Los Angeles Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. sits down with J.B. Long to discuss modeling his game after Jalen Ramsey, building momentum ahead of the Sunday's matchup agains the Philadelphia Eagles, and more.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Your Los Angeles Rams are two and oh and off
to Philadelphia for our rematch with the Eagles here in
week three. They need a manual forwards more than ever
following an injury at corner to Akello Witherspoon, that's one
of the great reasons why he's our guest on this
edition of RAM Reveal. I'm gonna tell our audience that
(00:22):
I've got a new favorite Ram, and I'm gonna explain
why you're that favorite Ram. This is your night off
leading into your full day off, and you agreed to
come back to the facility and talk with us. So
thank you very much for your time, for that willingness.
How does it feel to be two and o at
the start of a new season.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Well, it feels great, you know, just having momentum and
just continuing and hopefully we roll alone with the momentum.
And you know, we got a challengeing week this week
with the Super Bowl chaps, So yeah, it was just
looking forward to this week.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
No, Katy, we'll talk a lot about that matchup in
just a second. How about Tennessee? How do you feel
like you played in Nashville?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Oh? Play?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well, you know, it's a defense we have to get going,
of course, and I think we found that rhythm out
to have time.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
But I think overall I played very well. You're forever
going to be a part of Titan's history. I guess
cam Ward's first touchdown at home it was an incredible,
like an all the time scrambled drill to find Alao
manor how did you see it? Since it feel it?
How will you remember it?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
It was in his own coverage. How was the left corner?
And when he got to scrambling, I was like, I'm
on my guy. But then he shot across field and
I look across field. Wasn't nobody over there? And I
was like, oh crap, I gotta go try to catch them. Man.
It was a great ball, great great catch, and a
great play overall.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
For the scrimming drill for now.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
At some point along the way, you have to be like,
there's no way this place still going right. This place
had to be over by now.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, that's exactly what we was thinking. And apparently he
made it made it longer. So yeah, it's a remarkable play.
Glad you came out on the winning side. You do
lose a teammate along the way. Nikell of Witherspoon with
that claviical injury. What's that mean for you and for
your room moving forward? We just got to continue to
do our thing and step up. Like Kachhaank said, we
have four staring and corners to h his eyes. So
(02:01):
de Will is a known quarter corner and he's proven
itself and he's filled the role very well Sunday and
he's going to continue to do that.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
First, how impressive is that to step into a game,
you know, right in the mix and make a critical
pass break up in crunch time.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
I don't expect nothing less from Darius.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
You know d Well, he's a professional and he knows
how to keep his mind in and his body and
that he came out and.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Played very well.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Yeah. All right, So you're going to Philly and it's
a former division rival for you coming from the NFC East.
I know you did not play last year, but earlier
in your career you went toe to toe with with
AJ Brown and the Eagles. Right, but let's go back
to January. You're watching that game in the snow in Philadelphia.
What are your memories of that moment?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Uh, you know it's cold out there.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
I remember that, but I think we played well as
the defense overall, we just had a couple big runs
that we gave up which gave them the lead and
eventually the win. So I just feel like, you know,
I said this week and stop the run and our
secondary do our job.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
It's only week three, but because they are the defending chance,
because they are one of the elite teams in all
the football? How much is this a measuring stick moment
for the Los Angeles Rings?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
It definitely is a measure stick.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
You know, they're two and also and they're just gonna
let us know like where we're at and what we
need to improve on.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Honestly, have you tackled sick one Barkley?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I have when he was with the Giant Figured And
he's a great back and he's very explosive, so you
gotta gotta wrap his legs up.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
He has very big legs. But you got it done. Yeah,
I got it done.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Also looking forward to the match up against their receivers. Uh,
slim Reapers is his nickname, but I think you you
compare pretty well. Might might not who the real.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
One is, think him bigger than them, but he's a slimmers.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Do you have a nickname?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
They called me bully over here. Bully, yeah, because I
played bigger than my size.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Okay, so that's new here to Los Angeles. And how
does it suit you?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
I think it suits you.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Well, you're good with it. Play very much out of
my size. And you know, who do we credit for
that nickname? I think the whole secondary group they called
me that. Cam Kitchenes is the one that I think
he got it going. But yeah, he yeah, the whole
second dy.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
You gotta be sick of the whole weight game thing though,
I mean you've been dealing with it your whole life,
I'm sure, but does it get exhausting at some point? No?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
I didn't where I want to be, so I don't
really care what nobody else thinks about my weight. And
I appreciate you not being tired of that topic. I
think I'm growing up a little bit grown up to
my side.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
So yeah, let's talk about your journey to Los Angeles.
