November 20, 2024 • 25 mins
Get a front-row seat to Carolina Panthers football with Sideline Pass! This week Kristen and Sharon recap the trip to Germany, preview this week's game against the Chiefs, and speak with A'Shawn Robinson about how he spent his bye week and the second half of the 2024 season.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Cheers Kristin Balboni and Sharon Thors loved with your Sideline Pass.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Welcome to Sideline Pass with your Panthers reporters Kristen and Sharon. Sharon,
we are back after a bye week. Are you feeling
rested and ready to go?
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Absolutely? It was nice to have a little little time
away from the football field, and I know the players
probably feel the same. But yeah, now it's like, all right,
we're all geared up and ready for the second stretch
run of the season.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Here, especially you know, coming back from Germany. So before
we get into everything, I just have to ask you,
how was it? What was one of your favorite parts?
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Wow, it was amazing. I mean it was such a
neat trip. I had never been to Germany before, and
minus the extremely long plane flights, it was just really
fun to be in a different culture. And my favorite
part really was the game, just because the stadium was
just full of all those fans that just love the NFL.
So you can tell that I don't care what team
is playing there. Really. There were clearly some Panther fans
(01:03):
there of course that had traveled over, and some Panthers
fans there in Germany, but then you saw like every
NFL jersey out there, every team, and they just stood
the entire time and they cheered everything and they sang
and it was just the energy was just amazing and
it was just a lot of fun. The game was great,
and of course winning was just the cheerry on top
of it was a really really cool trip.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yes, it certainly makes the plane ride a lot sweeter,
but you know, we talk about this often. Did you
get a chance to sleep or were you able to
sleep on either leg because you famously, as we talk about,
do not sleep on planes.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
So how did it go?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yeah, well, the way over wasn't as bad because they
actually had some sleep supplements and melatonin available to us
to table, and so that actually made me really tired.
It made me fall asleep, but I didn't stay asleep
for long, but I did snooze a little bit way
more on the trip over. On the way back, we
did not have that, and we had some sort of
we had a bumpy ride on the way home for
(01:59):
a while. So I did a lot of reading and
movie watching and didn't get a whole lot of sleep
on the way back. But that was okay. So it
was not life or death so but the way, all right,
I was able to get a little of the sleep,
so I was real happy about that.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yes, yes, well, of course I always have to ask.
That's what I think about when you go on these
long plane rides. I'm like, man, I hope Sharon's doing
okay since I know that you're not sleeping. But as
you said, we have got an exciting start to the
second part of this season. The Kansas City Chiefs are
coming to town. What a matchup that is going to be. So, Sharon,
as you look at this and you've done you're doing
(02:33):
your scouting report, what stands out to you?
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Because I've got a couple of things on my list.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
You know what really sort of almost shocked me is
looking at the offensive statistics. I mean, the Chiefs are
not really they're not well knocking your socks off in
any category. They're like middle of the road. And it's
sort of weird that they're nine and one and I
know that they've really eked out some winds and had
some comfort behind things. And some people would argue that
(02:58):
they've gotten some good calls from the Red you know,
they've been able to they've been able to find a
way to win with. They are certainly not the juggernaut
that they've been in the past. Offensively, what they are
good at, really really really good at is defense. I
mean they're fifth over on the league, third against the run,
so they really clamp down on the run game. So
the defense is actually ranked a lot higher in just
about every statistical category than the offense. And I was
(03:20):
really amazed to see that.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Yeah, I completely agree.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I was looking at the numbers as well, and Patrick
Mahomes more interceptions than he's ever had at this point
in the season. If I'm not mistaken, they are. They
just don't quite, as you said, look like the same Chiefs.
Now them not looking like themselves is still you know,
you still have Patrick Mahomes. And even if he's having
(03:44):
you know, a little bit of a down year. I mean,
I even hate to say that a little bit of
a down year, He's still Patrick Mahomes, right, and he
can still do all of.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
These crazy things. But I completely agree with you.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
About this defense really really putting in the work and
carrying the team a little bit to that nine and
one record. And you know, I was talking to Dave
Canalis yesterday, We're asking him about this defense because obviously
he's the offensive play caller.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
The defense is the strength of the Chiefs team.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And he just said, you know, it all starts with
Spags as everyone calls him, Steve Spagnolo, and how aggressive
he is, how creative he is as a play caller.
And he just said, like, look, they make it really
hard for you. They load the box and then you
try to throw it, and they've got guys back there
too their safety. So it's like there's there's not a
ton of there's not a ton of weaknesses on that team.
(04:36):
And Sharon, when you look up front, it is certainly
hard to look past Chris Jones because he's six seven
and three hundred and something pounds. He is a big,
big man and he can move so well. Now, Sharon,
there was there was a guard, a second year guard
for the Bills that had a great game against him
(04:57):
last week, and you just didn't really hear his name called,
Chris Jones's name called until really about the end. And
that's one of the first times that we've really seen that.
And so I'm wondering if the Panthers are looking at
that from the Bills and saying, okay, we see how
to I mean, maybe not neutralize him, but we see
how to you know, limit him a little bit and
(05:18):
we'll see if the Panthers can do something like that.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
With this offensive line, who is a strength. They are
a strength of this team.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Absolutely no, I'm sure that they are going over that
film very close to me to see exactly what the
Bills were able to do to you know, take him
out of his game a little bit. And the Panthers,
like you said, with the offensive line, that has been
an absolute strength of this team. When you look at
the game that they had against the Giants, and the
Giants were leading the NFL in sacks and Dexter Lawrence
is you know, a beast back there, and they came
(05:46):
away with one sack in that game. So they've been
averaging four per game and Lawrence had nine. And so
the guys up front are just doing a tremendous job
and they're to the point now ikey Akwanhu should be
coming back here for this game. They've got sort of
like a wealth of talent. Now they've got almost too
many guys because they're having to decide, Okay, do we
want to keep Kid Mason there at center where he's
(06:06):
played so well in place of Brady Christensen because Brady
had to move outside for Ikey, or do you put
Brady back in there with his veteran talent. So you've
got a really good problem to have it that you've
got so many guys who are good upfront, and then
you've got, of course, like a guy like Robert Hunt,
who is also giant and huge and hopefully would be
able to face off with Chris Jones and neutralize him
some as well. So he's definitely the straw that stirs
(06:30):
the drink of that defense upfront, and trying to get
at him and slow him down in some capacity is
going to be key to just try to protect Bryce
Young back there and be able to get that run
game going.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Absolutely, And I love what you said, the straw that
stirs the drink there, And I just want to say
the guard, the second year guard for the Bills. I
should have known his name to begin with it is
Osyrus Torrents, So certainly want to give him credit for
what he was able to do. You know, Sharon, I
was talking to Thomas Davis yesterday as we recorded our
TV and I said, is it going to be Robert Hunt?
