Press Conference (Carlos Locklyn)

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/around-the-oval--4471413/support.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
I ain't do. I guess theinterview process were about how you might approach

(00:03):
this and what do you think ismean the key element? You're getting the
most out of those because you gottwo guys. This ain't my first rodeo,
No. I know a lot ofpeople look at say, well,
this guy only been on the fieldfor three years Westerton, Tucky and Oregon.
Just because I didn't have the titleof a running back coach where I

(00:25):
was at the Memphis, I nevercarried myself that way. I was carried
myself as a running back coach.I approached every day that way. So
at Memphis we had Darren Henderson,Patrick Taylor, Tony Poller, Kenny Game,
weell Tonyo Gibson. I've seen talentedbacks and I've seen them be able
to function with one another. SoI hear that all the time about well,

(00:46):
this ain't my first rodeo. Samething out there at Oregon we Bucke,
irivin Norwich and George James. Yougo look at their numbers. They
all functioned well together. We learnedhow to play as one. So this
ain't my first rodeo. So andplus I know those two kids because I
cruiter when they was in high school. So I'm up for the challenge and
the responsibility of it. Got rightbehind the damn hope. Carlos, Just

(01:07):
what is your kind of coaching philosophy? How do you get the best out
of your running backs? I getthe best outum, cause I love the
young men. My main focus isit changed the hearts and minds of them
and they'll play for me. Ihad just got through reading Coach Trestle's Winners
Manual, and it's something that Itook from that book. You have your
purpose and you have your goals,alright. My purpose is to serve and

(01:30):
pour into the young men. Nowmy goals is a football coach. All
of them are take care of themselves. So that's one of the ways.
I'm just real relationship base and I'mvery detailed at this position. I know
y'all heard me say it before,and I'm go'a keep saying this is the
worst coach position in football. It'sterrible, guys. Hire anybody to coaches
position and recruiters. Carls Locker isnot a recruiter. I'm an elite relationship

(01:53):
builder, but I coach this position. I'm a ball coach, so that's
who I am. So i'm'a pourinto these kids. I think they kind
of seeing it now and I jumpedin day one. I'm ready to coach
and you praise you know, softbatched cookies. Where did that phrase come
from? Kind of what was funny? Boy? Let me tell you about
that. Boy. I've been calledeverything but the name the child of God

(02:14):
by the people at the other placesI left, so that I been getting
Pillsbury need to give me a dealbecause I've been getting I've been getting some
DM and texts something. Some ofthem have been so funny. The Saubat's
cookie thing came from just having aframe of mind, a mental toughness.
It had nothing to do with guysgetting in the portal and anything. Now

(02:36):
most people say I'm a salftbatched cookiefor leaving there, but actually I'm not
because it takes great strength to makea decision to leave a place. No,
a weak minded person wouldn't be ableto make the decision that I made,
So it took great strength to dothat. So I'm telling you,
if I literally in my DMS,it's some it's some great comedians out here
that have been sending me like tonsof cookies and I'm like, it's funny

(03:00):
him. How have you going aboutthe assessment of the talent in the room?
Uh, over the past week ortwo? How much is that on
field off field? Like, what'sthe process of getting to know who you
have as players? Well? Ibroke down well me being a guy that
loves the running back position, andI already broke those kids down because I

(03:20):
recruit him out of high school.You know, Q is from where I'm
from in Montgomery. I was oneof the first guys to offer him just
watching him great contact balance, creativerunner, great hands and trey. I
recruited him out of Virginia exceptional shortair, your bursting quickness and things that
I'm gonna help him get better on. And then I recruited James Peeples out

(03:43):
of t out of San Antonio,Texas. I knew what he was gonna
what he was gonna be TC andSam. Those two kids I'm getting to
know and I'm gonna help them improvethat game. But we got different runners
in there. I like to callmyself, I'm in love with this position,
so I get to break down runnersand help their game. So talented
talented room, very talented uh farback uh. Jeremy Birmingham podcast Couch,

(04:09):
how do you swear that that thesoft past cookies are actually the best cookies?
To Philip Britton Nis and Boring,those are way better than the crunchy
chips and white things Turner, Imean, do you do you got to
the first find a balance there orsomewhere. Well, for me, I'm
actually not eating any cookies. Nah, I'm just saying I'm not eating any
cookies this year. I gave itup for a fast, So no sweets

(04:30):
for me for the whole year.That's something I gave up. So they
the term the South bast cookie term. Look, guys, I actually took
that from I represent the high schoolcoaches of Meths, Tennessee. I actually
took that from a guy named coachSlocum. He used to always say that
soft bast cookie. I actually stolethat from him. I give him credit
for it, and I tell himall the time he said, you I

(04:53):
should have branded that, cause youdone took it and ran away with it.
But that's just where that comes from. So that that no what standing.
As you get to a high standand you start to look around the
country at me Oregon's a big place. That's a that's a major job with
How how do you think that whereyour opposite logo are the jack were in
the blocko? When you get outout of the living free and trail,

(05:13):
how does that change the way thatyou feel you're either received or or does
it add a different level to tojust feeling like I could go anywhere and
get anybody in the country. Andthat's the sagest thing for me. This
is a great place. Oregon isa great place too. But guess what,
whatever I put on, I knowwhat I'm going to represent for me.

(05:36):
I n I N I know whowho put me here? Uh?
I know I represented something higher,you know. Like I told you,
I know what my purpose is.My purpose is to pouring to people.
So whatever logo I have on,I'm still gonna be doing the same thing.
So this is a great logo.Great logo by well another logo every
day it's across I see around myneck. I know what I represent.

(05:58):
So that's the greatest logo I couldever wear. So it doesn't matter what
other logo I have on. Igot that one on. I'm going to
any house and be a recruit.Uh uh deep right camera kick Robinson the
athletic from which you you mentioned thetime at Memphis and themnis four and about
n backs you mentioned there. Whoyou learned from that time that we that

(06:19):
you take over to managing your groupand kid What did I learn from them?
I just building a just teaching thekids. We live in such a
selfish world, though, and Icould tell the kids all the times,
it's gotta be much more the football. The ball gonna go flat one day.
As I always say, what beingin that room there at Memphis is
it wasn't four five? Teaching themhow to be a b boy? Being

(06:44):
one? I tell you them inall time, it doesn't cost you anything
to celebrate another man's success. Soteaching them how to be one, and
then once they learned to be one, they function and they feed off one
another. So that's what I learnedfrom being there at Memphis. Uh,
right in front of Andy Bash fromlet'em in the road, Carlos started
your career in law enforcement, kindof influence you as a coach and kind
of shape where you are. Ohwell, I just got through talking to

(07:09):
somebody about that today. When Ifirst got in this profession, and I
got my own room at Western Tech. I was asked, No, how
was I was gonna be able tohandle my room? I said, Man,
I had a part with fifty oneinmates. You talking about me having
got six or seven guys? Areyou kidding me? I'm talking about me

(07:29):
having to do traffic stops or goingon domestic no violence calls. It's simple,
easy, No. People don't knowwhat you care. Also know,
you gotta have a certain demeaning aboutyourself. So when I walk into a
room, it's the reason why Igo train every morning. This is when
it's the same thing when I wasa police officer. You look a certain
way kind of deter people from doingcertain things. So the reason why I

(07:51):
go train every morning, i'm'a lookjust as good as my boys look.
So U it helped out a lot. In other words, Wow, front
row right, Austin wore Uh thepodcast, Uh, Carls, Welcome to
Columbus. What would it mean toI don't know, revolutionize the way running
backs are coach? What does thattake? I ain't even I'm not gonna

(08:13):
say revolutioniz. It's just some goodIt's some good running back coaches out here.
Everybody's different it's some great coaches outhere. I just want the head
guys who say that on these jobsto not just hire guys. As you
know, all coaches on your staffshould be great recruiters, not just a
running back coach. We coach aposition, We developed players as well.
I just want the coaches to realize, Hey, you know what, let

(08:37):
me look and be thorough about thisguy that I'm hiring for this job.
Is he teaching the position? Ishe development the position? Because you're not
gonna hire anybody just coach quarterbacks,are you. Well, it shouldn't be
like that for the running back positioneither. And I'm only passionate about it
cause I played it. I loveit, so it's the only position I
want to coach. Could I coachthe other positions? Yeah? I play
dB in college too, But Ilove the running back position, so I

(08:58):
just want to see it coch wellTy podcasts. Yeah, a million questions
all as a couple of Number one, when you when you when your wife
whatever, you got the message stuff? Are we moving again? What was
What was her reaction? Nah?She she just new guy had give us,
gave us a new assignment. Shew It was never like we're moving
again. Let me tell you guyssomething I grew up. My mom was

(09:20):
in the military, so I livedeverywhere. I lived in Panama of South
America. I'm used to picking upand moving. I lived in Fort Rodley,
Kansas, Montgomery's home if it wasmy second home, so I'm I'm
used to moving now. My wifeit was different for her, but she
just knew guy that gave us anew assignment. So it's time to go.
What did uh? What did coachthey tell you when you heard you
that he wants out of you?That may be different. It's not slamming

(09:43):
somebody else, But what did hesay he wanted you to bring to the
running back room? I think hedid his research on me. He said
he wanted the guy to to developthe position. And that's not taking a
shot at the coach that was herewho I'm friends with. He said,
they want somebody to really get theguys going. I can only be me,

(10:07):
and I told him that because I'mgonna be me every day now.
Because see, my mindset is whenI step in this building, I got
one mindset that's to do my jobso well that the living dead or unborn
can do it any better. Sowhen I leave it, that's what my
mindset is. Hopefully I'm here fora long time, but only God knows
that. So but that's my mindsetevery day that step into the wizard hate

(10:28):
So that's my mindset. I'm gonnado my job so well that living dead
or Umborn couldn't do it any better. So that's what my mindset is.
Cose, you got time for onelast question, Bill Rabinowitz the Plumbus Dispatch
Carlos. First of all, it'sit true that nobody calls you Carlos,
never calls you Locke. That's thetruth. Yeah, I prefer to be
called locked in particular. But Iwouldn't say everyone doesn't really know how to

(10:52):
handle it properly. You see itcurrently. I mean, it's just it's
a variable that's new and how tohandle it. There's not a transcript on
how to handle that variable. Soyou just guys just trying to do what
they think is right. That's allthey're really trying to do. And I'm
not saying that right or wrong.But he was trying to do the same,
and you know, I think atthe end of the day he realized
he made made the wrong decision.And we connected on it. We talked

(11:16):
about it, and you know,it was a great opportunity to to write
or wrong. And obviously we're veryglad he's here. I've always believed in
him. We believe in him,and he believes in himself, and that's
part of the just trying to understandwhat's my path, right. So,
uh, but yeah, it's beengreat. Steps have been made. He's
growing, but he's nowhere near wherehe knows he's capable of being. He's

(11:39):
just probably a priceless Caeremiah. Ilove the way he lives. I love
the way he approaches things. Ilove the way the questions he asks.
I love the way he makes mistakesand then correct mistakes. It's very veteran,
like, I mean, there's somuch ball he has to learn.
Like he literally does things that aregood. I'm like, do you know

(12:01):
what that worked? He goes coach, I have no freaking idea, So
like, I'm trying to teach himall of that why it worked, so
then you know the consistency at whichit works just goes through the roof.
And so but I'm very you know, excited and proud of the conversations.
We're currently having and I'm excited itfor them to keep going by what power
for you work and what you tellhim. I love working with Chip Chip

(12:24):
is. I love talking ball,I love the viewpoints I love I love
the veteran that he has, youknow, uh and uh, I love
yeah, Like I love all ofit. I think that you know,
early on the biggest impact, youknow, just you know, feeling perspective.

(12:48):
I think in the run game hasbeen awesome, you know, and
then you know, off of therun game some of the actions or or
relief throws or all that kind ofstuff. I love where it's at.
I love working with them, andI would say that I sleep a little

(13:11):
better all right. Uh No,It's it's really a great combo because,
like you know, we're obviously we'redoing a lot as a group. It's
not just Chip and I so butyou know, obviously Chip has an image
and a view on things that Inever had. So to have that experience
and to have that viewpoint, I'mjust trying to absorb as much as I

(13:35):
can, but then also highlight somethings that we've really done a good job
of and make sure those you know, nothing's really changing. We're just trying
to enhance. We're not changing,we're enhancing. So where the things fit
is perfect. You know, Ithink, uh, you know the rest
of the dynamics of search Chip cantalk about. But it's been it's been
awesome, so I'm excited about it. We talked to a mecca. You're

(13:58):
talking about moving from slotter side.You know how good we've been in the
slot. Is that a difficult movefor you guys just coaches to know how
good a guy is in on onespot, but know that maybe for his
long term future and the no.I wouldn't say it's anything on his future
because he's capable of doing whatever youwant to get done. But I'd say
that it says more about the room. I think it's it's the growth of

(14:22):
you know, Brandon and the growthgrow of Bryson. That's really, you
know, allowing my mind to say, hey, Mech, be prepared.
You're gonna move around a lot.You're gonna come out of that slot,
You're gonna be outside. We're gonnacreate mismatches out there. I mean,
his ability to move around is critical. But I would say between Mech and
between Carnell, Takes's ability to movearound a lot it's gonna provide a lot

(14:43):
of flexibility for our room. Anduh and those top you know, six
seven guys that are really doing agood job right now progress this spring Formica
because there's no kind of thing.It's one of those things, I'm true
where U has balanced how much workeddoes a need versus yeah, yeah,
heavy heavy emphasis on one work heneeds, you know, versus anything else.
I rely on him. We havegreat dialogue back and forth. It's

(15:05):
a two way it's a two wayconversation. And frankly, there's gonna be
times we're like, hey, mechwhat do you want to do today?
You wanna go outside? You gonnago inside? And I don't care.
So we're not there yet. Wewill be there, but it's just more
about, you know, when theroom is ready to start mixing things up.

(15:37):
I would say, there's God.I mean, I make sure I
bring in guys that are able todo all, but I have not asked
them to yet. So the onlyguys that in our room currently I've asked
to do that has been Mecca andCarnell, And those are probably the two
guys that I would, you know, think heavily on doing moving around a
lot I'm not putting that on anybodyelse right now, not saying they can't,
but at this point, having twoguys been able to swim, you

(16:00):
probably don't need much more than that. I need guys being experts at what
they're good at, so it ithelps the offense still be great at everything
and be an expert at something,and we can use that to our a
lot of them. I like him. Yeah, it's a bunch of good
dudes just just got here, sowe're gonna keep working and I like I
like our edge guys that we pickedup, and I'm excited to work with

(16:22):
them. You know much about howwe playing against him Leonard Boyd and what's
been kind of earlier him. Ithink he's super skilled, Russier, a
little good length, and he's moreathletic than I even realized. And I
think guys like him when they cometo our scheme are the best is brought
out of them. So I'm excitedto see what potential he has. He's

(16:45):
year nine, so I feel likeyou, as a d lineman, you
can keep improving all the way throughten years in this league, So I'm
excited to see what he's got.How old did you know soorts so when
he was assistant here, and Ihave gotten to know him a lot by
it's a relationship. Maybe right now, I know him pretty well. He
was always just a good dude aroundthe facility. He did our ball meetings,

(17:10):
so he's good in front of agroup. He's a good leader.
He knows the scheme really well,which is good. I was happy to
see him promoted. He called mein the off season, we talked.
I just congratulated him, and Ithink he's gonna bring something similar to what
we had with the Miko would begood. Do you know Brandon Stanley well

(17:34):
at all? I mean, obviouslyJoey playing for him, I don't know
too much about him. I've obviouslyheard from my brother, but I don't
even think i've said high yet.I haven't ran into him yet, but
I'm sure i'll get to know him. When you say it looks similar to
the Miko of the energy or system, maybe a little different energy, but

(17:55):
I think just knowing the system fromthe front to the back, I think
he knows how it ties in.And he's been around with some really good
coaches, so I think it'll bepretty pretty seamless. And I think we'll
be firing on all cylinders. You'rethree months removed from the Super Bowl now,

(18:15):
so how have you? I guessdigested it, and I guess physically
everything good to go. Yeah,I feel really good. I think it's
been one of my better off seasonsof just kind of It was a long
year, so I took it niceand slow to get back into it.
Not as young as I once was, so I'm taking a little a little

(18:36):
slower, but everything's great. I'mfeeling as good as I felt. I'm
excited to actually get some practice in. Last year was kind of tough,
getting thrown in Week one after Iwalked through, so that was another reason
I'm excited to be here is justto get practicing a little bit in season.
Practice is one thing, but actuallybeing able to work your staf of

(19:00):
and not have a game coming upis good. With the Super Bowl unfortunately,
I know how to bounce back fromtough losses, so it was rough
for a little bit, but no, just annoying when people bring it up.
Since the last season, we've seenthe Rock on TV commercials and on

(19:22):
the stage with Kluke Coombs and throwingout the first pitch of the Giants game,
But he seems like a guy that'stotally unaffected by celebrity, which he
has now. But what have younoticed in his leadership style and the way
he carries himself any difference at all. I think he's definitely getting a little
more vocal within the building. Anduh, yeah, I mean I don't

(19:44):
think he's ever gonna change. Idon't think he's somebody that's gonna change even
when he gets paid next year.So he's he's a man of faith and
he kind of reminds me of ScottiScheffler, but except for just super humble
and really good kid. And yeah, he's definitely famous famous shuffler. I

(20:14):
don't just from watching Armstead get releasedobviously meant so much to the defensive line
into the team. I mean,Colin John were pretty open that they were
willing to talk about trading deebo orare you at you? Does that just
another what's that feel like in thelocker room when those sort of jewels happened.

(20:34):
I didn't even know that happened andI wasn't here, but you're talking
about this offseason Armstead in alarm Erreleased, so that's certainly one thing.
Yeah, it's a tough business forsure. You have to have thick skin
and I haven't gone through that,but I think you just have to understand

(21:00):
that it is a business and theteam's going to try and get as good
as it possibly can with or withoutyou, and you have to look out
for yourself. That's why you gothrough holdouts and do certain things that seem
selfish in the moment, but itis what it is, and when everything's
settled, we're gonna come together asa team and try and go get one

(21:22):
Nick, what's the overall feeling aroundthe group right now? Like, how
much does it feel like the excitementof the ramp up to the season,
Even though it's early, it feelsgood. It's been a couple of days
for me, so I like allthe new guys. I'm getting to know
everybody, but I think the passesin the past and we're ready to go.
Do you talk to me? Youtalk to Beat all about handling the
business part of this. He's goingthrough something similar. We chat a little

(21:47):
bit, but not too much aboutthe details. I just told him keep
his head up and try and staypositive through it all. You first impressions
when you heard what your schedule wouldbe in that Aaron Rodgers. First off,
it'll be fun. Yeah, it'sgonna be gonna be a good one.
Use me kind of alluded to thisfor the fact that last year you

(22:11):
had to have that hold out forsaid that affected you somewhat early in the
season. If you hadn't had thatexperience, would you be here right now?
I mean, was that part ofthe motivation for being here early just
to have the opposite one last year? Might be No, I don't think
that's one of the reasons. ButI just talked to Kyle and he kind

(22:33):
of asked me. He kind ofstated how he felt about why it would
be good for me to be hereand asked if I agreed, And I
did agree. So it's not likeI'm missing too much. I think I'm
out here. It's a little lessworkload than I'm doing back home, So
it's kind of a good active recoverything for me. And I'm getting football

(22:56):
stuff football working specifically, so that'sgood. I'm not it's not compromising my
training at all, and I getto meet all the guys. It's positive.
How did Joey kid the news yourbrother? Did you have to like
let him down and oh no,he's he's there. He's got a new

(23:18):
regime over there. Did you first? I actually thought I was coming next
week until recently, so I wasgonna have one more week at home,
but we're both in California. Anythingyou could like share about tons reasons,
reasons that you agreed with for beinghere. Uh, yeah, just the

(23:44):
things I already stated, Just gettingaround the guys and just getting the football
stuff honed in a little bit beforecamp starts. You've been afraid, You've
been afraid to speak out on playersafety issues and things like that when coach
to playing service and things like theeighteen game schedule has been kind of discussed
again here recently. What is yourkind of take on that possibility. I

(24:11):
mean, it's I guess it's easyto appreciate when you kind of see it
working and you see guys improving,getting better. I just think the details
are really important. You can pretendthat leaving your shoes a mess or your
locker a mess isn't a big deal, and what matters is playing football.

(24:34):
But I think all those tiny detailsand things kind of add up and leak
into the important stuff, like whatyou're doing on the field. So if
you can have your toe behind theline, or have your locker and order
and all these things, they kindof stack up into performing well and and
playing well when things count, Soyou know, I appreciate that it's a

(25:00):
It also hasn't been a fight withthe guys in the locker room. They
buy in, and you know,it's a lot of young guys, and
I think they're hungry to learn,hungry to compete and win. You know,
it's just an example, whether it'swe talked about first day heavy shoot,
if you could, if you couldspend the time on these small things
when nobody's watching, I think,like I was saying, it seems like

(25:22):
it might not out up too much, but I think in the long term
it does, and it leaks intoother things, whether you're doing your right
assignment on the field, being lateto meetings or all these things. If
you hold a standard and you stayto that standard, I think it benefits
you long term. It's been likeBen Harber, who has there been anything

(25:48):
in his training program or working withyou that you feel will benefit you later.
Yeah, Yeah, definitely. He'she's been great. He's a no
nonsense kind of guy, but he'snot an old school in the Senate that
he's bringing his way of doing thingsand that's the only way to do things.
He understands that guys have been inthe in the business for a long
time, Khalil me and we havea way of doing things, and all

(26:11):
he wants to do is add tothat and help you get better and perform
the best you can. He's hestresses it all the time that he's a
tool for us, and you knowhe's he's been great. The guys love
him. The energy brings is awesome, and I think the stuff that we're
doing in the weight room is great, a great addition to stuff that I

(26:33):
may do on the side or whateverthat is. Yeah, I think we
I mean, we had a presentationtoday with all the certain measurables that are
changing, and if you guys arein the meeting, you definitely see how
beneficial he's been to the team sofar. So obviously, staying healthy is
a huge factor to anybody's success.I'd say it's plagued us a little bit

(26:56):
for a while. So yeah,I think he's he's definitely incredibly beneficial.
What are you fully re covered?I know at the end of last season,
you might have been able to pay. Yeah. No, I was
not ready to go last year.No, tried practicing, tried coming back,
and uh it was it was notgood, but yeah it was.

(27:21):
Unfortunately the year wasn't going great andit just was unnecessary risk for I mean,
my foot could have had some realreal issues if I came back too
early. So yeah, it's been. It's been. It's been a great
off season. My foot's feeling great, toes good, hamstrings good. I
mean, there was a list ofthings last year, my hand, so

(27:42):
all those things are good. Fingergout surgery on my finger, so that's
feeling good. Yeah, it's it'snice to be feeling better going into your
nine than you have since maybe fivesix years ago, which I've said,
I've said I've been feeling great lastcouple of years. I'm telling you it's
a real deal this time. Butobviously anything can happen. But I just

(28:04):
feel it's fun feeling really confident inyour body and being able to perform.
So I could just go out duringpractice and you know, go balls to
the wall and do everything that Ifeel like I need to to be able
to prepare. It's fun. Mybrother and whoever I trained with my trainer

(28:25):
Todd back home. Uh, Ithink they'd be really proud of how I've
been working this offseason and it's justexciting. Pointing was the injuries on the
Great Big Game? You kind ofyeah, it was a bit of a
build up, a little bit ofan overreaction, but you know, it's

(28:45):
just tough. It comes sometimes likethat, and I just felt felt really
uh defeated coming back, had abroken hand. I'm like, oh,
yeah, I get to play boomfor a series foot pops. Thought I'd
have to get surgery, and allthese thoughts flooded through my head. Broke
down a bit, and yeah,it just hurts. You know, you're

(29:06):
losing, you're getting injured. You'vefelt like you prepared really well in the
offseason, and then the year beforeyou had groin surgery, so you know,
a lot of things build up.Yeah, you don't get a break
if you're injured. Everybody wants togo on. Fans are very nice,
but no, I just I'm gratefulthat I feel this way. I'm still

(29:30):
still nicey Ripe twenty eight, sonot too old yet, but yeah,
I'm just excited. I can't rememberwhat the original question was at this point,
you get something about my body,how close you and Gift were,

(29:51):
How frustrating was it that you couldn'tyou know soon for one of those last
three games. It was frustrating,But I mean, and Gift was had
my back the whole way, Ithink for Gift, for any but for
for the whole team, just toshow what it means to me. It
would have been important for me tobe out there, but I literally could

(30:12):
and I tried to practice, injuredmy foot worse the very first play I
was and in practice, So nochance that was happening unless I wanted to
throw my next season away as well. But no, I'm just I'm proud
of him for what he did withthe team, how he handled it,
and I need to call him back. Actually sorry, Gif. Yeah,

(30:36):
I'm happy he gets to stay closeby with the with the Rams, and
uh, just proud of all weaccomplished here together over the years, and
and we'll be close for the restof our lives. It was the four
foot sprang. Yeah, I sprainedone area of my foot. Then when
I tried to return and I sprainedanother area. Was able to avoid getting

(30:57):
surgery, which is kind of themain goal. But Yeah, it was.
It was tough. So we uhwhen it comes to the addition of
but Dupree, what you felt likehe's kind of brought to the to the
room and could bring on the field. Yeah, it's when I heard we
got my brother some I don't know, maybe my brother told me. I'm

(31:17):
like, really, we just gotBud Like that's no, that's no small
pickup. He's a seriously elite passrusher. Has had some trouble with injuries
as well, so I understand howthat is, but not only him as
a player, but as a personality. I heard Khalil just saying he's he's
a fun guy. He's a funnyguy and and to have that in the

(31:38):
room another vet is always a greataddition. But I'm just excited to have
him and too Lee and to beable to rotate like that and not drop
off at all when we come offthe field is huge. And Map too.
He's going into a second year.Just what do you what are you
kind of what are some of thematurity maturity areas you see from him?

(31:59):
You know, I'm going to saynot much, and that's a compliment because
he was already mature in those areasI mean he's on it everything playbook wise,
always doing his job, working hard, just refining his technique and pass
rush. I mean, we don'thave the pads on right now, so
the real work will will begin,you know, in six weeks now.

(32:22):
So, but yeah, I loveTullie. I've loved him since the first
day he's blocked into the facility,and I know he's just gonna continue to
get better. You think of theaddition of Joe Old, Yeah, yeah,
I'm gonna need to beat him upa little bit in camp. So
so he's ready. But no,I think anything to protect our number ten

(32:45):
is a good, good investment.So he seems like a real solid dude.
Haven't talked to him too much.Great build, seems like he has
good hands, good feet, strong. We'll see. We'll see in a
few weeks when I lay a helmetin his chin, how he holds up.
But it'll I'll take it easy onhim. No, Rashaun's beast.

(33:08):
Did you know Coach Harbond before hecame here? And if you did,
just what were those first couple ofconversations like that? Yeah, probably have
cross paths with him. Maybe maybenot? Actually I think what was it
his first year when I was ajunior, so he kicked his ass as

(33:29):
usual at Ohio State. No,no, they just want a championships.
I'd say they probably have the braggingrights right now. I'm like the guy
talking about his old high school.Oh I remember we used to kick yours?
No, but no, yeah,no, the rivalry is dead.

(33:50):
I was just saying this morning,you know, nine years and kind of
forget about that. I'm not agreat alumni. Sorry, sorry, coached,
But no, it's great. That'swhat's great about the NFL is you
just have guys from all backgrounds.You could hate their guts one one year,
and then you come on the sameteam and your brothers and you're all
working towards one goal together. Soour first talk together was great. I

(34:13):
just sat down with him, wentup into his office and chopped it up
about life mainly and his opportunity hereand how much it means to him,
and uh, yeah, I thinkhe's a special guy. I think he's
uh the way he conducts himself.He's an interesting cat for sure, And
I'm still still feeling them out.But one thing you can't denies that he

(34:35):
loves football and his main goal isto win football games. So and that's
what we need. When you seehim working out with you guys and and
pushing slaves and doing all this stuff, just how interesting is that to see?
Yeah, I mean he was ahe was a great player himself,
and I think he's always been youknow, built like that, lack of
a better term. But yeah,he's, uh, he's part of the

(34:59):
guys. You know, he's notthis guy outside looking in. He really,
I mean he voiced that to me, is that his favorite part of
all of it is being with theguys and the connections he makes. So
Yeah, to see a guy likethat come in and embrace it all and
kind of be part of it himselfis important. Your initial impressions of Coachman

(35:21):
during the defensive gaining, Yeah,it's funny to go from old gift,
old gift to this little young guywho's my age. I wouldn't want to
get thrown into a room with meand khalilis his age. But no,
he's been great. I love messingwith him a little bit. We little
sarcasm back and forth, but no, he's great. He's uh, very

(35:45):
talks very fast, and I don'tas you know, so sometimes I gotta
be like, slow down coach,come on. But no, he's great.
I'm excited, you know, toget closer as the as the year
goes on, and I think hehas He has a lot of passion for
the position and all he wants todo is learn and and help us to

(36:08):
improve. So I'm excited about himand I me and I do miss Giff.
Obviously, it was a long timewith him, but I am excited
to have a new face and kindof have that challenge for me. Worked
much with with Jesse's dad, sinceI know he coached Linebergers in Michigan.
Did you ask about Jesse? Didyou ask about doing? Okay, you

(36:30):
asked about Jesse. Oh my god, I was talking about freaking doing the
whole time. You guys are soconfused. No, sorry, I thought
were I thought I was. Ithought you mentioned coach Ronie. No,
No, coach Mentor has been greatas well. Yeah, they've both been
great. Sorry, run that back. No, he's been good. Uh

(36:52):
yeah, very knowledgeable guy. Samething. I'm excited to get to know
him more as ther goes on.Have you worked if you worked much during
the off season, Rick Jesse stYeah, No, I have not.
I don't know if I've said oneword to him, but more words to

(37:13):
come down the road. Like yousaid, you've been in years in twenty
sixteen, Just what are some ofthis stuff? You? What's just one
ramble about the wrong guy for fifteenminutes walking? What? Yeah? What

(37:34):
the hecks? Actually that's literally notthe person. Yeah, I figured out.
What's something that you you worked unduringthe off season, something to improve
your game or is there something thatyou can Usually my answer is pretty consistent
that I just continue to try toprepare myself physically, whether that's my sprint

(38:00):
work or agility work and my lifting, but yeah, just to get everything
feeling great. I had dealt withthose injuries, so I had to kind
of ramp it up with my fingerand foot and all those things. But
now I'm I'm full full speed outthere, and I'm just gonna continue to
do what I know will prepare mefor the season. And uh, I

(38:24):
know I'm gonna get plenty of techniquework and position work when I'm out here.
So for now, I'm going tospend these five weeks really getting preparing
them. About a schematic standpoint,I don't know the ins and outs of
what I'm gonna be doing yet,So I'll wait and see soon. But
just what everything going on? Seegot to say the best fit Here we

(38:51):
go. Yeah, dream and welcometo Seattle. Were you looking for?
And I fight has a loaded question, real for real? Uh, you
know in terms of no pay system, teammates, environment, city, all
those kind of just like play intoit. Besides just uh the money thing.
I know, financials always play abig role. And I kind of

(39:14):
steered you into the direction you wantto go, But everything kind of plays
into it. And how much didyou reach out to Shelby Drew, knowing
some of the guys you knew theplate here last year to get a sense
for what what Seattle might offer you. I mean, not much right now,
I'll talk to I'll talk to Shelbya little bit about it, mainly
no one, Drew. Uh,just congratulate me, Bob. Did you

(39:40):
come together pretty quickly? I knowyou kind of came your agreement on that
first Monday, and everything that cometogether really faster. Now, it was
a long day. Seattle came inalmost out of nowhere. We had like
a good set of teams that we'retalking to, just trying to find like
finalize what was going on? Whatwas it? The terms going to be?
You know, and Seattle came inhot. They showed a lot of

(40:01):
interest and uh they kind of motivatingme to come here more and more.
And how similar will your role be, you know in terms of playing what
you did in Denver. I don'tknow that yet. I kind of just
mentioned previously. I don't know myrole. I don't know the ins and
out yet. Once we'll get NOthrough the protocols and the nfl PA,
we'll we'll talk about no, theschemes and everything, right. Uh,

(40:27):
so welcome. When you were inDenver in the three four, where did
you find yourself most comfortable and mosteffective? And I played a lot of
different positions in Denver. I meanearlier in my year, I played zero,
I played three, two one.I mean I are definitely more comfortable
in a shaded position, mainly beinga three technique and five technique. That's
why I found myself to be morecomfortable whether I'm standing up or I'm not,

(40:50):
whether it's runner or pass. Uh, those seem to be my best
my best fits. And what isyour impression of Pete Carroll's defense and whole
environment? Uh. From Afar,it seems like he uh he holds in
on defense a lot. Uh.I can't really say too much about that
yet. I don't I know PeteCarroll very little, so uh, I'm
just trying to figure out more andI'll give you a better answer later.