By way of Washington. It was basically Thanksgiving of last year, right,
getting waived as a former first round pick. What was
that like? Emotionally?
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Uh, you know, it was tough.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
That means they really just gave up on me at
that moment, but I had to, you know, switch my
mindset and be like, wherever I go, I got a
start over new and hopefully I have a fresh start,
and maybe that that team wasn't right fit for me
at that moment. And Chelann let me know that when
I got here, and he's just like you have him
an APS, So you had first got a first start,
no matter what you did in Washington, just come over
(04:52):
here and beat yourself in play.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
No part of that was a coaching change, right. The
regime that drafts you is not the one that lets
you go. But still it's a short amount of time
in your professional care and you've been such an outstanding athlete.
Have you ever had a setback like that in your
sports career where now you're a team quote unquote didn't
want you.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I think that was the first time in my life,
especially coming being a number one player out of high
school out of in Mississippi in the morning player in
Mississippi and then being a freshman All American, starting every
freshman game and just doing all those things I did,
And that was like my first real setback.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
So when you join the NFL, you get drafted, you
don't get a choice when you're waived and claimed, you
come to LA you don't get a choice. Yeah, but
now that you're here, how does it feel to be
a RAM?
Speaker 2 (05:33):
It feels great, you know, like they pour so much
confidence into me and just let me go out there
and play my game. So that's a big thing that
I feel like it wasn't happening in Washington.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
And yeah, they just.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Always reminded me how great I am and how good
I am and just continue to do my thing and
don't get them my head.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
And stuff like that. So yeah, it's a big thing
for them.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
It's a dart thrill. Right. It doesn't cost them anything
to file a waiver claim and to bring you here.
You got to start in what week team against the
Seahawks rights, so they get a sample side there. But
it's almost like you're just kind of dating, right, you're
feeling each other out. Sounds good from your standpoint. When
they go through this offseason and they bring a kell back,
but they don't make a big splash and free agency,
they go through a draft, they don't draft a corner.
(06:12):
Are you thinking, Okay, this is trending in my direction.
I think I got a real chance to make an
impact here.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I always have that mindset, but once things started happening,
I was like, yeah, like they trust the guys they
have right now, and we just got to continue to
get better each day.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
And then by training camp I'm sensing I think a
lot of us were, Oh, he's got a chance to
start or like be firmly in the rotation and you
do that hamstring. It was early, but an he's scared
there in terms of wait a second, I've earned this opportunity.
I got a chance to really stick this time, and
now set back.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I would say no. Kashun made sure.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
He let me new, like what was the plan, and
he's just like, you're going to be a big part
of this team this year. Don't let that handler hamscreen
scare you. Just take your time and get back healthy.
And that's what I did. And I came back earlier,
didn't expect it because I wanted to be out there
and just continue to get better on my teammates.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
And yeah, that's twice in our conversation. Now you've mentioned
his words of affirmation. He's got away with words. He's
got a just an incredible presence about him. How assuring
was that and how much do you think his confidence
in you has translated to your success early as a ram.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I think that like him talking to me, like the
conversations we have, that's a big impact. Like he's always,
like I say, he's always just confirming everything I'd always
already think and just let me be freely and just
it's no great with him. He just lets you know
what it is and what it's not. So yeah, and
coming here, that's.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
A big thing.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
And once we created the relationship where we can talk
back and forth, Like though it's a big it plays
a big role in how like I am honestly.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
With your ball skills and with this rams pass rush,
I know the time's coming. It's only a matter of time.