(07:03):
Is he going to be charged with, you know, really
limiting Chris Jones in the way that Ocyrus Torrance largely
did for the Bills, because as you said, big man
on big Man, right, that's a lot of combined pounds
there and a lot of combined height.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
And TD said something interesting.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
He said, yes, but also it's going to have to
be by committee for the Panthers, and you know, I
completely agree. So we will see how they will work
that by committee. And like you said, it's a good
problem to have when you've got too many guys playing
well on your offensive line.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
But certainly you got to think that they want to
get that.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
I mean, look, these guys have come in and played
so well despite having lots of different lineups, but you
do want to have the guys on the field that
you feel jel the best, right, And so we'll see
what that looks like as they get ready for this game.
Knowing that you know, you could say any game the
battle in the trenches, but this one feels like it's
(07:59):
the the highest impact of all, right, the two and
as you said, and so we'll see, we'll see what
happens there. But we also have some potential returns and
some definite returns for the Panthers.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
You know, we've got to talk about Jonathan Brookes, Sharon.
That has been one.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
That fans have been waiting for, and frankly, this team,
this front office had been looking to see this rookie
running back and what he can do because he was
highly touted and of course he's had this injury that
he's worked his way back from.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
But I mean, we're going to see him in some
game action this Sunday.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yeah, and I know that everybody is very excited, as
you said, to see him make his debut, and he
is too. Even though he's he's very quiet, he's very reserved.
He's not out there.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You know.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
We actually spoke with him earlier this week and open
locker room, and you know, he's like, yeah, I'm ready
to get out there. It's going to be great, you know.
But he's not like, you know, chomped in the bit,
but he's just he's a real sort of a quiet
kind of guy. But he is definitely ready to gather.
But I think he's also very thankful that they were
able to give him the time he needed to recover
because unfortunately, with a daughter with two torn acls, I
(09:04):
know how awful it is to come back from that
injury and how long it takes. And you know, they say, oh,
you can come back in nine months, Well nine months
is tough and most I mean a lot of times
you retear it if you come back too soon. They say,
if you can wait a year, that is the magic number.
It really is. And that's what he's at now basically
from his surgery. So that is ideal situation for him
(09:25):
to wait that long to come back because it just
makes it that much stronger. I think it also gives
him that much more confidence that he can rely on
the need, that he can trust that need, because that's
half the battle with a major injury like that is
being able to overcome the mental aspect of it. So
and he said, even the difference in how he feels
from now to a month ago is just huge. So
(09:46):
that was I'm so thankful and I know he is
that they were able to give him the time that
he needed to really get strong physically and mentally and
be able to make his debut. And yeah, like you said,
he is something else to watch. I mean, he was
outstanding at Texas and and people are chomping at the
bit to see what he can do out there, especially
when you get him out there with Cuba Hubbard Miles
Sanders of course will not be playing Wes. He deals
(10:07):
with that ankle and foot injury, and they're they're really
excited to put them out there in some two back sets,
and Brad Isaack offensive Cordner has said that they've been
working on that all season long and that they've been
working him into those. He's been learning both roles, both
positioned so they can be basically plug and play when
he is ready to go, which will be this Sunday.
So it's gonna be really cool to see how they
(10:29):
line him up, if they just leave Cuba and run
him in, or if they do have some two back
sets out there to showcase both of them, because they
both have they have different talents, they do different things
and certainly cause some stress on the defense when you
have to deal with both those guys out there at
the same time.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Well, first of all, Sharon, your daughter is a warrior.
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Oh I know we're on we're under her two right now,
we're at the nine month mark, so, oh.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
My gosh, it's brutal.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Well, I'm sending her all the best because and you'll
have to keep us updated on that, because that is
that is so tough, as you said, and we are
seeing it with Jonathan Brooks and I completely agree. You know,
it'll probably be with the absence of Miles Standers. I
think we'll definitely see him there in those roles. But yeah,
I'm excited to see if we've got some two back sets. Certainly,
you got to think the offense would love that, right.
(11:17):
Dave Canalis brad idzick I was talking to Jonathan Stewart
we had an event at the stadium yesterday and he
said that, you know, he reminds him of Dangelo Williams
a little bit in the way in which he can
run in the body type what he is capable of doing.
And Sharon you mentioned it, Jonathan Brooks and Chuba Hubbard
are very different runners. And you know, Jonathan Stewart was
(11:38):
a little bit excited about the smash and dash two
point oh potentially, you know, that double headed monster of
him and DiAngelo, So that would you know, the fans
would certainly be happy about that, and.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
We know how dangerous that can be.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
We've seen it absolutely absolutely double trouble back in the
day is. Yeah, there was a lot of fun when
they have that, because I mean that gives any team
with you have two backs that can do that. I mean,
Miles Sanders obviously really good back as well. He has
a completely different skill set to the more you know
and passing can pass catching back kind of thing, and
he's got a different type of role with this team
as well. But I think that when you think of
(12:13):
the one two punch at running back, it's almost like
you said, Jonathan Stewart, Dangeaw Williams guys like that, And
so I think that this could be that type of
a combo to have two bout there and then to
have Jonathan Brooks join in the fun.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Well, and like you said, Chiefs third in the league
against the run, So I'm sure the Panthers will be
using any and all running backs ways of running that
they can to get that running game going, because of course,
I mean that is the bread and butter of most teams.
But we hear Dave Canalis talk about that every single week.