(41:13):
What's the reputation around the league outof the Seahawks? Uh, you know
hard nos hard had type of teamdefinitely on a little more lack side as
opposed to being stuck up or militarystyle, and which is definitely good because
then they this program has won alot of football games, have been super
successful for many years, as longas I've been alive and as long as

(41:34):
I've been watching football, and definitelythis has been a good program. And
Pete Carroll has been a hell ofa coach for as long as I remember,
even back in his college days.So I'm looking forward to experiencing that.
John Boyle, Yeah, I knowyou said you don't know yet.
You know what your roles can be, which is what what kind of player
are you fans who haven't watched ittime to denver what what kind of player?

(41:57):
Definitely a high motor, definitely nota trippony type of player. I
like to attack, you know,whether it's a first or first through fourth
down, I like to attack.I'm always trying to apply pressure. I'm
definitely just a high mortar guy inmy opinion. Brady either Brady Henderson from

(42:17):
ESPN, Nice to meet you,that's what. Yeah, this is not
a team that really makes big splashsignings in free agency. Did you think
going into it that Seattle would UhNo, not at all. You just
it's kind of like being a cureat the county store. You know.
I've got a whole bunch of differentoptions coming at you, hearing, a
whole bunch of different crazy things,and uh, you know, you only

(42:37):
get to choose one. And thisis the place that that we both chose
each other. And I mean,I'm loving Seattle so far, you know,
I like these colors for real.What what did you got to do
with Seattle or see since you've beenhere? Not much? Uh, just
kind of just drive around the city, exploring, get down to the market
a little bit. I want toget out of the Ferris will do some

(42:57):
more like touristy type of things.You know, I'm to the city and
I got a lot to learn aboutthe city. Laric. Yeah, there's
been a lot of comparisons with youto Michael Bennett. I was wondering if
you know Michael Bennett at all andyou think those are accurate. I know
Michael Berger then, like nothing.I know nothing about it but besides his
style of play. But I'm honoredto be considered in the same conversation as

(43:20):
him and style of play. Youknow, He's a Hall of Fame type
of deep lineman that I've known aboutsince I was a kid. I mean,
last time he played here, Iwas in high school. So you
know, it's cool to it kindof came full circle a little bit watching
him on TV and now I'm beingkind of compared to him in a way,
you know. I mean, I'mnot touching the surface of Michael Bennett.
You know, he's a Hall ofFamer and I'm not there yet.
So you know, I just gotto keep doing my due diligence to be

(43:43):
a better player. Carvin Hey Dreamont, welcome to Seattle. I know you
get to play several seasons for VicFangio and the three four style defense,
and Seattle's playing a similar system nowdating back to last year. As a
defensive lineman Wood. You think ismost important to be successful in that system,
maybe fundamentals or just playing style tobe successful. From what I learned,

(44:08):
being gap sound and being patient hasalways been the biggest thing, and
that's how we've been successful when Iwas in Denver, just kind of like
relying on each other. I knowthat sounds kind of cliche, but like
it's kind of like the the realmof being in the three four defense.
You got to really really rely onthe guys behind you and the guys on
side of you to really make theirto do their job to make your job
easier. Bob. Yeah, Uh, yours that you didn't start playing football

(44:38):
till you were junior in high schooland largely played basketball t then that's what
made you, I guess decided togo play football. Then? Was that
artist away from basketball? No,No, I've always loved football first.
Uh, it was just kind ofjust playing it out. You know.
I love the WHO, but youknow, football was definitely about calling.
Given I was a two hundred andsixty five pounds power forward and I was

(45:00):
like sixth streets and change, Soyou know, I kind of chose the
route that God gave me. No, I'm not six eight. Yeah,
very well comes to Seattle. Andif you've been quoted looking at a couple
of articles that you as an undergogplayer, and can you just talk a
little bit about that definite role thatwe just said of the uses you know

(45:22):
always kind of counted out that uscame through. Can you elaborate more than
that just from a standpoint like Ialways get like over overshadowed, overlooked,
whether it's a in something, youknow what I'm saying, Like, I
feel like I do a lot morethan what can be seen by the eyes
of the inexperienced, you know,Scout and I do a lot of different

(45:44):
dynamic things that help make play forothers. You know, I'm definitely an
active player. I'm always doing something, whether in the running pass game,
so you know, I think thatgoes on another sometimes and I'm looking forward
to putting people on notice. ThanksCrady. What uh, what do you
like to do outside of football?Uh, big gamer, I'm definitely I've

(46:06):
been getting to a lot of chestslately, so uh, just to expand
my brain. Uh, I'm tryingto get into reading, but if it's
not sports plated, I don't I'mreally not interested in reading that much,
but mainly just video gaming and chess. And then when we write and say
your name, do you prefer yourgrandma? Uh? I mean you can
say, you can say Draymond Jones. I mean, but like just I

(46:27):
feel like personally, just call medre cause easy cause people like to f
my name up a lot, likea lot they call me DRAYMONDE. I
don't know why you put uh,DRAYMONDE in my name or drakemond T whatever
you wanna say. What do youthink some of that I'll be able to
bring out of out of your games? You can keep trying to you know,
just being more explosive. Uh,probably more yards for catch U with
the uh space that he's putting usinto. Uh, the more yard,

(46:50):
more yards I have to catch moreEXPOSI to pick more exposed to play so
for for not just only me,but she and uh ak and taste them.
So I'm excited to to be ableto to be in the system.
I assume you think you guys canbe a lot more explosive than you have
in the last couple of years.Oh yeah, of course it brings a
lot of different things, you knowwhat I'm saying. The playbook, but
just accountability. I feel like that'sgonna lead us to success. They said,

(47:15):
the language is a little a littleshorter. Have you found that the
language that you guys use. Isit about the same or is it it's
kind of the same. Really,it's a long long plays, but it's
more understanding for sure. I feellike you can get to that more understanding
plays and I feel like that's that'sthe difference. Hater was saying the other
day, just kind of like cominginto this offense after like twenty years of

(47:37):
breeze and just kind of how itwas just kind of built on top of
each other and on top of eachother. It's like kind of a lot
to kind of take in. Doyou do you find that way kind of
turn it down to something new,starting to like zero with everybody. It's
just a little bit easier to kindof get everybody on the same. Yeah,
I feel like it's way easier.Like you said, it was kind
of more of a Drew Brees stylethe last playbook, So all credit to

(47:59):
them though they built that around him, around his players. But uh,
like I said, it's it's moreuh. This playbook is more uh for
uh matchups and Uh, I feellike it's gonna be better for us or
do you think it's gonna really takeadvantage of your skill sets? Uh?
Just building around the strengths that Ihave. You know what I'm saying,
things that I can do and thingsthat she can do, uh, things

(48:22):
that our players can do. Iskind of focus on what we can do
and and building on that. Uh. I feel like it's playing to the
player strengths. So I feel likeit's gonna help us a lot has been
around the way this offense will havea lot more speed, and how has
that transition event so far? Imean, like I said, it's building
around the players strengths. So ofcourse we got speed uh uh with me
or uh she and ati receiver,so uh, just building around that.

(48:45):
Uh. Like I said, playingto our strengths and be able to capitalize
off that. Feel like it's gonnahelp us a lot, well most of
like uh the up tempo astract andyou know, getting a lot of plays
in and less time. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, Yeah, that's
that's definitely gonna play a big difference. Like I said, coming from the
West coast, Uh, they bringingthat stand for and off here. So
I'm excited to be able to bea part of that for you personally,
what what's the max level look likefor you? What do you what are

(49:07):
you trying to accomplish this year?Just staying consistent, man, a couple
of upside downs last year, Justbuilding off that. It's always always gonna
work on the physical part, butbeing able to bounce back after a bad
game the mental mental aspect. Uh, just learning learned that last year and
be able to build on that thisyear is a huge part. You know

(49:27):
with Mike Gon, do you takeit upon yourself to kind of be that
voice in the room or to takea step forward even further as Uh,
I mean it's not really. Imean everybody's kind of grown in the NFL,
so it's just on you to beable to have that standard. Like
I said, I just try todo that lead by example. I'm not

(49:50):
really outspoken, but just lead byexample, working hard, trying to dominate
every rep and hopefully they follow afterthat. After The catch is that you
feel like that's a strength of yoursthat maybe wasn't utilized. I don't know
if utilizes the right word, butyou could show more. Yeah, it's
an offense that uh, is builtaround that. Uh, just catching the
ball in space, catching the ballover the middle or even on the outside,

(50:15):
uh with with space and separation.Feel like it's built around having yards
have to catch. So I'm definitelyproud to be in the system, like
I said, and I'm excited.But is that is that a mindset too?
Like being good at yards after thecatch? Like? Oh yeah,
I mean of course. I meanyou don't want to get tackled by the
first person. And my mindset istrying to take every take everything to the
house, every touch. So uh, I definitely got to do that more

(50:38):
and definitely try to work on thatand practice. A great dude man,
Uh some some that I definitely needed. Some that he relates to me.
Uh just from backgrounds, and uhhe's a great coach, great leader,
Uh, motivational and uh. LikeI said, I'm excited to have him

(50:59):
around and for him to push meis everything that I need. So you're
talking about like mentally bouncing the back, you know, some tough performances or
whatever, Like did you try tofund your resources going to help you figure
out how to do that? Oh? Yeah, I mean it's older guys.
Uh, tell me that's naturals havebad games, but uh, just
having a standard that I have inmy career as a head coach to have

(51:22):
him on my staff in a coupleof places, so I got a chance
to see him work firsthand, youknow, I got to see him work
firsthand as a player and then asa coach. So the success he had
is not is not surprising to me. Is there where you seeing where the
successes had? Yeah, I thinkwe all do that. I think we
come from a unique place in areally small hometown in New Hampshire where we

(51:44):
all take a lot of pride towhere we're from and and when anybody's successful
coming out of there, then youkind of take a little pride that that's
it's the upbringing that we all had, you know, in the UTH sports
program that we grew up in inin every aspect whether it was football,
baseball, basketball, those coaches wehad an amazing impact on us. And
that's why we are where we areright now. Ryan said, he doesn't

(52:07):
think of it as you working underhim, that's working with him. The
fact is he's the head coach.He makes me call him sir though he
just said can you do that?Day one? And I was like,
all right, right now, ButI mean he ultimately is the decision maker.
You've been a head coach, howdo you think that's going to work.

(52:28):
Do you think there'll be any asclose as you are, any kind
of awkward moments the right term.But when he's the ultimate decider and you
are working for him, Yeah,I certainly understand my role. I'm not
Alhaic like I'm not. I'm notin charge here. Yeah, some people
get that reference. Other people don'tget that reference. But I'd certainly understand

(52:50):
that, and and I actually kindof relish it because I really love the
scheming part. I love the individualpart. I love being in the meeting
room of the quarterbacks, uh andtrying to game plan. But everything we
do here's collaborative. You know.The one thing that really struck me when
I walked in this place is there'san amazing coaching staff here, you know,
And if you get a chance totalk to Larry Johnson just about football,
or Tim Walton or Jim Knowles orBrian Hartline or any of these guys

(53:14):
that are on the staff here,it's it's a very collaborative effort. I
think everybody's on the same page.You know, it's not our offense and
their defense and others. It's OhioState. You know, it's it's Ohio
State versus the twelve opponents that we'regonna play during the regular season and then
beyond. So it's it's really collaborative. And that's the thing I like,
just in the short time that I'vebeen here, is how collaborative everybody's been.

(53:35):
You know, we're all trying tomake each other better and we're all
trying to develop this team. Touchedon this when you said, you know,
you like to do what you wantto do and not My sense is
you, in your perfect world,you'd like to scribble plays on a napkin
and not deal with boosters, don'tdeal with all the stuff that coaches,
head coaches have to deal with.Now, how much of a factor was
that in this decision? You canjust do football? No, that's not

(53:59):
it. And I enjoy I mean, we've had some amazing I've had an
opportunity and everywhere I've been to meetsome amazing people that are associated with the
program. And there's people that frommy time at New Hampshire or my time
at Oregon. I was just withPhil Night two weeks ago, you know,
I got an opportunity to spend sometime with him and his wife,
Penny, who are dear friends ofmine that have been great mentors to me
in my career. And there's abunch of people that at UCLA, Terry

(54:22):
donnahe Andrea Donna who were awesome tome. Angela Mazzoni is a great friend,
Casey Wasserman, Troy Aikman. Therewas a bunch of people at UCLA
that I really enjoyed, you know, being around and talking with. So
I think sometimes everybody wants to makea narrative of it's either this or that.
It's never that. It's never justall ball, it's never just all
recruiting. It's never just all boosters. It's a mixture of everything. But

(54:43):
I think the one thing that asthis position as a head coach kept moving
on is that if you look ata lot of them, they all become
more CEOs. You know, Ican't tell you how many coaches that have
called me since I made this decisionthat said I'm two years behind you,
brother, you know that are thinkingthe same exact way, And I think
it's all part of what we haveto do. I think we all need
to protect this game and promote thisgame, and I think there are some

(55:04):
rules that we need to get straightenedout so that people understand where what it's
about, because the game is stillabout the players, and I hope that
never gets discounted. You know,it's it's always been about the players,
and I think if we can keepthat at the forefront the people that are
making decisions on this, and Ithink Jean Smith is one of the best
influences in in the NCAAA, isto make sure we keep that the main

(55:25):
thing. The main thing needs tobe the student athletes. You know,
you're coming in at a time whereyou've been through some places where the expectations
are high. I understand we're alsocoming into the juncture where, you know,
the three losses to Michigan, thenot making the playoff last year.
The urgency is pretty high here.I guess just sort of what perspective do

(55:49):
you have on kind of the stakesthat there are for Ryan this year and
the decision that then he makes tobring you in to kind of help solve
that. Yeah, I think theexpectations can be know higher than they are
in your own brain, you know. And I think if you try to
worry about what other people are thinkingin their brains, you're going to get
screwed up a little bit. So, you know, I talked earlier the
one thing about Ryan that I knowabout him and has always been he's the

(56:12):
ultimate competitor. So he's got There'snowhere that has higher expectations of Ohio State
than Ryan does, nor the restof us that joined him in our part
of this and that are working withhim. So you know, I don't
think. I think sometimes you canspend too much time thinking about those things.
You know, what you really haveto do is just as there's a
big sign as you walk into thisplace, it says when the moment you
know, I think that's a realthing that we have to do as coaches,
is to make sure that our playersaren't worried about what's going on in

(56:35):
the future, or or aren't worriedabout what's going on in the past,
or worry about can they get alittle bit better today, you know,
and can we make improvement? AndI think the one thing that I've seen
here, and I've only been herefor three weeks, but there's a consistency
to the players approach when they walkin this building every day, which is
it's unique. It's not like thateverywhere else. And it's one of the
things that I remark to Mick whenI you know, he said, Hey,
what do you think? And Iwas like, it's impressive. It's
impressive the culture of the players thatare in this program right now. But

(56:59):
I think it speaks a lot tothe leadership. There's a there's a lot
of older players on this team,and they've set the tone for the younger
players, and I think the youngerplayers have done a great job of followship
and getting right in line with thatnever hit it over play calling to someone
before. What does it mean toyou? I guess he technically did it
to Bill when he was here fora couple of weeks, But what does
that mean to you to kind ofbe getting that responsibility from him and he's

(57:22):
calling essentially the offense that you gaveit. I guess it some way.
Yeah, I still think the playcalling part will be a collaborative effort.
And by that I mean that ifit's a good play, I called it,
and if it's a bad play,he called it. Because the great
part is an assistant coach, youjust hen point the finger a little bit
and just say, hey, youknow, I wanted to do this,
but he trumped me. So wehaven't actually discussed game day yet. You

(57:44):
know, we'll see how that operates. But everywhere I've been it's been a
collaborative effort, and all of asudden, someone that's calling the plays isn't
isn't like pulls one out of leftfield that you hadn't practiced and hadn't been
part of your offense and said,hey, let's do this. You know,
we're not running the endnnexation of PuertoRico. You know, we're not
coming up with something special you knowin the middle of the fourth quarter that

(58:05):
we haven't done. But I thinkit's the key to really being successful on
offense is is how you game plan, how you put it all together,
and then how you practice and trainfor that so that you get a chance
to execute it. Because the player'sconfidence comes become comes from their demonstrated ability
that they've done this so many timesin practice that when they get out on
the field that this is like thatto them. You know, it's not
that they do it so they doit right, it's they practice it so

(58:28):
much so that they can't do itwrong. So you know, I think
it's that whole part of it thatis really the key to being a really
good game planning team, right DougLane reef King North Chip. When you
had that feeling when you were coachingthe quarterbacks during Bowl, did you consider
at that point maybe resigning as thehead coach and thinking like this is this

(58:49):
is not where I am anymore.I'll leave and then I'll look to see
what else is out there. NI never thought about quitting anything, So
you know, I just is therean opportunity that I think I can that
fit, you know, And Ithink that's the you know, it's no
different than when you're talking to arecruit about them make a decision on where
they're going to go to school.I think that where they should go to
school is where the best fit isfor them. So you know, I

(59:09):
just entertained some opportunities and I alwaysfelt I felt like this was the best
fit. But I never thought aboutquitting or not coaching. I'm gonna coach.
I'm gonna coach, and then I'mgonna die. But I mean that's
how I think I think about things. Is I can't picture that I know
someone I was on the Nike tripand they like, how much longer are
you gonna go? When I saidI'd I to go another fifteen twenty years.

(59:30):
I don't think about I don't thinkabout retirement. I don't think about
any of those things. That's justnot kind of my mindset that you know.
I love football in the as longas I can be part of this
game, then I'll be part ofthis game. Just the way things worked
out with your departure from UCLA,is there anything that you wish you had
done differently, or anything you regret, or just that the circumstances that presented

(59:52):
themselves. Do you think that youhandled that departure the best that you could
have. Yeah, I mean Igot an opportunity to tell my players personally.
You know, I think in thisday and age of the Internet where
they read it somewhere else and youhave to text message him. You know,
that was always important to me thatI wanted to make sure I talked
to my players and explain the reasonsof what I was doing. I wasn't
leaving to take a head coaching jobsomewhere else. I wasn't thinking that the

(01:00:13):
grass is greener at another university wasjust in my personal situation, this is
what I wanted to do. Iwanted to take an opportunity to go be
a position coach and coordinator, andthat's how it fit. You know.
What I was happy is that Ialways thought to Sean Foster, I think
the world of them and I thinkhe's a special you know. And the
fact that that they were they gavehim the opportunity to take over there was

(01:00:36):
you know, it worked out.I didn't have any say in that decision,
you know, I was gone,But I always thought that that Shaun
would be a great head coach andI'm really proud of him and happy that
that he got the opportunity to takethat job. Right behind him act you
have your reputation as innovator. Waspart of the appeal of this is that
you get to get in the weedsa little bit. Maybe not mad scientists,

(01:00:58):
maybe too strong of a work couldyou're working within a system. But
was there an appeal of I getto get my hands dirty here again and
innovate and get back to that sideof things. It was, but it
was really more important of who Iget to work with, you know,
and so knowing you know, I'vegot I know a lot of guys on
the staff besides Ryan also, soyou know, when I know what their

(01:01:21):
mindset is and what their values areand how they do things, and so
I wanted to be a part ofthat. But there's a part of that.
Yeah, how much of a teacheryou get labeled and the innovators the
teaching is a part of this.How much of a teacher are you and
how patient are you? Yeah,I think we're all teachers. I mean,
education is the transportation of knowledge,you know, So it really doesn't

(01:01:42):
matter what the coach knows. Itmatters what the players understand, you know.
So you have to be able tomake sure that while you're implementing things
is what resonates with them and howdoes that come back to them. So,
you know a lot of our teachingstyles that we've learned is more of
the Socratic method of there's a lotof questions, you know, and a
lot of check fronts. Understanding isjust to kind of find out where the
players are coming from, because it'swhat they know that's ultimately gonna win games,

(01:02:05):
not what we know. You knowthat we're not playing the games,
we're not stepping across those white lines, you know, and your job as
a coach is to create an environmentwhere they have an opportunity to be successful
and then get out of their wayand let them go do it. So
I think the teaching aspect is huge, and we continue to research, you
know, some of the latest trendsin teaching to make sure that we are
transporting that knowledge to our players.The second rolld left Steve Hellwaggen twenty four

(01:02:28):
to seven Sports. Yeah, coach, just treus, you got five scholarship
quarterbacks with differing levels of experience fromage and everything else. Not to annoyed
him, but just want to askspecifically about Will Howard coming in after starting
part of two years at Kansas State. He just seems to promote this idea
that he's a football player, youknow above all else. Just how impressed

(01:02:53):
are you with his makeup, hisexperience, what he's bringing to the table
walking in here right now? Yeah? I really impressed. You know,
you don't have to talk to Willfor more than five minutes to kind of
know where he's coming from. He'sreally focused, you know, he knows
he's got a short window left inhis college career, and it really wants
to capitalize on what that is.There's a maturity to Will, you know.

(01:03:15):
I really I've had experience. Myexperience in this thing since the transfer
portal opened in college football is someof the best players I've had an opportunity
to coach. Award transfers. Sometimeswhen you're a true freshman and it's five
years out, you know, it'slike, hey, I got a ton
of time, you know. Andsometimes when you're a transfer, is that
I've got nine months, you know. So there's a sense of urgency I
think when you're dealing with with transfers, and I think Will has exuded that

(01:03:38):
since he's been here. But theother thing that I just in the short
time that Will's been here is howquickly he's fit in with the entire team,
you know, and how much therest of the players respect him.
You know. He was one ofthe Gold Award winners for his work in
the weight room in this offseason,so that says a lot for him coming
in here as in a short timebeing able to win a weight room award,

(01:03:59):
you know, to start off,do you guys hope to have the
number one internally externally at the endof spring or I guess, just let
it play out, how do youI? I think it always every time
I've been involved in these, Ithink when they're organic is when it's the
best. U. I don't thinkyou can anoint somebody or force the issue
because the players know, the playerswould understand. They see it every single
day, you know, and there'sa team chemistry part of this thing too,

(01:04:21):
So we're not gonna force the issue. A But I've always seen it
play itself out. So I've beenfortunate that there's always gonna be some quarterback
battles at at some point in timeat every school there's a quarterback battle,
you know, and then and reallyyou gotta let them play it out on
the field, and that's where ithas to That's that's where it has to
be decided. Just a couple more, Hey, coach can welcome. Then,

(01:04:44):
we were excited to have you here. Thank you. I'm kind of
to talk about the innovative part.Ryan said that that's something that he's always
loved about working with you, andnow he wants you to bring that here
and how it would fit with OhioState. Do you have any idea what
that's gonna look like yet? Oris it just way too. I have
no idea, you know. Ithink part of it is is you're trying
to put the players in position tomake play. So a lot of that

(01:05:05):
comes from getting to understand the playersand what their skill sets are and how
we feature what their skill sets are, you know, And the one thing
after day one, I can tellyou that there's a lot of skill set
out there, you know. Sothat's that's what gets you excited, you
know, That's what That's what youjump out of bed in the morning and
you're excited to go to work becauseof the talent that you get to work

(01:05:25):
with. But the one thing that'sthe most impressive is the work ethic that
goes along with that talent. Youknow, it's not just empty talent.
It's you got some kids who wantto I mean all of them since I've
been here, want to work.So that's what gets you excited. But
I think assessing what the skill setis you know, that we have available
to us on the offensive side ofthe ball, is vitally important. And
then our job is to put thoseguys in positions to make plays made.

(01:05:49):
Lots of pressure. I mean,you've experienced what it's like to coach National
Championship, how over teams this programright now and moving into a situation where
you got to win quick and now, So does that feel like pressure here
for you or is it a littlebit of excitement or both? Well,
I've always subscribed to his pressure iswhat you feel when you don't know what
you're doing. So if you don'twant to feel pressure, and then you

(01:06:11):
should know what you're doing. So, you know, I think it's it's
part of that, and I thinkpart of our job with our players in
terms of the education process is gettingthem to understand that too. Is that
you know, it's it's about yourpreparation, It's about you and your development.
It's not about that you can't begoverned by what other people say.
It's it's what's my mindset and howam I intrinsically motivated? And then how
do I really compete against myself ona daily basis to get a little bit

(01:06:32):
better. You know, we gota little bit better today because we get
out on the field today and gota chance to do some football. And
then the challenge is when we getback on the field on Thursday, can
we be a little bit better thanwe were on Tuesday. And if we're
doing that, then we keep stackinggood days on top of good days,
and I think we'll be in goodspot and welcome, thank you. I'm
gonna ask about the pros and consof coaching from the box and coaching from

(01:06:54):
the field. It's interesting talk tosome off some coordinators, or Tom Herman
talking about he swore he wanted tocoach from the box. Saw the game
so much better, sterile environment,not all the chaos on the field.
Some coaches you talk to the like, I want to be on the field
so I can look at my guysin the in the eye. Where are
you as a as a coordinator?Honestly, And I've thought of this a
lot. I thought of it alot during COVID because we had the empty
stands, you know, so Ihad thought about just walking up into the

(01:07:16):
stands for a little bit because Ihad a better advantage. I've always believed
you can see the game better fromup above, but I believe you can
feel the game better from the field. So if there was any way we
could get a zip wire where youcould do both, you know, coach
called from there and then zip downof the field, get a chance to
talk to him, because it's adifferent deal when you're talking to the quarterbacks
on a phone, you know,than being able to look in their eye

(01:07:36):
and kind of see where they arewith it. And part of it is
the field part of it. Iremember when I coach Ryan once, we
were playing Ukon and he got hithard going out of bounce and he just
walked by me, and I wasa play caller, and he was like,
run the next play, and Ijust kind of looked at him.
I saw the look in his eyesbecause I don't think he could have thrown
it. You know, he wasstill trying to get his win back.

(01:07:57):
But you wouldn't know that if you'reup in the booth, you know,
and you call a a pass playfrom up in the booth and you're like,
how come we can't complete that?Well, he just took a shot
going out of bound. So it'sthat fine line and I don't have an
answer, you know. I thinkI think it's feel on the ground and
it's see from up above. Maybein this day a technology, they'll figure
it out, but we'll see howthat that that operates. And whatever Ryan

(01:08:18):
feels is the best for the teamis what we're gonna do so. Your
teams at the Oregon were obviously Nowwe're playing at this pass pace and running
a bunch of plays for a minute, and yep, maybe not by past
pretty fast. What role do yousee tempo and having an offense and in
the station in college football and hasmaybe changed? I think the game is

(01:08:41):
always evolving, you know. Ithink when I left in two thousand and
twelve to go to the National FootballLeague, Oregon was the only team that
was playing really really fast and hadshiny helmets. And when I came back
in twenty seventeen, everybody had shinyhelmets and everybody was playing fast. So
I think the game is always goingto go up and down, and there's
gonna be different cycles that it goesthrough. I think tempo is part of

(01:09:03):
an offense, but I don't thinkit's an offense in itself. I think
it's more of like if you goto dinner, it's a side order.
You know, it's not the maincourse, but it's it's always good to
have it. So I think there'stimes when you'll use it, but you're
you're not gonna use it extensively theentire game, just like you're not gonna
throw the ball every single snap inthe game. You're not gonna run the
ball every single snap in the game. You know, there there's there's not

(01:09:25):
a game of absolutes anymore. Ithink the ability to be diverse and have
it as a tool in your twobox, so to speak, uh is
really how we would look at usingit. Here are now wor familiar with
it, then, I think so, you know, I think when you
first started doing temple, there werepeople in the NCAA they want to outlawd
They want to make an NCAA rolethat, yeah, you couldn't do it,
you know, and I'll I'll givecoach Shaping credit. I mean,

(01:09:46):
I think obviously Nick was the firstone to do it. He wanted outlaud
and then all of a sudden headapted it and said, all right,
we like this, you know,so we'll keep it in. But it's
I think people have it doesn't matterwhat you do. There's there's cycles to
this game, and then once peoplecatch on to that cycle, then it
moves. You know, It's nodifferent than for three defenses and three four
defenses. You know what is therage when the when the Giants won the

(01:10:10):
Super Bowl, they were there werethree four defense and everybody, everybody says
we have to do that. Whatpeople didn't understand is they had Carl Banks
and Lawrence Taylor. It didn't matterwhat defense they were running. I know,
Gym's back there and Jim played againstthe you know it was. They
could have been a four down defenseand those guys would have been great players.
But it's not the scheme. Ithink that the coaches that do it
the best way is they insert theirplayers and put them in the best position

(01:10:32):
to make plays. And now nowwill Temple be part of it, It'll
be part of it, but it'scertainly not going to be the main course.
Sorry, last question, Tim,Oh, thank you very much.
Jerry. Uh. Number one,there was a great moment there when y'all
were warming up, when you wereyou were talking with Tim Walton and Caleb
Downs comes up and conversing and asyou're in this kind of a two part

(01:10:53):
question, but number one, whatwas just your take on the talent you
saw on that field today on bothsides of the ball. Where where we
did it? Yeah, I'll rankit. I'll be very transparent. As
I was telling Tim and Caleb whata great offensive player I thought Caleb would
be, could be and should be, but I'm not the head coach,

(01:11:15):
so I always turned stretch as aas an offensive coordinator, I'm always looking
at the defensive players like I coulduse him, Oh what could I do
if I had him? Life ifyou do it right away, so you
know, being accountable, you know, doing the extra stuff away from the
f uh the facility. That stuffmatters at the end of the day,
cause all the expectations and all thatpressure, that really doesn't matter if you

(01:11:36):
do those things, you know,So what are your expectations for a year
two in this offense? I'll justkeep going. You know, the name
of the game is just execution.You know the times where we executed at
a high level at times we wonthose games, you know. So that's
just the goal is just execute andbe able to be on the same page

(01:11:56):
bill chemistry right now, so youknow when when the ball you know,
very very r ready to fly aroundat a high level. So, I
mean that's the goal, and that'sthat's you know, there's goals on top
of that, but that's the that'sthe foundation right now with Jay's foundation work.
So CJ, I know that Iknow that it's still pretty early.
But how has it been so fargetting to work with Diggs and how is
he fitting in? So far?He's been fitting in great. You know,

(01:12:18):
he's coming in with uh his headdown mentality, just working. You
know, he's helped me out alot, just you know, he come
comes from a from a a goodsystem over there where when he was with
the Bills and they did a lotof things with him and really just offense
and tell me how like Josh playedand things like that, things that you
know, we do different that We'vehad this plenty of conversation, you know,

(01:12:41):
So he been he's come in andand been a leader, which which
I'm proud of him for. Andyou know it just really's has been unselfish
and uh, I wanted to seeother guys eat and that was his main
things, Like he wanted to bearound other dogs. And you know,
he he he stepped into that rolewhere there's a dog everywhere. Every he
looks right, he looks left,there's gonna be a dog. So and
he wanted that and that's what youknow, we we break to the table

(01:13:02):
and he's been nothing but just amazingso far. And I I'm very excited
to work with him a brand,as a teammate, as a what's it
like to have your friend Tank backwith you guys? What was it like
to go from the cameraon of emotionsfrom hearing about it to now when it's
over in your back out there,You'll have plenty And it's amazing. You

(01:13:23):
know, it's sh It's just atestament to him and you know, one
of the God we serve. Andthen two, uh, just the work
that he's put in. You know, he's been uh you know, he
came back before it was even schedule. He can get cleared. And then
on top of that, you know, just coming back after that freak accident.
And you know, I think thatwe serve a God that's merciful and
that's that's purposeful and he knows that, and he stepped into and me and

(01:13:46):
him we have those conversations about ourfaith and the cause. Like this football
stuff. It it seems like it'severything, but it's not. You know,
we're we're people, and we wego through a lot off the field
people don't know. And you know, as his bread, I have to
be there for him, like justlike he's there for me when I go
through what I go through. SoI mean, I'm just proud of him,
man, Like the word proud iseven probably enough to like state the

(01:14:10):
the feelings that I have for thatguy. Man, he's my one of
my best friends that I've n youknow, gotten a known over the years
in this in this world of footballand past that Man, I feel like
I'm known since I've been three yearsold. You know, I think for
like our connections kind of like wegrew up together. And you know,
I just got a lot of lovefor that guy, and you know,
I'm very excited aboutim. He's beensnapping that practice and doing really well and

(01:14:31):
you know, to knock off therust that quick shows how much work he's
been in. How much more comfortableare you walking up to a TS this
year to be the last year Thingskind of a little bit slower, just
the biggest difference to you. Yeah, it's night and day. Man.
It's really like I feel like I'mrunning the show, and I've got a
lot more uh responsibilities from Slow andfrom the Beacon, from dry Bill and

(01:14:54):
really our whole officeive staff, andyou know, I'm the captain of the
ship and i gotta run it theright way. And I feel like I've
you know, stepped into that rolejust you know, and now not only
holding outs accountable, but also youknow, hold myself accountable to those moments,
like I don't let anything slide,uh, cause that's that's the point
of winning and losing. So Ithink from last year to this year,
like I've gotten a lot better withlike controlling my emotions, controlling my ball

(01:15:17):
placement, knowing what's NFL open,knowing my food work better. There's really
every little thing I've taken a step, and then on the other side of
the ball, you know, justeverything slowed down. Seeing coverage. Demico
does a good job of blitching meand you know, working on their different
coverages or different looks and start toohigh, go to one and go back
to to motion like as man,go to cover too like all that stuff

(01:15:40):
to keep me true and honest.And you know, I think I've tried
to do my best with my offseason study to you know, be better,
and I feel like I've done thatand had a good ota so far.
So got to finish with that minicamp, but it's been definitely a
big transition of just more comfortability fromlast year to this year. You always
had, like really down to thereceiver room, and then last year the

(01:16:00):
talent to receive the room. Soyou've had the experience of having to feed
a lot of guys, obviously addingdigs, even Joe Mason coming out of
the backfield. How much would thatexperience from those you know, college and
last year help you with being ableto make sure that everybody's being fed the
way they are. So if youget you don't have the best possible offer.
If you guys get board, Yeah, I mean I don't think nothing
changes. You know. It's like, uh, I tell, I tell

(01:16:23):
guys, cause I get that questiona lot from I got people just walking
around just anywhere, astra game whatever, and I was like, man,
it's football. You know you're open, you get the ball. So uh
and my thing is, you gottapick your poison playing us, like who
you gonna double, who you gonnacater to? Who you like? You
got five dogs who are who areable to get the get the ball in
each give and play? You know, So I think it's fine. I

(01:16:45):
know Slow has done a great jobof being more creative, and you know,
has put different personnel packages out there, guys in different positions that going
from inside and outside, you know, and you know, I'm I'm very
exc I had to work with withcoach Low again. He's done amazing so
far. You know, Ota isand will continue to do such. But

(01:17:05):
yeah, man, I think thatpast experience of playing with Marv Jax,
Garrett, Chris Jamo, America,Julian like those type of guys, they'll
tell you too, Like I know, they'll probably have said it before,
but they'll tell you like they mademe better and I made them better.
You know, that's my job isto make everybody around me better. So

(01:17:29):
I'm excited. Has been healthy competition, Like I know Garrett, I've seen
his underview day he was talking aboutOhio, see how like the receivers,
like if Gear made a play,Chris is like, nah, watch this
like it's the same thing here,which is, you know, really cool
to watch. And you know,as the quarterbacks meet, Davis in Case
and Tim were the same way too. So healthy competition is the best way
to grow and get better. AndI think that that's what it's about.

