August 2, 2025 • 7 mins
Linebacker Bobby Okereke speaks to the media after Saturday's practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Facility.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's been fun playing the game. I love, you know,
competing with my teammates against some warm weather. So it
feels like traditional camp.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Bobby, you see, you know, even going back to the
offseason when they're putting these pieces together and bringing in
new guys on the defense.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
And what you had coming back.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I know it's only eight practices in camp, but is
this coming together the way you had hoped being in
that middle of that defense from.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Front to back a hundred percent?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
You know, great trust and you know our head coach
in the front office, but we got a lot of
dynamic pieces on our defense from the back end, the
leadership and the communication from the safeties, from you know,
the athletic ability, the ball skills of the corner position,
and you know obviously just how dynamic and athletic are
pass rushes up front. You know, we're we're putting the
building blocks together to be a very fearsome defense.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
I think Dex said when he came out here on
day one, the idea of they've talked about it in
the past rush mediums, but also you guys have talked
about as a group, you don't stop the run. None
of that pass rush matters. How how does that come together?
What are you focusing on, I know, collectively, but what
what needs to happen for the run defense to come together.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Yeah, what we say is you got to earn the
right to rush the passer, and you know that's being
dominant on first and second down, creating TFLs, getting knocked
back up front, playing downhill at the linebacker positions. So uh,
you know, as we go through camps, camp and you know,
go through these practices, and I feel like it's just
get building that continuity of the unit where the safeties
(01:34):
understand how the D lines fitting, the D line understands
how the run linebackers are fitting, and et cetera. So, uh,
you know, we we've been doing great work there. Obviously
the work's not done, but we've been very detailed throughout
that process. Any somatic changes to help their run defense, yeah,
a little bit.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
We got some movement.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Obviously, we got some new dynamic pieces up front that
can you know, create some havoc and create some knockback.
But I feel like it's just guys, you know, understanding
the details of the position, the details of their job.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
You know, Shane is a you know, schematic mastermind. So
I feel like as as we're going through these practices
and we're understanding his you know, philosophical mind of you know,
how he wants guys to play defense and executing the
techniques and fundamentals of each position.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Uh, you know we're only getting better as you're back.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Great, fantastic, you know, feel healthy. You know, I'm very
fortunate for you know, Ronnie Aaron, coach, Dave's taking care
of me and you know, just working with the GPS
low management stuff. But I feel great, I feel blessed
playing the game.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I love.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Has any he stod out about due niracy in the past, Tomong,
just how he's moving, how he's reacting.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
A little bit one hundred percent, his explosiveness and his instincts.
You know, as a rookie, it's not easy to be
thrown up there at you know, different positions, whether you're
lining up at three tech or at end or at
inside linebacker.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
And uh, he's executing well, and he's executing with speed.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So uh, you know, I've been very encouraged by what
he's done, very impressed, and you know, I'm excited for
what he's going to bring to this unit.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Moment with him, like it's unusual. A rookie's not supposed
to do that.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
I mean, I would just I would say to the
explosive and instincts. You know, you put him inside linebacker,
and he's not necessarily trepidacious or asking what to do.
You know, he's got that demeanor and mentality he's going
to make a play at whatever position you line him
up as.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
So.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Uh, you know, he's just a dog football player and
I'm excited he's he's on my team.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
What's that like off the field? Like? Is he quiet?
Is he louder? Is he confident? I would say he's
a quiet, confident guy.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
I mean as a rookie, I feel like, you know,
he he's understanding that it's better to listen as opposed
to talk. But uh, you know, as I get to
know him more, you know he's he's got a dominant
personality and it shows on the field. Here's been a
lot of talk about the safeties with Drawn came in
as a leader and Tyler stuff into that role.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
How does that help you? You know, in the middle
of the defense, it's big. You know.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
I talked to those guys probably more than anybody on
the field except know Micah or Moose. But you know,
just kind of empowering those guys, you know, to to
speak up in meetings, speak up on the field because
they've got the best vantage point in the field.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Uh. And they're both such great leaders, you know.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Javon uh being a former captain, being a veteran and
Nuban just his personality and leadership he has at such
a young age. You know, both those guys are you know,
bolster the unit big, big time. I'm wondering, what do
you think when people say this should be one of
the best pass rushers in the league.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
What do I think about that? Uh? You know, I
think it's a I think it's a great challenge. Uh.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
And I know the mentality those guys up front Decks
k von Burns, Abdul that they don't want anything handed
to them, and they talk about it every day. You know,
they say, we're great on paper, but we haven't shown
anything yet. So Uh, they're putting in the work, They're
putting the detail and you know, I'm excited for that
product to show on game day.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Have you seen tangible evidence for you You had two
rookies last year in Nuben and Phillips that were a
part of this defense. But you could see, I mean
they that Middley said, you know, they were swimming a
little bit, maybe Drew a little bit more than Tyler.