This team's identity is to be able to run the
(12:46):
ball as much as possible. So this will be a
good test against the Chiefs. Now, in terms of another
player that we think is coming back. This is you know,
we're recording this Wednesday afternoon before we hear from Dave Kanalis,
So this is outdated. Just pretend like you didn't hear
us say that.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
But this is.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Adam feelin he is feeling good about returning. So, Sharon,
I think we talk about him as if he's returning.
And as I said, if anyone is listening to this
and that's not the case, strike.
Speaker 4 (13:14):
It from your memory.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
But if he's back, we know that he is a
big target for Bryce Young. He's a little bit of
a for lack of a better word, like a security blanket.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Right.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
He's a veteran. He's always able to get open. He
had over one hundred catches last year. So in addition
to these rookies who have really come on in the
absence of any veterans, now you've got Adam Theelen back.
And that feels good to me, right, that feels good
to this offense.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Oh absolutely, I mean that's a huge ad if Adam
is back there on the field. Granted, these rookies have
stepped up tremendously and done a great job the past
couple of weeks without him in the lineup. But now
you've got Jonathan Mingo obviously not hear anymore Dante Johnson either,
so's they don't have a lot of guys out there,
and so to be able to get a vet Ran
back there who can just be that calming presence in
(14:02):
the huddle and just sort of get those guys lined up.
That's what brad Isaick was actually discussing that before the
Germany game when they weren't sure if he was going
to be able to play or not. But he said,
getting Adam Feelen back out there on the field, and
he's great on the sidelines. He's been like the coach
on the sidelines of the mentor kind of guy. But
he said, it just takes the pressure off those guys
because he can help get them lined up with they
(14:22):
need to be. If they have any questions about what
they're seeing defensively, that he can answer that. So he's
just a great leader and a great just a coach
out there on the field for those young guys. Not
to mention the fact that, like you said, he's the
sort of a security blanket for Bryce Young. It's definitely
his favorite target. And to have that kind of a
guy out there, who can do so many different things
as a receiver in so many different position to be
(14:44):
in the slobby on the outside, he can do different
things for him, and I think there's just a chemistry
that they already established a year ago, and to be
able to have that back out there now for him,
I think that's great for Bryce to be able to
just give him another option and give him a solid
veteran presence against an extremely good Chiefs defense.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
I completely agree.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
So, Sharon, the final thing I want to talk to
you about is Okay, So we were doing our TV
show with you know, Thomas Davis's my co host, Panthers
Huttle Go check it out, everybody check your local listings,
and we had Dave Canalis on there yesterday as we
always do, and TD brought up something that I think
(15:24):
you'll remember that fans will remember about ten years ago.
This team that TD was on twenty fourteen season started
three eight and one, and then they got hot and
they ended up seven.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Eight and one.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
They got into the playoffs as a wild card, and
things really turned.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Around right at that point.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
And you know, TD was looking at the standings in
our division and the Falcons lost, and he was like,
you know, things might be starting to come together a
little bit, and of course, knock on wood, but what
he was saying is there's some moments there, right and
guys are getting healthy.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
At the right time.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Other teams may not be looking as good right now,
and you know, Dave canal Is, I thought he was
going to be like, you know, I don't know, And
as soon as TD said that, he goes TD.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
I love to hear it. But then of course he
went right and he said, but look, all.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
We can do is control what we can control. We
can play the best of our abilities, and you know,
one week at a time. But I thought it was
great that, you know, full volume, TD, I love to
hear it. So, Sharon, you've certainly been covering the team
that since that season, and it does feel like, of course,
this is a tough opponent, but you've got something to
(16:40):
work on, You've got some momentum, and that has to
make these guys, especially those young guys, feel really good
to see the fruits of their labor starting to stuck
up a little bit.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Absolutely, And I think one of the things that really
strikes me is that, I mean, Dave canal Is when
he got here. He had a plan, he had a process,
he had a way, he wanted to do things. He
wanted to be able to establish certain things and culture
and things like that, and he talks about, you know,
the process all the time. And you know, early on
in the season, it was tough and things weren't going,
you know, working out as well as you would like,
(17:10):
and there were so many guys injured and things like that,
and you know, they kept sticking with it though, and
now you're getting these guys back, You've been able to
stack a couple of wins together, and I think guys
are saying, you know, what this is working. This what
this process, this whole method and everything that he's trying
to do is starting to work. And I think that's
giving them a lot of confidence right there. And then
(17:31):
obviously to come off back to back wins is huge.
I mean, that's huge for their confidence, and I think
they're just starting to just gel better. I was talking
to a couple of guys on Monday in the locker
room on defense and it's like, you know, getting dj
wantaback was a huge thing. To get him back in
that Giants game. He really impacted and affected this defense
and jac hornsa, we feel like we're getting our chemistry
(17:51):
down now. We're sort of starting to develop who we
are and identities that don't know exactly what it is yet,
but we're starting to get there. And they're just starting
to really gel out there and getting some of that
non unspoken communication going and things like that. From a
defensive standpoint and then the offense. Yeah, I mean those
young guys, you know, j T Sanders, xaviererly get Jalen.
(18:14):
You know, they're just having they're having some success now
and they're being able to say, Okay, what we're doing
works and getting more confident every time they go out
there on the field. So I think that that's just
been a game changer for them. And yeah, you feel
like you've got stuff to work for now, something to
build on. You feel like you've got a potential of hey,
(18:35):
you know what, maybe we can make the playoffs. At
least we can keep stacking on our successes and keep
building for something even bigger now, as opposed to maybe
you're learning this isn't you're like, oh my gosh, what's
going on? We can't seem to get out of our
own way, or we're just struggling, but now it feels
like there's hope, there's something that you can really strive
for and are to get excited about for the fans,
but also this team. I mean, they're excited. They can't
(18:56):
wait to get out there to take on the Chiefs
on Sunday. And they're not intimidated. They're not scared at
all by this, you know, nine to one record, New
which the defending Super Bowl champs. They're chomping at the
bit ticket out there and take on these guys. So
I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Yeah, absolutely cannot wait to see that. We are going
to check back in next Wednesday after the Chiefs game.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Sharon, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
As always, Thanks Kristin.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
I'm here now with Ashawn Robinson. Ashawn, thank you for
doing this. Good to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
A problem. Thanks me and you. I appreciate you having
me on here.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Well, I appreciate you doing this. So let's talk. We
are right off of the bye week, aside from any
football stuff, right, no football talk right now?