(01:17:50):
You see how excited Diggs gets forTankle when he makes it play, and
Mechi gets for excited for when Nicomakes a play, and Tank gets excited
when and Rob makes a play,you know. So it's amazing. And
you know, we got NOA comingback to which is gonna be amazing.
And I'm excited been there and aton of guys. There's a ton of
talent, Steed showing up. Really, everybody's really been doing Jay, Wayne,

(01:18:12):
Johnny you know so and man,it's been funj Uh Nick wo that
and got you some some mixture talenton the office side of the ball.
Well what do you think about theadditions that he made on the defensive side
of the ball. Yeah, man, it's been great. It's been good
on good like them go AA talksabout Iron Trump and Iron you know,
it's been a lot of smack talk, a lot of just uh, just
good competition, you know. Andthen it starts with me and his ease,

(01:18:34):
you know, him being the leaderof defense. I'm a leader at
offense, and you know, playinghim last year and man, he always
showed up on tape when I watchedthe Titans last year. So it's cool
to like see like the stuff hethinks. We you can see him at
my locker, me and his orus before practice, after practice talking about
plays and you know. So,I mean it starts with us, and

(01:18:55):
then when you add Daniell, somebodywho's a vet who plays really hard,
who's gonna help will you know?And them two dogs. You got Cheam
in the in the middle, uhwith Autrey and and Sosa and y.
Just a ton of guys, man, you know, in the back end,
got young guys showing up. Kaylin'sdoing really well in the back end
along with Petrie and h Jimmy alongwith Kamarai Kamara has thrown up. Stein's

(01:19:19):
playing well as y'all seen. UhSo, man, this just been dogs
on dogs, you know, like, and that's that's that's that's the best
teams I've ever been on. Hasbeen the closest teams personally, but also
the most competitive team. So it'sbeen dope season. See that he broke
out last year and Nico broke outlast year and Nico geinst the contract Eccentrion,
he's here to twenty twenty seven.What does that do for you?

(01:19:41):
Just knowing that you haven't familiar targetto work with for the next few years.
You know, it's just something iI'm first of all, I'm just
proud of that guy. Uh Mybrother, Nico, he's showing up and
thrown out, you know when youknow when his number is called, he
always makes to play. And youknow he's a special He's a generation some
talent. Man. He's he's likealright, age is Andre Johnson in my

(01:20:03):
opinion of just how fast he is, how he gets in and out of
his braces, releases, how stronghe is. And I think last year
was just a uh a preview towhat it's took come for him. And
the one thing I'm proud of himfor is just the work has never stopped.
He's constantly here working on his body, constant in here working on his
hands. Is his mobility in theweight room, you know. So for

(01:20:24):
me, I mean just having aa true uh. I think we have
like five number ones, you know. So that's kind of cool to have.
And I've had that before in collegeand I'll have it again and it's
gonna be fine. Man. AndNico he's gonna he's he loves to see
everybody else he eat too, soman, his his love for his brothers
has a change. And you knowit's it's a it's a special feeling to
see somebody who deserves to get paidand you know, get what they d

(01:20:45):
d d wait what they deserve,and you know, I'm just really proud
of him. What does it meanfor you to have another opportunity to work
with Barbisola Andrelie Johnson. I don'tknow if you remember that was a moment
going into the playoffs last season wherehe really didn't know if either one of
those guys would be hit. Yeah, I mean for both of them to
come back was very special. Ithink we both we all have a better

(01:21:08):
feel of how to work with oneanother. And you know, the talent
I am on the field, andthe play caller that uh Bobby is and
then the the comment coach drought isyou know we all work together and that
and you know, slow as I'min his office almost every morning just going
over stuff and watch the film withhim, going over things that we need
to go to get better at.And he always has his phrases, you

(01:21:30):
know, working for the end atmind, and you know he holds me
accountable when you know it could beeasier just to like let me slide,
cause you know, I'm I'm outthere still making plays, but he's like,
nah, you need to be betterhere here and there, and you
know that that's just uh shows whattype of a leader he is. And
you know, it's a honor tobe able to work with him again.
And same for me, like tohim, like, hey, flow,

(01:21:53):
I'm not really feeling this play,or I wanna add this player to try
to see if we can get betterhere in this then and his practice where
you know, I think we canbe really good at this type of player.
And he's very very accepting when itcomes to that. So it's been
cool to work with both of them, and I'm very excited to get another
year on our belt. What whatwas it like, uh teacher football uh

(01:22:15):
internationally and the the the reception thatyou got from the people there, it
was it was amazing, you know. Uh. First of all, shout
out to Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo, you know for accepting Meta Mica uh
with open arms and just the hospitalityand the uh, just the culture man
there is just amazing. They wannalearn about football, you know, and

(01:22:39):
it's it was cool just to seelike them already have like the foundation of
it, but wanting to grow fromthere. And you know, I think
football is a family sport and likethose people are our family now and you
know, the Olympics come into whereit's gonna be international with flag football.
I think it's super dope. Andto be able to get you know,
to be able to put our feetinto those those uh doors already, you

(01:23:02):
know, it's kind of cool,you know. So, I mean,
I'm very grateful with my team withuh uh Bernie and David for setting that
up and even like the guys outthere who who gave us top notch hospitality
it wa It was just amazing,man, the whole experience. So,
you know, just my first timereally out the country and just being able
to like go to the Great WallChina and all that stuff and still do

(01:23:26):
what I love to do, youknow, working out when Micah it was
cool and uh he has a lotof crazy takes, but you know,
I I got love for that guy, but it was fun. Man John
and Jonathan, Dad, what's uhwhat's it like have you kid Stover down
here with you? And what's yourrelationship been like? With him? Uh?
Yeah, Kay's my brother man.You know, I've been through taking
thing with him and he's somebody whoI I often look at as like like

(01:23:54):
our moms are like the same orour families are super close. In his
college, I think he's like myblood brother from like somewhere for count of
line. I don't know how itworks, but I just he's already like
there for me. He's always,you know, I don't know. Man,
Kat is just like that guy.He's a brother that you just you
know, letting him know I'm availablefor him. You know, I think

(01:24:17):
it can be something as little asjust the steps on field goal blot or
field goal protection. You know,I've been doing it for thirteen years.
It's still crazy, I'm still doingit, but uh, you know,
Uh, those are the type ofthings I'm just giving guidance to. And
then you know, off the field, it's you know, what to expect
around the city. Where should yoube, where you should be, how

(01:24:39):
you can help yourself, you know, the little things. Yeah, what
are you looking for in your contract? You know I'm looking to be here.
You know. The value is whatwe decide. But you know,
I think for me, I wantto be you know, valued of my

(01:24:59):
position. You know, I II understand that I came out a rough
season, but I don't think it'sa step down of where I can play.
You know, I think when Iwas at the top of my game.
I'm still you know, top fiveplayer in my position, and you
know I played the run in thepast and I bring leadership and you know
that's not anything I discover. Canyou you plan to be here for Mini

(01:25:23):
camp? Ram start for in thecamp? Yeah? How difficult has it
been the last two weeks to notbe here? I mean you said in
your podcast the first time you've nevernot been a Yeah, it w It
was difficult, But like you know, the thing I got very frustrated with
was just and people questioned my communicationwith the team. You know, I
uh was communicating with guys left andright, and you know, front office,

(01:25:45):
coaches, teammates, and all Icare about is how I am with
my teammates. I don't want themto ever think I don't care about them
or how I'm not in it.And you know, you can say whatever
you want about me. But besidesthat, but I always dedicate anything I
can to you, and I don'twant that to every question. Isaiah said

(01:26:06):
that it felt like sometimes you werehold up somewhere watching film. You text
her, yuh say hey, youmissed this or you wanna do that.
Well, like the first day hewas batting all up Russ's passes. So
I had to let him know.You know, I, uh, you
gotta take advantage of that. Yougotta make sure guys are you know,
uh know that you you still careand you you still wanna be a part
of this. Uh, you know, just watching practice, there's a couple

(01:26:29):
of little things we're doing different,whether I'm communicating with dumbbar or other people.
You know, to be ye,so you're that you're also talking with
him and you you've given him pointersduring the off season, just a constant
communication. How do you see himgrow as a person, you know,
as far as how he's approaching thingsand how he getting ready for this season,
promise his rookie year. Uh,you know, I think the thing

(01:26:49):
with Keanu is he's more comfortable.You know. You know it's not his
first time around the track. Youknow, it's actually like he can you
know, uh catch his feet underthem. You know. I always think
when you're in your rookie season,you're going from bowl game. I don't
even know Wisconsin played in a bowlgame. Sorry Wisconsin, I don't even
know. But you know, personally, I just think when you go from

(01:27:13):
bowl game to training for the combineto you know, rookie mining camps,
OTAs, the you know mini camp, I mean the training camp. The
regular season, you really don't geta time to really catch yourself. You
know, he understands the playbook.Now he can be more vocal, you
know, and I think when myabsence the other guy's absence, you know,
you need guys like that to stepup and be ready for those opportunities.

(01:27:40):
During the season was a more thoroughWhat was just tightened down everything,
you know on my left side becauseI was overcompensating a little bit, but
you know it was it wasn't anythingthat lingers. You know, I'll say
this, uh, a growing isnot like an a cl It's not like
anything's that we're gonna ge affected again. And you know, you know,

(01:28:00):
I'm feeling good, able to doeverything squat and heavy with power and speed,
so you know it it feels goodto get after again. What do
you think of what the team wasable to accomplish yourself season in terms of
bringing guys like Russian and things thatyou know it, I think they're all
good acquisitions. But you know,you never want to be known as a
paper champion, and so can't winthe off season. I think the work

(01:28:24):
gets done out here on the field, gets done in the classroom, it
gets done training, uh, youknow, and then you see where you're
at in training camp, and thenyou build on that, you know.
I think we got the right guysin the building. It's just about uh,
putting a complete team on the fieldcamp. How tentper colleagues to separate
the business part of the game inthe actual football player. Uh, you

(01:28:47):
know, y you always wanna youyou always have to treat it like a
business, uh, because you knowone day it's gonna end. Uh,
And that's been the job. Uh. It's not like in college. It's
where you know, you got fouryears guaranteed. You know, well,
now you you don't even know whethern I am and all. It's crap,
but the transfer portal portal. Butyou know, you have to I

(01:29:13):
still have love for this game,and I still work my tail off,
and I still put everything into itand that's not gonna change. But you
have to know what you bring tothe team and what your what your value
is. Hey, I mean wantedto feel to be out there with your
teammates today emotionally great. You know, we got a new Uh, we
got a new training staff and stilllearning the the warm up a little different.

(01:29:35):
Uh, but uh, you knowI loved it. Uh, you
know, just getting after it,learning new guys. Uh, going through
the same drills I've been doing bymyself. Uh. I actually like having
more people around, cause like kindof go stir crazy crazy when it's just
you and another guy, You're like, damn, I gotta go back up
for another rep already. And soyou know, it's nice to be up

(01:29:58):
here and get a chance. It'suh, you know, he's my guys.
Can were you confident? And peoplewill get done with your emotions.
Oh, I'm gonna I'm we'll tryto remain pretty neutral, cause you know,
I don't wanna be too either way. All I know is I wanna
be here, but we'll see whathappens. Is my last year here,

(01:30:21):
I I I I've had a greatcareer here, but uh, I'll look
forward to play next year. Canyou what that second surgery you said it?
This deterim was on the left side. It was the first time around
on the right side, right sideduring the season, left side, and
that was just tightening down my corner. My corma saw it wasn't the same
as my ad doctor. You know, you can ask doctor Bradley, uh

(01:30:45):
doct doctor Zuckerbron who uh did thesurgery as well. You know, I
if anything's gonna help me and it'llmake me a lot stronger for hearing up.
And you said you were training withanother guy. Who have you come
been? Tyson? Oh? Uh, I've been training with him for the
last eight years. We've always trainedtogether. We got a trainer up north,
uh shot out Cole Haley. He'smy guy, traded h trained trained,

(01:31:09):
uh, Heath Miller, Brett Keesel, the multitude of guys that I
all respect, and we've just beengetting after it. Cam the very few
guys historically thirty five to get paidbig contracts. You think that's held against
you. I think there's not alot of history behind it. But you
know, for me, I Ilook at as I'm not looking to be

(01:31:30):
like anybody else. You know,my game is different from everybody else in
this league. You know, Ilike to think, you know, I
can play the run in the past, and then that's where I'm different.
You know. I remember last yearMike t just brought to my attention.
You know, the thing that's reallycool is you watch power lefters, and
you know, my game's built onpower and technique, and those guys go

(01:31:53):
into their forties and so you know, that's what kind of research I'm doing
behind the scenes. But you know, I I We'll see what happens.
The it's there's not a lot ofhistory, but I'm here to make history
and I'm here to you know,win another Super Bowl year and you know,
have a great season. Do youhave a set goal over yourself or

(01:32:14):
how many years you wanna play inthe NFL? Or do you just take
things here right here? You knowit? It was it was tough answering
that question right after the season.I will say this, guys, I
I can't keep answering that question rightafter the season. That is not fair
to the season, that's not fairto my family. Uh you know,
but in my mind, I gotthree years and I wanna maximize'em.

(01:32:35):
I wanna play at a high level, and I wanna go deep in the
playoffs. And you know, wegot a good team and I'm gonna do
my part to be ready for allthose situations here. If you plan on
practice when you report to the trobor is your possibility that you might pull
in and enforce the negotiations. II have not even thought that far.
I've taken a day by day uhyou know uh uh. I told my

(01:32:59):
agent and we tell talked about it. I mean, we were cool coming
out here. You know. I'llbe here for Minny, you know,
and then I'll be there for trainingparent. You know, I don't know
what the work entails, but whenwe get there, we'll we'll cross that
bridge. Remain a stealer for thosethree years. You know, there was

(01:33:21):
a conversation between me, Omar andMike t And there's certain guys that are
one helmet guys, you know,and I want to be one of those
one helmet guys. And you know, there's a there's a hunger and desire
that I was doing a little bitof carrying the ball. I was behind
Xavier Johnson. So learning from himand guys like that, it's it.

(01:33:43):
It makes me more comfortable. ButI could. I feel like I could
do anything on the field, andI'll do anything to play so fast and
do a meat, throwing the ball, running the ball, catching the ball,
blocking anything I'll do to go onthe field. ILL do with that
coach Kate specifically talking about how competitiveyou are. Where do you think that
driving from? It just comes fromwhere I'm from, South Florida. I
feel like everybody down there, wecompete to the max. There's no other
place that competes like South Florida.There's dogs all around the South Florida.

(01:34:08):
So, I mean, it's justever since I was seven years old when
I started playing, It's just itwas instilled in me to just compete and
be that dog. Speaking of SouthFlorida. Once you about Erma, I
mean I played with Jeremiah when Iwas ten and eleven, and that we
played against each other a couple ofyears of high school. So I've seen

(01:34:29):
him. The growth he's made overthese years is insane. The way his
body has changed is crazy. Andnow seeing out here today, it's just
like everything comes full circle. Youknow. He he's what, he was
the best player in the country lastyear. And for him, for me
seeing him grow up and things likethat, it's been really good to see
truth press. It's such a stacker. Even Marvin Harrison Junior didn't play much

(01:34:51):
as a true fresh but seems likehe might be the exception to the rule.
I feel like Jeremiah is just Imean, he's definitely he's a different
caliber when when you when you watchhim and how smooth he is and the
physical abilities he brings to the game, I feel like he has to play
some way. He has to hehas to play because he was the better

(01:35:11):
the team. Jeremiah sophomore and nowye like ye, the next three years,
we're gonna they're gonna get the bestreceiver receiving room in the country.

(01:35:35):
You know, we've been helding thatnarrative for so long now, but we're
gonna continue to do that. Imean, we have conversations who like as
us three because we're we all playfor the same team. As you said,
we just want to be the bestand we know when it's our time
to come, we're gonna do.We're gonna do that and definitely get a
national championship. How special is thatfor you? For that you guys get

(01:35:59):
is very special because you would havenever known in OT seven when we were
there all on the same field togetheron the same team. People never thought
we would have been at the OhioState University all playing on the same field
at the same time. So it'sdefinitely special. In its dream of true.
How does your body changed the offseason? I definitely think my body has
changed a lot, and it's changedthe ways of like my body. Fapper

(01:36:23):
sentences went down a lot, andI just feel like I overall feel better
when I like do long runs andstuff like that. So I have a
good, really good stamina right now, So I just hope to keep that
up. If you guys winded thisyear as you were after a fifty seven
years touchdown in your first catch,yeah, yeah, I feel like it

(01:36:44):
was just adrenaline rushing. I feellike I was more so a celebration,
was more tired than the run andactually everybody jumping on me and stuff like
that. But it was definitely acool experience experience. Is there anything outside?
It feels like there's a little bitof South Florida and maybe there's no

(01:37:06):
from there, like a good trackcropper. Yeah he like you guys see
like you see that in the corner. I feel like if the if there
were anybody to be from South Floridaand cornm it would be the uh IGD
Davidson and no se guard and lookingover to the my counterpart Gyuard. It's
a great things. What what aboutCarson's skills might just allow him to shift
over one's top scar was last yearwhy didn't be successful? He's athletic,

(01:37:30):
He's able to run the ball.You ethan as well, which was off
find your favorite thing and working inthe space. That's uh, it's a
huge uh thing app and uh he'sjust trying to come up into the red
guard spot. You know, it'show of counting on you guys. I
gotta say the bad fine for it, but he's doing you did a good
job today and say what we cando into the summer and get into the
ball camp. After Sam squared histouchdown, which Lockman was talking to and

(01:37:51):
then he kind of made his wayover towards he grabbed his shoulder head like
what was going on there? Ohyeah, I mean obviously, uh,
young guys scored touched it on theshoe. He kind of blocks out of
everything cause I'm trying to coach lockhis call his name, trying to get
his attention back. He gets somecoaching. Uh. It was it was
nothing too crazy, cause like said, now we handle all to the rep
around here, and so just tomake sure you know, uh, obviously

(01:38:12):
it's a great thing for him's goingto touchdown. It's great thing. Everybody
showing you seen himcore. But yousee time of season coaching a lot of
quarterbacks running the ball today, whenyou take that part of the game,
I mean I I think that justmakes a the offense even more balanced.
You know you can Net's played elevenon the episode ten on eleven. So
it's just another guy to account for, another guy you have to uh moved
outside the box, another guy afterby a pend the roles the rest of
the defense open for more uh optionsthan the offensive. So it's a it's

(01:38:36):
an awesome thing. You know,personally I want to slide, but but
uh, it's it's still cool.See how difficult did that make it last
year? When year in the lastcouple of years, when you really ever
had that, What does running foryou? Ab we do run that the
quarterback game. None, It wasn'tdifficult. It's just a new style of
offense. You know. Coach Kellycomes in with uh his philosophy and what
he wants to accuse to do andthe accues are actually went on the spring,

(01:38:59):
So we're just gonna keep enough.Obviously, did a couple of good
things today, some some good runsby all the cues, but just building
off of it and see what wecan do better. I think you open
today in the key formations and creativelike that. What's it like working with
Chip Kelly And how is that helpingthe offensive line? He's creativity, It's
it's it's really fun going through walkthroughs. Obviously I only get the run

(01:39:19):
to play the inside outside sound,but you know, we go back from
film like, well we were inthe tea formasure, but it's, uh,
everything's a lot everything's a lot morefun. All the guys are buying
in, all the guys are cominga lot more fun. So coach kind
of brings us on his own juiceto what you have, what are you
going on? And just every day, every guy, everyone improves off of
it. So really cool. Doyou feel that improvement up front for you

(01:39:42):
guys in the offensive line and youfeel like that's helping you guys right now?
For sure? Yeah, I mean, uh, we have a lot
more experience in the line, alot more guys have a year or two
under the belt. What did yourimpression of him? What does he do
well that you're like, okay,yeah, this is this is Then he
closes you born keep boy. Hecommitted right after the bus. I mean
when you came down here, wasthere a thought process that you could commit.

(01:40:03):
Did you come down with an openmind or did you kind of have
a feeling that this was gonna bethe weekend? I aiator, I came
down with a open mine. Ididn't know about an opimating around that,
and then I got here. Ifelt the family are the player. What
was that moment like for you talkingto the coaches telling me there, telling
your family? Just what was thatlike for you? So it was great?

(01:40:24):
I have my mom, my dad, all my friends in the room
there you What was that reaction?Well, my everybody argued know except from
the day time. So what wascoach lost at? It was the time
when you think of like just tocomment or yeah, just an Ohio state
back. You know, whether it'sphysicality, like what are the first things

(01:40:45):
that come to mind when you thinkof they don't high share or any now
swee of power yan and tell youa got it? Yeah? Is that
something that I mean you feel likeyou have to you know we're going or
is that something that you're like,yeah, that's the kind of back I
am. I'm just gonna be nextto mine. They all have. I
think that's how back I am.But you go all of the pool get
well, what are kind of afew of those things that you're like,
Yeah, I need to work onlike go over the course of the next
few months, just everything. Makesure I keep all the details. Bill

(01:41:09):
sperit year. What a coach.I'll tell you that he likes about your
bread? Is it art between thetackles? Your speed? What is he
like? He said you like marrowfucker backfield game and then he liked that
I'm not what's kind of your mainI mean obviously as an in state kid
committed to this class, what's yourpitch now to other recruits and being like
this is why you should join OhioState shortage main bas it's a real family.

(01:41:31):
I'm the spirit. Yeah, everybodygetting along, everybody talking to everybody,
joy each other. What'd you sayonce you get in the teaching extras
bringing to it well, I've alwayslooked up to Bo Jackson watching this film.
Do you uh that's funny? Doyou think that your boy style Kamra

(01:41:55):
his f mis perspected in just theway that he really closed at things that
you want to grow into Yeah,I think I can. I think it's
be the part. Yeah, Ithink as you who are the main guys
that you're you're talking to right nowto join the sport, I'm really talking
to everybody. It's the list ofhim and that, all the comments and

(01:42:16):
any guys that you want to jointhe past, anybody at the top of
your list. I'm sorry if you'vealready got asked this, but coming up
here as a as a recruit,as a commitment'm sorry? What what did
you want to show today? Whatdid you want to get out of this
experience? It wasn't nothing to show, nothing to prove. I just wanted
to die working a lot. Howdid you feel like that went? Obviously
he's still relatively new here, buthe seems to bring up a little bit

(01:42:40):
of a different energy than than someof these camps in the path. I
feel like a really good year.Did you sense that energy? I mean
when you're out with him, it'sI feel intense. And he's different than
other guys though, right, Imean kind of how you would you explain
his coaching than some of the otherrunning back coach you may have worked with
in the path. They're just intense. It like go, go go.
Did you talk to coach talkhe whenneither that Organ? I did? Okay?

(01:43:02):
So when when didn't he get didn'tOrgan getting ultimow like ruffle around like
half of the season like not toofar to okay? So I mean is
it was? He kind of thesame guy that he is now, so
just just in a new uniform basically. Then you guys obviously added Isaiah to
the class, and there's no secretthey would like to add another one.

(01:43:25):
What are your thoughts on being ina class with three different running backs like
that? I have no problem tobe a class. Another thing, what
do you like about Isaiah? Idon't know, you know you've never met
him, but just damn not theperson when you committed? Who were some
of the guys that we shouts whenwe heard from the particularly about after they
come. I'm not really a coupleof linebackers taking out of these nice speculating

(01:43:58):
just coming back. You're just gettingthat. I enjoy every time. That's
been great. That's good. Youwant your life to change since you walked
out to the door, if youwere jo and just decided to work,
I'm committing and now you're flashed numberone play something crazy us. It's actually

(01:44:20):
really pretty ever since just even gettingthe offer from here my life. That's
just ye sky spy. I justappreciate this. I mean, obviously we
got a couple of four years,did hear it. I'm curious about how
you get so higher and change likehow you it's a pretty you started pretty

(01:44:43):
good. But I mean in termsof the guys, don't you want to
join you're basically your s have agreat great seasons. One what do you
want out of the quarterback like awhite guy? You're missing a test I

(01:45:05):
wanted this was one of the onethe long tested coach time. Just characteristic
big a couple of thank you brother, visiting coach the very very much to

(01:45:47):
thank you very much, per sedid thank you once again if you're a
MISSUS American talking about Moss and Kellyabouts it's the first time I met him.

(01:46:08):
Know, we just finding what doyou think you can bring to the
you know when you're yeah, welllike the locks over locking as it's been
like between up to California. Beingout of the counter Dad, this is
a little honestly like to help youin this like different being out a state

(01:46:36):
recruit here versus when you were justyeah, it's definitely different. So it's
why here a new generation of recruitswhere I don't think anybody outside looking at
the little the question is the strengthof your commitment, Like you're locked in
the last day, you send itover and over, but you're making visits

(01:46:57):
around the country, You've seen otherschools. It's it's almost totally different minds
when you ask how do you approachthese other visits and how do you communicate
with Ohio State about then? Andwhat's been the message House State? I
just let it know that you know, Uh, I'm always locked in.
You know, I'm just still enjoyingthe processing in the group. You know,

(01:47:17):
it's still what time the Sivenes enjoythe other schools out said of life,
Yes, it canna be really hardto try to get to the flip.
That's it's so high to stay youknow where I would be. So
what is it that's made you wannatake us to this? What we chase?
House? The rehab process going sofar, it's doing great, man,

(01:47:39):
it's just taking them one day ata time. At what stage are
you? I know they say theywanted to see you, probably in training
camp and we would know a littlebit more. I guess after next week
when you see the doctor for what, what stage are you? Yeah,
I'm back up training doing everything lifting. That's crazy, So I'm back in
that stage. Do you have atime cable? Like what would you be
ready for training camp? Or likewhat is your expectation? Uh? Right

(01:47:59):
now? Yeah, I just takeme one day at a time, standing
in my playbook, so my numberscalled them ready. Yeah, how important
for you? Hasn't been to Iguess stay around the team while you're in
this process. Uh? Great,man? Nuh, you know, definitely
getting in touch with the guys,you know, knowing a lot of s
lot of the guys already a lotof the old State boys here, So
it's been great. Are you encouragedby how you feel so far after the

(01:48:23):
procedure? Do you? Oh?Yeah, what do your expectations work?
What from what people told you?How would how would you goes? Oh?
Yeah, nah, I f Ifeel fine. Shit, I just
ran ten fifties. Shoot, I'mI'm getting back in shape. Shoot,
getting in the weight room, aboutto get strong again. So yeah,
I'm I'm I'm i'm'a be ready.What potential do you see with this defensive
line. Yeah. I mean nowyou definitely stacked. I see a lot

(01:48:46):
of great things. Uh, youknow we've worked together. Yeah, I
think sky's a limit. What conversationshave you had with some of the veterans
like Cam, many of the peopleon the G line. Yeah, just
uh going to Cam just aks'eabout certain things as terms with how he
sees offenses just whole time he's beenin the league in terms of formations and
how he picks up on little prettysing I breeze things like that. Chase,

(01:49:11):
I think making said, you knowyou dove into the deep end of
the pool. H. How Iguess m much important for you to be
disinvested with his team in and howmuch are you enjoying that investment? Yeah?
Nah, that's real cool. ButI uh I love it here.
H. Only thing I had toget used to is that heat. Uh
but uh, it's it's real cool. Great teammates and everybody welcome me with
open offs. So it's a greatexperience. Chase, Ho ho you abna

(01:49:33):
get work? Answered? Slady?Is uh training camp day one? Is
that a realistic expectations? I'm justfocusing on today? Are you running it?
Yup? Marshawn is in the littlehouse they got. Just having him
back in the building, just talkowith that. Oh yeah, uh yeah,
b uh big brouh. You know, it's uh definitely decided to play

(01:49:55):
with him. We always chatted obviouslyon different teams, but I'm definitely excited
to play with them. That's youknow, that's gotta be big for me.
Was that one of the guys makingthe decision that you you kind of
talked to about what this locker roomis like, yeah, Marshaan uh Tyrne,
But yeah, I mean it waswe got a lot of great guys.

