.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Pretty cool. Players are in. It starts now.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
A little bit more.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Oh man, it's been it's been really fun for me
personally to actually be around the guys right to.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Be doing a little bit of football. When you you know, you.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Take a job coming from a position of only doing football,
and then you take a job in this position, you're
you're doing a little bit less of that. And so
today and really, uh, today for sure was a day
where I was able to get into the coaches meetings
with the players, hearing them communicate, us all communicating.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
At a high level.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So that's what really matters, is when getting the players
get in and that's been a blast.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
How would you want to see this sort of playout
over weeks?
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I think right now we're trying to establish really two
things are the fundamentals and techniques of the schemes, right,
we're not truly diving into this scheme at the moment,
funundamentals and technique, and then as well, our culture, the
way that we're going to play the game, our style
of play. Those are the two things that would like
to be able to get out of this, especially in
(01:10):
phase one where you're not on the grass with the
players we're really installing our basic core fundamentals and principles
and techniques, and then also the culture, our style of play,
and our commitments as well.
Speaker 5 (01:22):
You guys, you guys the option entrevon Are there any
plans with that on the wid right now.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
To pick up the options?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
No plans right now in terms of we're having those
conversations getting used to the player, right, We just got
to get used to them a little bit and get
to know them a little bit. We're excited about them
guy that we we see we can do some things with,
Like we do feel excited about some of his versatility
and experience. So some of those conversations they'll be open
(01:50):
and honest and communicated.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
About this franchise you sent have.
Speaker 5 (01:56):
Can you get that now?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
That's a great We actually had that conversation today with
the players. Was I know that this is not a
physical time. It can't be and it isn't. But the
establishing of the mindset, the way that we're going to
do things the way that we wanted. The meetings, like
Coach Camp brought up today, our meetings should be tough, right,
(02:19):
Like we're learning new information. It's all very new for
everybody that's hard. It's hard to do for a coach,
for a player, it's hard to learn. So when you
do hard things and you come out on the other end,
usually you say, well I got tougher from that. So
we do believe that we can start to establish that.
You know, that was similar in Tampa last year. When
(02:39):
we got to the off season program and got into it,
you could start to see the toughness come out, and.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
The way that we broke the huddle, the way that.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
We communicated, the way that we actually ran off the ball.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
You could see some of that stuff come to life.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
You talked a little bit about the decision.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
I think what No.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Top thirty is it's here that maybe a change in
philosophy of that.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Yeah, I mean I can let James detail that a
little bit more. It's more so just, hey, we're trying
to keep everything that we're doing in house and you know,
trusting we'll do some things possibly virtually and things like
that with guys that we need to have another touch
point with, but ultimately it's not something that we're going
(03:21):
to be interested in doing at the moment.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Through the draft process now as a head Coutch just.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Pushing, Yeah, I mean, special teams matter, so you know,
I mean, for you have to look at the whole, right,
I mean, it's it's starting anew for me in a
lot of ways. Right where you're you've been used to
evaluating offensive players, and then naturally, when you're evaluating offensive players,
defensive players shine, right, and you start to see that.
(03:47):
And then in recruiting and college you're recruiting defensive players
as well. But the whole entirety, how they fit into
the puzzle, the vision, what we're trying to establish, and
how those players end up fit into those situations.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
It's different. It's just a different perspective.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
It's great to listen to the collaboration between personnel and
coaching when it comes to some of these meetings. So
it's been great to listen. I've been doing a little
bit more listening than talking right now.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
You find it.
Speaker 6 (04:17):
Hard to strike a balance between marrying lining up in
twenty twenty five, what's better for the franchise down the road, evaluate.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
A draft prospective.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, I think ultimately in this world that we're in,
it's what have you done lately?
Speaker 7 (04:33):
Right?
Speaker 1 (04:33):
What are you doing in the now in order to
show success in the show that we're going in the
right direction. So ultimately, you know, we have ten picks.
We're going to lean on some of those guys to
play early on and ultimately we can't be.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Afraid of that.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Right We had three of them in Tampa last year
play and have a lot of success for us. We
can't be afraid of that moment and to play some
young players.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
So the goal is to get better quicker, right.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
With having a vision to having long staying success, long
sustained success, that's important to us. But at the moment,
we're we're looking at winning right.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Now, the culture supporting thing for right now.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, the building, that's right. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
We had you know, a team meeting about rules and
regulations introductions.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
We had a team meeting.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
As well about our style of play first and foremost,
really before we dive into the culture, we're going to
dive into the way that we're going to play out
on the grass. We also had a culture meeting with
the entire building which was really cool where it was
all departments, everybody was involved and it was just a
cool way of getting together, establishing the communication lines and
(05:52):
how we want to do things and operate.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
So it is very important at this moment in time
for us. Yeah, are you.
Speaker 8 (05:58):
Putting Trevor on any kind of a news growing schedule
or anything like that for the spring.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
He's been working on it himself right now in terms
of like monitoring that with the doctors and with Will
and ferging those guys downstairs. We haven't had anything to
do with it at the moment. As we lead in.
We're optimistic that we'll get there, you know, in terms
of where we need to go. He'll be on a
pitch count for those things, in terms of the where
(06:24):
he has to get to because he has little touch
points he needs to reach before he can obviously get
out onto the grass and do it full speed. Everything's
moving forward. He feels really good right now, so excited
about that.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Time your friends strength and conditioning staff.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
I know with this Rosh's really not having.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Her hands on the tool right now.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I think it could be looked at it as a challenge.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I think it could also look it's like a blank
slate for these guys because there's no pre existing you know,
just thoughts about anybody. It's just hey man, this is
how we're doing it. These are the things that we're
gonna do while also gearing it towards at some point
here individual development plans for each player. So as we go,
we're setting the standards in the weight room, how we
(07:08):
want to operate. Skills will lift this way, the big
big skill here and the bigs, well, they all have
different weights and things that they're doing, but the mode
of operation, the standard, the communication will all be similar.
So I think it's actually great that they are starting
from scratch and having those relationships be able to be fostered,
and then as we grow get to know each other
(07:30):
a little bit more, those IDPs will become a little
bit more common.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
This portion of the off season is obviously evolu Terry,
how would you evaluate participation right now if your ninety
man roster?
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Very high, very high, Please, very pleased, Very appreciative of
the guys for being here, taking the time, knowing that
it is voluntary.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
But it's definitely setting a positive standard right now.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
The free agents kind of start to integrate themselves.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Yeah, it's big.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
We've signed ten, right and that's a large number of
guys to be able to come in. We've got all
the players faces downstairs in the lobby. As you walk
in new and you know former players and really just
at the end of the day, most players that do
come in, it's like it is a little bit like
being a freshman back in high school again, reintegrating.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
But you know, the.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Goal is for these guys to be able to come in,
work their tails off, earn respect throughout the way that
they're going to be able to, uh, you know, kind
of get through this program and planning. And they've been
positive so far.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Though this is a feeling process.
Speaker 9 (08:36):
You get to know guys, the guys getting to know
you very.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Much, so, you know, but before we can do anything,
we've got to be able to show them at least
we do. We care right, We care first, and we
care about not only the success of the organization but
also the development of the player. And when they know that, hey,
we're here to truly help see you become the best
version of your self both on and off the field.
(09:02):
Once we establish those lines start to have more intimate conversations,
well that's usually when you feel them start to maybe
let the guard down and say, Okay, hey, I'm open
to hearing maybe a new way of learning or a
different way of doing this, and vice versa for coaches
as well.
Speaker 10 (09:19):
The o line. Do you are you satisfied with the
free agents or are you still looking at that room
a little bit more?
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Yeah, I think from that standpoint, we're always looking.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
To add to the roster, whether it's through the draft,
free agency, things like that. But I do believe we
brought in some some players to come help compete in
that room, a couple you know, obviously with Hainesy knowing
the system and McCary playing a lot of football and
guys coming in, Uh, it's only gonna help, right, help
add competitiveness to the room, and also just some accountability
(09:51):
to uh, knowing the system, that'll help everybody in that room.
So it's cool both of our you know, both of
our centers actually know a version of the system in
different ways. But it's only going to help bringing those
guys in.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
To go back to it, I know you said.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
You guys are still evaluating with Devin, but why were
you so confident in hacking up a fifth year options
portrayed on at this point?
Speaker 1 (10:13):
You know, it's just the type of guy getting to
know them a little bit and knowing that, hey, this
is something we we know we want to be a
part of, right, we want to have this relationship and
now once we get them into the building under our
roof getting to know each other a little bit more
and creating those conversations.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
I think that was really what stood.
Speaker 11 (10:32):
Out I think last week or whatever it means, the.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Power of touch in that study? Did gott intrigue when
you first learned about that? Is that something you really
want to incorporate here in the cultures established?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
That's right?
Speaker 1 (10:46):
You know, you just look at connection and nowadays connections
so hard to actually create because so much of our
lives are you know, on the phone and just having
interpersonal conversations. And also you know, just the old fist bump,
the high five that you know, chess bump, like just
that helps bring people together. You look at every free
(11:08):
throw a basketball player shoots and it's here, and so
how do we continue to add that into Like as
a kid, when you were taught to celebrate, what did
that look like? And that's what we're ultimately trying to
get to is bringing the team together, bringing the coaches
and staff together to do something that that ultimately we've
(11:29):
never done before.
Speaker 9 (11:30):
So Money came out last week and it showed you
going back home and being able to spend some time
with your family.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Just how much does that mean to you? Just being
able to do that after you know a your dream.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I appreciate that question. Yeah, that was really cool.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It was It was when you've wanted something for so
long and the people that helped raise you and that
we're around that saw that from a young age and
we're able to support you throughout those times and getting
to that goal, Uh, to share those moms in that
time that we don't usually get it was really special.
(12:04):
It's hard when you move around in this profession or
in any profession that we live in, it becomes hard
to become closer with family.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
And that was a really special weekend.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Coach.
Speaker 6 (12:15):
A lot of people like this time of year looking
for tennisies, right you guys don't have any yet.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
They want to go to the rams over the Bucks
to pre baby.
Speaker 6 (12:24):
Camp and either what's the process been like for you
to make this and create this as your own individual thing?
Speaker 1 (12:29):
That's a great one. You're always pulling, right, everybody's pulling
from different places to ultimately make it ours right, And
we've got to watch those tapes of where we all
came from and Okay, find out what is the twenty
five Jags, though, like, how does this fit us? If
(12:51):
we may not have that answer right now. That's the
kind of cool part is we're going to throw as
much at these guys mentally in this offseason as much
as we can handle, and probably more, much more.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Actually, because it's not a physical.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Time of the year, it's the time of the year
we can stress the mentally ultimately throw that as much
at them as we can from Minnesota, from Tampa, from
LA from Green Bay, whatever it is, and see what
we can handle. We're not going to know who we're
truly going to be for a while, but it's more
so testing to see how much they can handle and
(13:28):
if maybe some of those concept schemes fundamentals fit our players.