Speaker 4 (19:33):
What are you doing to relax?
Speaker 1 (19:36):
I'll say, hang with my family, my kids. They do
a good job keep me off of thinking about anything else.
Other than them and making sure they're fine, taking care
of it. I'm playing attentative to them. So it's really
peaceful to me and keeps me, keeps me clear headed,
I'll say, and just just so relaxed that I can
just just deep take some deep breaths and take it
(19:59):
all in, just refocus on the game when I need
to come back to it.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Yeah, be present. It sounds like, so how old are
the kids?
Speaker 1 (20:05):
If I may ask, I have an eight year old.
I have one is about to be two in a
month and a month and a half, and then the
other one he's six months. So I got two girls
and one boy.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
Congratulations.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
I have one that's going to be three in December
and then a six month old as well, So that
you got it even closer than I do with those
two little ones. But we are navigating that toddler infant
stage right now.
Speaker 4 (20:32):
And it's no joke.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Oh, it's no joke at all. They are terrible twos,
terrible threes, terrible.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Twos, and then the three major is what I've heard about.
A three Yes, But I appreciate you saying that's calming,
because I would not. I love my baby so much,
but I would not say like, oh, it's super calming.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
So you've got a different gear that you're turning on.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Well, you know, because I'm here all the time, so
here with the mom and they're always like, you know,
always on her. So I give her break, which gives
me a break so out here, you know a little bit.
So it gives it a little bit. Clear our mind,
clear my mind. One's no one's never in space. Everyone's
just whosa.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
I love that. I love that. So last game you
guys played was in Germany. You come home with the win.
How fun is that? Playing ride home?
Speaker 1 (21:19):
It's great, you know, coming back stecking back to back
wins and getting you know, fumulating that that bond and
that togetherness and coming together and really being that that
team and Hunterson what we really need to challenge, challenge
it the right way and pushing it the way we
need to go forward to have opportunity to have a
chance like this to if we keep stacking them down
(21:40):
the road, it could lead to something that's of us
going to a dance. So just having that mindset, knowing
that this is we get back to things. In football,
we have an individual week playoffs every week, week by
week now this is the rest of it goes, just
where the best team see it from this point on,
just where you make your margins to make your steps
and going to right way to be in those situations
(22:01):
you want to be at the end of the year,
at this time of the year. So I think everyone's
taking that right approach and having that mindset and just
gotten that way in all the way here.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
I was talking to Thomas Davis yesterday and he reminded
me about there was a team in twenty fourteen here
that started out three eight and one and then got hot,
went seven eight and one and got.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
Into the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So you know, it's fun to see this team get
that momentum. And certainly you as not just a VET,
but as a college football playoff winner, as a Super
Bowl Are guys asking you about that kind of stuff?
Speaker 4 (22:37):
Are you sharing your experiences?
Speaker 1 (22:39):
Oh? One hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
It would be a disservice to my teammates, to myself
and to the guys that came for me that gave
me their knowledge, And I have no choice but to
give it out regardless of if anyone's asking. So if
they're not, if they are, and you know they are,
they are asking, but I'm saying like it doesn't matter
what the circumstances of their situation is, I'm giving it
out regardless. I just want to help as much as
I can because that's what my vets and my leaders
(23:03):
did for me when I was coming in a game,
from coming in from high school to college, coming from
college into the pro. That's just something you have to
do as being one of these players in the game
of football and playing a long time, you have to
get back to your other peers and the other players
to help them develop and navigate the future that can
compel them to do whatever they want to do in
this game of football.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
And what is the advice.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
I'm sure it's different for every guy, but what are
some things that you've learned being a part of these
great winning teams.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
You know, taking the ebbs and flows, the ups and
the downs, not getting too high, not getting too a little,
but staying even kill and just having that mindset of
just it can be better. It's always more you can do,
no matter what it is when lose or draw, you
can always be better. You always can put yourself or
the team in a better situation by doing your job more,
execute and getting into film study, watching more understanding what
(23:52):
you see extra off of those plays, which you can
help your brothers see those things, and so they don't.
It's just putting on switch and now everyone's clicking it
the same switch. So it's literally as if you're playing
Call of Duty and someone's like, I got your six,
that someone's in the back, someone's coming through the door.
You know, it's like it's of those type of things
and it's just really communicating, Like you know, for me
(24:13):
when I got into college, saving helped us with those
mindset like people would have military, you know, Marines come in,
sales come in to talk to us, and how the
communication has to be out there and be so cris
and how it has to flow as if it's a
river going up and down and just being able to
navigate itself no matter what whatever storms comes its way
(24:33):
and still be even killed underneath the surface.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
That's amazing. Well, real quick, are you a Call of
Duty player? It sounds like you are.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
I am. I don't think I'm the best caller.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
We make up for that in football, but I wanted to.
I wanted to.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
Finally, I did want to ask you about Alabama. Do
you have a chance to keep up with the games
during the NFL season.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
I'm always watching. You know, I'm a Bama guy, and
I got to talk a lot of trash because of
the history that we have and everyone hates us. So
when I come here, it's definitely I'm talking all the
trash I can and letting everyone know that ever since
y'all were in college and even now, we still beat that.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Button spoking like a true Bama guy. What do you
think about this season? What number seven in the rankings
right now?
Speaker 1 (25:17):
It's it's okay, Like you said, it's a season eves
and flows. You win some, you lose some. You know
people it's like the Chiefs undefeated season, like Tom Brady,
you know they ended up losing one, and it's it's
you know, no one can predict anything in football. You
can't try to predict anything except play by play. So
it's nothing like that's gonna be great. That's other than
the moment, the opportunity to get that's in hand in
(25:37):
front of you right now. So I think that's the
approach that we take and everything we do. Like so
that's just how I see it, and that's how I
try to lead and give everything I can.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
That's amazing. But Aishan, thank you so so much for
the time. I appreciate it.