Have you thought about that first NFL pick six yet?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I definitely have. I have, Man, I feel like it'll
come sooner than later.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
I hope so.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
But I try to not chase the player. I try
to let the play come to me and when it happened,
just got to make the play.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Because you were so prolific in college and for those
who don't know, an FBS record for the most picked
sixes with a half a dozen, fourteen interceptions and only
three college seasons at Mississippi State. Does it feel like
a drought? Like has it been? It's the longest time
in your football tenure without getting your hands off.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
It definitely has been, and I'm just honestly waiting for
it to happen, just to go and get the first
one done so hopefully they can keep coming.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Specifically, how does Chris Shula's defense in this ram scheme
sets you up for success? And maybe one of those
moments as soon as Sunday, oh.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
You let us d line go get the quarterback and
the second there we played a lot of zone, so
we're having a lot of vision like I did in
college also, so it just help us have more ball
opportunities and not having our back to the ball and
we're looking more at the quarterback quickly.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
To revisit that college journey in twenty two, you were
a consensus All American at the end of that career,
first team All SEC. Declared for the draft, as we
might expect, and everyone probably assumed you're just gonna skip
that ball game and start training. Been from there specifically
in December.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I end up, I think we all came back and
played in the bowl game for Mike Leach because you
know he passed away, but it was just like it's
a bulldog.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
Wait, like, we don't.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
We're not going to quit on our brother just because
we have our high draft prop grade or whatever else.
We're gonna go out there and finish the season like
like we started, honestly.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
And you went to Tampa and you won that game too.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Did Tampa won a game? Yep.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
I wrote down something Mike Leach said of you before
his passing. He's the ultimate competitor, he said of you,
one of the greatest players I've ever coached. Now, I
was around like quite a bit when he was at
Washington State before he went to Starfield. He doesn't hand
out praizy now. Definitely is hard to please. He's quirky,
so that carries a lot of weight with me and
(09:41):
those who have covered Mike Leach. What do they mean
for you?
Speaker 2 (09:43):
It means a lot, honestly, just coming from Leach, and
if you're knowing Leach, you know how he is, and
he's a he says a lot of crazy things. But
he literally said that he made sure he didn't tim
it till my junior year and he literally said in
the team, meaning when I made a play on a
field goal block and he was talking about the on
this He's like, we have a projected first round or
given all he got on this field goal block right now,
(10:06):
and he's probably like the best player I've coached, And
what makes you think that you cannot do it?
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Hones?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Stuff like that, and that meant a lot to me
in that moment. He was crazy smart and really unique journey.
I was thinking, you, you've got this unique intersection of
coaches that you played for, like Sean mcvayh here and
Michael Leach said they could not be more dissimilar and
let alike in a lot of ways. How do you
compare and contrast those two?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Uh? I would say Sean is more calmer than Leech.
Leech is he you don't know what he's going to say.
He's going to say some stuff to make you think honestly,
that's how he was. And Sean just very cool, come collected,
you know how he is. So yeah, it's a totally
different but kind of the same. I wish we could
get them in a room together.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I would love to observe how they connect over football
and their shared interests. So are you not twenty four
years of age, Pennifornia from Grenada, Mississippi. Tell me about
that town.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Uh, we're known for sports. We haven't put out a
lot of NFL players. It's a small town. Uh, but yeah,
we very hard those workers down there like and we
take sports very seriously down there.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
So yeah, it's a it's a great town. Multiple generations
of your family from that area. Yes, yes, And then
you choose to play collegeball so close that they could
drive see.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
I really just felt like Missis's best fit for me
coming out, So it worked out there.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
They used to come to every game and that was
a big part of it.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
So yeah, and you were a pretty good baseball player,
as I understand as a pro.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Okay, I was Okay, are you being modest? I was good.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Were you recruited to play basketball? I was, but chose
football because.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
I had a U c L and my elbow and
I didn't want to have tummy john going into college
and missed football season.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
So I just ultimately just step with football.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Doctor elatrosh can set you up with that, no problem.