That's a great question because that's something that we're constantly
working through right now as the staff.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
You said on Sirius XM.
Speaker 10 (13:41):
In building Trevor into what you guys ultimately wanted to be,
the footwork has to be something where you start kind
of aground zero.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Can you work on that now? Nobody's injury was to
his shoulder as much as you can kind of illustrate.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Maybe right, I mean, as we've gotten him now in
the building. We are trying to create black and white
lines when it comes to footwork in ways, so that
understanding that the game is played in the gray.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
There's so much that occurs on a play.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
If you can have core fundamentals in footwork and that
you believe in and that you trust in those times
of crisis, you have something to actually fall back on
and play with a quieted mind. And so this is
a great opportunity now that he is a little limited
from a throwing standpoint, that we can dive into the footwork.
He can dive into it on his own time and
(14:31):
really work at this thing.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
So he's committed to it.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
It's something that we feel strongly about that can help
him continue to get better and ultimately on Sundays, you know,
we hope that shows up.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
That's one from what you've seen with Trevor over the
last few years on.
Speaker 11 (14:48):
Tape, just how much does he need to push to
change that footwork.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
Or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
It's not really a change, just tweaking.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
He's extremely talented, and he's made some unbelievable plays and
critical moments and led some huge comebacks. He's played hurt,
He's done so many good things now, it's just about, okay,
how do we fine tune it and just tighten it
up a little bit to get him in a place
where he's comfortable to cut the ball loose on time
(15:16):
and in rhythm, regardless of the circumstances. And that's really
what it comes down to, being able to give him
some balance around him so that he can feel like, man,
not every play is on me, right, not every play
I got, Every throw I have to make is going
to have to be life for death man. We've got
to create some balance for him so that he can
(15:37):
just go play quieted with a you know, free of
failure and just go let it rip.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Thank you so much. Yeah, thanks guys, really bad.
Speaker 12 (15:48):
Fine excited a lot of good energy in the building,
righty to all improve together and get the same rolling
for sure. It's like I said earlier, it's exciting for real.
They come in with their own energy kind of Yeah,
new energy to the team. Obviously a little bit younger,
but I feel like this resonates a little bit better
(16:08):
in the room and everything right now. But just you know,
the passion that they speak with every time they're speaking
definitely rubs off on us the right way.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
And just take that into all of our workouts.
Speaker 12 (16:19):
Take that and you know, when we get on the
field together, a lot of guys are all willing to improve
and get better together as a team.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
What do you think the challenges for you guys this year?
Just with all the new, with all the new, I.
Speaker 12 (16:31):
Think that's a challenge every time you step into a
new system or new coordinators, new coaches. One just embracing coaching.
Two just trusting what they have in store, trusting their plan.
And then three just you know, understanding whatever the scheme
is or whatever the plans are, and playing you're still
your best football. I think that's always gonna be a
challenge when you got new teammates, new coaches and everything.
(16:54):
So just really embracing everything and trusting that everything's meant
for the better of the team.
Speaker 10 (16:59):
Are there any coach you've previously had that you could
compare communications style, energy, coaching camp too?
Speaker 12 (17:06):
I don't think so. I mean, he he in Northeastern
do I've ad to maybe in like college and stuff it.
You know, I don't think of coach though, but I
I've I've seen personality similar, but not you know, at
the coaching level. It's It's really cool though, Like I
love his energy that he brings in the passion that
he talks with.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
I feel like it's gonna be contagious for the defense.
Speaker 5 (17:25):
The follow up question is have.
Speaker 10 (17:26):
You seen the Hard Knocks Club about ask what big
is a international language?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
I have? I don't watch hard not so now it.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Was on the internet. Family your apparently you in a
s in a speech to the entire team.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Really her too, I m'a have to go watch that
to night.
Speaker 7 (17:38):
There were the votor.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Boat or coach go and talk about its stiling this
culture and all of other stuff?
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Did was there a badly needed culture change here?
Speaker 5 (17:47):
Did you guys badly be in culture here?
Speaker 4 (17:50):
We didn't win last year?
Speaker 12 (17:51):
So I think whatever changes that are coming are accepted
because obviously we didn't play up to the standard that
we needed. So whatever was going on, right, you know,
if it's if it's we can't really promise more wins.
But obviously we needed maybe a new way to attack
the season, a new way to attack the off seasons
and stuff. So I think everybody is very accepting of
everything new that's in store for us. You know that
(18:13):
that equates to more wins.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Where did you play. I'm sorry, right where do you play?
Does a linement really matter?
Speaker 11 (18:21):
Do you do?
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Is it better for you to have a zero or
a nose tackle? In some schemes they don't have that
way they have.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
I think it depends on the team that we're playing.
Speaker 12 (18:28):
For real, I think I want my lineman to eat
more than than me, because if they're getting that, they're
disruptive giving off the ball. If I feel like that
we have a zero that can beat up their center,
he can disrupt every play, it's gonna make my job easier.
So at the end of the day, I feel like
what's best for them is gonna be the best for me.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Obviously, sometimes you want your guard.
Speaker 12 (18:48):
If they have good guards, they get up to that
second level if we can maybe disrupt that. But at
the end of the day, it's still the line of
eating first. And I feel like, whatever long we got
linean doing everything, I feel like I'm good to go.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Coaching stuff before. Does it wear on you at.
Speaker 12 (19:03):
Some point it's like another system like I've learned and it's.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
What trained for years.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
I mean, I can be real with you.
Speaker 12 (19:09):
I think that that might be a something that's not
talked about A lot. But I think going through a
lot of coaches, a lot of systems, whether offensively or defensively,
can can take a toll. But you know, I think
if you go about it with the right mindset of
learning and understanding that it can make your game better,
accepting what they're trying to coach you on and stuff like.
After that, being in so many different schemes, you kind
(19:30):
of seen everything, so you know, these guys are gonna
push me, and I feel like it's coming at a
great time in my career. It's like get better or
you know, obviously better than what I had last year,
or you know, you don't know what's gonna happen after this,
So I'm taking every challenge on, you know, ready to
go attacking everything.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
But I'm I'm definitely very.
Speaker 12 (19:49):
Excited to accept new coaching and and and new understandings
of defense.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
When did when did you kind of get to that realization?
Is that something that you're kind of always known.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Or nah, I definitely didn't always know that. Yeah I
had to.
Speaker 12 (20:02):
You know, I think if you're new in the league,
being in the same system gonna benefit you for for
for like, let's say that rookie contract because now you're
not you know, always second guess and stuff like everything's
kind of set in stone.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
You're just playing.
Speaker 12 (20:14):
Football based off with the offense does instead of worrying
about what you do. I had a new coach my
last my last year in Atlanta, that was, you know,
learning something on the fly, and the contract year is
like get better or get out to me.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
That's kind of pressure I put on myself. Uh.
Speaker 12 (20:28):
Fortunately I was able to play well and I came here,
had a new coach. You know, it was meat expectations
or they're gonna move on, you know, and then all
of a sudden you get a new coach. Now it's
like rockster, the expectation, rochter, raise your level of player.
You know, you know know what's gonna happen. So I
think it's always cool. Challenges that I feel like are
good for the growth of individually, but they they are
(20:50):
hard in the moment to like maybe unlearned and relearn.
But you know, I'm a professional football players my job,
so that's what I gotta do.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Young guys in the linebacker room with you, maybe on
their first contracts, have been going through different coaching, They've
been leading on you heavily through.
Speaker 12 (21:08):
I think we all got pretty we're all pretty bright,
very talented. I definitely always offer my advice because the
better we all play, you know, it's gonna be good
for the room, gonna be good for the team. But yeah,
if they have questions about what I'm seeing, for sure,
I'm I'm always offering my expertise. I say, but we're
(21:30):
very they're very bright, the rest of the guys and stuff.
So like you know, I got all the comments to
them to pick up new stuff. I've seen it two
times now, being able to uh play at the high level.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
To see Trayvon get the fifty year option picked up
for I mean you I I had a feeling smile
when I say that. For you guys, you've been here
a couple of years.
Speaker 12 (21:48):
What does he mean to that collective or you know,
I I've seen his growth from his rookie year to
now and even last year when you know, things were
kind of going awry and stuff, he was still putting
this as foot forward. I like his work ethic as
a player, you know, schemes whatever, I just like his
work ethics. So I feel like, uh, and the scheme's
gonna benefit him as the coaches who you use his
(22:10):
his talent and hard work and his mentality to his
the best of his ability. He only discouts a limit
for him, so I always you know that he's athletics
specimen and stuff, but he also got that hard work
and mentality, so I I just love being around him.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
He talked a little bit about getting a coach camp,
but he.
Speaker 12 (22:25):
Tuld aboutetting he's cool. I mean, like I said, these
coaches got they they got a great personality and a
lot of good energy.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
So I think they're very direct.
Speaker 12 (22:37):
I think they're you know, they're very relatable, but they
always give it that they shoot it straight.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
That that makes sense. So I'm excited to.
Speaker 12 (22:45):
Be around people like that because I don't like shying
away from what needs to be said or what I
need to do.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
But also like allows for a growth mindset.
Speaker 12 (22:53):
Like if I feel like I'm seeing something I don't
feel because it's so honest of a relationship between us
or will be, I can go to them say what
I'm and they're really gonna take that uh into account
and uh but they're always mean. They always want the
best for me cause they want the best for the team.
They're always gonna relay exactly what they're meaning. So I'm
excited to be right here kind.
Speaker 5 (23:13):
Of building off of that. Do you feel like this
isn't just here? Just like at large? Conflict aversion? Is
that something that people like run from conflict when sometimes
having confrontation and like discussing your problems.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Is that people do that. I don't know what the
what their backgrounds are.
Speaker 12 (23:30):
I just know how always raised like you couldn't escape us,
you might as well go go get your punishment shit
or shoot.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
So uh yeah like it.
Speaker 12 (23:39):
Whatever the conflict is, it's gonna be there tomorrow unless
you go attacking now. So I I like going to
see what it like, what's really being thought, what I
really need to do? Let me fix that right now,
or know what I need to fix that way I
can go do it.
Speaker 10 (23:52):
The younger guys uh lean on you and you can
offer your advice to them. But are there guys that
you lean on, maybe more veteran guys or in tours
that he's still keep in contact with whenever you.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Might have any questions or anything like that.
Speaker 12 (24:04):
Very close with Josh Trayvon uh Eric has been a
good good piece to add cause he's he's done it at.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
A high level for a long time.
Speaker 8 (24:13):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
I got a lot of friends around the league.
Speaker 12 (24:16):
Really, any teammate that I was close with and played
with back in the day, uh one of my stables
I I just watched really like I'll hit.
Speaker 4 (24:23):
Him up sometimes. But Grady Jarrett uh in Atlanta.