Wow.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
Cheers Kristin Balboni and Sharon Thors loved with your Sideline Pass.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Welcome to Sideline Pass with your Panthers reporters Kristen and Sharon. Sharon,
we are back after a bye week. Are you feeling
rested and ready to go?
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Absolutely? It was nice to have a little little time
away from the football field, and I know the players
probably feel the same. But yeah, now it's like, all right,
we're all geared up and ready for the second stretch
run of the season.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Here, especially you know, coming back from Germany. So before
we get into everything, I just have to ask you,
how was it? What was one of your favorite parts?
Speaker 1 (00:41):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Wow, it was amazing. I mean it was such a
neat trip. I had never been to Germany before, and
minus the extremely long plane flights, it was just really
fun to be in a different culture. And my favorite
part really was the game, just because the stadium was
just full of all those fans that just love the NFL.
So you can tell that I don't care what team
is playing there. Really. There were clearly some Panther fans
(01:03):
there of course that had traveled over, and some Panthers
fans there in Germany, but then you saw like every
NFL jersey out there, every team, and they just stood
the entire time and they cheered everything and they sang
and it was just the energy was just amazing and
it was just a lot of fun. The game was great,
and of course winning was just the cheerry on top
of it was a really really cool trip.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yes, it certainly makes the plane ride a lot sweeter,
but you know, we talk about this often. Did you
get a chance to sleep or were you able to
sleep on either leg because you famously, as we talk about,
do not sleep on planes.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
So how did it go?
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yeah, well, the way over wasn't as bad because they
actually had some sleep supplements and melatonin available to us
to table, and so that actually made me really tired.
It made me fall asleep, but I didn't stay asleep
for long, but I did snooze a little bit way
more on the trip over. On the way back, we
did not have that, and we had some sort of
we had a bumpy ride on the way home for
(01:59):
a while. So I did a lot of reading and
movie watching and didn't get a whole lot of sleep
on the way back. But that was okay. So it
was not life or death so but the way, all right,
I was able to get a little of the sleep,
so I was real happy about that.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yes, yes, well, of course I always have to ask.
That's what I think about when you go on these
long plane rides. I'm like, man, I hope Sharon's doing
okay since I know that you're not sleeping. But as
you said, we have got an exciting start to the
second part of this season. The Kansas City Chiefs are
coming to town. What a matchup that is going to be. So, Sharon,
as you look at this and you've done you're doing
(02:33):
your scouting report, what stands out to you?
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Because I've got a couple of things on my list.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
You know what really sort of almost shocked me is
looking at the offensive statistics. I mean, the Chiefs are
not really they're not well knocking your socks off in
any category. They're like middle of the road. And it's
sort of weird that they're nine and one and I
know that they've really eked out some winds and had
some comfort behind things. And some people would argue that
(02:58):
they've gotten some good calls from the Red you know,
they've been able to they've been able to find a
way to win with. They are certainly not the juggernaut
that they've been in the past. Offensively, what they are
good at, really really really good at is defense. I
mean they're fifth over on the league, third against the run,
so they really clamp down on the run game. So
the defense is actually ranked a lot higher in just
about every statistical category than the offense. And I was
(03:20):
really amazed to see that.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Yeah, I completely agree.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
I was looking at the numbers as well, and Patrick
Mahomes more interceptions than he's ever had at this point
in the season. If I'm not mistaken, they are. They
just don't quite, as you said, look like the same Chiefs.
Now them not looking like themselves is still you know,
you still have Patrick Mahomes. And even if he's having
(03:44):
you know, a little bit of a down year. I mean,
I even hate to say that a little bit of
a down year, He's still Patrick Mahomes, right, and he
can still do all of.
Speaker 4 (03:51):
These crazy things. But I completely agree with you.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
About this defense really really putting in the work and
carrying the team a little bit to that nine and
one record. And you know, I was talking to Dave
Canalis yesterday, We're asking him about this defense because obviously
he's the offensive play caller.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
The defense is the strength of the Chiefs team.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
And he just said, you know, it all starts with
Spags as everyone calls him, Steve Spagnolo, and how aggressive
he is, how creative he is as a play caller.
And he just said, like, look, they make it really
hard for you. They load the box and then you
try to throw it, and they've got guys back there
too their safety. So it's like there's there's not a
ton of there's not a ton of weaknesses on that team.
(04:36):
And Sharon, when you look up front, it is certainly
hard to look past Chris Jones because he's six seven
and three hundred and something pounds. He is a big,
big man and he can move so well. Now, Sharon,
there was there was a guard, a second year guard
for the Bills that had a great game against him
(04:57):
last week, and you just didn't really hear his name called,
Chris Jones's name called until really about the end. And
that's one of the first times that we've really seen that.
And so I'm wondering if the Panthers are looking at
that from the Bills and saying, okay, we see how
to I mean, maybe not neutralize him, but we see
how to you know, limit him a little bit and
(05:18):
we'll see if the Panthers can do something like that.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
With this offensive line, who is a strength. They are
a strength of this team.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Absolutely no, I'm sure that they are going over that
film very close to me to see exactly what the
Bills were able to do to you know, take him
out of his game a little bit. And the Panthers,
like you said, with the offensive line, that has been
an absolute strength of this team. When you look at
the game that they had against the Giants, and the
Giants were leading the NFL in sacks and Dexter Lawrence
is you know, a beast back there, and they came
(05:46):
away with one sack in that game. So they've been
averaging four per game and Lawrence had nine. And so
the guys up front are just doing a tremendous job
and they're to the point now ikey Akwanhu should be
coming back here for this game. They've got sort of
like a wealth of talent. Now they've got almost too
many guys because they're having to decide, Okay, do we
want to keep Kid Mason there at center where he's
(06:06):
played so well in place of Brady Christensen because Brady
had to move outside for Ikey, or do you put
Brady back in there with his veteran talent. So you've
got a really good problem to have it that you've
got so many guys who are good upfront, and then
you've got, of course, like a guy like Robert Hunt,
who is also giant and huge and hopefully would be
able to face off with Chris Jones and neutralize him
some as well. So he's definitely the straw that stirs
(06:30):
the drink of that defense upfront, and trying to get
at him and slow him down in some capacity is
going to be key to just try to protect Bryce
Young back there and be able to get that run
game going.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
Absolutely, And I love what you said, the straw that
stirs the drink there, And I just want to say
the guard, the second year guard for the Bills. I
should have known his name to begin with it is
Osyrus Torrents, So certainly want to give him credit for
what he was able to do. You know, Sharon, I
was talking to Thomas Davis yesterday as we recorded our
TV and I said, is it going to be Robert Hunt?