(01:50:16):
Mis d You look at that,you know on paper, you know,
I feel like definitely one of themost talented defenses in the league for
sure. Now it's all about justputting it together and you know, coming
together as a team. You're researchingthat one hundred years ago, you know,
folks had the idea of building astadium over sixty thousand people, and

(01:50:41):
that's because of what Chick Carley wasdoing. And you know, they had
a wooden bleachers over here and allthese people started coming in and the idea
of bringing in a stadium that ofwere sixty thousand people at the time was
like, this is crazy, whatis college football turning into? And they
instead of going to the state orgoing to the school the community, they
went to the community to raise themoney they raised over at the time over
a million. Well, I fastforward on a hundred years and the conversation

(01:51:03):
still might be like what is collegefootball doing right? And in this situation
then I l we had to turnto the community for help, and Bucky
Nation showed up again in a bigway. So, although the landscape is
changing, I don't know if youknow, one hundred years later, if
it's that much different. It's justin a different time, in a different

(01:51:24):
you know, set of issues thatwe're working through. But I think it's
exciting. I think there's a lotof positives to it. I do.
I think that we're taking the nextstep with the revenue sharing to try to
institutionalize some of it, which wouldbe big for US real million bills.
Yeah, every year's got questions.It seems like this year's team has fewer

(01:51:45):
questions off the line address specifically,if you look ahead to really low in
a month, what are the realquestions that you have in your mind about
position battle? I would say Onoffense, you know, we got to
square away the quarterback as you know, I feel like, you know,

(01:52:12):
the offensive line on the right side, we've got to solidify that. I
feel like we got to build,you know, enough depth at receiver that
we feel like we can put infive or six in the game and feel
good about it. On defense,I think we're still looking to figure out,
you know, who are going tobe the guys inside, you know,
the third, the fourth, thefifth, defensive interier alignment that we're

(01:52:34):
gonna put in the game. Andthen same thing just just I would say
depth, a little bit of safety, just to kind of see who those
next guys are. They're going tostep up and so we know it's going
to be a long year. We'regonna need everybody and and so in a
lot of those areas, it's depth. Special teams wise. You know,
punter is going to be you knowthat that is significant. You know,

(01:52:56):
we just brought in Nick and youknow, so there'll be a battle there.
So I'd say those are probably theareas we're focused on the most.
Ryan just to fall on the offensiveline, there was I think a school
of clodgy guy. Right we lookedfor a transfer in that post spring window.
Did you guys do that? Didyou guys not find the guy or
were you just confident the guys youhave, Just like you know in January,

(01:53:20):
if if we're going to bring somebodyin, it is to fill a
hole. We're not just going tobring somebody in to bring somebody in.
Like at all positions, we'll alwayslook to see what's out there. We
did evaluate some of the guys thatwere out there, and you know,
you know, we felt like comingout of it as we evaluated it,
you know, there was a coupleof guys that you know, we checked
on, but but ultimately like basedon where we were and some of the

(01:53:44):
young guys that are coming up,you know, we felt like we saw
some progress in the offensive line inthe spring. So you know, it
wasn't there wasn't as many folks inthe portal, you know, in after
the spring. So we looked atit, we identified it, We did
our due diligence, but you know, we're gonna go through what we have
now second round bills, right,You're bet. It was interesting that you

(01:54:05):
have two of maybe the top fiveors of guys in sport and then a
bunch of guys who haven't plenty Uh, maybe someone that I don't want question,
but did you consider trying to addthere? Understanding that probably the difficult
to sell. We can have suchtalent to bring somebody of his experiences,
Like what were those conversations like?And how did you sett along being comfortable

(01:54:25):
with you know, Trey and andwell, like you said, you know,
I think we're we will get someexperience there with those two guys.
And then you know, we feltlike coming out of the spring that James
and Sam both did a nice joband you know, we're gonna have to
play them and they're gonna have toyou know, take on a little bit
of that. You know, wehave you know, started having conversations with

(01:54:45):
Caleb Downs. I was part ofthe recruiting process of possibly you know,
doing a little bit of running backas well. It's something that he wanted
to do. So we've been havinghim in some of the meetings and some
of the individual drills as a possibilitythere if you know, needed so down
the roa to continue to build depthat that position. But you know,
I think, you know, wefeel like you know, if you have

(01:55:06):
you know, four strong running backsgoing into it, then you know that's
gonna be that's gonna be enough tocarry the season. I do think that
the quarterbacks will run the ball morethis season, so that should take some
carries away from them. But toyour point, you know, James and
Sam are gonna have to step upto you guys that we can count on.

(01:55:28):
Save that for another day. Yeah, just fall up on it.
Is he capable of stepping in andbeing running back? Obviously, we'll see,
we'll see. We talked about inthe recruiting process, you know,
the first time around, and morespecifically in the second time around, and
so he's you know, he's beenaround a little bit just to get a

(01:55:48):
feel for it. We did verylittle in the spring. We did I
think we pitched them an option orsomething like that in the spring just to
kind of get them going. Butwe'll see, we'll see where that goes.
We don't have a specific plan rightnow, but we do want to
introduce him to that just the samething like Lorenzo styles. It's played recier
where he did that at Notre Dame. You know, he's out there a

(01:56:09):
little bit just kind of learning.It's healthy. You know, you're seeing
it from the other side. Ofthe ball. This time of the year,
you can get away with that alittle bit, a little bit in
the preseason. Where it goes,we'll see, but you just never know.
And we're trying to put some contigencyplans in place because it could be
a long season. Yeah, thisis my forty first year covering of How
to Day. I don't remember everexpectations like this In the summer. There

(01:56:29):
were some of them were almost asbig. Sure do you sense that too,
And what is that pressure like asyou're working through a summer. Yeah,
people have asked me that I goback to the expectations every year are
the same. I mean, it'sjust the truth. When opening press conference
I said you got to beat theteam up north, and when every game
after that, that's just the expectations. And when you come up short,
you know you got to figure outa way to get those things fixed.
I think we have done that.But the expectations are the same every year.

(01:56:54):
Pressure is the same every year.I just like the pressure when you've
got a really good team behind you. So that's what we got right now,
and you know, we know it'sgoing to be a long season.
We know we're working towards But Iwill say this about this team, Well,
we've been talented. That's there's beentimes in the past we've been talented.
I don't know since I've been hereif we've been this talented and this
experience together with guys that have playeda lot of football, fourth and fifth

(01:57:16):
year guys, and that doesn't matter. We'll go ex door Stephen play.
Since you brought it up, maybethis is his talk because it's summer timaus
so you can have just have aconversations. Maybe we're making a big deal
out of nothing long term situations,but we've seen it around college football in
league guys playing both sides of theball and doing it quite well. Right
Travis hun is doing it down inColorado and Kayla Dallas has been apartment turns,

(01:57:40):
so we see what he could dowith the ball. But there's also
the stamina aspect of that. He'sgetting to a sixteen game season, so
I'm not saying it's many forty snapsor something like that, But what about
his athleticism what he brings to thetable, and let you know that if
you wanted to explore it in areal game, he could last and still
be an effective seek. Yeah,you know, we'd have to see all
that he did it in high school. But we got some really good running

(01:58:02):
backs in a room. So it'snot something that we're planning on doing,
but uh, we all we aregonna, you know, work on a
little bit Caleb. Caleb enjoys thatpart of it. We did agree that
that was something that we were goingto look into. Where it goes,
I don't I don't really know rightnow, but I know that he has
the capability to do it. Hehas the athleticism and do it, and
you know, we'll kind of seewhere it goes, see see how he

(01:58:23):
does, and you know, maybehand the ball to him a little bit
the preseason, because again it's goingto be a long season. We have
to make sure we have continuency plansin place. But I know it's something
that he enjoys having the ball inhis hand. So even during their first
time around the recruiting process, weeven talked about him coming in as a
as an offensive player. Ultimately wethink his ceiling is highest on defense.

(01:58:45):
But you know, but I alsoagree I think that having you know,
guys go on the other side ofthe ball and just see it listen to
meetings is really healthy for their development. So we're going to do that regardless.
Your defensive recruiting right now is maybefurther along, and it's been in
the years past, and I thinkwe've asked numous questions about it in the
past, But is this a productof seeing it over the last couple of

(01:59:08):
years and now it's not just tellingguys, hey, this might look like
this. They're seeing it in realtime. Yeah. You know, we
talked about it when Jim first camein, and I think Tim Walls is
an unbelievable job as well in theback end, and you know, Matt
stepped right in and James and Larry. I think they're all doing a great
job. But like you said,you know, it's one thing to talk
about it. That's theory testimony isjust look at this is this is what

(01:59:29):
we're doing. And then I thinkyou're seeing a lot of guys just excited
about playing in this defense and theysee the capabilities and the flexibility too.
You know, right now, theway we play, excuse me, the
way we play right now is basedon you know, we have four really
talented defensive linemen that are really good, and we got a lot of debt
to those positions, but there's alsoflexibility with some of the things Gym's done
in the past that you know,we're definitely looking at and some of the

(01:59:53):
recruits that we're looking at who bringssome versatility pass rusher, you know,
we have that jack position and thosetype of things. So that's exciting as
well. And I think you're seeinga lot of the recruits, you know,
really get fired up when they gethere. People. Yeah, coach,
your first couple years, your identitywas was very far from an AWFU
standpoint and air and out type team. But look at the key best of

(02:00:15):
talent and the playmakers you have there. Has your identity changed? I guess
what do you think the identity isof this point four? Well, we'll
see as we go, but youknow, we know what we need to
do to play in the big games. That's never changed. And we have
to be able to stop the run, run the football, take care of
the ball, and there'll be opportunitiesto throw the ball that'll that'll happen,
but you know we're gonna have to, you know, do those things to

(02:00:39):
win close games and play situational football. But I think you know, you
won't really get a feel for whatthe identity of the team is until we
get into probably the beginning of October, you know, and I think we
all have ideas of what it couldgo. But you know, now that
we're playing in a playoff format,just like a lot of those NFL teams
sometimes, you know, they don'treally quite understand their identity until they get

(02:01:00):
about halfway through the season. Idon't think I'll take that long. But
you know, we're able to playsome games and kind of work through some
things. And I don't think ourdefense is going to change a bunch in
terms of what we did last year. I mean, it's a lot of
the same guys back could look alittle different on offense. Have we got
time for two more? Go toDoug Limerra's Hey, right, you lose
an important recruiting staffer to promotion atMichigan just the second time. So much

(02:01:26):
done to Michigan this offseason. Howdo you react to something like that?
Is something that someone like that wouldtake information that was learned here that could
help the Michigan or highest stages reaction. Yeah, all good questions, and
you know, I just I wantto talk about the guys that are here,
you know, the staff members thatare here, the coaches that are

(02:01:48):
here, the players that are here, the ones that are Buckeyes. Joe,
didgon with the scheduling change that wasannounced yesterday? Did they come together?
Didn't have to do with different?Yeah, you know, I don't
know all that came in came withit. I know it got presented to

(02:02:09):
me a while back, and youknow I was on board with it.
So yeah, I mean, Ithink, you know, we do have
to look a little bit different atour scheduling as we move forward, based
on the way the format is atthe end of the season. That's quickly
about the linebackers got in here alittle bit late. How do you feel
about your linebackers? Cody seems likehe always the bet means like he's looking
as a starter. CJ. Whendo you see his role being Sonny?

(02:02:31):
What do you see his role being? Gay and all this guy? Yeah?
Good versatility, all those guys,rvel Reese, Like you said,
CJ, Gabe, Sonny, Cody. You know, I'm missing a couple,
I'm sure, but like that wasthat yeah, r Bel Yeah,
I mean these guys are very versatileguys. You can see the length on
them, and you know, theydo a good job in terms of like

(02:02:55):
fitting the runs they can. Theyhave enough length of you know, to
covering zone. But they'll also blitzand that's something that fe wanted to really
work on this offseason, is gettingbetter at blitzing, you know, and
hopefully we can even take the nightwe got Jeremiah J J. Smith J
J. How'd you feel out theretoday? You got a great time.
I heard the TV team came out, don't three and old pool play.

(02:03:18):
When you come to these kind oftournaments, what kind of techniques do you
like to work one you think thatyou're gonna deep run some short stuff from
crossing the routes? What do youwork on when you're out of tournament like
this? Really just getting back inthe Google during the week, so really
just working on my releases. Uhthat's my friends after I mean, I'm
gonna chuck, So just really getback in. Now we know you pulled

(02:03:41):
the trigger on Ohio State. Obviouslyyou're gonna take visits kind of make sure
that you're you're perfect, done yourdecision. What was it about Ohio State
and Brian Hartline and Ryan Dad Itmade you feel comfortable to cond make early.
Really they sent made my first visitwhen I think the first they offered
me off? So do you feellike prison? But it just what's up?

(02:04:08):
What's up? What's what they say? Was really? They they they
gave me, uh really just akid. I'm a talk hard I wasn't
top hard. Guys, I'm tryingto have them size now. I know
you got some of your s FAfamily up there. You got Brandon n
s, you got Carnal Day.What does it mean to potentially be able
to link up with them in ayear and be able to kind of run

(02:04:29):
back what you guys have done inSouth Florida Express in Columbus, Ohio,
it'd be great we go there toOhio State take It'd be grateful all through,
great up more first rout. Yeah, you're a super humble kid.
I've been really impressed by you today. Is there anything that you want Ohio
State fans to know about you?You know again, I know you're just
your all work, all work,all work. But what are they getting

(02:04:53):
when they get a JJ Smith tocome to Ohio saying you kid coming down
the world the job, doing theday, Just do what I got to
do. They'll just come that's perfect, man, God bless you. I
appreciate you, my man. Alsowatching today, thank you so much Smith.

(02:05:13):
And then later tonight I'll probably comeback and watch the film again.
But at the end of the day, it's just trying to be around football,
be around the facility. How muchof your film watching it's like solo
endeff just you buy yourself watching.How much do you do for your earlier
We've had more safeties come in throughoutthe spring, more guys try to learn
the system and learn the game.But I mean, at the end of

(02:05:35):
the day, you gotta do whatyou gotta do to put yourself in the
best position to win. So myself, I'll watch film at home too by
myself. But when I'm here there'salways other players around me that are trying
to or to get better just likeI am. Are you only watching yourself?
Watch? No, I watched theNFL teams. Watch good NFL safties
that are playing right now. JavonHolland, Hants, Small Winfield go.

(02:05:59):
Guys like that. I can thatI can emulate and try to see how
they play. And then also justwatching other players here, other players that
do things well here, just justlearning from them, trying to see how
they play the game, trying toget better. Caleb, what are some
of the big differences that you've seenso far between what you went through at
Alabama and so fever you've gone throughwith here. A lot of it's the
same. A little differences in thedefense and how they operate and how they

(02:06:23):
see things. But at the endof the day, football's football. Defensive
defense, So everybody gotta get tothe ball and make the type of what
do you think of coos Oh?I love the city. I love uh
High Street. I love being inthe city. I love going to the
restaurants here. The food's great here. So uh I ain't got no coom
place for me because it's like yougot the campus all of a sudder then

(02:06:45):
also a big city. It's it'sdifferent than Alabama because Alabama was a college
town and test Lousave is not asbig of a city. Here, there's
a lot of people to see,a lot of different businesses that you can
be a part of. So justtrying to learn the city and learn what
everybody has to offer you. He'llyou probably noticed that when Kid and Procker
made his decision to go back toAlabama, and then that starts a whole

(02:07:06):
level of speculation and the are youwere you taken aback by that? Did
you feel like you needed to makea declaration off of that? Uh?
I mean at the end of theday, No, I didn't feel like
I needed to say anything, causeat the end of the day, I
was still here a practice. Iwas still here with my teammates. So
I mean, I feel like myactions speak for themselves. I'm I mean,
I don't. I don't need tosay anything about that. Cayden I

(02:07:29):
talked to him when he did it. I congratulated him on his decision.
I mean, that's what he feelshis best. That's what he feels his
best, and I support him.But I'm here. You guys have are
in this new generation of you havethat sort of freedom, You have that
sort of control over your career ina way that other people didn't. It's
something that you you have to kindof take with a certain seriousness that you're
making that right decision at all times. I think ev I mean it,

(02:07:53):
in life, you have to makedecisions based off of what you feels best
for yourself. So that was abig decision for him. And if he
feels was best for himself, thenI support it. But at the end
of the day, for college subleathletes, I think that's the best thing
because the coaches have the same rightto do what they do. Coach can
come here for a month and leave, and I mean then he's just leaving
the player at high and dry.So I mean, if they're gonna have

(02:08:15):
the ability to do it, whywould the players not have some type of
say in their in their life.Kevin, you you made the impact opposite
last year as a fresh m Whatdo you think you can do assault year
under your belt? You know,I think I can grow and what I
did well last year and increase onthe qualities that I was not as a

(02:08:39):
lead at during during the season.So just being better in coverage, being
better than the post, being betterin my tackling, being a better communicator
with my teammates, all that Ithink I can offer to the team.
And but at the end of theday, it's gotta be a team collective
to go do what we want todo. But what do you come in
this abyss will lower the fast Whatwhat do you think of being a big

(02:09:00):
part of me was was elite lastyear and it should be better this year.
Yeah, they were a very elitedefense last year, and watching all
the film from last year and thewhole season, they played a great season.
They played a lot of good defense. Excuse me, which your question
just the idea of being the harda big part about an league defense.
Uh, I mean I can onlydo my part. I can only do

(02:09:20):
my one eleventh and do my jobevery play. I can't I can't try
to do more than that, andevery other player just has to do their
job and we'll do what we needto do. Okay, we'll be talking
about your field watching habits. Wasthat the same in high school? And
what did that look like for youon a regular high school good My high
school coach was one of my favoritepeople in the world. Uh, Freeman

(02:09:41):
Davis. Me and him watched filmtogether a lot, But that was more
so just myself watching film and tryingto grow. So I would say I
had a lot of the same habitsand has trusted over to college. But
a lot of that was me andmy high school coach, part of the
game together. Another movie around everywherehere. But you know, see think
you're in that free safety spot asopposed to the strong safety spot you played

(02:10:03):
at Alabama? Just what said transition? Like, do you feel that does
that even matter in this kind ofdefense? I th I mean it's the
same spot really to the It's thesafety to the field, the safety playing
in the most space. That's whatI'm used to. But at the end
of the day, I feel likeI could play to the boundary. I
can play the dome money position,I can play nickel. So I mean,

(02:10:24):
at the end of the day,you gotta make plays wherever you're at.
Think CALENU, what have you been? What have your thoughts about?
On? Jeremiah Snoot a very eliteathlete, very instinctual player, has a
great ball skills. Should uh shouldhave a big impact this year anybody you
can compare him to what you've seen? Nah, j Jason's on sef Jesus,

(02:10:48):
He's on. It's his own man. Uh. Who else's caught your
eye? At receiver group? Kaylebthat UH is elite in your opinion?
Uh, I watch a Mecca Bokaa lot out of and cop when I
was in high school watching the games, and then last year watching some of
his film. He's been an aleade receiver. Then and he's a leade
receiver now and Carlote has had agreat spring as well. Yeah, and

(02:11:13):
the you you personally, uh afterthat uh student appreciation Dale on Saturday,
you were mobbed about as much asanybody. What is what? How have
you felt the receipt meaning the autographseekers at Saturday? Now? Uh?
How have you felt the reception here? Uh? For you over the last
several months, but especially like Saturday, I think it's been very welcoming.
I appreciate everybody, and like Iappreciate when I go to class, seeing

(02:11:35):
people that know me and just beingable to meet them, being able to
say that I'm glad to be here, being able to say I'm glad to
be here to everybody that came upto me. Yeah. So I'm just
I'm very appreciative of it. Doyou feel their expectations for you? You
know what I mean that? Uh? I mean people mad a versatility then,
so I'm baby about it. There. You moved around a lot throughout

(02:11:56):
your career that there's jumbo side you'lltackle. I guess it's clean book and
left on the right side. Doyou think you kind of benefit from focusing
a little bit more on the rightcenter, Uh a little bit, but
you know, there's a new systemthat we have, Like I like playing
my mindset most on the right,but also have my mind set and love
too, just in case something doeshappening to like you know what I mean,
like Coughtland or you know, Peteof course, but I'm always gonna

(02:12:20):
be ready for the left no matterwhat. How quickly have you felt like
you picked up this new system thatyou're working in now? Oh, it's
a we actually picked up picked uppretty well cause it's the same system that
I'm used to back in the hotsee, cause we're more like spread back
at how I say. So,you know, it's pretty good. It's
it's none of it like the draftprocess off seasons. A lot of people
outside of the buildings are the readersgetting right tack? Yeah, a lot

(02:12:43):
of yeah, alright, now,A lot of people in the building were
like, we have a right tap. A lot of people get motivated by
that. You followed it like ayou pay nature doing it, though I
don't I read into it a littlebit, but also at the same time,
like they not here the words,but I don't really care what they
say. I know what I cando and the team know I what I
can do, so the interesting meright now and I'm not gonna live him

(02:13:03):
right now? How hard or howeasy is that to compartmentalize that and use
that as fuel going forward rather thanthe kind of marita it uh I j
I just keep the seats and everybodyknows that one person I don't really care
for him at Also, it's allgood, but it's all love. I
love uh outside of this, Butyou keep doing me, keep it better,
keep on these nights, doe whatI can do there? You've been

(02:13:26):
a outspoken about your supporter of Zami, and obviously this is his chance now
to beat the dog. Wa Whatis it about him that you bought in
so early? The reason why Ibuy some earliest cause us I was at
a house they they always taught us. Actually I go giving and acting.
I got here. I'm'a always wannago get and I gotta picked late.

(02:13:46):
And I always wanna prove people wrong. You know, I think prove people
are wrong all my life. Idon't wanna keep doing that, That's all
I wis. I guess more justlike we don't put anything like the set,
and you feel like a community.Years you have nine eight difference nine
they difference from my first year inmy second year. So now like now
I'm my gul. I know Ican play. I know I can go

(02:14:07):
against one of the best, especiallywith nights, anybody else that we be
going to play this year, andI know what I can do. So
all gotta do now is that youmeet my potential and should do it and
help everybody else out on the teamas well. You've practiced a lot against
Malcolm and he's really come into hisown. What is it about Malcolm that's
helped him make that next step?There? Man, Malcolm, he's quiet,

(02:14:28):
he doesn't really say too much.He comes to the work every day,
do what he does, and heworks hard. He doesn't blit twice
at anything. Yeah, he'll getmad over a couple of rest wells.
At the same time that like hehas an entality of adult, like he's
he don't really care what y'all thinkor anybody else thinks for real, So
it's just like, alright, justkeep going. That's how everybody is on
the team about ty raising too.You got that same mindset. He does

(02:14:50):
have the same mindset. Who alittle nervous, but uh nah nah,
he has definitely grow up a lotfrom this like the first year here until
now, like ass name, buthe's he's growing up a lot mentally too.
I'll tell you, guys are reimaginingthe offensive line a little bit with

(02:15:11):
you out there on the west side, farm there next to you on the
on that side too, and thendrafting the guys on the line. How
exciting is that to be part ofsomething that's that's kind of being you know,
having that trust but also being reinventeda little bit. That's very you
know, but me and doing thoselike they gonna keep placing us, of
course, but all the same time, we gotta keep going. You know,

(02:15:31):
we can't just really and think aboutwhat they did. All we gotta
do is staying about what what cameto do with being better in forty Ton
as well. Sorry, they don'tput a lot on them outside a little
bit more. How how long areyou guys working? I'm one hundred percent
now. And it was like awalk in the park. It's like a
sprained ankle, you know, itwas very easy, you know, because

(02:15:52):
I had the knee. The kneewas pretty hard, you know, and
the achilles was I would say it'seasy you know, just because that's just
my mentality, and it was itwas pretty easy to be. But you
know, I've had these injuries andit's been stormed like the past two years,
you know, having have like good, great games, the next thing,
you know, hurt and then youknow, so got got the injury

(02:16:16):
prone out there, you know.But I think the storm is over with,
you know, you know, andI think I'm I'm gonna gonna take
off now, you know, andthere will be no setbacks and the injury
prone thing will be gone out ofthe window again. Yep, I'm sorry,
You're gonna be back. I am. I am excited. You know.

(02:16:39):
He does a lot of great things, and he's a great person,
and we have a great relationship.It's gonna be it's gonna be a fun
year. We're gonna have a lotof fun. We're gonna do a lot
of great things. So I can'twait, chick here waiting. The injuries
you've had, Is that just badluck? Is every Is there anything you've
can attribute to beyond just misfortunately?Yeah, it's just fortunate, you know.

(02:17:01):
But God has a plan always,you know. I don't know what
the plan exactly is, you know, I don't know, but whatever plan
it is, it's for me tobe here. You know, I had
a great rookie year. I didn'treally have the volume as other people my
rookie year, but I still hada great rookie year. Six yards of

(02:17:22):
carry, you know, things likethat. I think it was like nine
touchdowns ten including the playoffs. Andso there's always been like, all right,
guy, lets me show my talentshine a little bit. Like even
when I had the knee. SoI had the knee right, A lot
of people don't know like I didn'tget hurt again whenever I got you know,
got cleaned up. So I wentdown in twenty one, right,

(02:17:43):
had the injury, the knee injury, and then came back later the next
year, and I played the firstfew games and it just feel there was
a lot of scars issue in there. So I had to get it cleaned
up. I didn't get hurt again. I could have played the whole year,
but I got it cleaned up soI can feel like me. And
so after I got that cleaned up, the first two games back from the

(02:18:03):
injury, I had over one hundredand twenty yards rushing right, and then
went on had great, great endingof the year, you know, one
hundred total yards in the playoff gamewe lost, which I hate the most.
Stays, don't marry me. Idon't want to win. But then
come back the next year hurt againlike torn achilles. So two really unfortunate
injuries. But that's just God's plan, you know. And I think that

(02:18:28):
the storm is now over, youknow, and I do think that I'll
be able to shine my light tothe whole world. Are you concerned that
you have that label you can't stand? See? I could care less because
I do. I do. Iknow this out there because as as it
should be, it should be.I got hurt two major injuries back,

(02:18:48):
not back to back years, butyou know, so I haven't been on
the field as much as I should. That's true, that is true.
But it's not like I'm having theselittle little dinky injuries and sitting out.
It's something I can't control, literally, So that's why I'm not bothered by
it. Like, yeah, Iam injury polle, you could say that,
you know, but I do thinkthat the Chargers are getting a guy

(02:19:11):
that's gonna be healthy from now on, you know, God will it,
and it's gonna be great, andI do think that it's gonna be.
It's gonna be a great However,many years here, when you've been on
the feel you've been highly adopted fivepointy years for very average for your career.
Like knowing that when you're out thereyou're very adopted, how much confidence
does that give you? That reallyall you need is is knowledge. You

(02:19:33):
need all the confidence in the world. You know. The way I work.
I wouldn't say just from the numbers, but just the way I work,
my work ethic, you know,and my relationship with Jesus is like
I have the most confidence when Istep out there because I do know,
like, if he grants me thehealth, it's overweight, is it.

(02:19:54):
I don't think I would be,you know, I think it will be
a great year or whatever a coupleof years. However, many years he
grants me great health, you know. And I think just the work ethic,
my prayer and all that stuff,that's what helped me have that confidence.
With the numbers will be there,and they they might be higher after
this year, you know what I'msaying. And it's crazy to think about
because I had six or six yardsper carry, you know, so we'll

(02:20:18):
see you're looking forward to the runningbehind this line put together. Oh yeah,
yeah, yeah. I played withBrandley, I played with him.
You know, I know the Slater, I know all the I know all
the guys you know, and I'mexcited. I think it's like I said
earlier, it's a talented group.You know, we just got to put
it together win some games. Causethat's what I came here for a year.

(02:20:41):
Or I wouldn't, I wouldn't saypart of the recruitment, but like
whenever I decided I was going tosign, it was great to have him
in the room. Yeah, we'regreat. We're we have a great relationship.
That's he's like my brother, SoI think a compliment each other very
well. You know, he cando a lot of stuff too. You
know, we got a lot ofpeople think he's just power power power,

(02:21:03):
but I think he has some otherparts of his game two which it'll be
great because I feel like I coulddo everything and when one get tired,
we can roll it in. Wekeep rolling win some games. So when
you the two of you get going, well, how do you think that's
gonna look for? What would like? What will be that partnership kinds back

(02:21:24):
there. I know that's a hardquestion. How do I think I think
it'll look beautiful. You know alot of people call this a passing league,
but I think you got to runthe ball to win the super Bowl.
You know, if you look atthe team to win the Super Bowl,
they can run the ball, theycan control the clock, and so
if we're both good, it'll lookgreat, beautiful. How would you describe

(02:21:46):
the Gregor running the offense? Iwould I would describe it as, you
know, a great offense. Ithink he gives a quarter he's going to
give the quarterback a lot of options. He's gonna get the running back a
lot of options. He's gonna givethe receiver a lot of options, you
know, and I think it'll beI think it's gonna be great. His
offense is going to be amazing.When we talked to him, you know,

(02:22:07):
I was like, why have youben he will build something good rushing
offenses throughout your career everywhere you've beenand you said that one part of it
is just you got a call place, You got a call run place.
As a running back, you know, how much confidence, how much insight
does it give you when you knowyou have to play caller that's gonna stick
with it and allow you and theoffensive line to get it. Gives me

(02:22:30):
a lot of excitement. You know, it's gonna be Like I said,
it's fun to play in his offense, you know. And I think he
does have some good things in thepast game too, But like you said,
he sticks with the run, andthat's that's the identity you You want
an offense that has an identity,right, you won't be looking everywhere else
to find your your identity you want. You want to have it, and
so I think his offense has that, and the guys he builds and puts

(02:22:54):
in there, it complements that identity. So I think it's gonna be great,
even your hundred percent full go fortraining. Look, I ain't gonna
answer any of the if it's upto me. Yes, Look, because
I had this problem like three twoyears three years ago, I'm thinking I'm
full go. I think I'm readyto go, and the next thing,

(02:23:16):
you know, I'm on pup like, hey, look some stuff above my
prey pay grade. So but Idon't know, hopefully I can start.
I think I'm ready to start,you know, at the beginning of training
camp but that's not up to me. As I've learned, I'll tell you,

(02:23:37):
I wouldn't say that. I thinkI've been I've been in some great
organizations, and I think this thisorganization is a great organization, and the
training staff is great, and sothey just want what's best for me,
you know, and they're they're takingcare of me, which that's what you
want in an organization. And sothat's where that comes from. Which I
appreciate it, Like I really appreciatethat, you know, because I'm the

(02:24:00):
type of guy, like I workreally hard, so maybe sometime I'm blind
to you know, the danger ofsomething, you know, So I appreciate
it. But like I said,if it's up to me, yah,
I'm out there. But you neverknow what any frustration for you during the
heading into free agency, you know, dealing with with rehab and not you
know, having on a full seasontape or production to go out there,

(02:24:22):
was there any part of that whereyou were like, god, you know,
had hit the open market with adifferent situation. You know. Nah,
I like it. I like,how would I say this? I
like it the hard way, butnot, you know, I like it
the hard way. I like it. I like trial and true relations.