He can prepare you for a major league career no time. Yeah,
but you spent some time out in California as a
youth playing baseball, So no stranger to LA.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
No stranger to LA, and I trained for the Combine
down here in LA. So it was just like coming home.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Great. In terms of players you admired, I heard that
Jalen Ramsey was someone that you studied and kind of
modeled your game after. Obviously he's he's a super Bowl
champion here in Los Angeles, still going strong. What about
his game appeals to you? And do you have any
relationship with Jake?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Oh? Yeah, I know Jennen very well.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
We have the same agency, so we've been around each
other a lot, and he just, you know, overall great dB.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I won't even just say corner.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
He plays multiple positions and he's very athletic, very strown,
very like. His game is very physical, and that's how
I try to model my game and just make plays
on the ball, just like he made a lot of
plays here. So there's something how I try to model
out there.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Underrated speed, I don't think he ever was regarded as
like the fastest corner that those who got in races,
foot races with them new you ran four three, five
is what I have? Are you the fastest? Ram I am?
Speaker 3 (12:56):
And me and too too or about this every single day,
But I believe I get them.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
What's the argument, can't you just prove it?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Uh, we can't prove it right now, We'll say just
because we in the season, but in the off season
we're definitely gonna test that. Well.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
What makes you so confident?
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Just our speeds and numbers that we run outside, like
even the screen stuff. They think I will get to too,
because he thinks he's just going to give me from
the start, and that's not gonna happen honestly.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
All right, See, you're gathering some GPS data to fortify
your case. I know you love to go fast. What
do you left more your jewelry or your cars?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Mm hmm, I will probably say my cars. My cars,
I would probably say, because they're fast, very fast. Sensing
that theme here, does anyone have a nicer car in
a lot than you?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Hey, he definitely have some gems. You had the parking
lot under control when I.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
First got here. For a second.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Then yeah, crea signing? Yeah do you ever swap right?
I've been in this cup of his car, But they're nice,
very nice. What else away from football? How do you
like to spend your time? I used to like an
off season outside golf a lot, So that's something I
always done since I was a kid golf and honestly
just played video games.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
I'm afraid Avante's probably got you on the golf course too.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
He's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I think if I'm very consistent how I used to be,
I'll probably get him all right.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Well, a few more contracts and a few more summers
on the rain, you can run them down, definitely can
thank you again for making time on what is your
Monday night, have a RESTful day off, and cannot wait
to see you get back to work in preparation for
a huge Game three in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
There, sir, thank you
Your Los Angeles Rams are two and oh and off
to Philadelphia for our rematch with the Eagles here in
week three. They need a manual forwards more than ever
following an injury at corner to Akello Witherspoon, that's one
of the great reasons why he's our guest on this
edition of RAM Reveal. I'm gonna tell our audience that
(00:22):
I've got a new favorite Ram, and I'm gonna explain
why you're that favorite Ram. This is your night off
leading into your full day off, and you agreed to
come back to the facility and talk with us. So
thank you very much for your time, for that willingness.
How does it feel to be two and o at
the start of a new season.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Well, it feels great, you know, just having momentum and
just continuing and hopefully we roll alone with the momentum.
And you know, we got a challengeing week this week
with the Super Bowl chaps, So yeah, it was just
looking forward to this week.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
No, Katy, we'll talk a lot about that matchup in
just a second. How about Tennessee? How do you feel
like you played in Nashville?
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Oh? Play?
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Well, you know, it's a defense we have to get going,
of course, and I think we found that rhythm out
to have time.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
But I think overall I played very well. You're forever
going to be a part of Titan's history. I guess
cam Ward's first touchdown at home it was an incredible,
like an all the time scrambled drill to find Alao
manor how did you see it? Since it feel it?
How will you remember it?
Speaker 2 (01:17):
It was in his own coverage. How was the left corner?
And when he got to scrambling, I was like, I'm
on my guy. But then he shot across field and
I look across field. Wasn't nobody over there? And I
was like, oh crap, I gotta go try to catch them. Man.
It was a great ball, great great catch, and a
great play overall.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
For the scrimming drill for now.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
At some point along the way, you have to be like,
there's no way this place still going right. This place
had to be over by now.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Yeah, that's exactly what we was thinking. And apparently he
made it made it longer. So yeah, it's a remarkable play.
Glad you came out on the winning side. You do
lose a teammate along the way. Nikell of Witherspoon with
that claviical injury. What's that mean for you and for
your room moving forward? We just got to continue to
do our thing and step up. Like Kachhaank said, we
have four staring and corners to h his eyes. So
(02:01):
de Will is a known quarter corner and he's proven
itself and he's filled the role very well Sunday and
he's going to continue to do that.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
First, how impressive is that to step into a game,
you know, right in the mix and make a critical
pass break up in crunch time.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
I don't expect nothing less from Darius.