(07:03):
Is he going to be charged with, you know, really
limiting Chris Jones in the way that Ocyrus Torrance largely
did for the Bills, because as you said, big man
on big Man, right, that's a lot of combined pounds
there and a lot of combined height.
Speaker 4 (07:17):
And TD said something interesting.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
He said, yes, but also it's going to have to
be by committee for the Panthers, and you know, I
completely agree. So we will see how they will work
that by committee. And like you said, it's a good
problem to have when you've got too many guys playing
well on your offensive line.
Speaker 4 (07:35):
But certainly you got to think that they want to
get that.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
I mean, look, these guys have come in and played
so well despite having lots of different lineups, but you
do want to have the guys on the field that
you feel jel the best, right, And so we'll see
what that looks like as they get ready for this game.
Knowing that you know, you could say any game the
battle in the trenches, but this one feels like it's
(07:59):
the the highest impact of all, right, the two and
as you said, and so we'll see, we'll see what
happens there. But we also have some potential returns and
some definite returns for the Panthers.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
You know, we've got to talk about Jonathan Brookes, Sharon.
That has been one.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
That fans have been waiting for, and frankly, this team,
this front office had been looking to see this rookie
running back and what he can do because he was
highly touted and of course he's had this injury that
he's worked his way back from.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
But I mean, we're going to see him in some
game action this Sunday.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yeah, and I know that everybody is very excited, as
you said, to see him make his debut, and he
is too. Even though he's he's very quiet, he's very reserved.
He's not out there.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
You know.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
We actually spoke with him earlier this week and open
locker room, and you know, he's like, yeah, I'm ready
to get out there. It's going to be great, you know.
But he's not like, you know, chomped in the bit,
but he's just he's a real sort of a quiet
kind of guy. But he is definitely ready to gather.
But I think he's also very thankful that they were
able to give him the time he needed to recover
because unfortunately, with a daughter with two torn acls, I
(09:04):
know how awful it is to come back from that
injury and how long it takes. And you know, they say, oh,
you can come back in nine months, Well nine months
is tough and most I mean a lot of times
you retear it if you come back too soon. They say,
if you can wait a year, that is the magic number.
It really is. And that's what he's at now basically
from his surgery. So that is ideal situation for him
(09:25):
to wait that long to come back because it just
makes it that much stronger. I think it also gives
him that much more confidence that he can rely on
the need, that he can trust that need, because that's
half the battle with a major injury like that is
being able to overcome the mental aspect of it. So
and he said, even the difference in how he feels
from now to a month ago is just huge. So
(09:46):
that was I'm so thankful and I know he is
that they were able to give him the time that
he needed to really get strong physically and mentally and
be able to make his debut. And yeah, like you said,
he is something else to watch. I mean, he was
outstanding at Texas and and people are chomping at the
bit to see what he can do out there, especially
when you get him out there with Cuba Hubbard Miles
Sanders of course will not be playing Wes. He deals
(10:07):
with that ankle and foot injury, and they're they're really
excited to put them out there in some two back sets,
and Brad Isaack offensive Cordner has said that they've been
working on that all season long and that they've been
working him into those. He's been learning both roles, both
positioned so they can be basically plug and play when
he is ready to go, which will be this Sunday.
So it's gonna be really cool to see how they
(10:29):
line him up, if they just leave Cuba and run
him in, or if they do have some two back
sets out there to showcase both of them, because they
both have they have different talents, they do different things
and certainly cause some stress on the defense when you
have to deal with both those guys out there at
the same time.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Well, first of all, Sharon, your daughter is a warrior.
Oh my goodness.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Oh I know we're on we're under her two right now,
we're at the nine month mark, so, oh.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
My gosh, it's brutal.
Speaker 3 (10:55):
Well, I'm sending her all the best because and you'll
have to keep us updated on that, because that is
that is so tough, as you said, and we are
seeing it with Jonathan Brooks and I completely agree. You know,
it'll probably be with the absence of Miles Standers. I
think we'll definitely see him there in those roles. But yeah,
I'm excited to see if we've got some two back sets. Certainly,
you got to think the offense would love that, right.
(11:17):
Dave Canalis brad idzick I was talking to Jonathan Stewart
we had an event at the stadium yesterday and he
said that, you know, he reminds him of Dangelo Williams
a little bit in the way in which he can
run in the body type what he is capable of doing.
And Sharon you mentioned it, Jonathan Brooks and Chuba Hubbard
are very different runners. And you know, Jonathan Stewart was
(11:38):
a little bit excited about the smash and dash two
point oh potentially, you know, that double headed monster of
him and DiAngelo, So that would you know, the fans
would certainly be happy about that, and.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
We know how dangerous that can be.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
We've seen it absolutely absolutely double trouble back in the
day is. Yeah, there was a lot of fun when
they have that, because I mean that gives any team
with you have two backs that can do that. I mean,
Miles Sanders obviously really good back as well. He has
a completely different skill set to the more you know
and passing can pass catching back kind of thing, and
he's got a different type of role with this team
as well. But I think that when you think of
(12:13):
the one two punch at running back, it's almost like
you said, Jonathan Stewart, Dangeaw Williams guys like that, And
so I think that this could be that type of
a combo to have two bout there and then to
have Jonathan Brooks join in the fun.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (12:25):
Well, and like you said, Chiefs third in the league
against the run, So I'm sure the Panthers will be
using any and all running backs ways of running that
they can to get that running game going, because of course,
I mean that is the bread and butter of most teams.
But we hear Dave Canalis talk about that every single week.
This team's identity is to be able to run the
(12:46):
ball as much as possible. So this will be a
good test against the Chiefs. Now, in terms of another
player that we think is coming back. This is you know,
we're recording this Wednesday afternoon before we hear from Dave Kanalis,
So this is outdated. Just pretend like you didn't hear
us say that.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
But this is.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Adam feelin he is feeling good about returning. So, Sharon,
I think we talk about him as if he's returning.