(02:24:48):
So I mean the dice that Iwas given the role was I was coming
off of our achilles, and thatwas that was the lowest plan. So
it was beauty in that, likeI was comfortable. I was caught like
there was multiple teams, you know, I wasn't. It wasn't like I
didn't have any other team. ButI was comfortable and sitting back and just

(02:25:11):
enjoying the process, letting myself getfully healed. So whenever that team,
whoever I would sign with, whonow is the Chargers, is gonna get
the best me, you know.And I think people all around the league
know that, like, Okay,this guy, Okay, it's a high
risk, high reward type thing,right, not even a high risk Hilow
rice because you it's a business,right. So I got hurt last year,

(02:25:35):
so not as much money needs tobe throwing there. But I think
everyone around the league knows that wheneverI am on the field, the numbers
don't whe and so they know that, and a lot of teams were like,
all right here, you can giveyou this, but we want you
to be healthy. So when I'mhealthy, it's gonna be great. This
is the chance that I've been givinghere. I'm so grateful and I know

(02:25:56):
that's gonna be. They won't be, they won't regret it. Are you
the type of person that likes togrow people? All like your a couple
things like risk reward injury? Butit's two cents I've heard. But me
being who I am, you know, I'm I'm I'm gonna throw my two
cents in there, you know,So that's just uh, it's been awesome.
Man. We he's he's, youknow, a resource for me,

(02:26:18):
just a person that I can alwaysbounce my thoughts off of. And now,
you know, just a year yousaid, thirteen months. Now I
feel more comfortable just you know,bringing certain things. If you know,
you never you never wanna come offto Sean. But I'm a curious guy.
I got a lot of questions.I like, I like football a
lot. I like to talk andtalk the games. So, you know,
come to find out, he's theexact same. So we uh,
you know, we get along welland and uh we're gonna keep keep building

(02:26:41):
that relationship. Sometimes in this league, playing you know, eighteen games,
they trying to make a twenty.You know, that's like it sound like
a little a little fever dream tobe honest, but but uh, if
we can find a way to kyou know, stay up right out there
and keep keep Aaron on his feet, you know, I'm I'm excited for
that and uh everything that comes withit. But uh but yeah, like
I said, man, that's it'sit's harder said than uhudor done, and
said, I guess you know,it's one of those things. It's like

(02:27:03):
that's a lot of games. Youknow, all of a sudden take a
lot of hits. They take alot of hits where they're not looking,
and it's just how can we keephim healthy? Yeah? Yeah, are
you when do you think I do? You're received room now? Positions you
guys have made when the Montay healthyand everything like, yeah, you know,
I'm excited to see it at atfull health. You know, you've
I haven't got to see all theall the guys out there at once.
And and you know, it's oneof those positions where every day is something

(02:27:24):
might happen to Nick up. Youknow, it's just a a tough position
to stay out there at all times. But I feel like we got a
great group and and the number onething is how can we stay healthy.
How can we you know, I'llbe out on the field, and I
think having depth like this and thegroup we have is gonna help us.
Having guys that can do different things, that can go catch'e ball over the
middle, all types of things thatit's gonna take some of the strain off

(02:27:45):
off all of us. You know, it's it's a good group. So
I'm excited to, uh, youknow, get out there. I feel
like we haven't had the whole wholething together. But you know, come
season time, more rolling, it'sgonna be exciting. What about a guy's
a your whole number? Yeah,yea yeah, I like a man.
Oh a lot. He helped mea lot, even fel like the first
day just trying to help me getused to to write tackle. He got

(02:28:09):
my feet used to write tackle.Like my first day of practice. I'm
like, dude, I still feelhe feel a little off. I don't
feel as balanced in my stands.And he showed me the small technique and
to do with my feet, whichI still do even even though I left
tackle just caps part of my routine. That was part of my process of
getting in my stands. So stufflike that that he taught me from day

(02:28:30):
one, and obviously in practice wasfun just compete with him, you know,
it's just to meet at the backof the pocket and to dap each
other back to every rep like thatwas compete, you know what I mean.
So that's my guy. As muchas you love him on the West
Side. How bittersweet is it asa certain matters because it would happened to
him. Yeah, that's the thing. That's not how it was. Definitely

(02:28:52):
how I n a And that's nothow I thought about a transition would go.
You know, I thought it wouldbe you know, on homesome timing,
but a card his whole career,you know, no even want to
play here forever, you know whatI mean when always talking about his plans,
So you know, you you wishtransitions like one of those fairy tale

(02:29:13):
like it's your time. But butagain, either way, you know,
we talked about it. You know, that's that's the tow goes, you
know, But obviously you know hesees he's he's been one of my biggest
supporters. Again, I affect everybodyleads in their own way, you know,

(02:29:35):
not everybody's the guys coming around likeand that's not everybody, right,
like I felt for me, that'sme specifically on game day with the O
line after we do one like that'smy, like b Hump did like like
that's my like big vocal time.I feel like I've talked to Hump about
this, you know, just recentlytalking about how what I want to do

(02:29:58):
for the realm was I want tobring that Hump energy that he brought right
so last year. Of course sometraits been doing it for years, but
the year while I spent with him, he brought a lot of the energy
and excitement and the happiness in theroom was just his natural energy to where

(02:30:18):
I only had to focus on me, you know, I didn't have to
make sure other other guys are youknow, feel some type of way when
they came in here because Hump broughtthat. But I'm the Hump's not here,
but I saw what he did forthe room. I want to be
that guy to make sure everyone's ampto go to practice, everybody's hype.
Weren't taking and field team on period. You know it's a low day or

(02:30:41):
something. You know, it's ait's a thing, but like I want
to make it feel like parents atripper right now. I want to bring
that because that's what we hump didto each other. We will hpe each
other up dudes like dude about toget walked through and we're lit. So
I want to do that. Iwant to bring that energy. I want
to make bring more guys, youknow, to do that. You know,
yeah, I wanted to do thatfrom day one, you know,

(02:31:01):
I kind of I wanted to dothat from day one, from just talking
to him, and obviously it's thattime. I spend the off season before
OTA started just being in myself,just thinking about what the room needs,
you know, because I know mynew role as one of the leaders,

(02:31:24):
you know, on the offense,is that we need a guy like that
that's gonna make sure the old lineis picked up, ready to go every
day and those held accountable. Littlethings aren't happened to practice, people aren't
saying anything. And how I maylead maybe different than somebody else may lead.
You know. I like to apractice at least like to leave with
positivity, you know what I mean. So, but he the energy yet

(02:31:48):
went beyond just the hyped up thedeal line and started too. So that's
kind of how I wanna be sgoal mine literally my whole life. I
want to be NFL team captain likespec typically the NFL. I wasn't a
captain of high school. I wasn'ta captain of college. But I made
a joke when I was in highschool. I was like, did I
feel like I'm not gonna be acaptain til I get to the NFL.

(02:32:11):
Yeah, but that would be awesome, you know, but you know,
if it happens, i'd be great. But not either way, I wanna
assume a role as a captain fromthe respect of the guys on the team,
invidual a word to me and toget back to that way. Yeah,
I mean, I can't say that. I mean, I guess the

(02:32:33):
biggest thing is that I felt likeit has felt like how it you used
to in the past. But itdidn't take just the first day OTAs.
It took training left and right oncethe season ended, cause I didn't know
what it was gonna be sure,So it took a lot of yeah reps
just to get back to feeling likemyself for day one OTAs and then that

(02:32:56):
whole first week. But now liketoday's specific defic just changing some small things
with my feet. I did saytalking about a line coach about some things
I can do with my feet toget to that, to selling it the
traditional angle that I love to seton. Felt even I thought I felt
I thought I felt great already,but I'm okay, I felt even better.
Okay, so I'm even more excitedtomorrow. Now I'm getting my feedback

(02:33:18):
to how I liked it the rightside, and I'm on the left side,
so I'm excited to teach. Imean, obviously, I feel like
in the league, whether I leftor right, you're still going against premier
guys. So obviously you have highexpectations for your left hand and right tackle.
But there's definitely uh like the thelevel of energy and like the expectations

(02:33:39):
definitely taking a human start, causenow connected the black side that stuff,
that's the tackle roles, you know. So so yeah, I would say
in terms of communication as far asjust even outside the facility and just stuff
like that, like really creating thattackle quarterback bond even more off the field,
I think has been some and that'seven been cool. I got a

(02:34:03):
text one day and it's like,hey, like you play left, and
I was like, yeah, youknow, yeah, I've been training both.
I've been training both you know,I asked after the season. They're
like, honestly, you know,we'll talk to you. So play in
the season and I just gotta textme, like depending what happens with with
the free agency then. So Iwas like, you know what, I
had a whole season right tackle,So if I get the word, I'm

(02:34:26):
going I'm standing right tackle. Idon't need to do what I did before.
I'm built on that bus. Iwas like, I might as almost
trained the left tackle now as ifI'm going to be a left tackle,
and I'd rather do that than trainingon the right time and get the hey,
you're the left tackle. I'm like, oh, I didn't switch on
my feet yet, you know whatI mean. So I'm like, let
me just prepare in advance. Iwas like, yeah, lets guy.
You know, I think occasionally onthird down there would be a lot of

(02:34:52):
twists. I would just know likeit's a automatically coming. And I think
that was my mindset for like thefirst half of the season, Like I
didn't have to go to it wassurprised, like, oh my gosh,
they did that. I kind offigured like, okay, like this is
this is the type of rush meantto get like, this is how this
guy usually rushes, but I getthe vibe. This is how the end's
like the rush. You know,tackles that are you know, first year

(02:35:13):
guys who got the premiere patch on. I already knew what it was gonna
be, already knew of every stuntand honestly just knowing that it's kind of
an advantage too. So you're notyou're not, You're not who they brought
the twist of my eye side again, it was never an Aaron Donald,
like, you know, they're comingout of minds, like three plays in
a row in two minutes. Iknew that that was the way to happen.
So, you know what I mean, I'm watching more than everybody else,

(02:35:35):
and he rarely England goes out thereon occasional third downs on the d
N. I was like, alreadyknow what's gonna be. He's gonna pick
me, you know what I mean, So fact fact, it's kind of
a it's also kind of advantage ina way, but it's also exciting,
like, Okay, I'm gonna getthe hardest look. You know, those
are real, real reps, youknow the bank, So really, I

(02:35:58):
I don't know, I really didn'tkind of pross us. I was like,
when they tell me, so letme know, I'm just gonna train
it. I was training all left, so ta's. I guess if I
didn't hear anything about t's, Iwould have came in like so you know
what I mean, because just likeI'm cool training both continuing, I would
have been cool training both continually.But I feel like anybody, any position

(02:36:22):
will be like, okay, likeyou wanna as soon as possible, get
your feet kind of settled at yourhip, settled at your hands. So
then certain kind of well look atsay, well, this guy only been
on the field for three years westernknTucky and Oregon. Just because I didn't

(02:36:43):
have the title of a running backcoach where I was at the Memphis,
I never carried myself that way.I was carrying myself as a running back
coach. I approach every day thatway. So at Memphis we had Darren
Henderson, Patrick Taylor, Tony Poller, Kenny gangwell Tonyo, I've seen talented
backs, and I've seen them beable to function with one another. So

(02:37:03):
I hear that all the time aboutwell, I this ain't my first rodeo.
Same thing out there in Oregon,we Buckeven Norwich and George James.
You go look at their numbers.They all functioned well together. We learned
how to play as one. Sothis ain't my first rodeo. So and
plus I know those two kids causeI recruited them when they was in high
school. So I'm up for thechallenge and the responsibility of it. Got

(02:37:24):
right behind the damn hope eleven Carlos, Just what is your kind of coaching
philosophy? How do you get thebest out of your running backs? I
get the best out them cause Ilove the young men. My main focus
is to change the hearts and mindsof them and they'll play for me.
I had just got through reading CoachTrestle's Winners Manual, and it's somethday that

(02:37:45):
I took from that book. Youhave your purpose and you have your goals,
alright, My purpose is to serveand pour into the young men.
Now, my goals as a footballcoach, all of them are take care
of themselves. So that's one ofthe ways. I'm just real relationship base
in a very detailed at this position. I know y'all heard me say before,
and I'm gonna keep saying this isthe worst coach position in football.

(02:38:05):
It's terrible. Guys hire anybody tocoaches position and recruiters. CARLS Locker is
not a recruiter. I'm an eliterelationship builder, but I coached this position.
I'm a ball coach, so that'swho I am. So I'm gonna
pouring to these kids. I thinkthey kind of seeing it now, and
I jumped in day one. I'mready to coach. I'm gonna use the
phrase, you know, the softbatched cookies. Where did that phrase come

(02:38:28):
from? Kind of what was playingthis boy? Let me tell you about
that boy. I've been called everythingbut the name the child of God by
the people at the other places Ileft, so that I been getting pills
Hey, Pillsbury, need to giveme a deal, cause I've been getting
I been getting some DM the textsI'm something. Some of them have been
so funny. The Saubat's cookiet thingcame from just having a frame of mind,

(02:38:52):
a mental toughness. It had nothingto do with guys getting in the
portal and anything. Now most peoplesay I'm a saltbatched cookie for leaving there,
but actually I'm not because it takesgreat strength to make a decision to
leave a place. No, aweak minded person wouldn't be able to make
the decisions I make, So ittook great strength to do that. So
I'm telling you by literally in myDMS, it's some it's some great comedians

(02:39:15):
out here that have been sending melike tons of cookies and out like it's
funny. Right behind him, Tony, how have you going about the assessment
of the talent in the room?Uh, over the past week or two?
How much is that nfield off field? Like? What's the process of
getting to know who you have asplayers? Well? I broke down well
me being a guy that loves therunning back position, and I already broke

(02:39:39):
those kids down cause I recruit himout of high school. You know,
ce is from where I'm from inMontgomery. I was one of the first
guys to offer him just watching himgreat contact, balance, creative runner,
great hands and trey. I recruitedhim out of Virginia exceptional short of your
bursts and quickness and things I'm herethem get better on. And then I

(02:40:01):
recruited James Peoples out of t outof San Antonio, Texas. I knew
what he was gonna what he wasgonna be. TC and Sam, those
two kids I'm getting to know andI'm gonna help them improve the game.
But we got different runners in there. I like to call myself, I'm
in love with this position. SoI get to break down runners and help
their game. So talented, talentedroom, very talented. Uh far back

(02:40:26):
uh. Jeremy Birmingham Podcast, howdo you swear that that the soft beast
cookies are actually the best cookies?To Philip Britin mixing, those are way
better than the country chips are whitethings with terriory. I mean, do
you do? You have to firstfind a balance there or someone? Well,
for me, I'm actually not eatingany cookies now, I'm just saying
I'm not eating any cookies this year. I gave it up for a fast

(02:40:50):
or no sweets for me for thewhole year. That's something I gave up.
So they the term the soft beastcookie term. Look, guys,
I actually took that from I representthe high school coaches of meth Tennessee.
I actually took that from a guynamed coach Slocum. He used to always
say that soft best cook I actuallystole that from him. I give him
credit for it, and I tellhim all the time he said, you

(02:41:13):
I should have branded that, causeyou done took it and ran away with
it. But that's just where thatcomes from. So that that now was
standing as you get to Ohio standand you start to look around the country
at Oregon's a big place. That'sa that's a major job with How how
do you think that very your oppositelogo are the jaf Ran blocko. When
you get out out of the thepre and trail, how does that change

(02:41:35):
the way that you feel you're eitherreceived or or does it add a different
level to to just feeling like Icould go anywhere and get anybody in the
country. And that's the changest thingfor me. This is a great place.
Oregon is a great place too.But guess what whatever I put on,
I know what I'm going to representfor me. I n I N

(02:41:58):
I know who who put me here? Uh? I know I represented something
higher, you know, Like Itold you, I know what my purpose
is. My purpose is to poortingthe people. So whatever logo I have
on, I'm still gonna be doingthe same thing. So this is a
great logo, great logo, butI wear another logo. Every day it's
across I see around my neck.I know what I represent. So that's

(02:42:18):
the greatest logo I could ever wear. So it doesn't matter what other logo
I have on. I got thatone on. I've been going to any
house and be a recruit. Uhuh deep right, camera Tique Robinson the
athletic from which you you mentioned thetime of Memphis and them it's for NFL
or backs you mentioned there who youlearned from that time that you that you

(02:42:41):
can take over to manage you yourworld? And kid? What did I
learned from them? I just buildinga just teaching the kids. We live
in such a selfish world though,and I can tell kids all the times,
it's gotta be much more the football. The ball gonna go flat one
day. As I always say,what being in that room there at Memphis
is it went four five? Teachingthem how to be abbout being one.

(02:43:05):
I tell you the man all time, it doesn't cost you anything to celebrate
another man's success. So teaching themhow to be one, and then once
they learned to be one, theyfunction and they feed off one another.
So that's what I learned from beingthere at Memphis and bachrom let him in
the road. Carlos, heard ofyour career in law enforcement kind of influenced
you as a coach and kind ofshape where you are. Uh, well,

(02:43:26):
I just got through talking to somebodyabout that today. When I first
got in this profession and I gotmy own room at Western Tech, I
was aksed. No, how wasI was gonna be able to handle'm m
my room? I said, Man, I had a part with fifty one
inmates. You talking about me havinggot six or seven guys? Are you

(02:43:46):
kidding me? I'm talking about mehaving to do traffic stops. So going
on domestic you know, violence calls, it's simple easy, No people gonna
know what you care. Also know, you gotta have a certain demeaning about
yourself. So when I walk intoa room, it's the reason why I
go train every morning. This iswhen it's same thing when I was a

(02:44:07):
police officer. You look a certainway kind of deter people from doing certain
things. So reason why I gotrain every morning. I'm gonna look just
as good as my boys look.So U it helped out a lot.
In other words, Uh from Arrolright Austin word the podcast, Carls,
Welcome to Columbus. What would itmean to, I don't know, revolutionize

(02:44:28):
the way running backs are coach?What does that take? I ain't even
I'm not gonna say revolutionized, justsome good. It's some good running back
coaches out here. Everybody's different.It's some great coaches out here. I
just want the head guys who saythat on these jobs to not just hire
guys. Just know, all coacheson your staffs should be great recruiters,

(02:44:50):
not just a running back coach.We coach a position, We developed players
as well. I just want thecoaches to realize, Hey, you know
what, let me look and bethorough about this guy that I'm hiring for
the job. Is he teaching theposition? Is he development the position?
Because you're not gonna hire anybody justcoach quarterbacks, are you. Well,
it shouldn't be like that for therunning back position either. And I'm only
passionate about it cause I played it. I love it, So it's the

(02:45:11):
only position I want to coach,cause I coach the other positions. Yeah,
I played dB in college too,but I loved the running back position
so and I just wanted to seeit coach well May podcasts. Yeah,
a million questions. All that's acouple of number one, when y,
when you, when your wife whatever? You got the message stuff? Or
are we moving again? What wasWhat was her reaction? Nah? She

(02:45:33):
she just knew guy had give us, gave us a new assignment. She
w it was never like we're movingagain. Let me tell you guys something
I grew up. My mom wasin the military, so I lived everywhere.
I lived in Panama, off SouthAmerica. I'm used to picking up
and moving. I lived in FortRodley, Kansas, Montgomery's home if it
was my second home, so I'mI'm used to moving now. My wife
it was different for her, butshe just knew guy had gave us a

(02:45:56):
new assignment, so it's time togo. What did uh? What did
coach date tell you when you heardyou that he wants out of you?
That may be different. It's notslaming somebody else, But what did he
say he wanted you to bring tothe running back room? I think he
did his research on me. Hesaid he wanted the guy to to develop
the position. That's not taking ashot at the coach that was here who

(02:46:18):
I'm friends with, And he said, they want somebody to really get the
guys going, uh, I canonly be me, And I told him
that cause i'm'a be me every daynow, Cause see, my mindset is
when I step in this building,I got one mindset that's to do my
job so well that the living deador unborn can do it any better.

(02:46:39):
So when I leave it, that'swhat my mindset is. Hopefully I'm here
for a long time, but onlyGod knows that. So but that's my
mindset. Every day I step intothe Wizard Hate soenter, that's my mindset.
I'm'a do my job so well thatliving dead or umborn couldn't do it
any better. So that's what mymindset is. So coase we got time
for one last question, Bill Rabinowitz, Clumbus this back Carlos. First of

(02:47:01):
all, is it true that nobodycalls you Carlos, never calls you Locke?
Is the truth? Yeah, Iprefer to be called a lot hble
And I would say that, nothim in particular, But I wouldn't say
everyone doesn't really know how to handleit properly. You see it currently.
I mean, it's just it's avariable that's new and how to handle it.

(02:47:22):
There's not a transcript on on howto handle that variable. So you
just guys just trying to do whatthey think is right. That's all they're
really trying to do. And I'mnot saying they're right or wrong, but
he was trying to do the same. And uh, you know, I
think at the end of the dayhe realized he made made the wrong decision
and we connected on it. Wetalked about it, and you know,
it was a great opportunity to toto write or wrong. And uh,

(02:47:45):
obviously we're very glad he's here.I've always believed in him. We believe
in him, and he believes inhimself and that's part of the just trying
to understand what's my path, right. So uh but yeah, it's been
great. Steps have been made.He's growing u He's nowhere near where he
knows he's capable of being. He'sjust probably a prices in Caremiah. I

(02:48:05):
love the way he lives. Ilove the way he approaches things. I
love the way the questions he asks. I love the way he makes mistakes
and then correct mistakes. It's veryveteran, like, I mean, there's
so much ball he has to learn, Like he literally does things that are
good. I'm like, do youknow what that worked? He goes,

(02:48:26):
Coach, I have no freaking idea, So like I'm trying to teach him
all of that why it worked.So then you know, the consistency at
which it works just goes through theroof. And so but I'm very you
know, excited and proud of theconversations we're currently having and I'm exciting it
for them to keep going. Bryan, power for you working with Chill.

(02:48:46):
I love working with Chip Chip is. I love talking ball, I love
the viewpoints, I love I lovethe veteran that he has, you know,
and I love yeah, like Ilove all of it. I think
that you know, early on thebiggest impact, you know, just you

(02:49:09):
know, feeling perspective. I thinkin the run game has been awesome,
you know, and then you know, off of the run game some of
the actions or or relief throws orall that kind of stuff. I love
where it's at. I love workingwith them, and I would say that

(02:49:35):
I sleep a little better, allright. Uh No, It's it's really
a great combo because, like youknow, we're obviously we're doing a lot
as a group. It's not justChip and I. So but you know,
Obviously Chip has an image and aview on things that I never had,
So to have that experience and havethat viewpoint, I'm just trying to

(02:49:56):
absorb as much as i can,but then also highlight some things that we've
really done a good job of andmake sure those you know, nothing's really
changing, We're just trying to enhance. We're not changing, We're enhancing.
So where the things fit is perfect, you know, I think, uh,
you know the rest of the dynamicsand search Chip can talk about.
But it's been it's been awesome,so I'm excited about it. We talked

(02:50:20):
to a mecha. You're talking aboutmoving from slot to the house side.
You know how good we've been inthe slot. Is that a difficult move
for you guys just coaches to knowhow good a guy is in at one
spot, but know that maybe forhis long term future and the no,
I wouldn't say it's anything on hisfuture, because he's capable of doing whatever
you want to get done. ButI'd say that it says more about the

(02:50:43):
room. I think it's it's thegrowth of you know, Brandon and the
growth grow of Bryson that's really youknow, allowing my mind to say,
hey Mech, be prepared. You'regonna move around a lot. You're gonna
come out of that slot. You'regonna be outside. We're gonna create mismatches
out there. I mean, abilityto move around is critical. But I
would say between Mech and between CarnellTAS's ability to move around a lot,

(02:51:05):
it's gonna provide a lot of flexibilityfor our room. And uh and those
top you know, six seven guysthat are really doing a good job right
now. Progress look like this springforma because there's no cons one of those
things. I'm true when U hasbalanced how much works a need versus yeah,
heavy heavy emphasis on what work heneeds, you know, versus anything

(02:51:26):
else. Uh, I rely onhim. We have great dialogue back and
forth. It's a two way toit's a two way conversation. And frankly,
there's gonna be times where like,hey, mech, what do you
wanna do today? You wanna gooutside? You gon go inside? And
I don't care. So, uh, we're not there yet. We will
be there, but it's just moreabout, you know, when the room
is ready to start mixing things up, I would say, there's got I

(02:52:01):
mean, I make sure I'm bringingguys that are able to do all,
but I have not asked them toyet. So the only guys that in
our room currently I've asked to dothat has been Mecca and Carnell, and
those are probably the two guys thatI would, you know, think heavily
on doing moving around a lot.I'm not putting that on anybody else right
now, not saying they can't,but at this point, having two guys

(02:52:22):
being able to swing, you probablydon't need much more than that. I
need guys being experts at what they'regood at, so it it helps the
offense. Don't be great at everythingand be an expert at something and we
can use that to our to ouradvantage. This year is different, like
maybe you guys who are more situational. The room's always different, frankly,
I mean from twenty eighteen and thennineteen and through COVID and and those guys,

(02:52:48):
and and then the depth of thoseguys and then where Mech and Marvin
and those guys were as freshmen comparedto you know, It's just it's always
different, and uh, I expectthis one to be different again, I'm
not sure at what level yet.Last question, right, relationship between the
TV room in your room, especiallyyou know back of forwards. I'm curious,
Yeah, dB as a leader justlike you, you know, play

(02:53:11):
at Ohio. Hasn't he experience I'mcurious about how you've seen him kind of
build differ mart back room, especiallyon the recruits. I mean, not
a successful guys, maybe kind ofthe effective your recruit How that's kind of
enchanced. Yeah, he would probablyknow more for that question than I would,
but I would say that, Yeah, we obviously feed off each other,
right, I mean, there reallyis a team sport, and we

(02:53:33):
can't do it without them, andthey can't do it without us, and
we can't do it without the quarterbackand we can't do without the old line.
So moving all the way through tenyears in this league, so E
said to see what he's got.How old did you know Sores and when
he was assistant here? And haveyou gotten to know him a lot?
That wins a relationship? Maybe rightnow I know him pretty well. He
was always just a good dude aroundthe facility. He did our ball meetings.

(02:53:58):
So he's in front of a group. He's a good leader. He
knows the scheme really well, whichis good I was happy to see him
promoted. He called me in theoff season, we talked. I just
congratulated him, and I think he'sgonna bring something similar to what we had

(02:54:18):
with the Miko. It'll be good. Do you know Brandon Stanley well at
all? I mean, obviously Joeyplaying for him, I don't know too
much about him. I've obviously heardfrom my brother, but I don't even
think i've said high yet. Ihaven't ran into him yet, but I'm
sure i'll get to know him.When you say it looks similar to the
Miko of the energy or the system, maybe a little different energy, but

(02:54:43):
I think just knowing the system fromthe front to the back, I think
he knows how it ties in.And he's been around with some really good
coaches, so I think it'll bepretty pretty seamless, and I think will
be far and all cylinders. You'rethree months removed from the super Bowl now,
So just how have you? Iguess digested it, and I guess

(02:55:07):
physically everything good to go. Yeah, I feel really good. I think
it's been one of my better offseasons of just kind of It was a
long year, so I took itnice and slow to get back into it.
Not as young as I once was, so I'm taking a little a
little slower, but everything's great.I'm feeling as good as I felt.

(02:55:30):
I'm excited to actually get some practicein. Last year was kind of tough,
getting thrown in Week one after Iwalked through, so that was another
reason I'm excited to be here isjust to get practicing a little bit in
season. Practice is one thing,but actually being able to work your stuff
and not have a game coming upis good. With the Super Bowl unfortunately,

(02:55:56):
I know how to bounce back fromtough losses, so it was rough
for a little bit, but no, just annoying when people bring it up.
Since ael last season, we've seena Rock on TV commercials and on
the stage with Kluke Coombs and throwingout the first pitch of the Giants game.
But he seems like a guy that'stotally unaffected by celebrity, which he

(02:56:18):
has now. But what have younoticed in his leadership style and the way
he carries himself any difference at all. I think he's definitely getting a little
more vocal within the building, anduh yeah, I mean I don't think
he's ever gonna change. I don'tthink he's somebody that's gonna change even when
he gets paid next year. Sohe's he's a man of faith and he

(02:56:41):
kind of reminds me of Scotti Scheffler, but except for just super humble and
really good kid. And yeah,he's definitely famous. He's famous. Suffer.
I don't just from watching you.Armstead get released obviously meant so much

(02:57:07):
to the defensive line into the team. I mean, Colin John were pretty
open that they were willing to talkabout trading deebo or are you as yourn?
Does that just another what's that feellike in the locker room when those
sort of joels happened. I didn'teven know that happened and I wasn't here,

(02:57:28):
but you're talking about this offseason Armsteadin alarm Er released, so that's
certainly one thing. Yeah, it'sa tough business, for sure. You
have to have thick skin and Ihaven't gone through that, but I think
you just have to understand that itis a business and the team's going to

(02:57:50):
try and get as good as itpossibly can with or without you, and
you have to look out for yourself. That's why you go through holdouts and
do certain things. That seem selfishin the moment, but it is what
it is, and when everything's settled, we're gonna come together as a team
and try and go get one Nick. What's the overall feeling around the group

(02:58:11):
right now, Like, how muchdoes it feel like the excitement of the
ramp up to the season. Eventhough it's early, it feels good.
It's been a couple of days forme, so I like all the new
guys. I'm getting to know everybody, but I think the past is in
the past and we're ready to go. Do you talk to me? You
talked to beat all about handling thebusiness part of this. He's going through

(02:58:33):
something similar. We chat a littlebit, but not too much about the
details. I just told him tokeep his head up and try and stay
positive through it all. First impressionswhen you heard what your schedule would be
in that Aaron Rodgers' first up,it'll be fun. Yeah, it's gonna
be gonna be a good one.Excuse me kind of alluded to this for

(02:58:58):
the fact that last year you havethat hold out. You said that affected
you somewhat early in the season.If you hadn't had that experience, would
you be here right now, Imean, was that part of the motivation
for being here early, just tohave the opposite. No, I don't
think that's one of the reasons.But I just talked to Kyle and he

(02:59:22):
kind of asked me. He kindof stated how he felt about why it
would be good for me to behere and asked if I agreed. And
I agree. So it's not likeI'm missing too much. I think I'm
out here. It's a little lessworkload than I'm doing back home, so
it's kind of a good active recoverything for me. And I'm getting football

(02:59:46):
stuff, football working specifically, sothat's good. I'm not it's not compromising
my training at all, and Iget to meet all the guys. It's
positive. How did Joey kick thenews? Oh no, he's he's there.
He's got a new regime over there. I actually thought I was coming

(03:00:11):
next week until recently, so Iwas gonna have one more week at home,
but we're both in California. Shareabout reasons that you agreed with back
here? Does it feel different?Yeah, you know, it's not like

(03:00:35):
these last eight years have come inand thought we were going to lose or
have have a bad year. Ifelt like every year when I tell you
things are feeling good and I feeloptimistic, it wasn't a lie. But
yeah, I think things are aredefinitely, like I said, trending in
the right direction. Everybody's on thedetails. I'm sure it's a word that

(03:00:56):
you've heard a million times. Soyeah, I think it just feels like
it feels like coach is leading theteam the way it should be led.
It has a feel of being backin college, you know, with with
coach urban Meyer, and you know, the message is sent from the top

(03:01:16):
and it doesn't get mixed up asit's moving down the ladder. It's boom.
This is how we're doing things,and everybody's following that. And I
think it's impressive the details that everybodyhave been on, has has been on
the effort and just the competitiveness thatthat's been going on over the last few
weeks. Yeah, it's it's it'sbeen great. How much do you appreciate

(03:01:41):
that to stop just described with theway jim Ley we shouldn't eat in the
messaging doesn't eat mixed up? Mightappreciate that so much. I mean,
it's I guess it's easy to appreciatewhen you kind of see it working,
and you see guys and getting better. I just think the details are really

(03:02:03):
important. You can pretend that leavingyour shoes a mess or your locker a
mess isn't a big deal, andwhat matters is playing football. But I
think all those tiny details and thingskind of add up and leak into the
important stuff, like what you're doingon the field. So if you can

(03:02:24):
have your toe behind the line,or have your locker and order and all
these things, they kind of stackup into performing well and and playing well
when things count. So you know, I appreciate that it's It also hasn't
been a fight with the guys inthe locker room. They buy in,
and you know, it's a lotof young guys, and I think they're
hungry to learn, hungry to competeand win. You know, it's just

(03:02:50):
an example, whether it's we talkedabout the first day you have your shoes,
if you could, if you couldspend the time on these small things
when nobody's watching. I think,like I was saying, it seems like
it might not out up too much, but I think in the long term
it does, and it leaks intoother things. Whether you're doing your right
assignment on the field, being lateto meetings or all these things. If

(03:03:16):
you hold a standard and you stayto that standard, I think it benefits
you long term. It's it beenlike work Ben Herbert. Has there been
anything in his training program we're workingwith you that you feel will benefit you
later. Yeah, Yeah, definitely. He's been great. He's a no
nonsense kind of guy. But he'snot an old school in the sense that

(03:03:39):
he's bringing his way of doing thingsand that's the only way to do things.
He understands that guys have been inthe business for a long time,
Khalil me and we have a wayof doing things, and all he wants
to do is add to that andhelp you get better and perform the best
you can. He stresses it allthe time that he's a tool for us,

(03:04:00):
and you know, he's been He'sbeen great. The guys love him.
The energy brings is awesome, andI think the stuff that we're doing
in the weight room is great,a great addition to stuff that I may
may do on the side or whateverthat is. Yeah, I think we
I mean, we had a presentationtoday with all the certain measurables that are

(03:04:20):
changing and if you guys are inthe meeting. You definitely see how beneficial
he's been to the team so far. So obviously staying healthy is is a
huge factor to anybody's success. I'dsay it's plagued us a little bit for
a while. So yeah, Ithink he's he's definitely incredibly beneficial. What
were you fully, I know atthe end of last season you might have

(03:04:46):
been able to play. Yeah,no, I was not ready to go
last year. No, tried practicing, tried coming back, and uh it
was it was not good. Butyeah, it was Unfortunately, the year
wasn't going great and it just wasunnecessary risk for I mean, my foot
could have had some real real issuesif I came back too early. So

(03:05:11):
yeah, it's been. It's been. It's been a great off season.
My foot's feeling great, toes good, hamstrings good. I mean, there
was a list of things last year, my hand, so all those things
are good. Gut surgery on myfinger, so that's feeling good. Yeah,
it's nice to be feeling better goinginto year nine than you have since

(03:05:31):
maybe five six years ago. Whichsaid I've said I've been feeling great last
couple of years. I'm telling youit's a real deal this time, but
obviously anything can happen. But Ijust feel it's fun feeling really confident in
your body and being able to perform. So I could just go out during
practice and you know, go ballsto the wall and do everything that I

(03:05:56):
feel like I need to to beable to prepare. It's fun. My
brother and whoever I trained with mytrainer Todd back home, Uh, I
think they'd be really proud of howI've been working this offseason, and it's
just exciting. The pointing was theinjuries. I remember the Green Bay game,

(03:06:16):
you kind of yeah, it wasa bit of a build up,
a little bit of an overreaction,but you know, it's just tough.
It comes sometimes like that, andI just felt felt really uh defeated coming
back. Had a broken hand.I'm like, oh, yeah, I
get to play boom for a seriesfoot pops. Thought I'd have to get

(03:06:37):
surgery, and all these thoughts floodedthrough my head. Broke down a bit,
and yeah, it just hurts.You know, you're losing, you're
getting injured. You've felt like youprepared really well in the off season,
and then the year before you hadgroin surgery, so you know a lot
of things build up. Yeah,you don't get a break if you're injured.