Speaker 2 (02:16):
You know d Well, he's a professional and he knows
how to keep his mind in and his body and
that he came out and.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Played very well.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
Yeah. All right, So you're going to Philly and it's
a former division rival for you coming from the NFC East.
I know you did not play last year, but earlier
in your career you went toe to toe with with
AJ Brown and the Eagles. Right, but let's go back
to January. You're watching that game in the snow in Philadelphia.
What are your memories of that moment?
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Uh, you know it's cold out there.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
I remember that, but I think we played well as
the defense overall, we just had a couple big runs
that we gave up which gave them the lead and
eventually the win. So I just feel like, you know,
I said this week and stop the run and our
secondary do our job.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
It's only week three, but because they are the defending chance,
because they are one of the elite teams in all
the football? How much is this a measuring stick moment
for the Los Angeles Rings?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
It definitely is a measure stick.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
You know, they're two and also and they're just gonna
let us know like where we're at and what we
need to improve on.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Honestly, have you tackled sick one Barkley?
Speaker 2 (03:13):
I have when he was with the Giant Figured And
he's a great back and he's very explosive, so you
gotta gotta wrap his legs up.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
He has very big legs. But you got it done. Yeah,
I got it done.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Also looking forward to the match up against their receivers. Uh,
slim Reapers is his nickname, but I think you you
compare pretty well. Might might not who the real.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
One is, think him bigger than them, but he's a slimmers.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Do you have a nickname?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
They called me bully over here. Bully, yeah, because I
played bigger than my size.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Okay, so that's new here to Los Angeles. And how
does it suit you?
Speaker 3 (03:47):
I think it suits you.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Well, you're good with it. Play very much out of
my size. And you know, who do we credit for
that nickname? I think the whole secondary group they called
me that. Cam Kitchenes is the one that I think
he got it going. But yeah, he yeah, the whole
second dy.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
You gotta be sick of the whole weight game thing though,
I mean you've been dealing with it your whole life,
I'm sure, but does it get exhausting at some point? No?
Speaker 2 (04:08):
I didn't where I want to be, so I don't
really care what nobody else thinks about my weight. And
I appreciate you not being tired of that topic. I
think I'm growing up a little bit grown up to
my side.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
So yeah, let's talk about your journey to Los Angeles.
By way of Washington. It was basically Thanksgiving of last year, right,
getting waived as a former first round pick. What was
that like? Emotionally?
Speaker 3 (04:29):
Uh, you know, it was tough.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
That means they really just gave up on me at
that moment, but I had to, you know, switch my
mindset and be like, wherever I go, I got a
start over new and hopefully I have a fresh start,
and maybe that that team wasn't right fit for me
at that moment. And Chelann let me know that when
I got here, and he's just like you have him
an APS, So you had first got a first start,
no matter what you did in Washington, just come over
(04:52):
here and beat yourself in play.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
No part of that was a coaching change, right. The
regime that drafts you is not the one that lets
you go. But still it's a short amount of time
in your professional care and you've been such an outstanding athlete.
Have you ever had a setback like that in your
sports career where now you're a team quote unquote didn't
want you.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I think that was the first time in my life,
especially coming being a number one player out of high
school out of in Mississippi in the morning player in
Mississippi and then being a freshman All American, starting every
freshman game and just doing all those things I did,
And that was like my first real setback.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
So when you join the NFL, you get drafted, you
don't get a choice when you're waived and claimed, you
come to LA you don't get a choice. Yeah, but
now that you're here, how does it feel to be
a RAM?
Speaker 2 (05:33):
It feels great, you know, like they pour so much
confidence into me and just let me go out there
and play my game. So that's a big thing that
I feel like it wasn't happening in Washington.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
And yeah, they just.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Always reminded me how great I am and how good
I am and just continue to do my thing and
don't get them my head.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
And stuff like that. So yeah, it's a big thing
for them.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
It's a dart thrill. Right. It doesn't cost them anything
to file a waiver claim and to bring you here.