And as I said, if anyone is listening to this
and that's not the case, strike.
Speaker 4 (13:14):
It from your memory.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
But if he's back, we know that he is a
big target for Bryce Young. He's a little bit of
a for lack of a better word, like a security blanket.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Right.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
He's a veteran. He's always able to get open. He
had over one hundred catches last year. So in addition
to these rookies who have really come on in the
absence of any veterans, now you've got Adam Theelen back.
And that feels good to me, right, that feels good
to this offense.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Oh absolutely, I mean that's a huge ad if Adam
is back there on the field. Granted, these rookies have
stepped up tremendously and done a great job the past
couple of weeks without him in the lineup. But now
you've got Jonathan Mingo obviously not hear anymore Dante Johnson either,
so's they don't have a lot of guys out there,
and so to be able to get a vet Ran
back there who can just be that calming presence in
(14:02):
the huddle and just sort of get those guys lined up.
That's what brad Isaick was actually discussing that before the
Germany game when they weren't sure if he was going
to be able to play or not. But he said,
getting Adam Feelen back out there on the field, and
he's great on the sidelines. He's been like the coach
on the sidelines of the mentor kind of guy. But
he said, it just takes the pressure off those guys
because he can help get them lined up with they
(14:22):
need to be. If they have any questions about what
they're seeing defensively, that he can answer that. So he's
just a great leader and a great just a coach
out there on the field for those young guys. Not
to mention the fact that, like you said, he's the
sort of a security blanket for Bryce Young. It's definitely
his favorite target. And to have that kind of a
guy out there, who can do so many different things
as a receiver in so many different position to be
(14:44):
in the slobby on the outside, he can do different
things for him, and I think there's just a chemistry
that they already established a year ago, and to be
able to have that back out there now for him,
I think that's great for Bryce to be able to
just give him another option and give him a solid
veteran presence against an extremely good Chiefs defense.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
I completely agree.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
So, Sharon, the final thing I want to talk to
you about is Okay, So we were doing our TV
show with you know, Thomas Davis's my co host, Panthers
Huttle Go check it out, everybody check your local listings,
and we had Dave Canalis on there yesterday as we
always do, and TD brought up something that I think
(15:24):
you'll remember that fans will remember about ten years ago.
This team that TD was on twenty fourteen season started
three eight and one, and then they got hot and
they ended up seven.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Eight and one.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
They got into the playoffs as a wild card, and
things really turned.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Around right at that point.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
And you know, TD was looking at the standings in
our division and the Falcons lost, and he was like,
you know, things might be starting to come together a
little bit, and of course, knock on wood, but what
he was saying is there's some moments there, right and
guys are getting healthy.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
At the right time.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Other teams may not be looking as good right now,
and you know, Dave canal Is, I thought he was
going to be like, you know, I don't know, And
as soon as TD said that, he goes TD.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
I love to hear it. But then of course he
went right and he said, but look, all.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
We can do is control what we can control. We
can play the best of our abilities, and you know,
one week at a time. But I thought it was
great that, you know, full volume, TD, I love to
hear it. So, Sharon, you've certainly been covering the team
that since that season, and it does feel like, of course,
this is a tough opponent, but you've got something to
(16:40):
work on, You've got some momentum, and that has to
make these guys, especially those young guys, feel really good
to see the fruits of their labor starting to stuck
up a little bit.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
Absolutely, And I think one of the things that really
strikes me is that, I mean, Dave canal Is when
he got here. He had a plan, he had a process,
he had a way, he wanted to do things. He
wanted to be able to establish certain things and culture
and things like that, and he talks about, you know,
the process all the time. And you know, early on
in the season, it was tough and things weren't going,
you know, working out as well as you would like,
(17:10):
and there were so many guys injured and things like that,
and you know, they kept sticking with it though, and
now you're getting these guys back, You've been able to
stack a couple of wins together, and I think guys
are saying, you know, what this is working. This what
this process, this whole method and everything that he's trying
to do is starting to work. And I think that's
giving them a lot of confidence right there. And then
(17:31):
obviously to come off back to back wins is huge.
I mean, that's huge for their confidence, and I think
they're just starting to just gel better. I was talking
to a couple of guys on Monday in the locker
room on defense and it's like, you know, getting dj
wantaback was a huge thing. To get him back in
that Giants game. He really impacted and affected this defense
and jac hornsa, we feel like we're getting our chemistry
(17:51):
down now. We're sort of starting to develop who we
are and identities that don't know exactly what it is yet,
but we're starting to get there. And they're just starting
to really gel out there and getting some of that
non unspoken communication going and things like that. From a
defensive standpoint and then the offense. Yeah, I mean those
young guys, you know, j T Sanders, xaviererly get Jalen.
(18:14):
You know, they're just having they're having some success now
and they're being able to say, Okay, what we're doing
works and getting more confident every time they go out
there on the field. So I think that that's just
been a game changer for them. And yeah, you feel
like you've got stuff to work for now, something to
build on. You feel like you've got a potential of hey,
(18:35):
you know what, maybe we can make the playoffs. At
least we can keep stacking on our successes and keep
building for something even bigger now, as opposed to maybe
you're learning this isn't you're like, oh my gosh, what's
going on? We can't seem to get out of our
own way, or we're just struggling, but now it feels
like there's hope, there's something that you can really strive
for and are to get excited about for the fans,
but also this team. I mean, they're excited. They can't
(18:56):
wait to get out there to take on the Chiefs
on Sunday. And they're not intimidated. They're not scared at
all by this, you know, nine to one record, New
which the defending Super Bowl champs. They're chomping at the
bit ticket out there and take on these guys. So
I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Yeah, absolutely cannot wait to see that. We are going
to check back in next Wednesday after the Chiefs game.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
Sharon, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
As always, Thanks Kristin.
Speaker 3 (19:18):
I'm here now with Ashawn Robinson. Ashawn, thank you for
doing this. Good to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
A problem. Thanks me and you. I appreciate you having
me on here.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
Well, I appreciate you doing this. So let's talk. We
are right off of the bye week, aside from any
football stuff, right, no football talk right now?
