Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Awesome to see some friendly faces. Man, I've been excited
for this weekend for a while. Uh Thursday night, I
couldn't sleep, Honestly, I was excited to see Who What
How would feature some of the guys to get into
as we started working into practice, from Josh all the
way down through undrafted free agents to you know, players
(00:20):
who were here on a tryout. So I thought first
i'd give a shout out to Adam and to his staff. Honestly,
the entire offseason, these guys have absolutely been putting it in,
you know, from the grind and work ethic to to
get after it for the team. It's been unreal. So
from my standpoint, I think I speak for everybody on
the team and we appreciate that. So vet's have been
(00:43):
here for a few weeks and have been putting that
you know, part of our off season program together and
it's been it's been cool to see them connect what
they're working on, what skills specifically to improve upon. And
then we'll add the members here from this weekend onto
the team beginning on Monday, and that'll be the first
time that we'll all be ready to get rocking as
(01:03):
a crew. So thank you. And so with all that said,
let's get get started with you guys and questions today, Dan,
how's it going?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
I guess just first day impressions. I know it's what
it is, but just well, what kind of stood out
to you from some of your guys and maybe the
draft picks, and like, what are you kind of looking
for at this stage of the process.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I want to see one the learning, you know, what's
going to be taken from the field, and how can
we you know it's gonna be from the classroom and
bring it onto the field. As a coach, you want
to hear this communication that takes place at you know,
on offense, on defense, on the special team side, we
don't do a full eleven on eleven team, so we
do that in a walk through setting just to get
(01:43):
the plays and get some reps and then out on
the field a lot of individuals just really to specifically
dial in on some skills and that type of work,
and we kind of these are the playbook plays, but
these are the skills needed for those plays, and that's
where individual begins and you go from that and then
we'll do some seven on seven as far as the
practice goes. But the bulk of it, really, Ben is
(02:05):
think of like onboarding. These are the standards, these are
the things that are important to us. These are the
ways that we go about and it doesn't just take
place over one weekend. It takes place, you know, all
the way up through here and into training camp. And
this is an excellent team to come be a part
of knowing that there are people here that are to
help them be, you know, their very best.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
I know a lot of people ask you some specific
questions about some of the guys here, something I ask
you a broader one about the roster and specifically the
defensive line room. You guys obviously did make a lot
of moves this offseason, maybe not some of the ones
that people were expecting necessarily, And I'm just curious when
you went into the off season for you, what was
the plan with that the defensive line, maybe specifically defensive
end and how to play out to you that you
(02:45):
ended up kind of getting the guys the type of guys.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
That you got.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
Yeah, we're pumped to add, you know, the guys that
we did to the crew and so that's been nice
part of the off season to see them and what
roles and then as we go through the off season
to training camp, those specific things will kind of work
their way out out and through the roles. But it's
been a good start to the off season adding the
new guys to it. So yeah, I'm pumped at what
we've seen so far.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
I guess what's it more about? If you had it
to run defense? Obviously it was a bit of an
issue last year young pass rushers, Like was it more about, hey,
we need to maybe show up some types of the
run defense.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I think it was really just like the identity and
how we want to play, And so I wouldn't say
it's one versus the other. I don't I don't think
necessarily just those terms. But there are specific traits that
you want and the size and athleticism, so those are
part of it. But I wouldn't just category, you know,
say it's only this or only that trait.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
Amas there was a report about his back injury that
you know was really revealed during the pre draft process.
What made you comfortable with where he's a physically.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
To you know, yeah, that's probably a better one for Adam,
but really that from each team has their own medical
report and how it goes, and so from our club.
It was something that.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
We were comfortable with completely different topics. Schedule comes out
next week. How do you feel about going of Spain?
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Hmmm, sin no comment.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
I don't know what to tell you on that one.
We'll see Wednesday.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I guess what happens, don't they?
Speaker 5 (04:22):
That was nice? Thank you Nking coach. I kind of
feel and see your energy right now, right at this
point in time of the season. So what what are
you most excited about? Right now? The vets are back,
It's rookie camp weekends, So what are you most excited about?
Speaker 1 (04:40):
I love this time to really go for it different ways.
For the rookies, it's really the teaching, honestly from the
very beginning. We're not going to miss one step of
their development along the way. For it's a lot of
the veterans who have been as part of the program.