(03:06:58):
Everybody wants to go on. Fansare very nice. But no,
I just I'm grateful that I feelthis way. I'm still still nicey Ripe
twenty eight, so not too oldyet. But yeah, I'm just excited.
I can't remember what the original questionwas at this point, my body,

(03:07:26):
how close you and Gift were?How frustrating was it that you couldn't
you know soon for one of thoselast three games. It was frustrating,
but I mean Gift was had myback the whole way. I think for
Gift, for any but for thewhole team, just to show what it
means to me. It would havebeen important for me to be out there,

(03:07:50):
but I literally couldn't. I triedto practice, injured my footworse the
very first play I was and inpractice, So no chance that was happening
unless I want to throw my nextseason away as well. But no,
I'm just I'm proud of him forwhat he did with the team, how
he handled it, and I needto call him back. Actually sorry,

(03:08:11):
I give Yeah, I'm happy hegets to stay close by with the with
the Rams and Uh, just proudof all we accomplished here together over the
years and and we'll be close forthe rest of our lives. Was the
footage the guys foot sprain. Yeah, I sprained one area of my foot.
Then when I tried to return andI sprained another area. Was able

(03:08:35):
to avoid getting surgery, which iskind of the main goal, But yeah,
it was. It was tough whenit comes to the addition of but
Dupree, where he felt like he'skind of brought to the to the room
and could bring on the field.Yeah, it's when I heard we got
my brother something. I don't know, maybe my brother told me. I'm

(03:08:56):
like, really, we just gotBud Like, that's no, that's no
small pick up. He's a seriouslyelite pass rusher has had some trouble with
injuries as well, so I understandhow that is, but not only him
as a player, but as apersonality. I heard Khalil just saying he's
he's a fun guy. He's afunny guy, and to have that in

(03:09:16):
the room another vet is always agreat addition. But I'm just excited to
have him intulee and to be ableto rotate like that and not drop off
at all. When we come offthe field is huge and Mapchule's going into
a second year. Just what doyou what are you kind of What are
some of the maturity maturity areas yousee from him? You know, I'm

(03:09:39):
gonna say not much, And that'sa compliment because he was already mature in
those areas. I mean, he'son it everything, playbook wise, always
doing his job, working hard,just refining his technique and pass rush.
I mean, we don't have thepads on right now, so the real
work will will begin, you know, and six weeks now. So but

(03:10:03):
yeah, I love Julie. I'veloved him since the first day he's walked
into the facility, and I knowhe's just gonna continue to get better.
Would you think of the addition ofJoe Old, Yeah, yeah, I'm
gonna need to beat him up alittle bit in camp. So he's so
he's ready, But no, Ithink anything to protect our number ten is

(03:10:24):
a good, good investment. Sohe seems like a real solid dude.
Haven't talked to him too much,great build, seems like he has good
hands, good feet, strong,We'll see. We'll see in a few
weeks. When I lay a helmetin his chin, how he holds up,
but it'll I'll take it easy onhim. No, Rashawn's a beast.

(03:10:48):
Did you know coach Harbond before hecame here? And if he did,
just what were those first couple ofconversations like that? Yeah, probably
have crossed paths with him. Maybemaybe not. Actually I think what was
it his first year when I wasa junior? So he kicked his ass
as usual at Ohio State. No, No, they just want a championship,

(03:11:13):
so I'd say they probably have thebragging rights right now. I'm like
the guy talking about his old highschool. Oh, I remember we used
to kicks. No, but no, yeah, no, the rivalry is
dead. I was just saying thismorning, you know, nine years and
kind of forget about that. I'mnot a great alumni. Sorry, sorry,

(03:11:35):
coach, But no, that's great. That's what's great about the NFL
is you just have guys from allbackgrounds. You could hate their guts one
one year, and then you comeon the same team and your brothers and
you're all working towards one goal together. So our first talk together was great.
I just sat down with them,went up into his office and chopped
it up about life mainly and hisopportunity here and how much it means to

(03:12:00):
him. And uh, yeah,I think he's a special guy. I
think he's uh, the way heconducts himself. He's an interesting cat for
sure, and I'm still still feelinghim out. But one thing you can't
denies that he loves football and hismain goal is to win football games and
that's what we need. You seehim working out with you guys and and

(03:12:20):
pushing his lives and doing all thisstuff. Just how interesting is that to
see? Yeah, I mean hewas a he was a great player himself,
and I think he's always been,you know, built like that lack
of a better term. But yeah, he's uh, he's part of the
guys. You know, he's notthis guy outside looking in. He he

(03:12:41):
really, I mean he voiced thatto me, is that his favorite part
of all of it is being withthe guys and and the connections he makes.
So Yeah, to to see aguy like that come in and embrace
it all and kind of be partof it himself is important. Your initials
pushman during the defensive. Yeah,it's funny you go from old gift,

(03:13:03):
old gift to this little young guywho's my age. I wouldn't want to
get thrown into a room with meand khalilis his age. But no,
he's been great. I love messingwith him a little bit. We a
little sarcasm back and forth. Butno, he's great. He's uh,
he's very talks very fast, andI don't as you know, so sometimes

(03:13:28):
I got to be like, slowdown, coach, come on. But
no, he's great. I'm excited, you know, to get closer as
the years. As the year goeson, and I think he has he
has a lot of passion for theposition and all he wants to do is
learn and and help us to improve. So I'm excited about him, and

(03:13:50):
I mean I do miss Gift.Obviously, it was a long time with
him, but I am excited tohave a new face and kind of have
that challenge for me, much withwith Jesse's dad, since I know he
coached linebackers in Michigan. Did youask about Jesse? Did you ask about
doing? Okay, you asked aboutJesse. Oh my god, I was

(03:14:11):
talking about freaking doing the whole time. You guys are so confused. No,
sorry, I thought we I thoughtI was I thought you mentioned coach
Ronie. No, No, coachmentor has been great as well. Yeah,
they've both been great. Sorry,run that back. No, he's
been good. Uh yeah, veryknowledgeable guy. Same thing. I'm excited

(03:14:37):
to get to know him more asthe year goes on. Have you worked
Have you worked much during Jesse?Yeah? H no, I have not.
I don't know if I've said oneword to him, but more words
to come down the road. Likeyou said, you've been in year since
twenty sixteen. Just what are someof this stuff? You just one ramble

(03:15:05):
about the wrong guy for fifteen minuteswalking what Yeah? What the hecks?
Actually that's literally not the person.Yeah, I figured out. What's something
that you you worked undering the offseason, something to improve your game or

(03:15:26):
is there something that you can Usuallymy answer is pretty consistent that I just
continue to try to prepare myself physically, whether that's my sprint worker, agility
work, and my lifting, butyeah, just to get everything feeling great.

(03:15:46):
And I dealt with those injuries soI had to kind of ramp it
up with my finger and foot andall those things. But now I'm I'm
full full speed out there and I'mjust going to continue to do what I
know, Uh, we'll preparing mefor the season, and uh, I
know I'm gonna get plenty of techniquework and position work when I'm out here.

(03:16:09):
So for now, I'm gonna spendthese five weeks really getting uh preparing
my body's workouts competitive again, anothergear of competitive mats with you and all
that stuff. Yeah. Yeah,it's usually too hot out there for much
competition. We're just trying to survive. So but yeah, it's always it's
a it's a silent competition between betweeneach other, be like Peeking's like what

(03:16:33):
was his time? Was his time? But no, yeah, it's always.
You can never have an off daywhen when you're out there and he's
he's warming up like a beat,like a freaking robot every day out there,
so there's there's no off days.Have you you and him talked at
all about I mean, I meanjust talking when you were having a contract

(03:16:54):
ding you guys have to talk aboutpay system, teammates, environment, city,
all those kind of just like playinto it. Besides just uh the
money thing. I know, financialsalways play a big role, and I
kind of steer you into the directionyou want to go. But everything kind
of plays into it. And howmuch did you reach out to Shelby Drew
knowing some of the guys you knewthat played here last year to get a

(03:17:16):
sense for what what Seattle might offeryou. I mean, not much right
now. I'll talk to I'll talkto Shelby a little bit about it.
Mainly no one, Drew. Uh, just congratulate me, Bob. Did
you come together pretty quickly? Iknow you kind of came year agreement on

(03:17:37):
that first Monday, and everything withset that come together really faster. Now,
it was a long day. Seattlecame in almost out of nowhere.
We had like a good set ofteams that we're talking to, just trying
to find like finalize what was goingon, what was the term is going
to be, you know, andSeattle came in hot. They showed a
lot of interest, and uh,they kind of just motivated me to come

(03:17:58):
here more and more. How similarwill your role be, you know,
in terms of playing what you didDenver. I don't know that yet.
I got of just mentioned previously.I don't know my role. I don't
know the ins and out yet.Once we'll get no through the protocols and
the NFL PA we'll we'll talk aboutknow the schemes and everything, right,

(03:18:20):
so welcome. When you were inDenver in the three four, where did
you find yourself most comfortable and mosteffective in le? I played a lot
of different positions in Denver. Imean earlier in my year, I played
zero, I played three two one. I mean I'm definitely more comfortable in
a shaded position, mainly being athree technique and five technique. That's why
I found myself to be more comfortablewhether I'm standing up or I'm not,

(03:18:43):
whether it's runner or pass. Uh, they'll seem to be my best my
best fits. And what is yourimpression of Pete Carroll's defense and whole environment
from afar? It seems like heholds in our defense a lot. Uh.
I can't really say too much aboutthat. Yeah, I don't.
I know Pete Carroll very little.So uh, I'm just trying to figure
out more and I'll give you abetter answer later. What's the reputation around

(03:19:07):
the league out of the sea.Uh, you know, hard nose Hard
had type of team definitely on alittle more lack side as opposed to being
stuck up or military style, andwhich is definitely good because then they this
program is one A lot of footballgames have been super successful for many years,
as long as I've been alive,as long as I've been watching football,

(03:19:28):
and definitely this has been a goodprogram. And Pete Carroll has been
a hell of a coach for aslong as I remember, even back in
his college days. So I'm lookingforward to experiencing that. Jan Boyle,
Yeah, I know you said youdon't know yet. You know what your
role is going to be, butjust what what kind of player you fans
who haven't watched it of Denver?What kind of player? Definitely a high

(03:19:50):
motor, Definitely not a one trippony type of player. I like to
attack, you know, whether it'sa first or first through fourth down,
I like to attack. I'm alwaystrying to apply pressure. I'm definitely just
a hot mortar guy in my opinion. Brady either Brady Henderson for me,

(03:20:11):
be nice to meet you. Yeah, this is not a team that really
makes big splash signings in free agency. Did you think going into it then
Seattle would be in play? Uh? No, not at all. Uh
you just it's kind of like beinga cure at the county store. You
know, I've got a whole bunchof different options coming at you, uh
hearing, a whole bunch of differentcrazy things, and uh, you know,
you only get to choose one.And this is the place that that

(03:20:31):
we both chose each other. AndI mean, I'm loving Seattle so far.
You know, I like these colorsfor real. Real. What what
have you got to do with Seattleor see since you've been here? Not
much? Uh, just kind ofjust drive around the city exploring, uh,
getting down to the market a littlebit. I want to get out
of the Ferris will do some worlike touristy type of things. You know,

(03:20:52):
I'm new to the city and Igot a lot to learn about the
city. Larry. Yeah, there'sbeen a lot of comparisons to Michael Bennett.
I was wondering if you know MichaelBennett at all, and you think
those are accurate. I know Michaelberger Ben like nothing. I know nothing
about it but besides his style ofplay. But I'm honored to be considered
in the same conversation as him andstyle of play. You know, He's

(03:21:13):
a Hall of Fame type of deeplineman that I've known about since I was
a kid. I mean, lasttime he played here I was in high
school, so you know, it'scool to it kind of came full circle
a little bit watching him on TVand now I'm being kind of compared to
him in a way. You know. I mean, I'm not touching the
surface of Michael Bennett. You know, he's a Hall of Famer and I'm
not there yet. So you know, I just got to keep doing my

(03:21:33):
due diligence to be a better player. Carvin Hey Dreamont, Welcome to Seattle.
I know you get to play severalseasons for Vic Fangio and three four
style defense and Seattle's playing a similarsystem now dating back to last year as
a defensive lineman, what do youthink is most important to be successful in

(03:21:54):
that system? Maybe fundamentals or justplaying style to be successful. Just from
what I learned, being gaps soundand being patient has always been the biggest
thing, and that's how we've beensuccessful when I was in Denver, just
kind of like relying on each other. I know that sounds kind of cliche,
but like it's kind of like thethe realm of being in the three
four defense. You gotta really reallyrely on the guys behind you, and

(03:22:16):
the guys on side of you toreally make their to do their job,
to make your job easier. Yeah. Uh, yours said you didn't start
playing football till you were junior inhigh school and largely played basketball. So
then that's what made you, Iguess, decided to go play football then

(03:22:39):
away from basketball. No, No, I've always loved football first. Uh,
it was just kind of just playingit out. You know, I
love the who but you know,football was definitely about calling. Given I
was a two hundred and sixty fivepound power forward and I was like sixty
threes and change, so you knowI kind of told us the route that
God gave me. You know,I'm not six eight? Yeah, thig

(03:23:03):
very mom? What comes to Seattle? And you've been quoted looking at a
couple of order things that you player, and can you just talk a little
bit about that that we're that Ithink with some of the uses you know,
always kind of counted out that uscame through. Can you elaborate more
than that just from a standpoint likeI always get like over overshadowed, overlooked,
whether it's a in something, youknow what I'm saying, Like,

(03:23:28):
I feel like I do a lotmore than what can be sitting by the
eyes of the inexperienced. You know, Scout and I do a lot of
different dynamic things that help make playfor others. You know, I'm definitely
an active player. I'm always doingsomething, whether in a runner pass game,
so you know, I think thatgoes on others sometimes and I'm looking
forward to putting people on notice.Thanks, Brady. What uh, what

(03:23:52):
do you like to do outside offootball? Uh? Big gamer? I'm
definitely I've been getting to a lotof test lately, so just to expand
my brain. Uh. I tryto get into reading, but if it's
not sports play that I'm really notinterested in reading that much, but mainly
just video gaming and chest And thenwhen we write and say your name,

(03:24:13):
do you prefer your grandma? Uh? I mean you can say, you
can say Draymond Jones. I mean, but like just I fel like personally
just call me Jordy because easy,because people like to f my name up
a lot, like a lot theycall me Draymond Tay. I don't know,
what do you think some of thatI'll be able to bring out out
of your games? You keep tryingto, you know, just being more
explosive, probably more yards for catchwith the uh space that he's putting us

(03:24:37):
into, the more yards, moreyards have to catch, more exposive pick,
more exposed to play so for fornot just only me, but she
and uh ak and taste them.So I'm excited to be able to be
in the system. I assume youyou think you guys can be a lot
more explosive than than you in thelast couple of years. Oh yeah,
of course it brings to a lotof different things, you know what I'm

(03:24:58):
saying, the playbook, but justaccount of I feel like that's gonna lead
us to success. They said,the language is a little a little shorters
it. Have you found that thelanguage that you guys use. Is it
about the same or is it it'skind of the same. Really, it's
a long long plays, but it'smore understanding for sure. I feel like
you can get to that more understandingplays and uh, I feel like that's

(03:25:20):
that's the difference. Hater was sayingthe other day, just kind of like
coming into this offense after like twentyyears of breeze and just kind of how
it was just kind of built ontop of each other, on top of
each other. It's like kind ofa lot to kind of take in.
Do you do you find that theykind of turn it down to something new,
starting to like zero with everybody.It's just a little bit easier to
kind of get everybody on the same. Yeah. I feel like it's way
easier. Like you said, itwas kind of more of a Drew Brees

(03:25:43):
style the last playbook, So allcredit to them though they built that around
him, around his players. Butlike I said, it's it's more.
Uh, this playbook is more formatchups, and I feel like it's gonna
be better for us. How doyou think it's gonna really you take advantage
of your skill sets? Uh?Just building around the strengths that I have.

(03:26:05):
You know what I'm saying, thingsthat I can do and things that
she can do, Uh, thingsthat our players can do. Is kind
of focus on what we can doand and building on that. Uh.
I feel like it's playing to theplayer strengths. So I feel like it's
gonna help us. A lot hasbeen around the way this offense will have
a lot more speed. And howhas that transition been so far? I
mean, like I said, it'sbuilding around the players strengths, So of

(03:26:28):
course we got speed uh with meor uh she and ati receiver. So
uh, just building around that.Uh, Like I said, playing to
our strengths and be able to capitalizeoff that. Feel like it's gonna help
us a lot most of like theup tempo astract and you know, getting
a lot of employees in the lesstime. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, that's that's definitely gonna playa big difference. Like I said,
coming from the West Coast, Uh, they bringing that stand for an

(03:26:48):
offense here. So I'm excited tobe be able to be a part of
that. For you personally, what'suh, what's the next novel look like?
For you? What do you whereare you trying to accomplish? Sh
Uh? Just staying consistent, man, a couple of ups and downs last
year, just building off that.It's always always gonna work on the physical
part, but being able to bounceback after bad game. The mental mental

(03:27:09):
aspect. Uh, just learning learningthat last year and be able to build
on that this year is a hugepart. You know with Mike Gon,
do you take it upon yourself tokind of be that voice in the room
or to take a step forward evenfurther as Uh, I mean, it's
not really I mean, everybody kindof grown in the NFL, so it's

(03:27:31):
just on you to be able tohave that standard. Like I said,
I just try to do that,lead by example. I'm not really outspoken,
but just lead by example, workinghard, trying to dominate every rep
and hopefully they follow out to thatyards after the catch? Is that you
feel like that's the strength of yoursthat maybe wasn't utilize. I don't know
if utilizes the right word, butyou could show more. Yeah, it's

(03:27:54):
an offense that is built around that. Uh, just catching the ball in
space, catching the ball over themiddle or even on the outside. Uh,
with with space and separation. Ifeel like it's built around having yards
have to catch. So I'm definitelyproud to be in the system, like
I said, and I'm excited.But is that is that a mindset to
like being good at yards after thecatch? Oh? Yeah, I mean

(03:28:16):
of course. I mean you don'twant to get tackled by the first person,
and my mindset is trying to takeevery take everything to the house,
you know, every touch. Souh, I definitely got to do that
more and definitely try to work onthat and practice a great dude man.
Uh. Some some that I definitelyneeded some that he relates to me,

(03:28:39):
uh just from backgrounds, and uhhe's a great coach, great leader,
Uh, motivational and uh. LikeI said, I'm excited to have him
around and for him to push meis everything that I need. So when
you're talking about like mentally bouncing back, you know from tough performances or whatever,
like, did you try to fundyour resources going to help you figure
out how to do that? Oh? Yeah, I mean it's older guys

(03:29:01):
that uh tell me that's natural,just have bad games. But uh,
just having the standard that I havefor myself and the expectations I have for
myself gets hard sometimes. So justbe able to be hard on yourself but
at the same time just let itgo and just bounce back for the next
game is something that I learned lastyear. You one of those guys that

(03:29:24):
feels like you should always have acertain love production. Are you okay with
those certain games where the defense isso focused on you the other guys have
big games and you're just running goodjoubts And uh yeah, I definitely was
was like that early in my career, especially in college, but I found
out it's just about winning really justtrying if you are that number one guys,

(03:29:46):
to bring that attention to you soother guys can get open. It's
gonna be games like that. Butas long as we win and take pack
with you. Guys, what wasit like to go from the camerat of
emotions from hearing about it to nowwhen it's over in your back yard there,
It's amazing. You know, it'ss just a testament to him and

(03:30:07):
you know, one of the godwe serve. And then two, uh,
just the work that he's put in. You know, he's been uh
you know, he came back beforeit was even schedule. He can get
cleared. And then on top ofthat, you know, just coming back
after that freak accident. And youknow, I think that we serve a
god that's merciful and that's that's purposeful, and he knows that, and he
stepping into and me and him wehave those conversations about our faith and then

(03:30:31):
cause like this football stuff, itit seems like it's everything, but it's
not. You know, we're we'repeople, and we we go through a
lot off the field people don't know. And you know, as his brother,
I have to be there for him, like just like he's there for
me when I go through what Igo through. So I mean, I'm
just proud of him, man,Like the word proud is even probably enough
to like state the the feelings thatI have for that guy. Man,

(03:30:52):
he's my one of my best friendsthat I've n you know, gotten to
known over the years in this inthis world of football and past that Man,
I feel like I'm going to sinceI've been three years old, you
know, I think for like ourconnections kind of like we grew up together,
and you know, I just gota lot of left for that guy.
And you know, I'm very excitedfor him. He's been snapping that
practice and doing really well and youknow, to knock off the rest that

(03:31:13):
quick shows how much work he's beenin. How much more comfortable are you
walking up to ots this year toread the last year? Things kind of
a little bit slower. Just's thebiggest difference to you. Yeah, it's
night and day. Man, It'sreally like I feel like I'm running the
show and I've got a lot moreuh responsibilities from Slow and from the Beacon
and from dry Bill and really ourwhole office of staff. And you know,

(03:31:37):
I'm the captain of the ship andI got to run it the right
way. And I feel like I'veyou know, stepped into that role just
you know, and not not onlyhold outs accountable, but also you know,
hold myself accountable to those moments likeI don't let anything slide, uh,
cause that's that's the point of winningand losing. So I think from
last year to this year, likeI've gotten a lot better with like controlling
my emotions, controlling my ball place, knowing what's NFL open, knowing my

(03:32:01):
food work better. There's really everylittle thing I've taken a step, and
then on the other side of theball, you know, just everything slowed
down. Seeing coverage Demiico does agood job of blitching me and you know,
working on their different coverages or differentlooks to start too high, go
to one and go back to tomotion like as man, go to cover
too like all that stuff to keepme true and honest. And you know,

(03:32:22):
I think I've tried to do mybest with my off season study to
you know, be better, andI feel like I've done that and had
a good ota so far. Sogotta finish with that mini camp. But
it's been definitely a big transition.Of there's more comfortability from last year this
year's college. You you always hadlike a really talented receiver room, and
then last year you have the talentto receive a room. So you've had

(03:32:43):
the experience of having to feed alot of guys obviously you had in digs,
even Joe missing coming out of thebackfield. How much would that experience
from those you know, college andlast year help you with being able to
make sure that everybody's being fed theway they are. So if you can,
you have the best possible offer ifyou guys like get more. Yeah,
I mean, I don't think nothingchanges. You know. It's like

(03:33:03):
I tell I tell guys, causeI get that question a lot from I
got people just walking around just anywhere, astra game whatever, and I was
like, man, it's football.You know you're open, you get the
ball, so uh And my thingis you gotta pick your poison playing us,
Like who you gonna double, whoyou gonna cater to? Who you
like? You got five dogs whoare who are able to get the get
the ball in each give and play? You know, So I think it's

(03:33:26):
fine. I know Slow has donea great job of being more creative,
and you know has put different personnelpackages out there, guys in different positions
at going from inside and outside,you know, and you know, I'm
I'm very excited to work with withcoach Low again. He's done amazing so
far, you know OTAs and willcontinue to do such. But yeah,
man, I think that past experienceof playing with Marv Jack's, GARYT,

(03:33:52):
Chris Jamo, America Julian like thosetype of guys, they'll tell you too,
Like I know, they'll probably havesaid it before, but they'll tell
you like they made me better andI made them better. You know,
that's my job is to make everybodyaround me better. So I'm excited,
man. Has been healthy competition,Like I know, Gart, I've seen

(03:34:13):
his interview the day he was talkingabout Ohio. See how like the receivers
like if Gear made a play,Chris is like, nah, watch this
like it's the same thing here,which is you know, really cool to
watch. And you know, asthe quarterbacks meet, Davis in Case and
Tim were the same way too,So healthy competition is the best way to
grow and get better. And Ithink that that's what it's about. You
see how excited Diggs gets for Tankwhen he makes it play, and Metch

(03:34:35):
gets for excited for when Nico makesa play, and Tank gets excited when
Rob makes a play. You know. So it's amazing, and you know
we got Noah coming back to whichis gonna be amazing. And I'm excited.
Got been there and a ton ofguys. There's a ton of talent,
Steed showing up. Really, everybody'sreally been doing Jay, Wayne,
Johnny you know so and man it'sbeen fun. N got you some some

(03:34:58):
makes your talent on the off hisside of the ball, Well, what
do you think about the dishes thathe made on the defensive side of the
ball. Yeah, man, it'sbeen great. It's been good on good
liked me going talk about Irons trompingiron you know, it's been a lot
of smack talk, a lot ofjust uh, just a good competition,
you know. And then it startswith me and his ease, you know,
him being the leader of defense.I'm the leader at offense. And
you know, playing him last year, I mean he always showed up on

(03:35:22):
tape when I watched the Titans lastyear. So it's cool to like see
like the stuff he thinks. Youcan see him at my locker, me
at his or us before practice afterpractice talking about plays and you know,
so, I mean it starts withus, and then when you add Daniell,
somebody who's a vet, who playsreally hard, who's gonna help will
you know them? Two dogs?You got team in the in the middle

(03:35:45):
with Autrey and and Sosa and justa ton of guys. Man, you
know, in the back end,got young guys showing up. Kaylin's doing
really well in the back end alongwith Petrie and Jimmy, along with Kamari
come shown up, Steens playing wellas y'all seen. Uh So, man,
it's just been dogs on dogs,you know, like and that's that's

(03:36:05):
that's that's the best teams I've everbeen on. Has been the closest teams
personally, but also the most competitiveteam. So it's been dope. See
that he broke out last year andyou goo broke out last year and he
goo geinst the contract excepion, he'shere to twenty twenty seven. What does
that do for you? Just knowingthat you haven't familiar target to work with
for the next few years. Youknow, it's just something that I'm first

(03:36:28):
of all, I'm just proud ofthat guy. Uh, my brother Nico,
he's shown up and shown out,you know, when you know and
his number is called, he alwaysmakes to play. And you know,
he's just a special He's a generationtalent man. He's he's like alright,
age is Andre Johnson in my opinionof just how fast he is, how
he gets in and out of hisbrace, his releases, how strong he

(03:36:48):
is. And I think last yearwas just a uh a preview to what
it's took come for him. Andthe one thing I'm proud of him for
is just the work has never stopped. He's constantly here working on his body,
constant here working on his hands,his his mobility in the weight room,
you know. So for me,I mean just having a a true
uh. I think we have likefive number ones, you know. So

(03:37:09):
that's kind of cool to have.And I've had that before in college and
I'll have it again and it's gonnabe fine. Man. And Nico he's
gonna he's he loves to see everybodyelse eat too, so man, his
his love for his brothers hasn't change. And you know, it's it's a
it's a special feeling to see somebodywho deserves to get paid and you know,
get what they did, dad whatthey deserve, and you know,

(03:37:30):
I'm just really proud of him.What does it mean for you to have
another opportunity to work with Barbisola andAngelie Johnson. I don't know if you
remember, but that was a momentgoing into the playoffs last season. Where
do you reallyve know if either oneof those guys would be hit? Yeah,
I mean for both of them tocome back was very special. I
think we both we all have abetter feel of how to work with one

(03:37:50):
another. And you know, thetalent I am on the field, and
the play caller that uh Bobby isand then the the common coach drought is.
You know, we're all worked togetheror not. And you know,
slow as I'm in his office almostevery morning just going over stuff and watch
the film with him, going overthings that we need to go to get
better at. And he always hashis phrases, you know, working for

(03:38:13):
the end at mind, and youknow he holds me accountable when you know
it could be easier just to likelet me slide, cause you know,
I'm I'm out there still making plays, but he's like, nah, you
need to be better here here andthere, and you know, that's just
uh shows what type of a leaderhe is, and you know, it's
a honor to be able to workwith him again. And same for me,
like to him, like, hey, flow, I'm not really feeling

(03:38:33):
his play, or I wanna addthis player to try to see if we
can get better here in this innin this practice where you know, I
think we can be really good atthis type of player. And he's very
very accepting when it comes to that. So it's been cool to work with
both of them, and I'm veryexcited to get another year on our belt

(03:38:54):
right here. What was it like, uh, teacher football internationally and the
ther the reception that you've got,the people there, it was it was
amazing. You know, Uh,first of all, shout out to Beijing,
Shanghai and Tokyo, you know forexcepting Meeda Micah with open arms and
just the hospitality and the uh,just the culture man there is just amazing.

(03:39:16):
They want to learn about football,you know, and it's it was
cool just to see like them alreadyhave like the foundation of it, but
wanted to grow from there. Andyou know, I think football is a
family sport and like those people areour family now. And you know,
the Olympics come into where it's gonnabe international with flag football. I think
that's super dope. And to beable to get you know, to be

(03:39:37):
able to put our feet into thosethose uh doors already, you know,
it's kind of cool, you know. So, I mean, I'm very
grateful with my team with uh uhBernie and David for setting that up and
even like the guys out there whowho gave us top notch hospitality it w

(03:39:58):
It was just amazing, man,the whole experience. So, you know,
just my first time really out thecountry and just being able to like
go to the Great Wall China andall that stuff and still do what I
love to do, you know,working out when Micah it was cool and
uh he has a lot of crazytakes, but you know, I I
got love for that guy. Butit was fun. Man John and Jonathan,
Dad, what's uh, what's itlike have you kids stover down here

(03:40:20):
with you? And what's your relationshipbeen like? With him? Oh?
Yeah, Kay's my brother. Man. You know, I've been through taking
thing with him and he's somebody whoI I often look at as like like
our moms are like the same orour families are super close in college.
I think he's like my blood brotherswho like somewhere fark count of the line.