Speaker 12 (24:27):
I mean just how he came in the league late
round pick and then what he's made himself into and
he always working and and you know a staple of
the defenses that he's on. Definitely try to emulate my
career off of what I saw from him. So that's
always like a good role model. Obviously, got sometimes some
linebackers come here joint practice. I went to talk to
Levont David uh last year and stuff. He gave me
(24:48):
good advice on how to attack off seasons and stuff
to be able to be playing at a high level
all the way through the season as you as your body.
You know, is he older in the league, So I'm
always looking for for advice and tidbits on how to
get better and stay better.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
So yeah, there's a new strike coach.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Just in terms of your first.
Speaker 11 (25:06):
Impressions of of of him and and sort of the
team and what does that What does that mean for
you guys or from execuities.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Yeah, it's it's good energy.
Speaker 12 (25:14):
Like that's one thing all the way, Like, especially after
the first two days I just worked out with him.
You know, if they're that same person every day, it's
gonna be great for the team. He's gonna grind us.
I think it's gonna be so good for us going forward.
We just gotta have a growth mentality to understand that.
Just cause we feel a little tired today, we keep
on this path, like you gonna be amazing by the
(25:35):
end of Ota, by end of training camp. You know,
I'm excited for where this team can go. Uh lifting
with him and stuff. But he's working us, so I'm
I'm excited.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Yup.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
I don't think your put your work.
Speaker 9 (25:48):
Do you think your position of flexibility from your time
in Yale playing corner, playing safety, then playing linebacker, does
that give you a benefit in like learning all these
different new systems like you said, uh, you know, in
in putting all these different systems every time you get
a new coach.
Speaker 12 (26:02):
Yeah, I think so, just because one you can understand
what other positions are doing, is you're going or you
can understand the why whatever your job responsibility is so important.
Maybe it's to help out the safety, maybe it's help
out a corner in their job responsibility. But I think
it's going forward, like or going through the NFL. As
soon as I came to the NFL, I changed position
to a linebacker. I'm always learning new concepts, new playbook
(26:26):
in order to not have.
Speaker 4 (26:27):
To do well in order to be successful.
Speaker 12 (26:30):
So like coming into a new coordinator, like, it's nothing
new for me in terms of like adapting and learning
and having to execute on the fly. But like as
you said, maybe that flexibility all the way through my
college career has kind of geared me to start thinking
like that, always be able to be able to adapt
with it whatever comes.
Speaker 5 (26:49):
I don't know if you saw over the weekend to
Mario Douglas give it his mom a brand new car.
Did you do something like that when you were drafted
or under that rookie contract?
Speaker 7 (26:58):
You're doing something like that for someone from my parents, parents, siblings, got.
Speaker 12 (27:02):
Yeah, we're pretty frugal, so especially being Nigerian, Like if
you give them something they don't need, they're gonna be like,
why do you do that? So I've definitely been blessed
to not have people that needed that per se. I
think my parents, you know, they didn't have a lot,
but they did a lot to get me to to
square zero. I'd say, able to pay off my student
debts in college, but they haven't handed me in terms
(27:24):
of needing a lot. I've helped people out along the way.
That's our personal relationship. I'm not gonna sit here and
brag about people live health and stuff, but I didn't
have no like even for myself. I think for the
first two years, my biggest expenditure was or expense was
a couch in my apartment. So I got my two
thound Toyota twenty twenty Toyota Camri and that was my
(27:46):
biggest one. But I'm not spending a lot for real,
So I got a house throughout my career. I got
one of those. So that's about it. That's really all
I need.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
Yeah, what's up you guys?
Speaker 10 (28:02):
Good?
Speaker 7 (28:02):
Good, awesome, good great. Have to worry about multies feels great.
It feels great being able to unrestrict it, hold shay
and help out around the house. And obviously the football side,
like work out and throw I'm able to do all
that now. And I'm getting there, which feels feels really good.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
What exactly is the plan as far as you can
as much as you can explain as far as your
return to play right now, what you are able to
do right now.
Speaker 7 (28:32):
Well, I mean, there's not really a set like deadline
on it, just because you know, we don't we don't
play a game till you know, this fall. So obviously
I'm gonna be ready sooner than that. But so I'm
very optimistic I'll be perfectly good for the season. But uh,
as far as just right now, I think just kind
of pacing ourselves as OTAs go and working myself up
(28:53):
to where I'm in shape as far as throwing, and
so just the I guess the amount of throws might
be a little lighter to start and work our way
up just until I get really fully back, but I
imagine that and then maybe just some handoff stuff will
be a little limited. But besides that, I think that
won't last too long, so I don't have a you know, yeah,
I'm throwing, and obviously I'm kind of progressing and working
(29:16):
my way up further distance more throws, just trying to
be smart and not just jump off the you know
end of the deep end, you know right away, just
trying to work up to it.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Most of the guys in attacking the ability to get.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
To come back to it feels great. Just the energy
and the building.
Speaker 7 (29:31):
You know, I've been here a lot just because of
rehab and stuff and trying to get my shoulder healthy,
and so I've been around this off season a lot
more than maybe even typically, So just to have all
the guys back in the building and just bring some
energy and some juice. And I know, from from a
player standpoint, everybody's excited. Everybody in the locker room's pumped
to be back. And then you know the coaching side,
(29:52):
you can feel the energy and the excitement, and those
guys are up here working all off season trying to
get everything ready, so they're chomping at the bit by
the time we get in because they get to actually
do what they love and coach and have the players around.
So I think there's a good balance of just everybody's
excited and very optimistic and a lot of energy.
Speaker 12 (30:08):
Talk a little bit about working with footwork, and you
talk about what that kind.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Of looks like along the way.
Speaker 7 (30:17):
Yeah, just there's some things that you know, there's some
things I've known about my footwork over the years of
playing that I felt like have been a little bit
of a weakness. So there's some things that we've talked
about of just what are those things, what are we
identifying as things to excuse me as things to work on.
And then the system is built around timing and tying
(30:39):
your feet to your progression and playing on time, and
so so it allows you to get backside, allows you
to get to checkdowns or whatever it may be, and
you can feel comfortable playing on time. And more than
any system I've ever learned, it's structured and based on that,
and it's so everything's tied exactly to all, right, this
route is on this timing, so then your next progression
is off of this footwork, off this timing, so it
(30:59):
all ties in perfect. You don't have multiple routes declaring
at the same time, which is hard as a quarterback
because then you're sitting back there and you got to
make a decision before really the guys open or covered,
you know. So I think they've done a really good
job with the system of really thinking through how does
it tie into a quarterbacks feet And that's what we've
been talking about, and it takes some work and you know,
(31:20):
flipping my stands, just some little things like that that
are small that many people wouldn't notice, but it is.
I have so many banked reps of the other way.
I got to just get all these on my own
and and and work them. So once camp comes around,
I'm ready to go. I do you know, I think
it's I just I really believe in it. I believe
in the process, you know what. Obviously it's early, but
(31:43):
as far as just what the main I guess priorities
are going to be for us, and how they see
the game and our offense, what we want to build
it around, like all those things I'm in alignment with.
I think just the few things that we've talked about,
as far as sinking the feet to the progressions into
all these things is really important as a quarterback, you know,
I think I'm gonna be able to to play even
(32:04):
faster and get through progressions and feel confident and trust that.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Really learned from clean take Glasstown. It is a little
bit different from making previous to be learned about that,
and how different.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Is It's a lot different. I think it's hard to
it's hard to compare just the energy and obviously younger guys.
It's just different, a different setup than we've had in
the past. Not to say you know one thing or
the other, it's just it is very different. And I
think all around the coaching staff too, is majority younger guys.
(32:39):
And but the one thing I will say is everyone
is is in alignment and uh, it's the same message
and it's very clear of what's being preached and what
is what the culture is going to be about for
our team, and the messaging is crystal clear. And I
think that's obviously important. And even starting with with James,
you know, having as much time with him, but obviously
(33:03):
I've got to talk to him and really enjoyed that.
And but but from him all the way through all
the whole staff is it's all the same and I
think that's a great starting point for us. Obviously, time
will tell and we have to we have to, you know,
win on the field.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
That's most important.
Speaker 8 (33:16):
But I like where we're at to to not have
or are you or other guys frustrated like we got
to go through another oh should change another new system?
Speaker 5 (33:28):
Like guests, where are you guys were just like five
six years stability.
Speaker 7 (33:33):
Yeah, you know, it's he is. It's challenging for sure,
but I think we're past that point as far as
I don't know if frustration is the right word, but
just starting over is always hard. And obviously, you know,
we had a we had a good year in twenty
two and then things just turned on us over time, unfortunately,
and and didn't play well enough and didn't win enough
(33:55):
games the last two years, and we found ourselves in
this position. So I think going from that to where
we were at and obviously not having a coach and
now we have Liam and we're kind of I'm past
that point of feeling like, gole, you gotta start over again.
But I mean, just to be honest, there is a
little bit of that at first, because it is, you know,
doing it again, and you've done it before and you've
(34:15):
done it a few times, so there's a little bit
of that at first, but I think we're way past that.
I know, guys are really excited. I'm really excited. I'm
just excited to learn this system and to dive in
and put as much work in as I can to
have a great year. And I have a lot of
confidence in the group that we have here. Sure after
the draft, teams in a change even more and what
(34:36):
they're doing upstairs and down the locker room. I really
believe in what we're doing, and so I think that's
where the excitement comes from. Seeing what was said initially
and how it's being carried out. I think is exciting
for me because you're you're seeing that you know, they're
doing all the things that you wanted them to do
and that they said they do from from the beginning.
So it's exciting.
Speaker 5 (34:59):
Can you see a difference since you've known him now
for four years but with Tony now being in the
role that he's in, so is it?
Speaker 4 (35:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (35:06):
Did is there a difference?
Speaker 7 (35:07):
Is that?
Speaker 5 (35:08):
Know? Liam talked about how there was a culture meeting
not just with the team but with the entire staff
in every department.
Speaker 7 (35:14):
Yeah, I mean I've I've known Tony for a while now.
Obviously he has that role, so it's part of his
job description. For I wouldn't say this is his opinion,
but for his input, you know, with the with the staff,
with the team, and he's way more involved like than
he than he was before. But I knew We've had
brief conversations throughout the years, and I can always tell
that that Tony had a lot on his mind, for
(35:37):
one and had a lot that you know, he might
not have been in the role to to voice all that,
but just on our brief interactions, you know, we've had
a great relationship and I feel like I've always could
always be honest with him, and we've been very candid
with each other over the years. And it's been brief,
but it's it's nice seeing him in that role and
being a former player and sitting in our seats, and
(35:58):
how much he cares about this team. You know, that's
why he does it. It's a guy that you know.
I I wouldn't say it was probably his lifelong dream
to be in that role, since he's a kid, like
he's been a player, and he wants to see this
team be great in this city be better too, And
I think that's like, that's what's cool about it is
he's doing it from from that standpoint, not for any
(36:18):
other reason for.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Diving into a new system now for the first time.