You got to start in what week team against the
Seahawks rights, so they get a sample side there. But
it's almost like you're just kind of dating, right, you're
feeling each other out. Sounds good from your standpoint. When
they go through this offseason and they bring a kell back,
but they don't make a big splash and free agency,
they go through a draft, they don't draft a corner.
(06:12):
Are you thinking, Okay, this is trending in my direction.
I think I got a real chance to make an
impact here.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I always have that mindset, but once things started happening,
I was like, yeah, like they trust the guys they
have right now, and we just got to continue to
get better each day.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
And then by training camp I'm sensing I think a
lot of us were, Oh, he's got a chance to
start or like be firmly in the rotation and you
do that hamstring. It was early, but an he's scared
there in terms of wait a second, I've earned this opportunity.
I got a chance to really stick this time, and
now set back.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
I would say no. Kashun made sure.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
He let me new, like what was the plan, and
he's just like, you're going to be a big part
of this team this year. Don't let that handler hamscreen
scare you. Just take your time and get back healthy.
And that's what I did. And I came back earlier,
didn't expect it because I wanted to be out there
and just continue to get better on my teammates.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
And yeah, that's twice in our conversation. Now you've mentioned
his words of affirmation. He's got away with words. He's
got a just an incredible presence about him. How assuring
was that and how much do you think his confidence
in you has translated to your success early as a ram.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I think that like him talking to me, like the
conversations we have, that's a big impact. Like he's always,
like I say, he's always just confirming everything I'd always
already think and just let me be freely and just
it's no great with him. He just lets you know
what it is and what it's not. So yeah, and
coming here, that's.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
A big thing.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
And once we created the relationship where we can talk
back and forth, Like though it's a big it plays
a big role in how like I am honestly.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
With your ball skills and with this rams pass rush,
I know the time's coming. It's only a matter of time.
Have you thought about that first NFL pick six yet?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
I definitely have. I have, Man, I feel like it'll
come sooner than later.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
I hope so.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
But I try to not chase the player. I try
to let the play come to me and when it happened,
just got to make the play.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
Because you were so prolific in college and for those
who don't know, an FBS record for the most picked
sixes with a half a dozen, fourteen interceptions and only
three college seasons at Mississippi State. Does it feel like
a drought? Like has it been? It's the longest time
in your football tenure without getting your hands off.
Speaker 2 (08:16):
It definitely has been, and I'm just honestly waiting for
it to happen, just to go and get the first
one done so hopefully they can keep coming.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Specifically, how does Chris Shula's defense in this ram scheme
sets you up for success? And maybe one of those
moments as soon as Sunday, oh.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
You let us d line go get the quarterback and
the second there we played a lot of zone, so
we're having a lot of vision like I did in
college also, so it just help us have more ball
opportunities and not having our back to the ball and
we're looking more at the quarterback quickly.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
To revisit that college journey in twenty two, you were
a consensus All American at the end of that career,
first team All SEC. Declared for the draft, as we
might expect, and everyone probably assumed you're just gonna skip
that ball game and start training. Been from there specifically
in December.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
I end up, I think we all came back and
played in the bowl game for Mike Leach because you
know he passed away, but it was just like it's
a bulldog.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
Wait, like, we don't.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
We're not going to quit on our brother just because
we have our high draft prop grade or whatever else.
We're gonna go out there and finish the season like
like we started, honestly.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
And you went to Tampa and you won that game too.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Did Tampa won a game? Yep.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
I wrote down something Mike Leach said of you before
his passing. He's the ultimate competitor, he said of you,
one of the greatest players I've ever coached. Now, I
was around like quite a bit when he was at
Washington State before he went to Starfield. He doesn't hand
out praizy now. Definitely is hard to please. He's quirky,
so that carries a lot of weight with me and
(09:41):
those who have covered Mike Leach. What do they mean
for you?
Speaker 2 (09:43):
It means a lot, honestly, just coming from Leach, and
if you're knowing Leach, you know how he is, and
he's a he says a lot of crazy things. But
he literally said that he made sure he didn't tim
it till my junior year and he literally said in
the team, meaning when I made a play on a
field goal block and he was talking about the on
this He's like, we have a projected first round or
given all he got on this field goal block right now,
(10:06):
and he's probably like the best player I've coached, And
what makes you think that you cannot do it?