Just curious what tangebly you've seen from the two of them,
and will kind of lead you could kind of expect for.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
A year two Yeah, big time. I mean, Drew is
a freak athlete.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Uh So for him, you know, he's got all Pro
Pro Bowl in his future. It's just, you know, as
he gets mentally more in tune with the game and
understanding concepts and playing the game, you know, playing ahead
of the game, seeing those pre snap indicators. I send
him in meetings every day, and you know, I see
the notes he's taken, the questions he's asking.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
So it's cool to see that maturation.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Uh and then Newbn he's he's just he's such a
leader that you know, just as time goes he's gonna
you know, step into that role and get even more confident.
So I feel like he's just learning from you know,
some of the pitfalls and mistakes of his rookie year
and you know, going through practices. But he's a very
sharp kid, and you know, I'm very excited for him.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
He's the turnover chess. Actually it's cool.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, actually rally guys by, Like obviously didn't get a
lot of takeaways last year.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Guys are bringing that out. Is that gimmicky or does
that actually fire guys up?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
No, fires guys up. You know, whatever you can do
to create more buying, I think it's better. You know,
we're with each other, you know, eighteen hours of a day,
like we we live, breathe and die football. So you know, however,
you can get guys more involved, more juiced up to
create a turnover to you know, affect the game even
even better.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
What are you seeing from the offensive line, Like, it's
a group that I'm sorry this was asked them laid over, Like, Uh,
it's a group that's pretty much the same as last year.
We're going against them, like a lot rides on them.
What are you seeing from them across the ball in
these practices?
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Yeah, physicality. I go against those guys every day and
you know, I'm I'm physical. I'm punching them, I'm hitting
the running backs and you know they're throwing it back
in my face. So it's fun. And uh, they're they're
they're they're they're the engine of our offense. Honestly, you
see the way elite catch the ball. One Dale's can
catch the ball, and they're running ten yards fifteen down
field to go rally with their teammates. You know, they're
(07:05):
just they're they're building that mentality and demeanor
Speaker 3 (07:11):
M
It's been fun playing the game. I love, you know,
competing with my teammates against some warm weather. So it
feels like traditional camp.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Bobby, you see, you know, even going back to the
offseason when they're putting these pieces together and bringing in
new guys on the defense.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
And what you had coming back.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
I know it's only eight practices in camp, but is
this coming together the way you had hoped being in
that middle of that defense from.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Front to back a hundred percent?
Speaker 1 (00:30):
You know, great trust and you know our head coach
in the front office, but we got a lot of
dynamic pieces on our defense from the back end, the
leadership and the communication from the safeties, from you know,
the athletic ability, the ball skills of the corner position,
and you know obviously just how dynamic and athletic are
pass rushes up front. You know, we're we're putting the
building blocks together to be a very fearsome defense.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
I think Dex said when he came out here on
day one, the idea of they've talked about it in
the past rush mediums, but also you guys have talked
about as a group, you don't stop the run. None
of that pass rush matters. How how does that come together?
What are you focusing on, I know, collectively, but what
what needs to happen for the run defense to come together.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Yeah, what we say is you got to earn the
right to rush the passer, and you know that's being
dominant on first and second down, creating TFLs, getting knocked
back up front, playing downhill at the linebacker positions. So uh,
you know, as we go through camps, camp and you know,
go through these practices, and I feel like it's just
get building that continuity of the unit where the safeties
(01:34):
understand how the D lines fitting, the D line understands
how the run linebackers are fitting, and et cetera. So, uh,
you know, we we've been doing great work there. Obviously
the work's not done, but we've been very detailed throughout
that process. Any somatic changes to help their run defense, yeah,
a little bit.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
We got some movement.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Obviously, we got some new dynamic pieces up front that
can you know, create some havoc and create some knockback.
But I feel like it's just guys, you know, understanding
the details of the position, the details of their job.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
You know, Shane is a you know, schematic mastermind. So
I feel like as as we're going through these practices
and we're understanding his you know, philosophical mind of you know,
how he wants guys to play defense and executing the
techniques and fundamentals of each position.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
Uh, you know we're only getting better as you're back.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Great, fantastic, you know, feel healthy. You know, I'm very
fortunate for you know, Ronnie Aaron, coach, Dave's taking care
of me and you know, just working with the GPS
low management stuff. But I feel great, I feel blessed
playing the game.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I love.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Has any he stod out about due niracy in the past, Tomong,
just how he's moving, how he's reacting.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
A little bit one hundred percent, his explosiveness and his instincts.