(03:40:41):
I don't know how it works,but I just he's always like there
for me. He's always you know, I don't know, man, Kate
is just like that guy. He'sa brother that y uh they talk about
in the Bible, you know,like that like it's it's it's he's a
friend that is you know, likejust like a brother. And I don't
know the word brothers always just comesup with that, like he just always

(03:41:03):
there to, you know, holdme up, and he sees me and
he knows my emotions and for himto be able to it's impress of the
culture of the players that are inthis program right now. But I think
it speaks a lot to the leadership. There's a there's a lot of older
players on this team, and they'veset the tone for the younger players,
and I think the younger players havedone a great job of followship and getting
right in line with that. Itnever hit it over play calling to someone

(03:41:24):
before what does it mean to you? I guess he technically did it to
Bill when he was here for acouple weeks. But what does that mean
to you to kind of be gettingthat responsibility from him and he's calling essentially
the offense that you gave it.I guess in some way. Yeah,
I still think the play calling partwill be a collaborative effort. And by
that I mean that if it's agood play, I called it, and

(03:41:45):
if it's a bad play, hecalled it. Because the great part is
an assistant coach, you just henpoint the finger a little bit and just
say, hey, you know,I wanted to do this, but he
trumped me. So we haven't actuallydiscussed game day yet. You know,
we'll see how that operates. Buteverywhere I've been it's been a collaborative effort.
And all of a sudden, someonethat's calling the plays isn't like pulls

(03:42:07):
one out of left field that youhadn't practiced and hadn't been part of your
offense and said, hey, let'sdo this. You know, we're not
running the annexation of Puerto Rico.You know, we're not coming up with
something special you know in the middleof the fourth quarter that we haven't done.
But I think it's the key toreally being successful on offense is is
how you game plan, how youput it all together, and then how
you practice and train for that sothat you get a chance to execute it.

(03:42:28):
Because the player's confidences comes from theirdemonstrated ability that they've done this so
many times in practice that when theyget out on the field that this is
like that to them, you know. And it's not that they do it
so they do it right, it'sthey practice it so much so that they
can't do it wrong. So,you know, I think it's that whole
part of it that is really thekey to being a really good game planning
team. Second right, Doug Lane, ma Ree Kingdom North Chip. When

(03:42:52):
you had that feeling when you werecoaching the quarterbacks during Bold, did you
consider at that point maybe resign asthe head coach and thinking like this is
this is not where I am anymore. I'll leave and then I'll look to
see what else is out there.No, I never thought about quitting anything,
So, you know, I justis there an opportunity that I think

(03:43:13):
I can that fit, you know, And I think that's the you know,
it's no different than when you're talkingto a recruit about them make a
decision on where they're gonna go toschool. I think that where they should
go to school is where the bestfit is for them. So, you
know, I just entertained some opportunitiesand I always felt I felt like this
was the best fit. But Inever thought about quitting or not coaching.
I'm gonna coach. I'm gonna coach, and then I'm gonna die. But

(03:43:35):
I mean, that's how I thinkI think about things. Is I can't
picture that. I know someone Iwas on the Nike trip and they are
like, how much longer are yougonna go? When I said I had
to go another fifteen twenty years.I don't think about I don't think about
retirement. I don't think about anyof those things. That's just not kind
of my mindset that you know.I love football and in the as long
as I can be part of thisgame, then I'll be part of this

(03:43:56):
game. Just the way things workedout. Your departure from UCLA, is
there anything that you wish you haddone differently, or anything you regret,
or just that the circumstances that presentedthemselves. Do you think that you handled
that departure the best that you couldhave? Yeah, I mean I got
an opportunity to tell my players personally. You know, I think in this
day and age of the internet,where they read it somewhere else and you

(03:44:16):
have to text message him. Youknow, that was always important to me
that I wanted to make sure Italked to my players and explain the reasons
of what I was doing. Iwasn't leaving to take a head coaching job
somewhere else. I wasn't thinking thatthe grass is green or at another university.
Was just in my personal situation,this is what I wanted to do.
I wanted to take an opportunity togo be a position coach and coordinator,
and that's how it fit. Youknow. What I was happy is

(03:44:39):
that I always thought to Sean Foster, I think the world of them and
I think he's a special you know. And the fact that that they were
they gave him the opportunity to takeover there was you know, it worked
out. I didn't have any sayin that decision, you know, I
was gone, But I always thoughtthat Deshaun would be a great head coach,
and I'm really proud of him andhappy that he got the opportunit.

(03:45:00):
Do you take that job right behindact? You have? Your reputation is
innovator, was part of the appealof this is that you get to get
in the weeds a little bit.Uh maybe not mad scientists, maybe too
too strong of a work because you'reworking within the system. But was there
an appeal of I get to getmy hands dirty here again and innovate and

(03:45:20):
get back to that side of things. It was, But it was really
more important of who I get towork with, you know, and so
knowing you know, I've got Iknow a lot of guys on the staff
besides Ryan also, so you know, when I know what their mindset is
and what their values are and howthey do things, and so I want
to be a part of that.But but there's a part of that.
Yeah, how much of a teacheryou get labeled in the innovator. The

(03:45:45):
teaching is a part of this.How much is it is? How a
teacher are you? And how patientare you? Yeah? I think we're
all teachers. I mean education isthe transportation of knowledge, you know,
So it really doesn't matter what thecoach knows. It matters what the players
understand, you know. So youhave to be able to to make sure
that while you're implementing things is whatresonates with them. And how does that
come back to them? So,you know, a lot of our teaching

(03:46:07):
styles that we've learned is more ofthe socratic method of there's a lot of
questions, you know, and alot of check for understandings just to kind
of find out where the players arecoming from, because it's what they know
that that's ultimately gonna win games,not what we know. You know that
we're not playing the games. We'renot stepping across those white lines, you
know, and your job as acoach is to create an environment where they
have an opportunity to be successful andthen get out of their way and let

(03:46:28):
them go do it. So Ithink the teaching aspect is huge, and
we continue to research, you know, some of the latest trends in teaching
to make sure that we are transportingthat knowledge to our players. The second
rolld left Steve Helwagan, twenty fourseven Sports. Yeah, coach, just
curious you got five scholarship quarterbacks withdiffering levels of experience, age and everything

(03:46:50):
else. Not to annoyed him,but just want to ask specifically about Will
Howard coming in after starting part oftwo years at Kids of Stage. You
just seems to promote this idea thathe's a football player, you know above
all else. Just how impressed areyou with his makeup, his experience,

(03:47:11):
what he's bringing to the table walkingin here right now? Yeah, really
impressed. You know, you don'thave to talk to Will for more than
five minutes to kind of know wherehe's coming from. He's really focused.
You know, he knows he's gota short window left in his college career
and it really wants to capitalize onwhat that is. There's a maturity to
Will, you know. I reallyI've had experience, My experience in this

(03:47:33):
thing since the transfer portal opened incollege football is some of the best players
I've had an opportunity to coach ardtransfers. Sometimes when you're a true freshman
and it's five years out, youknow, it's like, hey, I
got a ton of time, youknow. And sometimes when you're a transfer,
is that I've got nine months,you know. So there's a sense
of urgency I think when you're dealingwith with transfers, and I think Will
has exuded that since he's been here. But the other thing that I just

(03:47:54):
in the short time that Will's beenhere is how quickly he's fit in with
the entire team, you know,and how much the the rest of the
players respect him. You know,he was uh one of the Gold Award
winners for his work in the weightroom in this offseason, so that says
a lot for him coming in hereas a in a short time being able
to to win a weight room award, you know, to start off,
Do you guys hope to have thenumber one internally externally at the end of

(03:48:18):
spring or I guess just let itplay out? How do you I?
I think it always every time I'vebeen involved in these, I think when
they're organic is when it's the bestthat. I don't think you can anoint
somebody or force the issue because theplayers know, the players would understand.
They see it every single day,you know, and there's a team chemistry
part of this thing too, Sowe're not gonna force the issue. A

(03:48:39):
but I've always seen it play itselfout. So I've been fortunate that there's
always gonna be some quarterback battles atat some point in time. At every
school, there's a quarterback battle,you know, and then and really you
you gotta let him play it outon the field, and that's where it
has to that that's where it hasto be decided. Just a couple Hey,
welcome, than we we're excited tohave you a year. I'm kind

(03:49:00):
of to talk about the innovative part. Ryan said that that's something that he's
always loved about working with you,and now he wants you to bring that
here and how it would fit withOhio State. Do you the idea what
that's going to look like yet oris it just way too uply? I
have no idea, you know.I think part of it is is you're
trying to put the players in positionto make plays. So a lot of
that comes from getting to understand theplayers and what their skill sets are and

(03:49:24):
how we feature what their skill setsare, you know. And the one
thing after day one, I cantell you that there's a lot of skill
set out there, you know.So that's that's what gets you excited,
you know, That's what That's whatyou jump out of bed in the morning
and you're excited to go to workbecause of the talent that you get to
work with. But the one thingthat's the most impressive is the work ethic
that goes along with that talent.You know, it's not just empty talent.

(03:49:46):
It's you got some kids who wantto I mean all of them since
I've been here, want to work. So that's what gets you excited.
But I think assessing what the skillset is you know that we have available
to us on the offensive side ofthe ball is vitally important, and then
our job is to put those guysin positions to make places lots of pressure.
I mean, you've experienced what it'slike to coach national championship, how

(03:50:07):
over teams this program right now andmoving into a situation where you got to
win quickn out. So does thatfeel like pressure here for you or is
it a little bit of excitement orboth? Well, I've always subscribed to
as pressure is what you feel whenyou don't know what you're doing. So
if you don't want to feel pressure, then you should know what you're doing,
so, you know, I thinkit's it's part of that, and

(03:50:28):
I think part of our job withour players in terms of the education process
is getting them to understand that too. Is that you know, it's it's
about your preparation. It's about youand your development. It's not about that
you can't be governed by what otherpeople say. It's it's what's my mindset?
And how am I intrinsically motivated?And then how do I really compete
against myself on a daily basis toget a little bit better. You know,

(03:50:48):
we got a little bit better todaycause we get out on the field
today and got a chance to dosome football. And then the challenge is
when we get back on the fieldon Thursday, can we be a little
bit better than we were on Tuesday? And if we're doing that, then
we keep stacking good days on topof good days, and I think we'll
be in good spot. Welcome,thank you. I'm gonna ask about the
pros and cons of coaching from thebox and coaching from the field. It's
interesting talk to some off some coordinators. Tom Herman talking about it. He

(03:51:11):
swore he wanted to coach from thebox. Saw the game so much better,
sterile environment, not all the chaoson the field. Some coaches you
talk to the like, I wantto be on the field so I can
look at my guys in the inthe eye. Where are you as a
as a coordinator? Honestly, AndI've thought of this a lot. I
thought of it a lot during COVIDbecause we had the empty stands, you
know, So I had thought aboutjust walking up into the stands for a
little bit because I had a betteradvantage. I've always believed you can see

(03:51:33):
the game better from up above,but I believe you can feel the game
better from the field. So ifthere was any way we could get a
zip wire where you could do both, you know, coach calling from there
and then zip down of the field, get a chance to talk to him,
because it's a different deal when you'retalking to the quarterbacks on a phone,
you know, than being able tolook in their eye and kind of
see where they are with it.And part of it is the field part

(03:51:54):
of it. I remember when Icoached Ryan once. We were playing Yukon
and he got hit hard going outof bounce and he just walked by me,
and I was a play caller,and he was like, run the
next play, and I just kindof looked at him. I saw the
look in his eyes because I don'tthink he could have thrown it, you
know, he was still trying toget his win back. But you wouldn't
know that if you're up in thebooth, you know, and you call
a pass play from up in thebooth and You're like, how come we

(03:52:16):
can't complete that? Well, hejust took a shot going out of bound.
So it's that fine line that Idon't have an answer, you know.
I think I think it's feel onthe ground and it's see from up
above. Maybe in this day atechnology, they'll figure it out. But
we'll see how that that that operates, and whatever Ryan feels is the best
for the team is what we're gonnado. So your teams at the Oregon

(03:52:39):
were obviously you know, we're playingat this ass pace and running a bunch
of plays for a minute, andyep, maybe not by so pretty fast.
What role do you see tempo andhaving an offense? And in the
States in college football and has maybechanged. I think the game is always
evolving, you know. I thinkwhen I left in two thousand and twelve

(03:53:00):
to go to the National Football League, Oregon was the only team that was
playing really really fast and had shinyhelmets. And when I came back in
twenty seventeen, everybody had shiny helmetsand everybody was playing fast. So I
think the game is always going togo up and down, and there's going
to be different cycles that it goesthrough. I think tempo is part of
an offensive, but I don't thinkit's an offense in itself. I think

(03:53:20):
it's more of like if you goto dinner, it's a side order.
You know, it's not the maincourse, but it's it's always good to
have it. So I think there'stimes when you'll use it, but you're
you're not going to use it extensivelythe entire game, just like you're not
going to throw the ball every singlesnap in the game. You're not going
to run the ball every single snapin the game. You know, there's
there's not a game of absolutes anymore. I think the ability to be diverse

(03:53:43):
and have it as a tool inyour two box, so to speak,
is really how we would look atusing it. Here are now more familiar
with it than I think. So, you know, I think when you
first started going Temple, there werepeople in the NCAA. They want to
outlaw it. They want to makean NCAA role that you had. You
couldn't do it, you know,And I'll give coach Shaping credit. I
mean, I think obviously Nick wasthe first one to do it. He
wanted out loud, and then allof a sudden he adapted it and said,

(03:54:05):
all right, we like this,you know, so we'll keep it
in. But it's I think peoplehave it doesn't matter what you do.
There's there's cycles to this game,and then once people catch on to that
cycle, then it moves. Youknow, It's no different than for three
defenses and three four defenses. Youknow what is the rage when the when
the Giants won the Super Bowl,they were they were three four defense and

(03:54:26):
everybody, everybody says, we haveto do that. What people didn't understand
is they had Carl Banks and LawrenceTaylor. It didn't matter what defense they
were running. I know, Gym'sback there and Jim played against the you
know it was they could have beena four down defense and those guys would
have been great players. But it'snot the scheme. I think that the
coaches that do it the best wayis they insert their players and put them
in the best position to make plays. And now, now will Temple be

(03:54:48):
part of it. It'll be partof it, but it's certainly not going
to be the main course. Lastquestion, Oh, thank you very much,
Jerry. Uh remember one of therewas the great moment there when YO
were warming, when you were youwere talking with Tim Walton and Caleb Downs
comes up and conversing and as you'rein this kind of a two part question,
but number one, what was justyour take on the talent you saw

(03:55:09):
on that field today on both sidesof the ball. Where where would you
rank it? Yeah, I'll rankit. I'll be very transparent. As
I was telling Tim and Caleb whata great offensive player I thought Caleb would
be, could be and should be. But I'm not the head coach,
so I always turned stretch as aas an offensive coordinator, I'm always looking

(03:55:33):
at the defensive players like I coulduse him. Oh what could I do
if I had him? What couldI do if I have him? But
I don't. I don't get thechick six. After he came back,
you know, it was more ofa just a game time decision every week.
You know, I wasn't practiced onThursdays, and that was the first

(03:55:54):
time in my career I've really hadto really just bite the bullet and that
approach. And then it was justresponding to a game. And then you
know, after the first game againstTennessee, it was you know, just
trying to climb up, climb up, uh and think out of a hole.
But you know, I wanted toget back and I felt like I

(03:56:16):
could, but I knew I wasn'tnnabe at one hundred percent, but I
had to push it to, youknow, be there for my team.
Okay, I'm to clarify you reportingtoday doesn't is an indicative of your contract
status, not at all. Yeah. I mean you mentioned leadership and about
how you want to be the bestleader you could be. Do you use
any of this time do you knowspeak with any of the better or the
rookie players and try to, youknow, give them some guidances step Yeah,

(03:56:39):
you know, whether it's on thefield, off the field, you
know, communication, uh dinners,just you know, letting them know I'm
available for him. You know,I think it can be something as little
as just the steps on field goalblock or a field goal protection. You
know, I've been doing it forthirty ten years. It's still crazy I'm

(03:57:01):
still doing it, but uh,you know, uh, those are the
type of things I'm just giving guidanceto. And then you know, off
the field, it's you know whattakes BacT around the city. Where should
you be, where you should be, how you can help yourself? You
know, the little things day andwhat are you looking for for your contract?

(03:57:22):
You know, I'm looking to behere. You know, the value
is what we decide. But youknow, I think for me, I
want to be you know, valuedat my position. You know, I
understand I came up a rough season, but I don't think it's a step
down of where I can play.You know, I think when I'm at

(03:57:45):
the top of my game, I'mstill you know, top five player in
my position. And you know Iplayed a run in the past and I
bring leadership and that's not anything Idiscover. Can you you plan to be
here for many camp rams? Camp? Yeah? How difficult has it been
the last two weeks to not behere? I mean you said in your
podcast the first time you've never notbeen in dot. Yeah, it w

(03:58:07):
It was difficult, But like youknow, the thing I got very frustrated
with was just some people questioned mycommunication with the team. You know,
I uh was communicating with guys leftand right and you know, front office,
coaches, teammates, And all Icare about is how I am with
my teammates. I don't want themto ever think I don't care about them

(03:58:30):
or how I'm not in it,and you know, you can say whatever
you want about me. But besidesthat, but I'll always dedicate anything I
can't do it, and I don'twant that to every question. Isaiah said
that it felt like sometimes you wereholed up somewhere watching film. You texted
you missed this, or you wantto be that. Well, like the
first day, he was batting allup Russ's passes, so I had to

(03:58:52):
let him know. You know,Uh, you gotta take advantage of that.
You gotta make sure guys are youknow, uh know that you used
to okay and you still want tobe a part of this. Uh,
you know, just watching practice,there's a couple of things we're doing different,
whether I'm communicating with Dunbar or otherpeople. You know. Yeah,

(03:59:13):
so you're that You're also talking withhim and you you've given him pointers during
the off season, just constant communication. How do you see the new girl
as a person, you know,as far as how he's approaching things,
how he's getting ready for this seasonfrom his rookie year. Uh, you
know, I think the thing withKeanu is he's more comfortable, you know,
you know it since his first timearound the track. You know,
it's actually like he can you know, uh, catch his feet under him.

(03:59:35):
You know, I always think whenyou're in your rookie season, you're
going from bowl game. I don'teven know Wisconsin playing a bowl game.
Sorry, Wisconsin, I don't evenknow. But you know, personally,
I just think when you go frombowl game to training for the combine to
you know, rookie minicamp, OTA'sthe you know mini camp, I mean

(03:59:56):
the training camp the regular season,you really don't get a time to catch
yourself. You know, he understandsthe playbook. Now you can be more
vocal, you know, and Ithink when my absence the other guy's absence,
you know, you need guys likethat to step up and be ready
for those opportunities. What do youthink you had saying you had during the
season was a more thorough What wasjust tightened down everything? You know on

(04:00:20):
my left side because I was overcompensatinga little bit, but you know it
was it wasn't anything that lingers.You know, I'll say this, A
growing is not like an a cL. It's not like anything's that we're
going to get affected again. Andyou know, you know, I'm feeling
good, able to do everything squatand heavy with power and speed, so

(04:00:41):
you know it feels good to getafter Again, what do you think of
what the team was able to accomplish? Your shof easily turned to bring guys
like Russian and things. You know, I think they're all good acquisitions.
But you know, you never wantto be known as a paper champion,
so you can't win the off season. I think the work gets done out
here on the field, gets donein the classroom. Wow, it gets

(04:01:03):
done training uh, you know,and then you see where you're at in
training camp, and then you buildon that. You know, I think
we got the right guys in thebuilding. It's just about putting a complete
name on the field. Can howtemper college to separate the business part of
the game in the actual football player? The u uh? You know you

(04:01:24):
always wanna you always have to treatit like a business because you know one
day it's gonna end. Uh andthat's been job. Uh. It's not
like in college where you know yougot four years guaranteed. I don't know,
well now you don't know what niland know it's crap and the transfer
portal portal, but you know youhave to I still have love for this

(04:01:48):
game. And I still work mytail off and I still put everything into
it, and that's not gonna change. But you have to know what you
bring to the team and what yourwhich your value is. Wan. Did
it feel to be out there withyour teammates today? Emotionally great? You
know. We got a new uh, we got a new training staff and

(04:02:09):
still learning the the warm up alittle different, but uh, you know,
I loved it. Uh, youknow, just getting after it,
learning new guys. Uh, goingthrough the same drills I've been doing by
myself. Uh. I actually likehaving more people around, cause like kind
of go start crazy crazy when it'sjust you and another guy. You're like,
damn, I gotta go back upfor another rep already. And so

(04:02:31):
you know, it's nice to beup here and get a chance to,
you know, be with my guys. Cam Are you confident and Dele will
get done with your emotions? Oh, I'm gonna we'll try to remain pretty
neutral because you know, I don'twanna, you know, be too either
way. All I know is Iwant to be here, but we'll see

(04:02:54):
what happens. Is my last yearhere. I I I've had a great
career here, but Uh, I'lllook forward to play next year. With
that second surgery, you said itthis time was on the left side.
It was the first time around onthe right side, right side during the
season, left side, and thatwas just tightening down my corner. My
corma saw. It wasn't the sameas my ad doctor. You know,

(04:03:18):
you can ask doctor Bradley, uh, doctor doctor zucker Bron who uh did
the surgery as well. You know, I if anything's gonna help me and
you'll make me a lot stronger fromhearing up. Can you said you were
training with another guy? Who haveyou kind of been Tyson? Oh?
I've been training with him for thelast eight years. We've always trained together.

(04:03:39):
We got a trainer up north,uh shot out Cole Haley, he's
my guy, traded trained trained,uh, Heath Miller, Brett Hezel.
The multitude of guys that I allrespect and we've just been getting after.
It can be very few guys historicallythirty five that you paid big contractor you
knew that's held against you. Ithink there's not a lot of history behind

(04:04:01):
it. But you know, forme, I I look at as I'm
not looking to be like anybody else, you know, my game is different
from everybody else in this league.You know, I like to think,
you know, I can play therun in the past, and then that's
where I'm different. You know.I remember last year Mike t just brought
to my attention. You know.The thing that's really cool is you watch

(04:04:24):
powerlifters, and you know, mygame's built on powering technique, and those
guys go into their forties and soyou know, that's what kind of research
I'm doing behind the scenes. Butyou know, I I We'll see what
happens. The it's there's not alot of history, but I'm here to
make history and I'm here to youknow, win another Super bowar year and

(04:04:46):
you know, have a great season. Do you have a set goal over
yourself on how many years you wannaplay in the NFL? Or do you
just take things year by the year? You know it? It was it
was tough answering that question right afterthe season. I was say this,
guys, I I can't keep answeringthat question right after the season. That
is not fair to the season,that's not fair to my family. Uh.

(04:05:07):
You know, but in my mind, I got three years and I
want to maximize them. I wannaplay at a high level and I want
to go deep in the playoffs.And you know, we got a good
team and I'm gonna do my partto be ready for all those situations.
If you plan on practice and whenyou report to latrob or is your possibility
that you might fool in? AndI I have not even thought that far.

(04:05:31):
I'm taken a day by day,you know. Uh. I told
my agent and we talked about it. I mean, we were cool coming
out here. You know, I'llbe here for many you know, and
then I'll be there for training parentyou know, I don't know what the
work entails, but when we getthere, we'll we'll cross that bach or

(04:05:52):
remain a stealer for those three years. You know. There was a conversation
between me, oh ma Are andMike t And there's certain guys that are
one helmet guys, you know,and I want to be one of those
one helmet guys. And you know, there's a there's a hunger and desire
there. But that doesn't mean justhanging it up and calling a career.

(04:06:16):
To me, I think, youknow, I got more bullets to fire,
and uh, you know, I'mexcited to do that. Last one,
you and Russell Wilson are going tobe out there with walterimn Uh what
waltim Payton Man of the Year afterI saw Russ's on social media, but
I haven't had a chance to seeit. Uh. I'll let that surprise

(04:06:37):
happens when it happens. But atthe same time, we're in the process
of recruiting, you know, peopleto our team as opposed to drafting,
So it is different than the NFL, and there's a lot of things to
consider, especially with some of theI A w P rules that come with
recruiting a prospect. Back left withme, Ran you talked a lot about

(04:06:58):
the value with considering the transfer portaland trying to keep guy and all that.
Is it more so just trying toget as many of the best players
as we can. Now where isit still very positioned focused and filling gaps?
As that changed at all? Well, I think the first thing is
you have to bring in the peoplethat fit Ohio State. That's the thing,
and now more than ever, Imean, you know what do you
hate said it a long time ago? You win with people like that's more

(04:07:20):
prevalent now, maybe even the backthen, And I say that because there's
so much that goes with today's dayand age. You know, there's there's
the portal like you're saying, there'snil, there's just there's a lot.
So you want to have great peoplein your program, great coaches, great
staff members, great supporting you know, people around the program, supporting the
people, but also you know theplayers, you know, the family members.

(04:07:43):
It's all going to fit and Ithink it's important that we make sure
we're doing that at a high level. And you know, just say well,
let's go bring in the best playersin the country. Like, it
doesn't work that way. You haveto build a culture and a winning culture,
and that's what we're focused on nowfor real. I know things can
certainly change in August. But whenyou guys wrapped up camp, where did

(04:08:05):
you planned on Josh pryor right tackle? Maybe the right side of the lineup
that you guys saw. Yeah,we see Josh making a lot of progress.
He's had another he's had a reallygood June, an other good off
season, and we felt like thespring he did a nice job there.
So we feel like there's there's justbeen a lot of progress. Man,
I think coming off of last yearhe built some confidence and then he knows

(04:08:26):
he can do it. He knowsthe area's got to improve in in order
for him to, you know,help us win the games we need to
win. So we feel confident withhim playing guard and tackle. We got
to figure out what that right sidelooks like. You know, I would
say we're probably leaning towards, youknow, playing him at tackle and trying
to figure out who that right guardis at this time. But we do
have some flexibility there. And youknow, he's been a leader for us,

(04:08:48):
he's on the leadership committee, andand just looking at you know,
his numbers and how he changed hisbody, we're expecting a big fall from
him, all right, When whenyou look at all this stuff changed and
you took over, how do youconstantly continue to adjust? I mean,
at this point it's every single day. How do you allow yourself to kind
of change with the changes? Wellit even started, you know, I

(04:09:11):
feel like in nineteen that was likethe first year we were making a transition,
and then you know, COVID hit, and then you know, every
year it just seems like there's somethingelse, and I could come to the
conclusion that every year is going tobe different. And we have to adapt.
But there's certain things that we're notgoing to change. There's certain values
we're not going to change. Itjust you know, you know, principles
that have you know, stood thetest of time. And I shared this

(04:09:33):
with with a group before when Istarted doing some some research as we were
doing some some of our recruiting youknow, introductions and some of our you
know, talks about you know,the traditions of Ohio State. We talked
about how Ohio Stadium was built,you know, and when you when you
when you do your research on thatone hundred years ago, you know,

(04:09:54):
folks have the idea of building astadium over sixty thousand people, and that's
because what Chick Carley was doing,and you know, they had a wooden
bleachers over here, and all thesepeople started coming in and the idea of
bringing in a stadium that of oursixty thousand people at the time was like,
this is crazy. What is collegefootball turning into? And they instead
of going to the state or goingto the school the community, they went

(04:10:15):
to the community to raise the moneythey raised over at the time over a
million dollars. Well night, fastforward one hundred years and the conversation still
might be like, what is collegefootball doing right? And in this situation
then il we had to turn tothe community for help and Bucky Nation showed
up again in a big way.So, although the landscape is changing,
I don't know, if you know, one hundred years later, if it's

(04:10:37):
that much different. It's just ina different time, in a different you
know, set of issues that we'reworking through. But I think it's exciting.
I think there's a lot of positivesto it. I do. I
think that we're taking the next stepwith the revenue sharing to try to institutionalize
some of it, which would bebig for US minutes. Yeah, every

(04:11:01):
years question, it seems like thisyear's team has fewer questions of the line,
specifically, if you look ahead torein a month, what are the
real questions that you have in yourmind about position battles and who's gonna I

(04:11:22):
would say on offense, you know, we've got to square away the quarterback,
as you know, I feel like, you know, the offensive line
on the right side, we've gotto solidify that. I feel like we
got to build, you know,enough depth at receiver that we feel like
we can put in five or sixin the game and feel good about it.

(04:11:43):
On defense, I think we're stilllooking to figure out, you know,
who are going to be the guysinside, you know, the third,
the fourth, the fifth, defensiveinterier linement that we're gonna put in
the game. And then same thingjust just I would say depth a little
bit at safe just to kind ofsee who those next guys are. They're
going to step up and so weknow it's going to be a long year.

(04:12:05):
We're gonna need everybody and and soin a lot of those areas is
depth special teams wise, you knowpunter is going to be you know that
that is significant. You know wejust brought in Nick and you know,
so there'll be a battle there.So I'd say those are probably the areas
we're focused on the most. Ryanjust to fall on the offensive line,

(04:12:26):
there was I think a school applogyyou guys might be looked for a transfer
in that post spring window. Didyou guys do that? Did you guys
not find the guy or were youjust confident the guys you have, Just
like you know in January, ifif we're going to bring somebody in,
it is to fill a hole.We're not just going to bring somebody in,
to bring somebody in, Like inall positions, we'll always look to

(04:12:48):
see what's out there. We didevaluate some of the guys that were out
there, and you know, youknow, we felt like coming out of
it as we evaluated it, youknow, there was a couple of guys
that you know, we checked on, but but ultimately like based on where
we were and some of the youngguys that are coming up, you know,
we felt like we saw some progressin the offensive line in the spring.
So you know, it wasn't therewasn't as many folks in the portal,

(04:13:11):
you know, in after the spring. So we looked at it,
we identified it, We did ourdue diligence, but you know we're gonna
go through. We have now secondround. Bill landis right, you're bet
was interesting that you have two ofmaybe the top five ors of guys in
sport and then a bunch of guyswho haven't plenty uh maybe someone that I
don't want to question, but didyou consider trying to add there? Understanding

(04:13:35):
that probably the difficult sell. Wehave such talent on the top of the
brink, somebody of these experiences,like what were those conversations like and how
did you settle on being comfortable withyou know, Trey and well, like
you said, you know, Ithink we're we will get some experience there
with those two guys. And thenyou know, we felt like coming out
of the spring that James and Samboth did a nice job and you know,

(04:13:56):
we're gonna have to play them andthey're gonna have to you know,
take on a little bit of that. You know, we have you know,
started having conversations with Caleb Bowns.I was part of the recruiting process
of possibly you know, doing alittle bit of running back as well.
It's something that he wanted to do. So we've been having him in some
of the meetings and some of theindividual drills as a possibility there if you

(04:14:16):
know it needed so down the roadto continue to build depth at that position.
But you know, I think,you know, we feel like,
you know, if you have youknow, four strong running backs going into
it, then you know that's gonnabe that's gonna be enough to carry the
season. I do think that thequarterbacks will run the ball more this season,
so that should take some carries awayfrom them. But to your point,

(04:14:39):
you know, James and Sam aregonna have to step up to the
guys that we can count on.Save that for another day, Yeah,
just fall up on that. Ishe capable of stepping in and being running
back? Obviously, we'll see,we'll see. We talked about in the

(04:15:01):
recruiting process, you know, thefirst time around and more specifically in the
second time around, and so he'syou know, he's been around a little
bit just to get a feel forit. We did very little in the
spring. We did I think wepitched them an option or something like that
in the spring just to kind ofget them going. But we'll see,
we'll see where that goes. Wedon't have a specific plan right now,
but we do want to introduce himto that just the same thing like Lorenzo

(04:15:24):
Styles has played Recier where he didthat Notre Dame. You know, he's
out there a little bit just kindof learning. It's healthy. You know,
you're seeing it from the other sideof the ball. This time of
the year, you can get awaywith that a little bit, a little
bit in the preseason. Where itgoes, we'll see, but you just
never know. And we're trying toput some contingency plans in place because it
could be a long season. Yeah, this is my forty fourth year cover
of House to Day. I don'tremember ever expectations like this in the summer.

(04:15:48):
There were some of them were almostas big. Sure do you said
that too? And what does thatpressure like as you're working through a summer.
Yeah, people have asked me thatI go back to the expectations every
year are the same. I mean, it's just the truth. When opening
press conference, I said you gotto beat the team up north, and
when every game after that, that'sjust the expectations. And when you come
up short, you know, yougot to figure out a way to get
those things fixed. I think wehave done that. But the expectations are

(04:16:11):
the same every year. Pressure isthe same every year. I just like
the pressure when you've got a reallygood team behind you. So that's what
we got right now. And youknow, we know it's going to be
a long season. We know whatwe're working towards. But I will say
this about this team, well,well, we've been talented. That's there's
been times in the past we've beentalented. I don't know since I've been
here if we've been this talented andthis experience together with guys that have played

(04:16:33):
a lot of football fourth and fifthyear guys, and that doesn't matter.
We'll go X door Stephen. Maybemaybe this is just talks because it's summer
Conmaus, you can just have aconversations. Maybe we're a big long term
situations, but we've seen it aroundcollege football in the league, guys playing
both sides of the ball and doingit quite well. Right, Travis Suner

(04:16:56):
is doing Colorado and Kailyn Apartment cando with the ball. But there's also
the stamina aspect of that. Ijust get into a sixteen game season,
so I'm not saying it's any fortysnaps or something like that, But what
about his athleticism what he brings tothe table and let you know that if
you wanted to explore it a realgame, he could last and still be
an effective scene. Yeah. Yeah, we'd have to see all that.