Speaker 3 (10:11):
Hones?
Speaker 1 (10:11):
Stuff like that, and that meant a lot to me
in that moment. He was crazy smart and really unique journey.
I was thinking, you, you've got this unique intersection of
coaches that you played for, like Sean mcvayh here and
Michael Leach said they could not be more dissimilar and
let alike in a lot of ways. How do you
compare and contrast those two?
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Uh? I would say Sean is more calmer than Leech.
Leech is he you don't know what he's going to say.
He's going to say some stuff to make you think honestly,
that's how he was. And Sean just very cool, come collected,
you know how he is. So yeah, it's a totally
different but kind of the same. I wish we could
get them in a room together.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
I would love to observe how they connect over football
and their shared interests. So are you not twenty four
years of age, Pennifornia from Grenada, Mississippi. Tell me about
that town.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Uh, we're known for sports. We haven't put out a
lot of NFL players. It's a small town. Uh, but yeah,
we very hard those workers down there like and we
take sports very seriously down there.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
So yeah, it's a it's a great town. Multiple generations
of your family from that area. Yes, yes, And then
you choose to play collegeball so close that they could
drive see.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
I really just felt like Missis's best fit for me
coming out, So it worked out there.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
They used to come to every game and that was
a big part of it.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
So yeah, and you were a pretty good baseball player,
as I understand as a pro.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Okay, I was Okay, are you being modest? I was good.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Were you recruited to play basketball? I was, but chose
football because.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
I had a U c L and my elbow and
I didn't want to have tummy john going into college
and missed football season.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
So I just ultimately just step with football.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Doctor elatrosh can set you up with that, no problem.
He can prepare you for a major league career no time. Yeah,
but you spent some time out in California as a
youth playing baseball, So no stranger to LA.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
No stranger to LA, and I trained for the Combine
down here in LA. So it was just like coming home.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Great. In terms of players you admired, I heard that
Jalen Ramsey was someone that you studied and kind of
modeled your game after. Obviously he's he's a super Bowl
champion here in Los Angeles, still going strong. What about
his game appeals to you? And do you have any
relationship with Jake?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
Oh? Yeah, I know Jennen very well.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
We have the same agency, so we've been around each
other a lot, and he just, you know, overall great dB.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I won't even just say corner.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
He plays multiple positions and he's very athletic, very strown,
very like. His game is very physical, and that's how
I try to model my game and just make plays
on the ball, just like he made a lot of
plays here. So there's something how I try to model
out there.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Underrated speed, I don't think he ever was regarded as
like the fastest corner that those who got in races,
foot races with them new you ran four three, five
is what I have? Are you the fastest? Ram I am?
Speaker 3 (12:56):
And me and too too or about this every single day,
But I believe I get them.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
What's the argument, can't you just prove it?
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Uh, we can't prove it right now, We'll say just
because we in the season, but in the off season
we're definitely gonna test that. Well.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
What makes you so confident?
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Just our speeds and numbers that we run outside, like
even the screen stuff. They think I will get to too,
because he thinks he's just going to give me from
the start, and that's not gonna happen honestly.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
All right, See, you're gathering some GPS data to fortify
your case. I know you love to go fast. What
do you left more your jewelry or your cars?
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Mm hmm, I will probably say my cars. My cars,
I would probably say, because they're fast, very fast. Sensing
that theme here, does anyone have a nicer car in
a lot than you?
Speaker 3 (13:41):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (13:41):
Hey, he definitely have some gems. You had the parking
lot under control when I.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
First got here. For a second.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Then yeah, crea signing? Yeah do you ever swap right?
I've been in this cup of his car, But they're nice,
very nice. What else away from football? How do you
like to spend your time? I used to like an
off season outside golf a lot, So that's something I
always done since I was a kid golf and honestly
just played video games.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
I'm afraid Avante's probably got you on the golf course too.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
He's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
I think if I'm very consistent how I used to be,
I'll probably get him all right.
Speaker 1 (14:15):
Well, a few more contracts and a few more summers
on the rain, you can run them down, definitely can
thank you again for making time on what is your
Monday night, have a RESTful day off, and cannot wait
to see you get back to work in preparation for
a huge Game three in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
There, sir, thank you
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