You know, as a rookie, it's not easy to be
thrown up there at you know, different positions, whether you're
lining up at three tech or at end or at
inside linebacker.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
And uh, he's executing well, and he's executing with speed.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So uh, you know, I've been very encouraged by what
he's done, very impressed, and you know, I'm excited for
what he's going to bring to this unit.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Moment with him, like it's unusual. A rookie's not supposed
to do that.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
I mean, I would just I would say to the
explosive and instincts. You know, you put him inside linebacker,
and he's not necessarily trepidacious or asking what to do.
You know, he's got that demeanor and mentality he's going
to make a play at whatever position you line him
up as.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
So.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Uh, you know, he's just a dog football player and
I'm excited he's he's on my team.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
What's that like off the field? Like? Is he quiet?
Is he louder? Is he confident? I would say he's
a quiet, confident guy.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
I mean as a rookie, I feel like, you know,
he he's understanding that it's better to listen as opposed
to talk. But uh, you know, as I get to
know him more, you know he's he's got a dominant
personality and it shows on the field. Here's been a
lot of talk about the safeties with Drawn came in
as a leader and Tyler stuff into that role.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
How does that help you? You know, in the middle
of the defense, it's big. You know.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
I talked to those guys probably more than anybody on
the field except know Micah or Moose. But you know,
just kind of empowering those guys, you know, to to
speak up in meetings, speak up on the field because
they've got the best vantage point in the field.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Uh. And they're both such great leaders, you know.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Javon uh being a former captain, being a veteran and
Nuban just his personality and leadership he has at such
a young age. You know, both those guys are you know,
bolster the unit big, big time. I'm wondering, what do
you think when people say this should be one of
the best pass rushers in the league.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
What do I think about that? Uh? You know, I
think it's a I think it's a great challenge. Uh.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
And I know the mentality those guys up front Decks
k von Burns, Abdul that they don't want anything handed
to them, and they talk about it every day. You know,
they say, we're great on paper, but we haven't shown
anything yet. So Uh, they're putting in the work, They're
putting the detail and you know, I'm excited for that
product to show on game day.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Have you seen tangible evidence for you You had two
rookies last year in Nuben and Phillips that were a
part of this defense. But you could see, I mean
they that Middley said, you know, they were swimming a
little bit, maybe Drew a little bit more than Tyler.
Just curious what tangebly you've seen from the two of them,
and will kind of lead you could kind of expect for.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
A year two Yeah, big time. I mean, Drew is
a freak athlete.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Uh So for him, you know, he's got all Pro
Pro Bowl in his future. It's just, you know, as
he gets mentally more in tune with the game and
understanding concepts and playing the game, you know, playing ahead
of the game, seeing those pre snap indicators. I send
him in meetings every day, and you know, I see
the notes he's taken, the questions he's asking.
Speaker 3 (05:31):
So it's cool to see that maturation.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
Uh and then Newbn he's he's just he's such a
leader that you know, just as time goes he's gonna
you know, step into that role and get even more confident.
So I feel like he's just learning from you know,
some of the pitfalls and mistakes of his rookie year
and you know, going through practices. But he's a very
sharp kid, and you know, I'm very excited for him.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
He's the turnover chess. Actually it's cool.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, actually rally guys by, Like obviously didn't get a
lot of takeaways last year.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Guys are bringing that out. Is that gimmicky or does
that actually fire guys up?
Speaker 1 (06:05):
No, fires guys up. You know, whatever you can do
to create more buying, I think it's better. You know,
we're with each other, you know, eighteen hours of a day,
like we we live, breathe and die football. So you know, however,
you can get guys more involved, more juiced up to
create a turnover to you know, affect the game even
even better.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
What are you seeing from the offensive line, Like, it's
a group that I'm sorry this was asked them laid over, Like, Uh,
it's a group that's pretty much the same as last year.
We're going against them, like a lot rides on them.
What are you seeing from them across the ball in
these practices?
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Yeah, physicality. I go against those guys every day and
you know, I'm I'm physical. I'm punching them, I'm hitting
the running backs and you know they're throwing it back
in my face. So it's fun. And uh, they're they're
they're they're they're the engine of our offense. Honestly, you
see the way elite catch the ball. One Dale's can
catch the ball, and they're running ten yards fifteen down
field to go rally with their teammates. You know, they're
(07:05):
just they're they're building that mentality and demeanor
Speaker 3 (07:11):
M
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