Speaker 13 (36:22):
As like a dad, how do you balance now having
to know the difference between a cry when they have
to get changed or their teving they're hungry. How do
you balance having all of that new stuff to know
and they're doing this getting are getting used to a
new system for the first time.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
Yeah, it's uh, it's definitely an adjustment because when you're
home it's not as much. You know, you're not just
sitting around doing doing nothing and have all that time necessarily,
and in some ways you have more time I think
because you make less plans just being a dad. It's
like you don't have as many plans to go out
and do stuff or take trips or whatever. So I
think just in between when she's down for napps, you know,
(37:01):
trying to trying to get into the stuff as much
as I can. Uh, start with formations, motions, all that stuff,
just the base stuff and then starting with some of
the concepts and stuff now and we're gonna start installing
more as a team that we're back in o TA.
So we have this set time here now which is
nice and get to talk with the guys through it.
But yeah, no, it's definitely different. You got a manager
time well, and also you got to be able to
(37:23):
to audible and adjust because Shae wakes up and it's
not hold on, I need like ten more minutes to
finish this, it's it's right then. So it's an adjustment.
But thankfully I got a great wife and uh Shae's mom,
Marissa to to help me with that. She's I mean,
she she does more than I do, so I can't complainer.
Speaker 11 (37:42):
Maybe since you this is your third NFL playbook, just
to learn to all of this substance that you've sort
of done it over the last.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
Couple of years.
Speaker 7 (37:51):
Yeah, there's some things you know, you're you're used to,
You're used to finding ways to like make everything stick.
I think the hard part is when you hear things
that are the same words that mean something different like that.
You've got a lot of systems that kind of go
through your head and you got to really differentiate it
in everything and find a way to to learn it
that way. I think that's maybe the only challenge more
(38:13):
challenging part knowing multiple systems. But for the most part,
I think the formations and motions, all the basic stuff
like that was really hard for me to learn my
rookie year and the play calls, the length, all that
stuff because I just wasn't used to any of it.
Now being in multiple systems like that, that's a lot
that comes more second nature and it's easier to pick
up about playing.
Speaker 10 (38:35):
And I haven't yet.
Speaker 7 (38:38):
You know, I know Baker, I wouldn't say, well, but
we're buddies and every time I see him, you know,
we try to catch up talk. I really got a
lot of respect for him. I haven't got a chance
to yet, but I need to. I've heard through other
people that I've talked to, Baker had different things throughout
the off season that he's just says great things about
him and how much helped him and said I'm gonna
love playing for him. So I've kind of heard that
(39:00):
through I guess mutual friends and stuff.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
Is it gonna be this season without Chrishan? I mean
not just on the field, but those are.
Speaker 7 (39:08):
Your friends, Like, yeah, it's tough. Yeah, it's it's hard.
You know, you build relationships with guys, and you know, unfortunately,
I've I've seen those two guys are a little different
because we spent three years together and I guess the
majority of my time here besides my rookie year. So
it's hard seeing guys go, and it's it's part of
(39:29):
the business, unfortunately, you know, it's just you got to
kind of take it for what it is and move on, honestly,
and but the relationship piece of it will always be there.
Speaker 4 (39:39):
You know.
Speaker 7 (39:39):
We we built special relationships and friendships that thankfully will
last outside of this and being on the same team,
you know. So I think that's the the good thing
about it, because there's certain people, you know, when when
they leave as my guy, but you kind of lose
touch a little bit. But those are two guys that
will always stay in touch. We'll be we'll be close friends.
And obviously I wish nothing but the best for him,
(40:01):
except for twice a year with Christian, and I think
we played the Broncos this year too, so once once
for Evan. So no, those guys, they do it the
right way, and obviously it's it's disappoint they're not here.
Obviously there's a lot that goes into this other than
just than than friendships and relationships, and you know that
part is always gonna be hard. But over the years
(40:22):
you kind of get used to, you know, dealing with
all that stuff. And I talked to I talked to
those guys a lot still, so we're keeping in touch.
Speaker 5 (40:29):
I asked Foy this I'm not gonna tell you, was
answered just you had to clear answer it. But over
the weekend, local guy Tomario Douglas surprised his mat with
a new car. Did you do anything like that when
getting drafted or under your rookie contract or anything like that.
Speaker 7 (40:43):
Nothing that big, not yet. There's stuff I like to
keep private, but no, I haven't done then, haven't done
the car yet?
Speaker 5 (40:51):
Or that's awesome you said in your season ending press conference.
I'm trying to remember. It was obviously after Doug was gone,
Trent was gone yet, but you said that you felt
that a concerted effort to run the ball was needed
and that was what was lacking the.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
Last two and three years.
Speaker 5 (41:07):
Do you feel like there are steps that have been
taken and that are being taken to rectify that.
Speaker 7 (41:12):
Definitely, one hundred percent. You know. I think it's it's
not only it's yeah, it's it's not only just trying
to run the ball, it's what's the plan. I think
everyone tries to run the ball. I think everybody knows
and in football it's important. I mean there's not if
you know football at all, you know that's important. So
I think everybody knows that. But just from the little
(41:33):
that we've gotten into the plan to run the ball
well effectively, efficiently, the way we can adapt throughout games.
Start the season figuring out what we're what we're good at.
Naturally we're gonna be better at certain things than we
are at others. Those things, how you you know, determine
what the defense is going to do, how you see
what they're doing to get yourself in the best play.
(41:54):
There's just so much stuff that I'm excited to learn
and get into that is kind of new for me.
And it's it's more, i think right now for us,
it's gonna be more to learn. It's gonna be more
work put in for all the guys of gonna learn
the system because it's a it's a it's a tough
system to learn, but it's gonna help us play faster.
It's gonna help us be in the right play more
than we're not. It's gonna set us up for success.
(42:16):
But you gotta put the time in and.
Speaker 10 (42:17):
Study, Kirk or heavan those gaps.
Speaker 5 (42:22):
Diffens and stuff. But do you hope how do you
adjust without them?
Speaker 7 (42:26):
Now?
Speaker 5 (42:27):
Do you hope that you have some more targets coming
in soon? Or how do you adjust to the to
losing that.
Speaker 7 (42:34):
I've learned throughout this, uh my time here, just you
can't control who's Honestly, you can't control who's here, who's
gonna be here, who's who's not gonna be here, who's
gonna get traded, who's gonna get released. You don't know
any of that, really, and those are decisions that are
not in my realm. So from what we have here
right now, I know those guys, and obviously Diami's a
(42:56):
new guy, and we got you know, Hunter and Johnny
to two new tight ends as well. I know what
we have to work with, and I'm sure there'll be
additions from the draft.
Speaker 4 (43:05):
Who knows what those are gonna be.
Speaker 7 (43:08):
But I like what we have to be honest, Obviously,
losing Christian and Evan are two big losses. So I
think we got some good guys in free agency, and
I'm sure we'll supplement the draft as well. But it's
a different system, so it's hard to compare apples to
apples of what their usage is gonna be in this system,
and kind of it's just really hard to compare because
they're total two totally different offenses. So I really like,
(43:30):
like I said, Diami and the speed and obviously Brian
is I thought he had some great experience last year
with all the injuries we had of having to just
step up and everyone you were targeting Brian and he's
gonna get majority of the targets, and he still shined
and played well and produced every game. So that was
great practice for him because that's what's gonna happen now
that he's shown that the rest of his career. So
(43:51):
I really like where we're at. Obviously we're gonna keep
getting better, We're gonna have pieces and but yeah, it's
kind of a hard, hard question to answer. I hope
that helped.
Speaker 4 (44:00):
Seems like his role increasing fan this year.
Speaker 2 (44:03):
What have you seen from last year even since he
got drafted.
Speaker 6 (44:06):
Just.
Speaker 7 (44:07):
Britain is beyond ready just the way he practices, the
way he works, I think, you know, I I do
give a lot of credit to Evan. I think him, Uh,
Britain's a hard worker naturally, but coming in and being
behind Evan and having that kind of guy to look
up to, and as as far as Evan's work ethic
and being out there early, staying late, putting in all
the extra time, I think Brenton really fell in line
(44:28):
with that and has kept that going.
Speaker 3 (44:29):
So that piece of.
Speaker 7 (44:31):
It makes you feel really good about him because you
know he's doing everything the right way. And then obviously
his talent on the field. I mean he's a great blocker,
he's nasty, physical, likes blocking like that's something that that
he's good at and likes doing. And then when he
gets the ball in his hands, breaks tackles, he can run,
great hands, he's physical, he really can just he can
do everything you need him to do. So I think
(44:53):
he's beyond ready for this opportunity then, And that's that's
the give and take, right You're you're disappointed, and the
thing with Evan losing a friend, losing a great player,
but Britain gets an opportunity to step up even more,
which which he did a lot at times last year.
So he's gonna he's gonna do great and I'm just
excited to keep building that relationship with him.
Speaker 11 (45:12):
How much do you feel like you put on your
shoulders some of the last couple of years, both mentally
and physically, just feeling like you might have had to
make a play here and there versus maybe now with
the new coaching staff, how they're talking about emphasizing the
ground attack, all the different things that you can kind.
Speaker 2 (45:29):
Of take that off of you. How do you use
sort of compare it to you.
Speaker 7 (45:32):
Yeah, it's uh, there was definitely times I did that,
and you know, I wouldn't say that's That's part of
playing quarterback. You know, you have those those feelings sometimes
and you gotta be able to play the game the
right way at all times and make those calculated risk
decisions whatever it may be. That there'll be time to
do those too. But no matter the offense, you're gonna
have those situations come up where it's like you might
(45:54):
feel like you need to make a play, but you
don't just make the smart play.
Speaker 4 (45:56):
Depends.
Speaker 7 (45:56):
It's all situational based, right if it's fourth down, the
fourth and ten at the end of the game, and
that's different. You know, you're thrown into traffic, You're trying
to make something happen. But that's part of playing quarterback.
And I've grown a lot over the years of learning
when's the right time to take those risks, when is
it when's it worth it? But you're always gonna have that.
But I you know, the hope and the plan is
(46:17):
to have less of those because you're on schedule, you know,
you make the game easier. I think you think a
QB friendly, it's it's how you what's the game plan,
how you call it, what's the sequence of the calls,
how the game flow goes, all all those things like
that's what I think helps a QB out in this league.
It's it's honestly, it is just hard to drop back
(46:39):
every play and make it happen because the pass rush
is so good, the disguises are so good, and it's
just hard. So I think the more variety you can
have just helps you as an offense. App Okay, thanks,
appreciate y'all
Pretty cool. Players are in. It starts now.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
A little bit more.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Oh man, it's been it's been really fun for me
personally to actually be around the guys right to.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Be doing a little bit of football. When you you know, you.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Take a job coming from a position of only doing football,
and then you take a job in this position, you're
you're doing a little bit less of that. And so
today and really, uh, today for sure was a day
where I was able to get into the coaches meetings
with the players, hearing them communicate, us all communicating.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
At a high level.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So that's what really matters, is when getting the players
get in and that's been a blast.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
How would you want to see this sort of playout
over weeks?