What specific skills do you want to nail in over
the next few weeks. These are things that we're going
(05:00):
to work on, and that collaboration and putting that plan together.
I do love that, and so it's nice to see
how hard everybody's working right off the bat and to
find those things to improve upon. So those are the
two things. They're separate, but I love both of them equally.
Speaker 5 (05:18):
And so when you look back on last year's rookie
class and then this year's rookie class, what were some
of the characteristics that you thought were must have characteristics, capabilities?
What have you for this year?
Speaker 1 (05:31):
It stands out not just from last year's class, but
I'll speak to that specifically, the work ethic that it takes.
And so like when you, you know, speak of a
guy like Jaden and all that is unseen that goes
in like this a person that absolutely grinds and everybody
on our team knows that and appreciative of that because
(05:54):
of that work that he puts in so early on,
I want to make sure man like come in and
be a great teammate. Not every player can become a
great player, but you can become a great teammate. The
way you're going to support, the way you'll put out
the energy, the way you're going to go fight to
get it right. Those are things that when you're done playing,
you say, man, I played with so and so that
dude was a great teammate, Like what a huge compliment.
(06:16):
And then the second thing is like men be open
to absolutely going for it. All right, this is the
vision we have. This is where we think we can
take you to. So many times a person coming in
from college, they're not sure of that yet, they're not
sure what they can be. And so that's our job.
This is the vision we have for you, and this
is how we're going to take you there. And the
people that are willing to just absolutely go for it,
(06:38):
you kind of see that take place. And we've said
before like our place in and for everybody, but for
the ones that absolutely go for it and do that, like,
there are some really really cool things ahead.
Speaker 6 (06:51):
Hey, coach, hello, I'll keep it in English. Trait aimats.
When you look at that cornerback room that you have
right now, what does he add with his skill sets
that may not be with the other guys. How does
he enhance the cornerback room?
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Yeah, I think what you're talking about is in volume.
He'll play outside mostly, but it's the length and be
able to defend these contested passes. So often when you're
playing Manda man or close matching and coverage, having that
size and length to defend the guys on the outside.
That's one of the things that we really liked about
Trey's game, and so adding that not everybody plays down
(07:32):
on the line. Some guys play off, but for the
people that do, we want to feature that, and so
just having versatility to play in different ways, that's a
big deal.
Speaker 6 (07:41):
And where do you think when you look at this
whole roster and it's still be informed where you have
improved a little bit more this year moving forward?
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Where do we have to still improve one more time?
You got it? Yes, well, I would say coming in
I kind of expect, like everybody here, like myself included,
like what are the things that you want to work
on and absolutely see if you can take your game
to the next space. I loved seeing out on the
field last week, the communication, how quickly that was coming along.
(08:14):
I loved seeing the speed that they were playing with.
There was no hesitation, and so that makes sense. You've
been in the system for a year for a lot
of the players, so they should pick up at a
higher pace to get going. So to see other players
now joining into that, it's been cool to see. So
I would say the execution, the skill set, the standards,
those are the things that I envision not just from
(08:37):
the players, but from the coaches as well.
Speaker 7 (08:40):
Hey, Dan, when undrafted rookie steps foot here forst first
weekend here, outside of just making it fifty three, what
do you want to see for him so he could
possibly make eat the practice squad?
Speaker 1 (08:54):
Yeah, And I think the central theme of what we
do is really based on competition. And there's eight examples
from players who are in that same space, whether it
was last season or seasons prior, that have walked that walk,
whether it's on the fifty three like yank Off or
Owens that did that in last year, or earning their
space on the practice squad for more developmental time. So
(09:18):
we don't want them to really think about that yet.
We don't really go so far to say what's gonna
happen in September or what's gonna happen Like, just work
these skills, learn the system and the skills that's needed
for the system. If we can do that excellently, then
the fifty three and the practice squad will kind of
work itself out. If you're already looking ahead to that,
(09:39):
I think you're gonna miss all the development, all the
things that are going to take place. They're going to
fail some for sure, like one hundred percent. How do
they bounce back from that, have the right mindset and
voice to go after it for the next one, not
repeat the mistake. So there's a lot that goes on
over the next you know, five weeks for them before
we get ready for camp. From a goal, can we
(10:00):
get them ready so they can go to camp to
be their very best and not no hesitation, no flinch.