(04:17:18):
He did it in high school.But we got some really good running backs
in a room. So it's notsomething that we're planning on doing, but
uh well, we are gonna,you know, work on a little bit.
Caleb. Caleb enjoys that part ofit. We did agree that that
was something that we were going tolook into where it goes. I don't
I don't really know right now,but I know that he has the capability
to do it. He has theathleticism and do it, and you know,

(04:17:38):
we'll kind of see where it goes, see see how he does,
and you know, maybe hand theball Tom a little bit the preseason,
because again it's going to be along season. We have to make sure
we have continuency plans in place.But I know it's something that he enjoys
having the ball in his hand.So even during their first time around the
recruiting process, we even talked abouthim coming in as a as an offensive

(04:17:59):
player. Ultimately, we think aceiling is highest on defense. But you
know, but I also agree.I think that having, you know,
guys go on the other side ofthe ball and just see it, listen
to meetings is really healthy for thedevelopment. So we're gonna do that regardless.
Your defensive recruiting right now is maybefurther along it's been in the years

(04:18:19):
past, and I think we passedmuch questions about it in the past,
But is this a product of seeingit over the last couple of years and
now it's not just telling guys,hey, this might look like this they're
seeing it in real time. Yeah, you know, we talked about it
when Jim first came in, andI think Tim walls an unbelievable job as
well in the back end, andyou know, Matt stepped right in and
James and Larry. I think they'reall doing a great job. But like

(04:18:42):
you said, you know, it'sone thing to talk about it. That's
theory testimony is this, look atthis is this is what we're doing.
And then I think you're seeing alot of guys just excited about playing in
this defense and they see the capabilitiesand the flexibility too. You know,
right now, the way we play, excuse me, the way we play
right now is based on you know, we have four really talented defensive linemen

(04:19:03):
that are really good, and wegot a lot of that to those positions.
But there's also flexibility with some ofthe things Gym's done in the past
that you know, we're definitely lookingat and some of the recruits that we're
looking at who brings some versatility passrusher, you know, we have that
jack position and those type of things. So that's exciting as well. And
I think you're seeing a lot ofthe recruits, you know, really get
fired up when they get here.People. Yeah, coach, first years,

(04:19:27):
your identity was was very bigger froman awfumal standpoint and air it out
type team. Look at the keepbest talent and the playmakers you have there
has your identity change? I guesswhat do you think the identity is of
this point four? Well, we'llsee as we go, but you know,
we know what we need to doto play in the big games.
That's never changed. And we haveto be able to stop the run,

(04:19:48):
run the football, take care ofthe ball, and there'll be opportunities to
throw the ball that'll that'll happen.But you know we're gonna have to,
you know, do those things towin close games and and play situational football.
But I think you know, youwon't really get a feel for what
the identity of the team is untilwe get into probably the beginning of October,
you know, and I think weall have ideas of what it could

(04:20:11):
go. But you know now thatwe're playing in a playoff format. Just
like a lot of those NFL teamssometimes, you know, they don't really
quite understand their identity until they getabout halfway through the season. I don't
think it'll take that long. Butyou know, we're able to play some
games and kind of work through somethings. And I don't think our defense
is going to change a bunch interms of what we did last year.
I mean, it's a lot ofthe same guys back could look a little
different on offense. Have you gottime for two more? Go to Doug

(04:20:33):
Limerris. Okay, right, youlose an important recruiting staffer to promotion at
Michigan just so much this offseason.How do you react something like that?
Is something that someone like that wouldtake information that that could help the Michigan

(04:20:56):
or high stages which reaction? Yeah, all good questions, And you know,
I just I want to talk aboutthe guys that are here, you
know, the staff members that arehere, the coaches that are here,
the players that are here. Uh, we got Jeremiah J. J Smith
JJ. How'd you feel out theretoday? You got a great time.
I heard the team came out.Don't three and old pool play? When

(04:21:22):
you come to these kind of tournaments, what kind of techniques do you like
to work on it? See youthink that you're going deep run some short
stuff from crossing the routes, whatdo you work on when you're out of
the tournament like this, really justgetting back in the good clean during the
week. So really just working onmy releases. Uh ga, my friends
fast, I've been I've been achuck. So just really getting back in.
Now we know you pulled the triggeron Ohio State, Obviously you're gonna

(04:21:45):
take visits kind of make sure thatyou're you're perfect on your decision. What
was it about Ohio State and BrianHartline and Ryan Day that made you feel
comfortable to commit early? Really theysent me my first visit, were not
they offered me off so that youfeel like Christmas year, but just what's

(04:22:10):
up? What's up? What's whatthey say? It was? They they
gave me, uh really just akid that I'm a top artist. I
was the top artist. I'm tryingto have bum size. Now. I
know you got some of your SFVfamily up there. You got Brandon n
S, you got Carnal Day.What does it mean to potentially be able
to wake up with them in ayear and be able to kind of run

(04:22:32):
back what you guys have done inSouth Florida. Express in Columbus, Ohio,
it'd be great we go there toOhio State takeover, it would be
grateful all give up great more firstproblems. Yeah, you're a super humble
kid. I've been really impressed byyou today. Is there anything that you
want Ohio State fans to know aboutyou? You know again, I know
you're just your all work, allwork, all work. But what are

(04:22:53):
they getting when they get a JJSmith to come to Ohio saying kid company
in the world the job they'll justcome. That's perfect, man, God
bless you. I appreciate you,my man alsome watching today. Thank you

(04:23:14):
so much J Smith to be aheadof him, just like, what is
your time away from the practice schoolthat he's like it allows you to be
such another first off coaches. Hehere all day no matter what. But
for me myself, ever since Iwas a kid, my dad always instilled
me and my brother to work hardand be like just be around football,

(04:23:37):
be around what we want to begood at. So after here, I'll
go watch more film, do alittle school work, and then later tonight
I'll probably come back and watch thefilm again. But at the end of
the day, it's just trying tobe around football, be around the facility.
How much of your film watching it'slike Solo Endeforce, you buy yourself
watching how much do you know?We've had more sties come in throughout the

(04:24:00):
spring, more guys try to learnthe system and learn the game. But
I mean, at the end ofthe day, you gotta do what you
gotta do to put yourself in abest position to win. So myself,
I'll watch film at home too bymyself, but when I'm here, there's
always other players around me that aretrying to work to get better, just
like I am. Are you onlywatching for so far? You watch?
No? I watched the NFL teams, watch good NFL safties that are playing

(04:24:25):
right now, Javon Holland, Hanswaine, Winfield, go guys like that that
can that I can emulate and tryto see how they play. And then
also just watching other players here,other players that do things well here,
just learning from them, trying tosee how they play the game, trying
to get better. Cab, Whatare some of the big differences that you've
seen so far between what you wentthrough at Alabama and so far you've gone

(04:24:45):
through up here. A lot ofit's the same. A little difference is
in the defense and how they operateand how they see things. But at
the end of the day, footballs, football, defensive defense, So everybody
gotta get to the ball and makethe time. Were you think of coolness?
Oh, I love the city.I love uh High Street. I

(04:25:06):
love being in the city. Ilove going to the restaurants here. The
food's great here. So uh,I ain't got no good place for me.
Cause it's like you got the campusover city. Then you also a
big city. It's it's different thanAlabama, cause Alabama was a college town
and Tessalusa was not as big ofa city. Here, there's a lot
of people to see, a lotof different businesses that you can be a

(04:25:26):
part of. So just trying tolearn the city and learn what everybody has
to offer here. He'll you probablynoticed it when Kid and Frock the media's
decision to go back to Alabama,and then that starts a full level of
speculations. Then are you were youtaking back by that? Did you feel
like you needed to make a declarationafter that? Uh? I mean at
the end of the day, No, I didn't feel like I needed to

(04:25:48):
say anything, cause at the endof the day, I was still here
a practice, I was still herewith my teammates. So I mean,
I feel like my actions speak forthemselves. I'm I mean, I don't.
I don't need to say anything aboutthat. Kayden and I talked to
him when he did it. Icongratulated him on his decision. I mean,
that's what he feels his best,that's what he feels is the best,
and I support him. But I'mhere, you guys have are in
this new generation of you have thatsort of freedom, You have that sort

(04:26:11):
of control over your career in away that other people didn't. Is it's
something that you you have to kindof take with the certain seriousness that you're
making that right decision at all time. I think ev I mean it,
in life, you have to makedecisions based off of what you feels best
for yourself. So that was abig decision for him, And if he
feels that's what's best for himself,then I support it. But at the

(04:26:32):
end of the day, for collegestable athletes, I think that's the best
thing because the coaches have the sameright to do what they do. Coach
can come here for a month andleave, and I mean, then he's
just leaving the player at high andDry. So I mean, if they're
gonna have the ability to do it. Why would the players not have some
type of say in their in theirlife. Kevin, you you made them

(04:26:52):
packed option last year's the freshman.What do you think you could do an
assault when you're under your belt?Yeah, I think I can grow and
what I did well last year andincrease on the qualities that I wasn't not
as a leite at during the season. So just being better in coverage,

(04:27:14):
being better than the post, beingbetter in my tackling, being a better
communicator with my teammates, all thatI think I can offer to the team.
And but at the end of theday, it's got to be a
team collective to go do what wewant to do. What do you come
in? This? Otyssea is alovely gast. What do you think of
being a big part of me?Wasn't the elite last year and it should
be a better this year. Yeah, they were a very elite defense last

(04:27:36):
year, and watching all the filmfrom last year and the whole season,
they played a great season. Theyplayed a lot of good defense. Excuse
me, which your question? Justthe idea of being hard a big part
about an elague defense. I mean, I can only do my part.
I can only do my one eleventhand do my job every play. I
can't. I can't try to domore than that, and every other player

(04:27:56):
just has to do their job andwe'll do what we need to do.
Caleb, you talking about your fieldpunching habits. Is that the same in
high school? And what did thatlook like for you in a regular high
school. My high school coach isone of my favorite people in the world,
uh, Freeman Davis. Me andhim watch film together a lot,
but that was more so just myselfwatching film and trying to grow. So

(04:28:18):
I would say I had a lotof the same habits, and there's trusted
over to college, but a lotof that was me and my high school
coach slating the game together and anothermovie. You around everywhere here, But
you know, it seems like you'reat that free safety spot as opposed to
the strong safety spot you played atAlabama. Just what's that transition like?
Do you feel that does that evenmatter in this kind of defense? ID?

(04:28:40):
I mean, it's the same spotreally to the it's the safety to
the field safety playing in the mostspace. That's what I'm used to.
But at the end of the day. I feel like I could play to
the boundary. I can play theDon Money position, I can play Nickel.
So I mean, at the endof the day, you gotta make
plays wherever you're at. And Caleb, what have you been? What have
your thoughts about on Jeremies a veryelite athlete, very instinctual player, has

(04:29:06):
a great ball skills. Should uhshould have a big impact this year?
Anybody you can your parents that you'veseen? Who? Nah? J Jason's
on South Jesus, He's on It'shis own man. Uh? Who else
caught your eye at wird receiver group? Kayle? That uh is elite in
your opinion? Uh? I watcheda Mecca booka a lot O H and

(04:29:30):
Co when I was in high school. Yeah, watching the games and then
last year watching some of his film. He's been an elite receiver then and
he's a league receiver now. AndCarlote has had a great spring as well.
Yeah. And uh you you personally? Uh? After that uh student
appreciation Dale on Saturday, you weremobbed about as much as anybody. What
is what? How have you feltthe recept meaning of autograph seekers et center?

(04:29:53):
Now? Uh? How have youfelt the reception here, uh,
for you over the last several months, but especially like Saturday, I think
it's been very welcoming. I appreciateeverybody, and like I appreciate when I
go to class, seeing people thatknow me and just being able to meet
them and being able to say thatI'm glad to be here, being able
to stay I'm glad to be here, to everybody that came up to me.

(04:30:14):
Yeah, So I'm just I'm veryappreciative of it. Do you feel
there are expectations for you? Youknow what that? Uh? I mean
people may have expectations, but atthe end of the day, only one
person KI really judge me, andthat's God. I mean. Other than
that, at the end of theday, it doesn't really matter how much
have you been going betweeting the threedifferent safety spots every day. I take

(04:30:36):
reps at all three spots just totry to It helps you understand and learn
the defense from a new perspective.So being able to see the ball from
the boundary safety, see the ballfrom the nickel spot, being able to
see the ball from the dome,it helps you be able to see the
whole game and be able to understandeverything that goes on around you cause you
you've moved. You of the scrimageyou replied to every you talked on some

(04:30:56):
sacks. T it's a been avocreport in one of the vocal points.
Just that's awesome. All right.We are back on the Andre Duke Show
with Carter Smith and we have amassive special guest tonight, Kirk Barton,
former Ohio State offensive lineman, formerNFL player, and it is a massive

(04:31:19):
thank you Kirk for coming on.How are you doing? I'm doing great,
man. I appreciate you guys havingme and I love the Massive shirt.
That is the That's my favorite shirtI've ever created because we put Massive
in our YouTube titles a lot andthen I people made fun of it that
don't like us, and I waslike, well, I'll put on a

(04:31:40):
shirt and we're gonna sell it.We sold more of those than any any
item in our shop. So thankyou for buying that. I appreciate you,
my man. No no problem,Carter. How are you doing doing
this same? I'm doing doing greatman, Just you know, going through
the week getting it done. Superexcited to have a chance to talk with
Kirk. I loved Kirk when hewas a player I don't have state.
He's got a good relationship with mybrothers, so I met him a couple

(04:32:03):
of times to that. So justreally excited to have you on the show.
Kirk. Really appreciate you taking thetime to do this always. Man,
Man, I appreciate you guys.So with that being said, we
will hop right into it. Kirk, You've talked on your podcast Buckeye Scoop
about the Texas game in two thousandand five, so and you brought it

(04:32:30):
up that the kicker from Miami ofOhio went to went to Alabama. So
how big would a kicker be ina game like that back when you were
playing? Well, I mean,you know I played with NuGen obviously Nuge
on second round and you know hehit a game winning fifty five yard field

(04:32:51):
goal against Marshall where we could havelost that game. I mean we were
tied, you know, with likethree seconds left and he hit a field
goal that thankfully and send us toovertime. But you know, we and
again I'm not pitting this on JoshHouston. You know he kicked five field
goals that night, but you knowwe had a fifty yarder to basically ice
the game over, and you know, we would have been up nine with

(04:33:14):
no time, you know, fourminutes left, so they old needed two
scores. They'd everyone have gotten twoscores versus our defense, and we missed
it. And again that's not blamingJosh, It's just stating of fact,
you know. Or if we haveMike Nugent or we have you know,
an Ace kicker, you know,we we win the Texas game, and
I think we have a whole differentset of circumstances. Like I remember in

(04:33:36):
oh four, we were so badon offense, especially in the beginning of
the season that like Mike Duese,that we played NC State. NC State
had one of the best defenses I'veever seen. They had Mario, they
had three first round picks on theirdefensive line. They had Mario Williams,
Manny Lawson, uh uh da,Mario Presley, Tank Tyler. I mean,
I mean it was literally like unbelievablehow good their defense was. And

(04:33:59):
Steven to was also like a secondround pick Liiberg. So their front seven
was incredible and Nuge like kicked Ithink he kicked four or five. We
won like twenty two to like fourteenor some weird score, and Nuge kicked
like five field goals that day.I think he kicked five, and like,
you know, if we don't haveNudge, we lose that game.
We lose as a Marshall game.So I just think in the air of
the transfer portal, man, whenyou can get a kicker who's maybe kicked

(04:34:25):
early in his career, you know, because sometimes like kickers, they're not
the easiest thing to evaluate. Butif a kid goes somewhere where we can
start as a freshman, he doesgreat. And like a kid like this
who's got a year left, Ithink you take him in a heartbeat and
just totally fortify the offense and makeit an a plus offense because you see,
like the best offense is in theNFL. You know, Lamar Jackson

(04:34:45):
won the MVP. He had justinTucker. The Chiefs obviously had Harrison,
Butker, I just I love kickersthat have huge legs, Like guys that
can hit from mid fifties hit fromfifty And there's got to be a kicker
somewhere on this earth that's you goteligibility. They can do that, and
we haven't had a guy that coulddo that consistently for a long time,

(04:35:06):
but Michigan finds guys and these otherschools somehow fun guys and in the transfer
portal era, I think that ourkicking, uh not punting. Our punters
have been good. Cam Johnston stillin the NFL, but are kicking.
You know, we haven't had akicker do anything in the National Football League
since Nuge and that was an four, So I don't know how that's possible.
But again that's just my opinion.And you know, Jaden Feeling might

(04:35:30):
prove me wrong. I hope helisten to everything I say and he proves
me wrong and he wins the grossof this year. Because again, Mike
Nugett as a true freshman was terribleand then as a sophomore he was the
best kicker in America. So thingscan change. But you know, I
just I think that kickers are valuable. And again, I know everyone makes
makes fun of kickers and they're notreal players, but you know when they

(04:35:51):
win national championships and they win SuperBowls, and you know, they're the
guys that have their balls on theline, you know, with one second
left and they got to a sitdown the middle to to win the game,
like that counts to me. Sothat's just my opinion. I was
very disappointed we didn't get this kidfrom Miami because I was praying that he'd
hit the portal and he did,and then of course he goes Alabama.
So that's my thoughts. Yeah,And I mean, how big would it

(04:36:14):
have been to have a kicker likeNugent in the Georgia game a couple of
years ago, right where you couldpossibly win the game there if you have
a kicker that can bury a fiftyfive yarder. Yeah, I mean,
that's I mean, And and honestly, it's sometimes it's not just that that
end of game kick, but sometimesthere's just there's points in games with where
when you miss a field goal it'sa humongous momentum swing and you can feel

(04:36:36):
like the air come out of thebuilding sometimes, like when we miss one
on the road or or when youhit it. If you hit it,
it's a huge you know, goingin at halftime or whatever, Like you
get some points on the board,and anywain people might think that that's nothing
getting an extra three, but youknow, when you miss a field goal,
man, especially in a tight gameversus like equal talent, it really
means something. So when you playMichigan, man, you got to hit

(04:36:56):
your layups. Man, you gotto hit your three. You know.
And that's the thing that we're notwe haven't been great about absolutely. So
just real quick, going back tothe Texas game from that year, obviously
we're dealing with another quarterback battle thisyear. Correct me if I'm wrong.
You guys kind of had a quarterbackbattle going on to start that season.
Correct, Yeah, it was.It was a weird situation because you know,

(04:37:21):
Troy obviously got suspended for the lMobile and for Week one versus Miami
of Ohio. Uh, and thenyou know, we uh, you know,
Justin Justin played the ALM Mobile.He did a great job, he
did well against Miami of Ohio.And then you know, week two,
we're playing Texas, who's the bestteam in the country. They won the
national title, and we had thiskind of a wonky rotation where Justin started

(04:37:42):
and then Troy came in, andyou know, it just it was one
of those circumstances where it was toughbecause you know, I mean, I
hate rotating quarterbacks. I don't thinkit's fair to the quarterbacks, but I
think that when you've got two guysthat are equal, and I felt like
at the end of four Troy separated, but then he kind of stubbed his
toe with the suspension. So itwas a tough call. And again I

(04:38:03):
do I wish that we would havejust picked one and one with it,
probably especially if we got to pickTroy, but it uh. You know,
the quarterback things aren't always as cutand dry as as you can think,
especially when guys aren't there non contactin fall camp. You know,
because Troy, you know when guyscan can move. You know, when
you see these modern quarterbacks like KylerMurray and Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson,

(04:38:27):
the guys that you take in yourfantasy football league, and basically it's like
having like a third running back inyour starting lineup when you have the guys
that are athletic, like when they'rewhen those guys are in a quarterback competition
during fall camp and they're non contactand they can't create and do the things
that make them special, then allof a sudden, I don't think you

(04:38:47):
really know what they can do untilyou put them out there in a real
game where there is no black jersey, there is no non contact jersey.
But you know, a guy likeTroy, you know, when he could
create on the run. It waskind of like Alan ira Soon with his
crossover, you know what I mean, like when he get open man.
I mean, he could he couldmake things happen that nobody in the history
of Ohighsted football could make happen.So I uh, you know it was

(04:39:10):
it was tough again, it wasUh that's one of those haunting wins.
I mean that that game probably hauntsme more than Florida because Florida, we
just got our our wheels, wegot our doors blown up. But Florida
also like we weren't we weren't reallythat good in O six, Like in
O five we were really good,like like that O five Ohio State team
if they had have played the Osix team, the five team on a

(04:39:30):
dog locked us just because our defensewas so much better and and and really
our offensive too, because we hadNick mann Gold and Robsons, like we
had NFL dudes on our line.Uh that were much better than the guys
that we played in in O six. So that that Texas game haunts me
to this day because we had thebest team in the country beat and we
let them go, which that sucks. Yeah, absolutely. In another game

(04:39:55):
that you're what about Penn State,We played those, Yeah, that was
the first white out, so thatspawned the white out craze and it was.
It was an It was the bestcollege football environment of all time.
I mean it was. It wasso loud, it was so crazy,
and and honestly, you know,I'd never been there. Most of us

(04:40:17):
had never been there. Some ofthe older like like uh you know something
like Rob SAMs, Nickmangle, they'vebeen there. But they played and I
think it was a noon game inthree, but they we'd never experienced a
white out before, so I don'tthink we were ready for the noise.
And I got hurt, which iswhat really sucked. In the second quarter,
I blew my knee out on afield goal protection and it hurt bad,

(04:40:38):
and it sucked, and I couldn'tfinish the game. And their their
best player was their d n thatI blocked all day. And he was
a first round pick, Tom Behlly. He played for the Chiefs. I
was pro bowler and like, Iplayed him in OH four and I thought
he was good, but I didn'tthink he was like incredible or anything like.
I didn't think he was like someguy was like, oh my god,
how I'm gonna block this guy?And when I was in there,

(04:41:00):
like I handled him and he playedand I played against them the whole game
because he didn't flip, like theydon't flip their dns. They play the
same guy plays against the right tacklethe whole game. So I was handling
them and and I killed him inO four when I was a freshman,
and I frankly wasn't even good.And you know, so then when I
got hurt, it like it gota little bit tougher because we had to
put you know, we put RobSims at right tackle. Rob Sims it

(04:41:22):
never played right tack on his life, and they put him out there,
and then we put Booty out thereat right tackle. Booty was a true
freshman, and you know, noeighteen year old can handle that environment.
And he actually did pretty well.But you know, at the end of
the game you have Tom of coursesacks the quarterback and it's like my nightmare,
Uh realized when the guy that Ihandled the whole year like ends the
game and kills Stray and trade asa summersault and like they still play that

(04:41:45):
clip when we play Penn State becauseit was the dramatic of an ending.
So that sucked. So yeah,those are the two and that was the
hardest part. Man, is likeby that time in the season, like
the season was over basically because welost two and you know, back then
and it was like, if you'renot in the you know, the top
two is you're not going to havea shot to play for the championship.
That was PREBCS, but it wasstill you know, once you get down

(04:42:08):
you get a second loss through likesix weeks, man, your season's over
for you, you know, interms of winning the Natty, which was
our natural that was actually our goal. Yeah, absolutely, back then it
was you know, one loss youmight still have a chance, but two
losses basically you're out of it.So that had to be tough. And
then kind of getting away from maybesome of the more negative memories of that

(04:42:30):
year. The one game that Ipersonally had a invested interest in was the
I believe it was a Fiesta Bowlwith Notre Dame. Kind of walk me
through what you guys thought when youwatch them on film and kind of your
guys's mentality going into that game.Well, I mean we knew they were
really good. We knew that theyhad a lot of NFL guys that were

(04:42:52):
really well coached. People can saywhatever they want about Charlie Weiss, but
you know their offense was was reallygood. I mean Brady was playing at
a very high level. Obviously,he was a guy that probably could have
left him been a top ten pick. I don't think it's safe for his
senior year helped him. I thinkif he had left after that third year,
he had have made more good runningback Darius Walker. Their line was

(04:43:15):
really good. Ryan Harriy had abunch of NFL guys. Ryan Harris the
left tackle, good player, Samargawho ended up being a pitcher in the
in the big leagues. Uh wasa force as a wide receiver. Defensively,
I remember that Victor Or Abby AMII, who again that was there were
another team that didn't flip. SoI played against Victor Abby Mary the entire
game and he was the best playerin their entire defense. He ended up

(04:43:36):
being a second round pick by theEagles. They had Zibbi Tomas of Makowski
who actually had the same agent,So we actually became pretty tight once we
got to the league. But youknow they had Uh, they had dudes.
But again, we had we hadguys that could really run and we
thought we could get after their backend a little bit and we did.
Like that's why we were thrown itup over the top to Teddy and San
Antonio and we didn't think they couldrun with us, and they couldn't.

(04:44:00):
So that was that was something thatlike our game plan was, let's let's
take them deep, and uh,we knew they were gonna blitz it was
It's kind of funny when you studythese teams, is that what are the
weird things you study are? Likewhat could they do against you that they
maybe haven't shown on film? Giventhe break, given a thirty day absence
between you know, the Michigan gameand then the Bull game. So we

(04:44:21):
didn't have a big ten title gameback then. So after we beat Michigan
before Thanksgiving, we didn't play againuntil January. So it's a big thirty
five day winner. So you couldliterally in stall an entire new defense.
And we thought they were gonna blitzus pretty heavy, just based on our
runs and our tendencies. And theone end around the Z round which you
know ched gin was the Z whichis like your flank or your speed receiver.

(04:44:45):
We we we did a self scottand we ran to the right behind
me like seventy five percent of thetime that year. So we ran our
signature play which was like it wascalled eight load, which is an option
play that Troy Troy never pitched it. It was an option play where he
never pitched it. He only carriedit. And uh, I guess Iowa.
We scored two touchdowns with it.We ran it a lot, but

(04:45:07):
we put in a reverse off ofit. So you start the option action
and you see the linebackers come flyingright into the hole where where we hit
it. Because I'm sure that theywent over that with their scout team for
a long time and uh and theyover commit big time to where the play
was going. But then you haveTed coming back the other way on the
on the Z round, so therewas nobody there and san Antonio. San

(04:45:29):
Antonio had the best crack block andhe probably he had been thrown in prison
if he did that today because he'dbeen targeting and everything else. But san
Antonio killed their uh, their theirtheir walkout guy, their their walkout linebacker,
like killed him, took him offhis feet, and uh and Ted
was like off to the races.So I just remember our offensive staff did
a great job tress bulls like JimBowman. Those guys really did a good

(04:45:52):
job of scheming those guys up.And uh, you know, our defense,
our defense played well, you know, I mean they weathered the early
storm because Notre Dame went right downthe field and scored to art the game
and then they clamped up a littlebit. And uh, but it was
good. I mean, we doit would be a challenge, and those
are the fun games because they hadthey had equal talent, so us we
were probably a little more talented,but it wasn't like the normal huge gap
of talent that Ohio State football normallyencounters on a Saturday. Yeah. Absolutely.

(04:46:17):
That was the one thing that Iwondered, if you touch on,
just because watching the game, youknow, the thing that jumped off the
screen to me was just how muchfaster you guys were, at least at
receiver compared to the defensive backs.It looked like they were running in long
grass and you guys were on AstroTurf. Yeah, I mean, we just
were lucky. We had Ted andSantonio and Gonzo and uh, you know,
obviously Gonzo that that that play wherehe didn't catch it was the play

(04:46:40):
of the game where Zibakhalski picked itup and ran it back to the house,
because that was uh, you know, that was like the early the
early times of replay where they saidthat he didn't catch it and it was
incomplete because that was that was gonnabe a fumble for a touchdown. Yeah,
And I was like sitting there,I was like, please God,
do not let this be in touchbecause that would have tie. I think
that would tie the game. Butwe were able to go out and score

(04:47:00):
and ice game down. But yeah, it was a you know, those
are type those are type games.And again that's why it's fun at a
high stateg to play against teams thatare equal talent or close, because then
you have to really, you know, you got to early, real sharp.
You can't you can't just you know, Ohio State ninety nine percent of
the time when we play we've gotbetter players than the other team on the
sideline. But it's that one percentwhen you play Georgia or you play a

(04:47:22):
good Notre Dame team where you gotto actually, you know, win,
you have to go win the gameinstead of just being better than they are,
so it was it was a funnight and I didn't know that'd be
my last Bowl win, but youknow, it was really fun and it
kind of I think it kind ofset us in a little bit of a
trap where it was like, wehad this this streak of going to the
festabal we stayed at the Fairmont ScottsSale Princess, and then we wore the

(04:47:47):
white jerseys and we beat you know, the Hurricanes, we beat Kansas State,
we beat Notre Dame. So thenof course the next year we played
Florida, we got our breaks beatoff, and it's like, but we
stayed at the same hotel and wherewe were the one seed and we wore
our white jerseys. Yeah, becauseagain, like I don't know if it
was superstition or what it was,but it just kind of is what it

(04:48:08):
is. I mean, it didn'tmatter what color jerseys were were. And
I'm just being funny, but itwas like we like fell into the trap
of familiarity. And again I getit because you know, if you wear
the red jersy against Florida and weget we lose forty one to fourteen,
then people were like, why didyou wear the white jerseys. You could
have did that. We were undefeatedit So this is some one of those
like funny things that you think aboutsometimes twenty years later. Yeah, for

(04:48:30):
sure, that Florida game was.I was at that game. That was
the crowd and the electricity in thestadium when Teddy took that kickoff back and
then the just shock and awe whenthey saw him hobbling off the field was
oh my god. Well, thefunny thing is that I won't talk too
much about it, but it's likehe came back in and played in the
game like that was. Funny.Thing is like I didn't even know he

(04:48:52):
got hurt because, like I mean, that first offensive play that we had
after Florida scored, he's back outthere and he actually ran a route and
we threw him the ball. Solike I it wasn't like okay, it
wasn't like his leg was like thebone was poking out of the skinn or
anything like. So I didn't knowwhat was going on. Obviously ted was
too hurt to play, but itwas I remember, like I asked that

(04:49:14):
the thing was like why aren't youin and he's like and he looked at
me, and he's like come on, man, let's go. And I'm
like, I'm like, I loveTeddy, but I was like, why
aren't you playing? Like I mean, we need you. You're the best.
You're You're literally the best player onour team by far. You were
the eighth overall pick or ninth pickin the draft, like that of no
one else though the team was anywhereclose to the top ten in the draft.

(04:49:36):
So yeah, I mean, thatwas like one of those ones where
you just know that it ain't gonnabe your night when your best player gets
hurt on the first play. You'rejust like this sometimes a football where you're
just like, God, this isgonna suck. And it was, like
I tell people, like it waslike with the forty nine ers last year,
uh in the NFC Championship, Likethey lose brock Purty and then they
lose their backup quarterback and they're downto Debus Samuel playing quarterback. Like you

(04:49:59):
just said that, Like some timesin football, man, it just ain't
your knight. And that was anight. It was definitely not a night
and away it's not taking anything awightfrom Urban. Urban and Urban was the
master of getting guys ready to go, and those guys were hungry and disrespected,
and they played that part up tothe hill and and they smashed us.
And again that's like I tell people, that's the beauty of football is
everybody who's ever played or coach hashad their brains beat out at some point.

(04:50:22):
It doesn't matter if Nick Saban,Dabo Sweeney, Ryan Day, Like,
that's that's the beauty of it.Bill Belichick got you're gotta at some
point it's gonna be your turn toget smashed. And that was our turn,
and it was. It was ahumbling night, but it was a
it was a terrible night. Butthat's a part of part of life,
Like you don't get to littlem Alland uh, it was. It sucked

(04:50:42):
because I felt terrible for Troy becausethat was a game that haunts his legacy
because he probably if he wins thathe's probably the best Buckeye of all time.
But it just cut is what itis. Yeah, definitely, I
mean coming off winning the Heisman andI mean it's not