Speaker 4 (00:49):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:50):
I think right now we're trying to establish really two
things are the fundamentals and techniques of the schemes, right,
we're not truly diving into this scheme at the moment,
funundamentals and technique, and then as well, our culture, the
way that we're going to play the game, our style
of play. Those are the two things that would like
to be able to get out of this, especially in
(01:10):
phase one where you're not on the grass with the
players we're really installing our basic core fundamentals and principles
and techniques, and then also the culture, our style of play,
and our commitments as well.
Speaker 5 (01:22):
You guys, you guys the option entrevon Are there any
plans with that on the wid right now.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
To pick up the options?
Speaker 1 (01:30):
No plans right now in terms of we're having those
conversations getting used to the player, right, We just got
to get used to them a little bit and get
to know them a little bit. We're excited about them
guy that we we see we can do some things with,
Like we do feel excited about some of his versatility
and experience. So some of those conversations they'll be open
(01:50):
and honest and communicated.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
About this franchise you sent have.
Speaker 5 (01:56):
Can you get that now?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
That's a great We actually had that conversation today with
the players. Was I know that this is not a
physical time. It can't be and it isn't. But the
establishing of the mindset, the way that we're going to
do things the way that we wanted. The meetings, like
Coach Camp brought up today, our meetings should be tough, right,
(02:19):
Like we're learning new information. It's all very new for
everybody that's hard. It's hard to do for a coach,
for a player, it's hard to learn. So when you
do hard things and you come out on the other end,
usually you say, well I got tougher from that. So
we do believe that we can start to establish that.
You know, that was similar in Tampa last year. When
(02:39):
we got to the off season program and got into it,
you could start to see the toughness come out, and.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
The way that we broke the huddle, the way that.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
We communicated, the way that we actually ran off the ball.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
You could see some of that stuff come to life.
Speaker 5 (02:53):
You talked a little bit about the decision.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
I think what No.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Top thirty is it's here that maybe a change in
philosophy of that.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Yeah, I mean I can let James detail that a
little bit more. It's more so just, hey, we're trying
to keep everything that we're doing in house and you know,
trusting we'll do some things possibly virtually and things like
that with guys that we need to have another touch
point with, but ultimately it's not something that we're going
(03:21):
to be interested in doing at the moment.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Through the draft process now as a head Coutch just.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Pushing, Yeah, I mean, special teams matter, so you know,
I mean, for you have to look at the whole, right,
I mean, it's it's starting anew for me in a
lot of ways. Right where you're you've been used to
evaluating offensive players, and then naturally, when you're evaluating offensive players,
defensive players shine, right, and you start to see that.
(03:47):
And then in recruiting and college you're recruiting defensive players
as well. But the whole entirety, how they fit into
the puzzle, the vision, what we're trying to establish, and
how those players end up fit into those situations.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
It's different. It's just a different perspective.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
It's great to listen to the collaboration between personnel and
coaching when it comes to some of these meetings. So
it's been great to listen. I've been doing a little
bit more listening than talking right now.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
You find it.
Speaker 6 (04:17):
Hard to strike a balance between marrying lining up in
twenty twenty five, what's better for the franchise down the road, evaluate.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
A draft prospective.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah, I think ultimately in this world that we're in,
it's what have you done lately?
Speaker 7 (04:33):
Right?
Speaker 1 (04:33):
What are you doing in the now in order to
show success in the show that we're going in the
right direction. So ultimately, you know, we have ten picks.
We're going to lean on some of those guys to
play early on and ultimately we can't be.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Afraid of that.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Right We had three of them in Tampa last year
play and have a lot of success for us. We
can't be afraid of that moment and to play some
young players.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
So the goal is to get better quicker, right.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
With having a vision to having long staying success, long
sustained success, that's important to us. But at the moment,
we're we're looking at winning right.
Speaker 5 (05:15):
Now, the culture supporting thing for right now.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, the building, that's right. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
We had you know, a team meeting about rules and
regulations introductions.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
We had a team meeting.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
As well about our style of play first and foremost,
really before we dive into the culture, we're going to
dive into the way that we're going to play out
on the grass. We also had a culture meeting with
the entire building which was really cool where it was
all departments, everybody was involved and it was just a
cool way of getting together, establishing the communication lines and
(05:52):
how we want to do things and operate.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
So it is very important at this moment in time
for us. Yeah, are you.
Speaker 8 (05:58):
Putting Trevor on any kind of a news growing schedule
or anything like that for the spring.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
He's been working on it himself right now in terms
of like monitoring that with the doctors and with Will
and ferging those guys downstairs. We haven't had anything to
do with it at the moment. As we lead in.
We're optimistic that we'll get there, you know, in terms
of where we need to go. He'll be on a
pitch count for those things, in terms of the where
(06:24):
he has to get to because he has little touch
points he needs to reach before he can obviously get
out onto the grass and do it full speed. Everything's
moving forward. He feels really good right now, so excited
about that.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Time your friends strength and conditioning staff.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
I know with this Rosh's really not having.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Her hands on the tool right now.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I think it could be looked at it as a challenge.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
I think it could also look it's like a blank
slate for these guys because there's no pre existing you know,
just thoughts about anybody. It's just hey man, this is
how we're doing it. These are the things that we're
gonna do while also gearing it towards at some point
here individual development plans for each player. So as we go,
we're setting the standards in the weight room, how we
(07:08):
want to operate. Skills will lift this way, the big
big skill here and the bigs, well, they all have
different weights and things that they're doing, but the mode
of operation, the standard, the communication will all be similar.
So I think it's actually great that they are starting
from scratch and having those relationships be able to be fostered,
and then as we grow get to know each other
(07:30):
a little bit more, those IDPs will become a little
bit more common.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
This portion of the off season is obviously evolu Terry,
how would you evaluate participation right now if your ninety
man roster?
Speaker 1 (07:41):
Very high, very high, Please, very pleased, Very appreciative of
the guys for being here, taking the time, knowing that
it is voluntary.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
But it's definitely setting a positive standard right now.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
The free agents kind of start to integrate themselves.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Yeah, it's big.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
We've signed ten, right and that's a large number of
guys to be able to come in. We've got all
the players faces downstairs in the lobby. As you walk
in new and you know former players and really just
at the end of the day, most players that do
come in, it's like it is a little bit like
being a freshman back in high school again, reintegrating.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
But you know, the.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Goal is for these guys to be able to come in,
work their tails off, earn respect throughout the way that
they're going to be able to, uh, you know, kind
of get through this program and planning. And they've been
positive so far.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Though this is a feeling process.
Speaker 9 (08:36):
You get to know guys, the guys getting to know
you very.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Much, so, you know, but before we can do anything,
we've got to be able to show them at least
we do. We care right, We care first, and we
care about not only the success of the organization but
also the development of the player. And when they know that, hey,
we're here to truly help see you become the best
version of your self both on and off the field.
(09:02):
Once we establish those lines start to have more intimate conversations,
well that's usually when you feel them start to maybe
let the guard down and say, Okay, hey, I'm open
to hearing maybe a new way of learning or a
different way of doing this, and vice versa for coaches
as well.
Speaker 10 (09:19):
The o line. Do you are you satisfied with the
free agents or are you still looking at that room
a little bit more?
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Yeah, I think from that standpoint, we're always looking.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
To add to the roster, whether it's through the draft,
free agency, things like that. But I do believe we
brought in some some players to come help compete in
that room, a couple you know, obviously with Hainesy knowing
the system and McCary playing a lot of football and
guys coming in, Uh, it's only gonna help, right, help
add competitiveness to the room, and also just some accountability
(09:51):
to uh, knowing the system, that'll help everybody in that room.
So it's cool both of our you know, both of
our centers actually know a version of the system in
different ways. But it's only going to help bringing those
guys in.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
To go back to it, I know you said.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
You guys are still evaluating with Devin, but why were
you so confident in hacking up a fifth year options
portrayed on at this point?
Speaker 1 (10:13):
You know, it's just the type of guy getting to
know them a little bit and knowing that, hey, this
is something we we know we want to be a
part of, right, we want to have this relationship and
now once we get them into the building under our
roof getting to know each other a little bit more
and creating those conversations.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
I think that was really what stood.
Speaker 11 (10:32):
Out I think last week or whatever it means, the.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Power of touch in that study? Did gott intrigue when
you first learned about that? Is that something you really
want to incorporate here in the cultures established?
Speaker 3 (10:45):
That's right?
Speaker 1 (10:46):
You know, you just look at connection and nowadays connections
so hard to actually create because so much of our
lives are you know, on the phone and just having
interpersonal conversations. And also you know, just the old fist bump,
the high five that you know, chess bump, like just
that helps bring people together. You look at every free
(11:08):
throw a basketball player shoots and it's here, and so
how do we continue to add that into Like as
a kid, when you were taught to celebrate, what did
that look like? And that's what we're ultimately trying to
get to is bringing the team together, bringing the coaches
and staff together to do something that that ultimately we've
(11:29):
never done before.
Speaker 9 (11:30):
So Money came out last week and it showed you
going back home and being able to spend some time
with your family.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Just how much does that mean to you? Just being
able to do that after you know a your dream.
Speaker 3 (11:40):
I appreciate that question. Yeah, that was really cool.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
It was It was when you've wanted something for so
long and the people that helped raise you and that
we're around that saw that from a young age and
we're able to support you throughout those times and getting
to that goal, Uh, to share those moms in that
time that we don't usually get it was really special.
(12:04):
It's hard when you move around in this profession or
in any profession that we live in, it becomes hard
to become closer with family.
Speaker 3 (12:12):
And that was a really special weekend.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Coach.
Speaker 6 (12:15):
A lot of people like this time of year looking
for tennisies, right you guys don't have any yet.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
They want to go to the rams over the Bucks
to pre baby.
Speaker 6 (12:24):
Camp and either what's the process been like for you
to make this and create this as your own individual thing?
Speaker 1 (12:29):
That's a great one. You're always pulling, right, everybody's pulling
from different places to ultimately make it ours right, And
we've got to watch those tapes of where we all
came from and Okay, find out what is the twenty
five Jags, though, like, how does this fit us? If
(12:51):
we may not have that answer right now. That's the
kind of cool part is we're going to throw as
much at these guys mentally in this offseason as much
as we can handle, and probably more, much more.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
Actually, because it's not a physical.
Speaker 1 (13:06):
Time of the year, it's the time of the year
we can stress the mentally ultimately throw that as much
at them as we can from Minnesota, from Tampa, from
LA from Green Bay, whatever it is, and see what
we can handle. We're not going to know who we're
truly going to be for a while, but it's more
so testing to see how much they can handle and
(13:28):
if maybe some of those concept schemes fundamentals fit our players.
That's a great question because that's something that we're constantly
working through right now as the staff.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
You said on Sirius XM.
Speaker 10 (13:41):
In building Trevor into what you guys ultimately wanted to be,
the footwork has to be something where you start kind
of aground zero.