And if we can do that, then I thought, then
this part was a success.
Speaker 7 (10:08):
And I realized this is probably a pe question. But
just from your perspective, what has Gabriel Taylor done and
rise to stand out and earn an invite here?
Speaker 1 (10:18):
You know, Gabe and the other guys, you're here on
a tryout. What a cool and golden opportunity. And so
I love seeing players like him and others really going
for It's been very worthwhile for he and the other
guys to say, Okay, I'm seeing what they are, what
they stand for, and sometimes whether there's tryouts here or
other places, it's very valuable now that you know what
(10:40):
somebody is and we've all seen where somebody has one spot,
they get another opportunity. So it's been very valuable to
have the tryout camps you see people, your understanding of them.
So then now you start creating a list of who's next,
how do you utilize the guys? So all all those
guys are off to a good start.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
Okay, hey Dan, how are you doing good?
Speaker 1 (11:00):
How are you good?
Speaker 8 (11:01):
At this time last year? I'm sure there were a
ton of unknowns being it was your first year this
time though. However, one year later, how much more comfortable
do you feel, and truly your staff feel at this point?
Speaker 1 (11:12):
I would say I'm as excited for sure because of
what's ahead, how of the roles. So it may be
different because it's not our first practice together, but what
I can say is I have the same level of
excitement to push it and develop and see where we
can take players to. So that part feels good. It's
the same energy that goes into it for sure for me,
(11:35):
and so that's why we're not going to miss one
step of their development.
Speaker 8 (11:38):
And you touched on a bit in terms of what
you are looking for, specifically that communication, the fact that
you know signs that guys are learning, but in terms
of what you're telling them, whether that be you know,
don't be nervous when you step out out there, kind
of how do you go through that uh process of
telling them that.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Yeah, I want them to understand, you know, how they're competing.
It's not just me against the other player, it's how
good you can get. We recognize there's going to be
mistakes and like that is part of the game, it's
part of practice, but we really want to see the
speed and can you go execute and then we can
give them the feedback for that. And so that's all
(12:17):
just knowing that, like there's going to be mistakes, like
that's going to happen, that's part of it, but take
the coaching, take the corrections, and then keep moving forward.
But so far they've really come in wanting to go
for it, and it's just a it's an excellent place
to come as a young player to come and play football.
We're developmental staff, so like we're absolutely pouring into them
(12:39):
as hard as we can. There's a number of coaches
on the staff that have also seen the game from
the lens of the helmet. They've they've been in this camp.
They know what that experience is like, they know what's ahead,
and there's some excellent mentors that will meet them here
on Monday. This is what you should do. This is
what you should look for, And if I was coming
into a team, you'd almost give anything to have teammates.
(13:02):
Teammates like they're gonna experience on Monday morning and we're
looking forward to that.
Speaker 9 (13:09):
Obviously, there's been a lot of exciting news surrounding the team,
not necessarily.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Football, but stadium draft. How excited are you?
Speaker 9 (13:16):
Does that kind of matriculate through the players if you
heard any reaction to new stadium, the draft coming to town,
all that it does, and it reminds us all like
why we're here, It really does, you know, from Josh
to Adam to myself, the staff and this is you
have a real sense of like what the fan base
(13:37):
has been about and what they are and like we
feel that energy as members of the organization.
Speaker 1 (13:43):
So to be a part of that and to feel that,
man like, that's a really cool thing. And so we
want to put out this as absolute hard as we
can to make sure they know, like we're gonna give
everything we have.
Speaker 9 (13:55):
And then with the schedule release, obviously you're gonna get
it before the rest of us. But is there a
sense of anticipation among players and coaches for that just
to know when and where.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
Yeah, because now you know the whom and you don't
know when and that. So through the off season you're
looking at okay, free agency and mostly interdivision, what change
what hadn't And the same thing with the draft, and
then as it lays out, you know, it's a it's
a it's a solid talking point for a day or
two and then it kind of goes away. But it's fun,
you know, to have that and then you just kind
(14:25):
of get back to it. But I love the fact
that they've built it up and have different things. We
know who we're playing, so that's not, as you know,
big of a secret. So it's just fun to go
through it the rope. It's a couple of weeks, yeah,
right on