Speaker 4 (19:33):
What are you doing to relax?
Speaker 1 (19:36):
I'll say, hang with my family, my kids. They do
a good job keep me off of thinking about anything else.
Other than them and making sure they're fine, taking care
of it. I'm playing attentative to them. So it's really
peaceful to me and keeps me, keeps me clear headed,
I'll say, and just just so relaxed that I can
just just deep take some deep breaths and take it
(19:59):
all in, just refocus on the game when I need
to come back to it.
Speaker 4 (20:02):
Yeah, be present. It sounds like, so how old are
the kids?
Speaker 1 (20:05):
If I may ask, I have an eight year old.
I have one is about to be two in a
month and a month and a half, and then the
other one he's six months. So I got two girls
and one boy.
Speaker 4 (20:16):
Congratulations.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
I have one that's going to be three in December
and then a six month old as well, So that
you got it even closer than I do with those
two little ones. But we are navigating that toddler infant
stage right now.
Speaker 4 (20:32):
And it's no joke.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
Oh, it's no joke at all. They are terrible twos,
terrible threes, terrible.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
Twos, and then the three major is what I've heard about.
A three Yes, But I appreciate you saying that's calming,
because I would not. I love my baby so much,
but I would not say like, oh, it's super calming.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
So you've got a different gear that you're turning on.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Well, you know, because I'm here all the time, so
here with the mom and they're always like, you know,
always on her. So I give her break, which gives
me a break so out here, you know a little bit.
So it gives it a little bit. Clear our mind,
clear my mind. One's no one's never in space. Everyone's
just whosa.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
I love that. I love that. So last game you
guys played was in Germany. You come home with the win.
How fun is that? Playing ride home?
Speaker 1 (21:19):
It's great, you know, coming back stecking back to back
wins and getting you know, fumulating that that bond and
that togetherness and coming together and really being that that
team and Hunterson what we really need to challenge, challenge
it the right way and pushing it the way we
need to go forward to have opportunity to have a
chance like this to if we keep stacking them down
(21:40):
the road, it could lead to something that's of us
going to a dance. So just having that mindset, knowing
that this is we get back to things. In football,
we have an individual week playoffs every week, week by
week now this is the rest of it goes, just
where the best team see it from this point on,
just where you make your margins to make your steps
and going to right way to be in those situations
(22:01):
you want to be at the end of the year,
at this time of the year. So I think everyone's
taking that right approach and having that mindset and just
gotten that way in all the way here.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
I was talking to Thomas Davis yesterday and he reminded
me about there was a team in twenty fourteen here
that started out three eight and one and then got hot,
went seven eight and one and got.
Speaker 4 (22:22):
Into the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
So you know, it's fun to see this team get
that momentum. And certainly you as not just a VET,
but as a college football playoff winner, as a Super
Bowl Are guys asking you about that kind of stuff?
Speaker 4 (22:37):
Are you sharing your experiences?
Speaker 1 (22:39):
Oh? One hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (22:41):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
It would be a disservice to my teammates, to myself
and to the guys that came for me that gave
me their knowledge, And I have no choice but to
give it out regardless of if anyone's asking. So if
they're not, if they are, and you know they are,
they are asking, but I'm saying like it doesn't matter
what the circumstances of their situation is, I'm giving it
out regardless. I just want to help as much as
I can because that's what my vets and my leaders
(23:03):
did for me when I was coming in a game,
from coming in from high school to college, coming from
college into the pro. That's just something you have to
do as being one of these players in the game
of football and playing a long time, you have to
get back to your other peers and the other players
to help them develop and navigate the future that can
compel them to do whatever they want to do in
this game of football.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
And what is the advice.
Speaker 3 (23:24):
I'm sure it's different for every guy, but what are
some things that you've learned being a part of these
great winning teams.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
You know, taking the ebbs and flows, the ups and
the downs, not getting too high, not getting too a little,
but staying even kill and just having that mindset of
just it can be better. It's always more you can do,
no matter what it is when lose or draw, you
can always be better. You always can put yourself or
the team in a better situation by doing your job more,
execute and getting into film study, watching more understanding what
(23:52):
you see extra off of those plays, which you can
help your brothers see those things, and so they don't.
It's just putting on switch and now everyone's clicking it
the same switch. So it's literally as if you're playing
Call of Duty and someone's like, I got your six,
that someone's in the back, someone's coming through the door.
You know, it's like it's of those type of things
and it's just really communicating, Like you know, for me
(24:13):
when I got into college, saving helped us with those
mindset like people would have military, you know, Marines come in,
sales come in to talk to us, and how the
communication has to be out there and be so cris
and how it has to flow as if it's a
river going up and down and just being able to
navigate itself no matter what whatever storms comes its way
(24:33):
and still be even killed underneath the surface.
Speaker 4 (24:36):
That's amazing. Well, real quick, are you a Call of
Duty player? It sounds like you are.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
I am. I don't think I'm the best caller.
Speaker 4 (24:44):
We make up for that in football, but I wanted to.
I wanted to.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
Finally, I did want to ask you about Alabama. Do
you have a chance to keep up with the games
during the NFL season.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
I'm always watching. You know, I'm a Bama guy, and
I got to talk a lot of trash because of
the history that we have and everyone hates us. So
when I come here, it's definitely I'm talking all the
trash I can and letting everyone know that ever since
y'all were in college and even now, we still beat that.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Button spoking like a true Bama guy. What do you
think about this season? What number seven in the rankings
right now?
Speaker 1 (25:17):
It's it's okay, Like you said, it's a season eves
and flows. You win some, you lose some. You know
people it's like the Chiefs undefeated season, like Tom Brady,
you know they ended up losing one, and it's it's
you know, no one can predict anything in football. You
can't try to predict anything except play by play. So
it's nothing like that's gonna be great. That's other than
the moment, the opportunity to get that's in hand in
(25:37):
front of you right now. So I think that's the
approach that we take and everything we do. Like so
that's just how I see it, and that's how I
try to lead and give everything I can.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
That's amazing. But Aishan, thank you so so much for
the time. I appreciate it.
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