Speaker 5 (13:47):
Can you work on that now? Nobody's injury was to
his shoulder as much as you can kind of illustrate.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Maybe right, I mean, as we've gotten him now in
the building. We are trying to create black and white
lines when it comes to footwork in ways, so that
understanding that the game is played in the gray.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
There's so much that occurs on a play.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
If you can have core fundamentals in footwork and that
you believe in and that you trust in those times
of crisis, you have something to actually fall back on
and play with a quieted mind. And so this is
a great opportunity now that he is a little limited
from a throwing standpoint, that we can dive into the footwork.
He can dive into it on his own time and
(14:31):
really work at this thing.
Speaker 3 (14:32):
So he's committed to it.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
It's something that we feel strongly about that can help
him continue to get better and ultimately on Sundays, you know,
we hope that shows up.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
That's one from what you've seen with Trevor over the
last few years on.
Speaker 11 (14:48):
Tape, just how much does he need to push to
change that footwork.
Speaker 6 (14:53):
Or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
It's not really a change, just tweaking.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
He's extremely talented, and he's made some unbelievable plays and
critical moments and led some huge comebacks. He's played hurt,
He's done so many good things now, it's just about, okay,
how do we fine tune it and just tighten it
up a little bit to get him in a place
where he's comfortable to cut the ball loose on time
(15:16):
and in rhythm, regardless of the circumstances. And that's really
what it comes down to, being able to give him
some balance around him so that he can feel like, man,
not every play is on me, right, not every play
I got, Every throw I have to make is going
to have to be life for death man. We've got
to create some balance for him so that he can
(15:37):
just go play quieted with a you know, free of
failure and just go let it rip.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
Thank you so much. Yeah, thanks guys, really bad.
Speaker 12 (15:48):
Fine excited a lot of good energy in the building,
righty to all improve together and get the same rolling
for sure. It's like I said earlier, it's exciting for real.
They come in with their own energy kind of Yeah,
new energy to the team. Obviously a little bit younger,
but I feel like this resonates a little bit better
(16:08):
in the room and everything right now. But just you know,
the passion that they speak with every time they're speaking
definitely rubs off on us the right way.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
And just take that into all of our workouts.
Speaker 12 (16:19):
Take that and you know, when we get on the
field together, a lot of guys are all willing to improve
and get better together as a team.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
What do you think the challenges for you guys this year?
Just with all the new, with all the new, I.
Speaker 12 (16:31):
Think that's a challenge every time you step into a
new system or new coordinators, new coaches. One just embracing coaching.
Two just trusting what they have in store, trusting their plan.
And then three just you know, understanding whatever the scheme
is or whatever the plans are, and playing you're still
your best football. I think that's always gonna be a
challenge when you got new teammates, new coaches and everything.
(16:54):
So just really embracing everything and trusting that everything's meant
for the better of the team.
Speaker 10 (16:59):
Are there any coach you've previously had that you could
compare communications style, energy, coaching camp too?
Speaker 12 (17:06):
I don't think so. I mean, he he in Northeastern
do I've ad to maybe in like college and stuff it.
You know, I don't think of coach though, but I
I've I've seen personality similar, but not you know, at
the coaching level. It's It's really cool though, Like I
love his energy that he brings in the passion that
he talks with.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
I feel like it's gonna be contagious for the defense.
Speaker 5 (17:25):
The follow up question is have.
Speaker 10 (17:26):
You seen the Hard Knocks Club about ask what big
is a international language?
Speaker 4 (17:31):
I have? I don't watch hard not so now it.
Speaker 5 (17:33):
Was on the internet. Family your apparently you in a
s in a speech to the entire team.
Speaker 4 (17:36):
Really her too, I m'a have to go watch that
to night.
Speaker 7 (17:38):
There were the votor.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Boat or coach go and talk about its stiling this
culture and all of other stuff?
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Did was there a badly needed culture change here?
Speaker 5 (17:47):
Did you guys badly be in culture here?
Speaker 4 (17:50):
We didn't win last year?
Speaker 12 (17:51):
So I think whatever changes that are coming are accepted
because obviously we didn't play up to the standard that
we needed. So whatever was going on, right, you know,
if it's if it's we can't really promise more wins.
But obviously we needed maybe a new way to attack
the season, a new way to attack the off seasons
and stuff. So I think everybody is very accepting of
everything new that's in store for us. You know that
(18:13):
that equates to more wins.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
Where did you play. I'm sorry, right where do you play?
Does a linement really matter?
Speaker 11 (18:21):
Do you do?
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Is it better for you to have a zero or
a nose tackle? In some schemes they don't have that
way they have.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
I think it depends on the team that we're playing.
Speaker 12 (18:28):
For real, I think I want my lineman to eat
more than than me, because if they're getting that, they're
disruptive giving off the ball. If I feel like that
we have a zero that can beat up their center,
he can disrupt every play, it's gonna make my job easier.
So at the end of the day, I feel like
what's best for them is gonna be the best for me.
Speaker 4 (18:46):
Obviously, sometimes you want your guard.
Speaker 12 (18:48):
If they have good guards, they get up to that
second level if we can maybe disrupt that. But at
the end of the day, it's still the line of
eating first. And I feel like, whatever long we got
linean doing everything, I feel like I'm good to go.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
Coaching stuff before. Does it wear on you at.
Speaker 12 (19:03):
Some point it's like another system like I've learned and it's.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
What trained for years.
Speaker 4 (19:07):
I mean, I can be real with you.
Speaker 12 (19:09):
I think that that might be a something that's not
talked about A lot. But I think going through a
lot of coaches, a lot of systems, whether offensively or defensively,
can can take a toll. But you know, I think
if you go about it with the right mindset of
learning and understanding that it can make your game better,
accepting what they're trying to coach you on and stuff like.
After that, being in so many different schemes, you kind
(19:30):
of seen everything, so you know, these guys are gonna
push me, and I feel like it's coming at a
great time in my career. It's like get better or
you know, obviously better than what I had last year,
or you know, you don't know what's gonna happen after this,
So I'm taking every challenge on, you know, ready to
go attacking everything.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
But I'm I'm definitely very.
Speaker 12 (19:49):
Excited to accept new coaching and and and new understandings
of defense.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
When did when did you kind of get to that realization?
Is that something that you're kind of always known.
Speaker 4 (19:57):
Or nah, I definitely didn't always know that. Yeah I
had to.
Speaker 12 (20:02):
You know, I think if you're new in the league,
being in the same system gonna benefit you for for
for like, let's say that rookie contract because now you're
not you know, always second guess and stuff like everything's
kind of set in stone.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
You're just playing.
Speaker 12 (20:14):
Football based off with the offense does instead of worrying
about what you do. I had a new coach my
last my last year in Atlanta, that was, you know,
learning something on the fly, and the contract year is
like get better or get out to me.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
That's kind of pressure I put on myself. Uh.
Speaker 12 (20:28):
Fortunately I was able to play well and I came here,
had a new coach. You know, it was meat expectations
or they're gonna move on, you know, and then all
of a sudden you get a new coach. Now it's
like rockster, the expectation, rochter, raise your level of player.
You know, you know know what's gonna happen. So I
think it's always cool. Challenges that I feel like are
good for the growth of individually, but they they are
(20:50):
hard in the moment to like maybe unlearned and relearn.
But you know, I'm a professional football players my job,
so that's what I gotta do.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Young guys in the linebacker room with you, maybe on
their first contracts, have been going through different coaching, They've
been leading on you heavily through.
Speaker 12 (21:08):
I think we all got pretty we're all pretty bright,
very talented. I definitely always offer my advice because the
better we all play, you know, it's gonna be good
for the room, gonna be good for the team. But yeah,
if they have questions about what I'm seeing, for sure,
I'm I'm always offering my expertise. I say, but we're
(21:30):
very they're very bright, the rest of the guys and stuff.
So like you know, I got all the comments to
them to pick up new stuff. I've seen it two
times now, being able to uh play at the high level.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
To see Trayvon get the fifty year option picked up
for I mean you I I had a feeling smile
when I say that. For you guys, you've been here
a couple of years.
Speaker 12 (21:48):
What does he mean to that collective or you know,
I I've seen his growth from his rookie year to
now and even last year when you know, things were
kind of going awry and stuff, he was still putting
this as foot forward. I like his work ethic as
a player, you know, schemes whatever, I just like his
work ethics. So I feel like, uh, and the scheme's
gonna benefit him as the coaches who you use his
(22:10):
his talent and hard work and his mentality to his
the best of his ability. He only discouts a limit
for him, so I always you know that he's athletics
specimen and stuff, but he also got that hard work
and mentality, so I I just love being around him.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
He talked a little bit about getting a coach camp,
but he.
Speaker 12 (22:25):
Tuld aboutetting he's cool. I mean, like I said, these
coaches got they they got a great personality and a
lot of good energy.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
So I think they're very direct.
Speaker 12 (22:37):
I think they're you know, they're very relatable, but they
always give it that they shoot it straight.
Speaker 4 (22:43):
That that makes sense. So I'm excited to.
Speaker 12 (22:45):
Be around people like that because I don't like shying
away from what needs to be said or what I
need to do.
Speaker 4 (22:51):
But also like allows for a growth mindset.
Speaker 12 (22:53):
Like if I feel like I'm seeing something I don't
feel because it's so honest of a relationship between us
or will be, I can go to them say what
I'm and they're really gonna take that uh into account
and uh but they're always mean. They always want the
best for me cause they want the best for the team.
They're always gonna relay exactly what they're meaning. So I'm
excited to be right here kind.
Speaker 5 (23:13):
Of building off of that. Do you feel like this
isn't just here? Just like at large? Conflict aversion? Is
that something that people like run from conflict when sometimes
having confrontation and like discussing your problems.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Is that people do that. I don't know what the
what their backgrounds are.
Speaker 12 (23:30):
I just know how always raised like you couldn't escape us,
you might as well go go get your punishment shit
or shoot.
Speaker 4 (23:36):
So uh yeah like it.
Speaker 12 (23:39):
Whatever the conflict is, it's gonna be there tomorrow unless
you go attacking now. So I I like going to
see what it like, what's really being thought, what I
really need to do? Let me fix that right now,
or know what I need to fix that way I
can go do it.
Speaker 10 (23:52):
The younger guys uh lean on you and you can
offer your advice to them. But are there guys that
you lean on, maybe more veteran guys or in tours
that he's still keep in contact with whenever you.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Might have any questions or anything like that.
Speaker 12 (24:04):
Very close with Josh Trayvon uh Eric has been a
good good piece to add cause he's he's done it at.
Speaker 4 (24:11):
A high level for a long time.
Speaker 8 (24:13):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (24:13):
I got a lot of friends around the league.
Speaker 12 (24:16):
Really, any teammate that I was close with and played
with back in the day, uh one of my stables
I I just watched really like I'll hit.
Speaker 4 (24:23):
Him up sometimes. But Grady Jarrett uh in Atlanta.
Speaker 12 (24:27):
I mean just how he came in the league late
round pick and then what he's made himself into and
he always working and and you know a staple of
the defenses that he's on. Definitely try to emulate my
career off of what I saw from him. So that's
always like a good role model. Obviously, got sometimes some
linebackers come here joint practice. I went to talk to
Levont David uh last year and stuff. He gave me
(24:48):
good advice on how to attack off seasons and stuff
to be able to be playing at a high level
all the way through the season as you as your body.
You know, is he older in the league, So I'm
always looking for for advice and tidbits on how to
get better and stay better.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
So yeah, there's a new strike coach.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Just in terms of your first.
Speaker 11 (25:06):
Impressions of of of him and and sort of the
team and what does that What does that mean for
you guys or from execuities.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
Yeah, it's it's good energy.
Speaker 12 (25:14):
Like that's one thing all the way, Like, especially after
the first two days I just worked out with him.
You know, if they're that same person every day, it's
gonna be great for the team. He's gonna grind us.
I think it's gonna be so good for us going forward.
We just gotta have a growth mentality to understand that.
Just cause we feel a little tired today, we keep
on this path, like you gonna be amazing by the
(25:35):
end of Ota, by end of training camp. You know,
I'm excited for where this team can go. Uh lifting
with him and stuff. But he's working us, so I'm
I'm excited.
Speaker 4 (25:46):
Yup.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
I don't think your put your work.
Speaker 9 (25:48):
Do you think your position of flexibility from your time
in Yale playing corner, playing safety, then playing linebacker, does
that give you a benefit in like learning all these
different new systems like you said, uh, you know, in
in putting all these different systems every time you get
a new coach.
Speaker 12 (26:02):
Yeah, I think so, just because one you can understand
what other positions are doing, is you're going or you
can understand the why whatever your job responsibility is so important.
Maybe it's to help out the safety, maybe it's help
out a corner in their job responsibility. But I think
it's going forward, like or going through the NFL. As
soon as I came to the NFL, I changed position
to a linebacker. I'm always learning new concepts, new playbook
(26:26):
in order to not have.
Speaker 4 (26:27):
To do well in order to be successful.
Speaker 12 (26:30):
So like coming into a new coordinator, like, it's nothing
new for me in terms of like adapting and learning
and having to execute on the fly. But like as
you said, maybe that flexibility all the way through my
college career has kind of geared me to start thinking
like that, always be able to be able to adapt
with it whatever comes.
Speaker 5 (26:49):
I don't know if you saw over the weekend to
Mario Douglas give it his mom a brand new car.
Did you do something like that when you were drafted
or under that rookie contract?
Speaker 7 (26:58):
You're doing something like that for someone from my parents, parents, siblings, got.
Speaker 12 (27:02):
Yeah, we're pretty frugal, so especially being Nigerian, Like if
you give them something they don't need, they're gonna be like,
why do you do that? So I've definitely been blessed
to not have people that needed that per se. I
think my parents, you know, they didn't have a lot,
but they did a lot to get me to to
square zero. I'd say, able to pay off my student
debts in college, but they haven't handed me in terms
(27:24):
of needing a lot. I've helped people out along the way.
That's our personal relationship. I'm not gonna sit here and
brag about people live health and stuff, but I didn't
have no like even for myself. I think for the
first two years, my biggest expenditure was or expense was
a couch in my apartment. So I got my two
thound Toyota twenty twenty Toyota Camri and that was my
(27:46):
biggest one. But I'm not spending a lot for real,
So I got a house throughout my career. I got
one of those. So that's about it. That's really all
I need.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
Yeah, what's up you guys?
Speaker 10 (28:02):
Good?
Speaker 7 (28:02):
Good, awesome, good great. Have to worry about multies feels great.
It feels great being able to unrestrict it, hold shay
and help out around the house. And obviously the football side,
like work out and throw I'm able to do all
that now. And I'm getting there, which feels feels really good.
Speaker 5 (28:24):
What exactly is the plan as far as you can
as much as you can explain as far as your
return to play right now, what you are able to
do right now.
Speaker 7 (28:32):
Well, I mean, there's not really a set like deadline
on it, just because you know, we don't we don't
play a game till you know, this fall. So obviously
I'm gonna be ready sooner than that. But so I'm
very optimistic I'll be perfectly good for the season. But uh,
as far as just right now, I think just kind
of pacing ourselves as OTAs go and working myself up
(28:53):
to where I'm in shape as far as throwing, and
so just the I guess the amount of throws might
be a little lighter to start and work our way
up just until I get really fully back, but I
imagine that and then maybe just some handoff stuff will
be a little limited. But besides that, I think that
won't last too long, so I don't have a you know, yeah,
I'm throwing, and obviously I'm kind of progressing and working
(29:16):
my way up further distance more throws, just trying to
be smart and not just jump off the you know
end of the deep end, you know right away, just
trying to work up to it.
Speaker 2 (29:26):
Most of the guys in attacking the ability to get.
Speaker 3 (29:27):
To come back to it feels great. Just the energy
and the building.
Speaker 7 (29:31):
You know, I've been here a lot just because of
rehab and stuff and trying to get my shoulder healthy,
and so I've been around this off season a lot
more than maybe even typically, So just to have all
the guys back in the building and just bring some
energy and some juice. And I know, from from a
player standpoint, everybody's excited. Everybody in the locker room's pumped
to be back. And then you know the coaching side,
(29:52):
you can feel the energy and the excitement, and those
guys are up here working all off season trying to
get everything ready, so they're chomping at the bit by
the time we get in because they get to actually
do what they love and coach and have the players around.
So I think there's a good balance of just everybody's
excited and very optimistic and a lot of energy.
Speaker 12 (30:08):
Talk a little bit about working with footwork, and you
talk about what that kind.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Of looks like along the way.
Speaker 7 (30:17):
Yeah, just there's some things that you know, there's some
things I've known about my footwork over the years of
playing that I felt like have been a little bit
of a weakness. So there's some things that we've talked
about of just what are those things, what are we
identifying as things to excuse me as things to work on.
And then the system is built around timing and tying
(30:39):
your feet to your progression and playing on time, and
so so it allows you to get backside, allows you
to get to checkdowns or whatever it may be, and
you can feel comfortable playing on time. And more than
any system I've ever learned, it's structured and based on that,
and it's so everything's tied exactly to all, right, this
route is on this timing, so then your next progression
is off of this footwork, off this timing, so it
(30:59):
all ties in perfect. You don't have multiple routes declaring
at the same time, which is hard as a quarterback
because then you're sitting back there and you got to
make a decision before really the guys open or covered,
you know. So I think they've done a really good
job with the system of really thinking through how does
it tie into a quarterbacks feet And that's what we've
been talking about, and it takes some work and you know,
(31:20):
flipping my stands, just some little things like that that
are small that many people wouldn't notice, but it is.
I have so many banked reps of the other way.
I got to just get all these on my own
and and and work them. So once camp comes around,
I'm ready to go. I do you know, I think
it's I just I really believe in it. I believe
in the process, you know what. Obviously it's early, but
(31:43):
as far as just what the main I guess priorities
are going to be for us, and how they see
the game and our offense, what we want to build
it around, like all those things I'm in alignment with.
I think just the few things that we've talked about,
as far as sinking the feet to the progressions into
all these things is really important as a quarterback, you know,
I think I'm gonna be able to to play even
(32:04):
faster and get through progressions and feel confident and trust that.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Really learned from clean take Glasstown. It is a little
bit different from making previous to be learned about that,
and how different.
Speaker 7 (32:16):
Is It's a lot different. I think it's hard to
it's hard to compare just the energy and obviously younger guys.
It's just different, a different setup than we've had in
the past. Not to say you know one thing or
the other, it's just it is very different. And I
think all around the coaching staff too, is majority younger guys.
(32:39):
And but the one thing I will say is everyone
is is in alignment and uh, it's the same message
and it's very clear of what's being preached and what
is what the culture is going to be about for
our team, and the messaging is crystal clear. And I
think that's obviously important. And even starting with with James,
you know, having as much time with him, but obviously
(33:03):
I've got to talk to him and really enjoyed that.
And but but from him all the way through all
the whole staff is it's all the same and I
think that's a great starting point for us. Obviously, time
will tell and we have to we have to, you know,
win on the field.
Speaker 4 (33:15):
That's most important.
Speaker 8 (33:16):
But I like where we're at to to not have
or are you or other guys frustrated like we got
to go through another oh should change another new system?
Speaker 5 (33:28):
Like guests, where are you guys were just like five
six years stability.
Speaker 7 (33:33):
Yeah, you know, it's he is. It's challenging for sure,
but I think we're past that point as far as
I don't know if frustration is the right word, but
just starting over is always hard. And obviously, you know,
we had a we had a good year in twenty
two and then things just turned on us over time, unfortunately,
and and didn't play well enough and didn't win enough
(33:55):
games the last two years, and we found ourselves in
this position. So I think going from that to where
we were at and obviously not having a coach and
now we have Liam and we're kind of I'm past
that point of feeling like, gole, you gotta start over again.
But I mean, just to be honest, there is a
little bit of that at first, because it is, you know,
doing it again, and you've done it before and you've
(34:15):
done it a few times, so there's a little bit
of that at first, but I think we're way past that.
I know, guys are really excited. I'm really excited. I'm
just excited to learn this system and to dive in
and put as much work in as I can to
have a great year. And I have a lot of
confidence in the group that we have here. Sure after
the draft, teams in a change even more and what
(34:36):
they're doing upstairs and down the locker room. I really
believe in what we're doing, and so I think that's
where the excitement comes from. Seeing what was said initially
and how it's being carried out. I think is exciting
for me because you're you're seeing that you know, they're
doing all the things that you wanted them to do
and that they said they do from from the beginning.
So it's exciting.
Speaker 5 (34:59):
Can you see a difference since you've known him now
for four years but with Tony now being in the
role that he's in, so is it?
Speaker 4 (35:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (35:06):
Did is there a difference?
Speaker 7 (35:07):
Is that?
Speaker 5 (35:08):
Know? Liam talked about how there was a culture meeting
not just with the team but with the entire staff
in every department.
Speaker 7 (35:14):
Yeah, I mean I've I've known Tony for a while now.
Obviously he has that role, so it's part of his
job description. For I wouldn't say this is his opinion,
but for his input, you know, with the with the staff,
with the team, and he's way more involved like than
he than he was before. But I knew We've had
brief conversations throughout the years, and I can always tell
that that Tony had a lot on his mind, for
(35:37):
one and had a lot that you know, he might
not have been in the role to to voice all that,
but just on our brief interactions, you know, we've had
a great relationship and I feel like I've always could
always be honest with him, and we've been very candid
with each other over the years. And it's been brief,
but it's it's nice seeing him in that role and
being a former player and sitting in our seats, and
(35:58):
how much he cares about this team. You know, that's
why he does it. It's a guy that you know.
I I wouldn't say it was probably his lifelong dream
to be in that role, since he's a kid, like
he's been a player, and he wants to see this
team be great in this city be better too, And
I think that's like, that's what's cool about it is
he's doing it from from that standpoint, not for any
(36:18):
other reason for.
Speaker 2 (36:20):
Diving into a new system now for the first time.
Speaker 13 (36:22):
As like a dad, how do you balance now having
to know the difference between a cry when they have
to get changed or their teving they're hungry. How do
you balance having all of that new stuff to know
and they're doing this getting are getting used to a
new system for the first time.
Speaker 7 (36:40):
Yeah, it's uh, it's definitely an adjustment because when you're
home it's not as much. You know, you're not just
sitting around doing doing nothing and have all that time necessarily,
and in some ways you have more time I think
because you make less plans just being a dad. It's
like you don't have as many plans to go out
and do stuff or take trips or whatever. So I
think just in between when she's down for napps, you know,
(37:01):
trying to trying to get into the stuff as much
as I can. Uh, start with formations, motions, all that stuff,
just the base stuff and then starting with some of
the concepts and stuff now and we're gonna start installing
more as a team that we're back in o TA.
So we have this set time here now which is
nice and get to talk with the guys through it.
But yeah, no, it's definitely different. You got a manager
time well, and also you got to be able to
(37:23):
to audible and adjust because Shae wakes up and it's
not hold on, I need like ten more minutes to
finish this, it's it's right then. So it's an adjustment.
But thankfully I got a great wife and uh Shae's mom,
Marissa to to help me with that. She's I mean,
she she does more than I do, so I can't complainer.
Speaker 11 (37:42):
Maybe since you this is your third NFL playbook, just
to learn to all of this substance that you've sort
of done it over the last.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
Couple of years.
Speaker 7 (37:51):
Yeah, there's some things you know, you're you're used to,
You're used to finding ways to like make everything stick.
I think the hard part is when you hear things
that are the same words that mean something different like that.
You've got a lot of systems that kind of go
through your head and you got to really differentiate it
in everything and find a way to to learn it
that way. I think that's maybe the only challenge more
(38:13):
challenging part knowing multiple systems. But for the most part,
I think the formations and motions, all the basic stuff
like that was really hard for me to learn my
rookie year and the play calls, the length, all that
stuff because I just wasn't used to any of it.
Now being in multiple systems like that, that's a lot
that comes more second nature and it's easier to pick
up about playing.
Speaker 10 (38:35):
And I haven't yet.
Speaker 7 (38:38):
You know, I know Baker, I wouldn't say, well, but
we're buddies and every time I see him, you know,
we try to catch up talk. I really got a
lot of respect for him. I haven't got a chance
to yet, but I need to. I've heard through other
people that I've talked to, Baker had different things throughout
the off season that he's just says great things about
him and how much helped him and said I'm gonna
love playing for him. So I've kind of heard that
(39:00):
through I guess mutual friends and stuff.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
Is it gonna be this season without Chrishan? I mean
not just on the field, but those are.
Speaker 7 (39:08):
Your friends, Like, yeah, it's tough. Yeah, it's it's hard.
You know, you build relationships with guys, and you know, unfortunately,
I've I've seen those two guys are a little different
because we spent three years together and I guess the
majority of my time here besides my rookie year. So
it's hard seeing guys go, and it's it's part of
(39:29):
the business, unfortunately, you know, it's just you got to
kind of take it for what it is and move on, honestly,
and but the relationship piece of it will always be there.
Speaker 4 (39:39):
You know.
Speaker 7 (39:39):
We we built special relationships and friendships that thankfully will
last outside of this and being on the same team,
you know. So I think that's the the good thing
about it, because there's certain people, you know, when when
they leave as my guy, but you kind of lose
touch a little bit. But those are two guys that
will always stay in touch. We'll be we'll be close friends.
And obviously I wish nothing but the best for him,
(40:01):
except for twice a year with Christian, and I think
we played the Broncos this year too, so once once
for Evan. So no, those guys, they do it the
right way, and obviously it's it's disappoint they're not here.
Obviously there's a lot that goes into this other than
just than than friendships and relationships, and you know that
part is always gonna be hard. But over the years
(40:22):
you kind of get used to, you know, dealing with
all that stuff. And I talked to I talked to
those guys a lot still, so we're keeping in touch.
Speaker 5 (40:29):
I asked Foy this I'm not gonna tell you, was
answered just you had to clear answer it. But over
the weekend, local guy Tomario Douglas surprised his mat with
a new car. Did you do anything like that when
getting drafted or under your rookie contract or anything like that.
Speaker 7 (40:43):
Nothing that big, not yet. There's stuff I like to
keep private, but no, I haven't done then, haven't done
the car yet?
Speaker 5 (40:51):
Or that's awesome you said in your season ending press conference.
I'm trying to remember. It was obviously after Doug was gone,
Trent was gone yet, but you said that you felt
that a concerted effort to run the ball was needed
and that was what was lacking the.
Speaker 2 (41:05):
Last two and three years.
Speaker 5 (41:07):
Do you feel like there are steps that have been
taken and that are being taken to rectify that.
Speaker 7 (41:12):
Definitely, one hundred percent. You know. I think it's it's
not only it's yeah, it's it's not only just trying
to run the ball, it's what's the plan. I think
everyone tries to run the ball. I think everybody knows
and in football it's important. I mean there's not if
you know football at all, you know that's important. So
I think everybody knows that. But just from the little
(41:33):
that we've gotten into the plan to run the ball
well effectively, efficiently, the way we can adapt throughout games.
Start the season figuring out what we're what we're good at.
Naturally we're gonna be better at certain things than we
are at others. Those things, how you you know, determine
what the defense is going to do, how you see
what they're doing to get yourself in the best play.
(41:54):
There's just so much stuff that I'm excited to learn
and get into that is kind of new for me.
And it's it's more, i think right now for us,
it's gonna be more to learn. It's gonna be more
work put in for all the guys of gonna learn
the system because it's a it's a it's a tough
system to learn, but it's gonna help us play faster.
It's gonna help us be in the right play more
than we're not. It's gonna set us up for success.
(42:16):
But you gotta put the time in and.
Speaker 10 (42:17):
Study, Kirk or heavan those gaps.
Speaker 5 (42:22):
Diffens and stuff. But do you hope how do you
adjust without them?
Speaker 7 (42:26):
Now?
Speaker 5 (42:27):
Do you hope that you have some more targets coming
in soon? Or how do you adjust to the to
losing that.
Speaker 7 (42:34):
I've learned throughout this, uh my time here, just you
can't control who's Honestly, you can't control who's here, who's
gonna be here, who's who's not gonna be here, who's
gonna get traded, who's gonna get released. You don't know
any of that, really, and those are decisions that are
not in my realm. So from what we have here
right now, I know those guys, and obviously Diami's a
(42:56):
new guy, and we got you know, Hunter and Johnny
to two new tight ends as well. I know what
we have to work with, and I'm sure there'll be
additions from the draft.
Speaker 4 (43:05):
Who knows what those are gonna be.
Speaker 7 (43:08):
But I like what we have to be honest, Obviously,
losing Christian and Evan are two big losses. So I
think we got some good guys in free agency, and
I'm sure we'll supplement the draft as well. But it's
a different system, so it's hard to compare apples to
apples of what their usage is gonna be in this system,
and kind of it's just really hard to compare because
they're total two totally different offenses. So I really like,
(43:30):
like I said, Diami and the speed and obviously Brian
is I thought he had some great experience last year
with all the injuries we had of having to just
step up and everyone you were targeting Brian and he's
gonna get majority of the targets, and he still shined
and played well and produced every game. So that was
great practice for him because that's what's gonna happen now
that he's shown that the rest of his career. So
(43:51):
I really like where we're at. Obviously we're gonna keep
getting better, We're gonna have pieces and but yeah, it's
kind of a hard, hard question to answer. I hope
that helped.
Speaker 4 (44:00):
Seems like his role increasing fan this year.
Speaker 2 (44:03):
What have you seen from last year even since he
got drafted.
Speaker 6 (44:06):
Just.
Speaker 7 (44:07):
Britain is beyond ready just the way he practices, the
way he works, I think, you know, I I do
give a lot of credit to Evan. I think him, Uh,
Britain's a hard worker naturally, but coming in and being
behind Evan and having that kind of guy to look
up to, and as as far as Evan's work ethic
and being out there early, staying late, putting in all
the extra time, I think Brenton really fell in line
(44:28):
with that and has kept that going.
Speaker 3 (44:29):
So that piece of.
Speaker 7 (44:31):
It makes you feel really good about him because you
know he's doing everything the right way. And then obviously
his talent on the field. I mean he's a great blocker,
he's nasty, physical, likes blocking like that's something that that
he's good at and likes doing. And then when he
gets the ball in his hands, breaks tackles, he can run,
great hands, he's physical, he really can just he can
do everything you need him to do. So I think
(44:53):
he's beyond ready for this opportunity then, And that's that's
the give and take, right You're you're disappointed, and the
thing with Evan losing a friend, losing a great player,
but Britain gets an opportunity to step up even more,
which which he did a lot at times last year.
So he's gonna he's gonna do great and I'm just
excited to keep building that relationship with him.
Speaker 11 (45:12):
How much do you feel like you put on your
shoulders some of the last couple of years, both mentally
and physically, just feeling like you might have had to
make a play here and there versus maybe now with
the new coaching staff, how they're talking about emphasizing the
ground attack, all the different things that you can kind.
Speaker 2 (45:29):
Of take that off of you. How do you use
sort of compare it to you.
Speaker 7 (45:32):
Yeah, it's uh, there was definitely times I did that,
and you know, I wouldn't say that's That's part of
playing quarterback. You know, you have those those feelings sometimes
and you gotta be able to play the game the
right way at all times and make those calculated risk
decisions whatever it may be. That there'll be time to
do those too. But no matter the offense, you're gonna
have those situations come up where it's like you might
(45:54):
feel like you need to make a play, but you
don't just make the smart play.
Speaker 4 (45:56):
Depends.
Speaker 7 (45:56):
It's all situational based, right if it's fourth down, the
fourth and ten at the end of the game, and
that's different. You know, you're thrown into traffic, You're trying
to make something happen. But that's part of playing quarterback.
And I've grown a lot over the years of learning
when's the right time to take those risks, when is
it when's it worth it? But you're always gonna have that.
But I you know, the hope and the plan is
(46:17):
to have less of those because you're on schedule, you know,
you make the game easier. I think you think a
QB friendly, it's it's how you what's the game plan,
how you call it, what's the sequence of the calls,
how the game flow goes, all all those things like
that's what I think helps a QB out in this league.
It's it's honestly, it is just hard to drop back
(46:39):
every play and make it happen because the pass rush
is so good, the disguises are so good, and it's
just hard. So I think the more variety you can
have just helps you as an offense. App Okay, thanks,
appreciate y'all
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