Press Conference (Marvin Harrison Jr.)

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Or right at the work. Hello, everybody, there's Robinson University of Missouri.
I just want to thank you,mister Bill Wilmant to your coach Gannon
for this amazing opportunity. I'm gladto be here with Marvin Harrison right next
to me. So peel great.I'm really excited and I'm excited for this
journey gru see fifteen here in town. Marvin, when did you know the

(00:38):
Cardinals were gonna select you? Didyou know before they called or was there
an agreement in place before? No, I did not know until I got
that phone call from the Arizona Cardinals. Marvin Richard signs Fox then welcome to
the valley. I know kind oftweeted to you, tweeted out to you
once you got drafted. What wasit like to get a message from the

(01:00):
franchise quarterback and what kind of thoughtshave you had about teaming up with this
guy in the near future. Yes, sir, it's great. You always
want to support and love from yourquarterback and the car is a great player.
Excited to play with him, andit's gonna be my job to make
his job easier. Darius Darren Urbanfrom Azycardinals Dot com I know that a

(01:21):
lot of players these days aren't stickingin one school, uh for a long
time, and you did it forfive years. I mean even Marvin did
it for three. Like what whatwent behind that? And why was it
meaningful for you to stay at oneschool? Yes? At Missouri, you
know, we had some tough seasons, but we were really built with an
edge energy, details, good inemotional consistency. And I just find myself

(01:42):
just trying to grow and get bettereach year and also as a team,
you know, win more games eachyear. And that was my that was
my home, I was my family. I was blessed to you know,
get two degrees as well off thefield, and I just love Missou two
degrees. Wow, Marvin, BobMcbob McMahon at Arizona Republic, congratulations,

(02:04):
Thank you to both of you.You're known as all business, and I
want to know how that's going toserve you well in this league from personal
standpoint, your brand, everything youdo in a daily preparation, there's a
lot that goes into being all business. Tell me what that is to you.
Yeah, I mean that's just beinga pro. It's kind of raised
and grew up to do and keepthe same mindset, same attitude that I've

(02:28):
had throughout my whole career. OnceI get here, continue to work hard,
be consistent and discipline, you know, and all that I do.
So I'm looking forward to putting thework. Hey Marvin, Josh Wayne ESPN.
What were the best pieces of adviceyour dad gave you about being an
NFL player? I mean, yeah, it takes a lot of work,
a lot of preparation. You know, from Monday to Saturday, it's all

(02:51):
work, and then Sunday should bethe easy part. I go out there
and have fun, ready to putthe work in. So starts with the
work first and then no, whenSunday comes, is Rieka benefits. Hey
Darius Howard, balls are from cardswire. I can't help but notice that
ring on your finger. Is thata cotton bowl ring? Yes, it
is the cotton bowler. You showedit to Marvin very quickly. No,

(03:14):
I I was telling Marma. Youknow, he was glad he didn't play.
The whole week leading up. Youknow, you see Ohio State,
everybody said, okay, Marvin Harrison, and now he's is he gonna play?
To play? He didn't play,So you know we left out.
So, Hey, Marvin Paul KELBCCardinals broadcasting, do you believe that receivers

(03:35):
have to earn the trust for theirquarterback? And it's so what does that
usually require? Absolutely, you gotto earn the trust of the quarterback.
And I think it starts, youknow, every day in practice and being
consistent. Really, you can't justdo it one day. Can't you do
it for one week? It hasto be you know, done over and
over and over again. I thinkthat's how trust has earned. So no
matter where you get picked, whenyou're first receiver, it's round seven,

(03:57):
doesn't really matter, have to goand earn trust at a quarterback, your
coaches, your teammates. So italso in practice. What's going on,
guys? Good to see again,Tyler Drake, there's no sports systems for
Darius. What's the feeling of justbeing able to represent your school as that
first round pick and what kind ofimpact can that have for those guys fallowing
in your footsteps. Yeah, it'sawesome. I feel like I'm setting the
standard going forward. Best the namewas Zoo is known as Delon Zoo,

(04:21):
so I'm just added to the family. But now I feel like I'm setting
the standard for my younger teammates thatthis is attainable if you work really hard,
be consistent, and really get usyour strength coach. I feel like
every program is built off the strempcoach and that develops all the habits on
and off the field. Darius zachERSHMANEZI Cardinals dot Com right over here,

(04:42):
JJ mentioned that he loves the violencethat you play with. You mentioned the
different tendencies that you picked up.The emotional consistency is the great. How
do you balance that the violence withdiscipline on the field. Honestly, just
through preparation and practice. I'm abig guy. I'm a big believer in
inside hands, so that's why I'malways working my hand play and then I
lift weight, so you know that'sall connected. So I'm just trying to

(05:03):
be focused on my technique as muchas possible. Hey, Marvin over here,
David Brant with the Associated Press.You know a lot of rookies come
into the league and they get alittle bit of leeway. It's like,
oh, he's young, he needsto grow and stuff like that. But
obviously you're going to be expected tobe the guy here really quickly. How

(05:24):
do you deal with that pressure.How do you go about just so much
being expected of you so quickly?I mean, yeah, I have high
standards for myself, but I'm justgonna go in there and try to work,
you know, the best I can. I just want to help the
team win really, so without thatrole I play, you know, come
September, let me just do mybest do that role. This one's for
both of you, guys. Thefans want to know who you guys are

(05:46):
on the inside. I don't knowhow much you're willing to reveal to us
today. A lot would be nice. Could you tell us what you like
to do away from football, whatpisses you off about things, and you
know, what what makes you roll. I'm pretty simple, like you know,
be in my apartment, watch amovie. If I go out and

(06:09):
I go to a restaurant, getsome food. But other than that,
they do too much and then I'mpretty easy going, guys, so try
not to nothing bother me too much. Yeah, I said the same thing,
A real chill guy, just reallyobsessed with football. But outside of
football, like I said, Igot my two degrees. I got my
undergrad hospitality management and the minor andbusiness. I got my masters and positive

(06:30):
culture with FLA leadership. So justthinking about being well rounded. And then
I do philanthropy work. I startedmy own nonprofit foundation, Darius Robinson Helping
Hands Foundation, But really just footballand then everything else. Honestly. Congratulations,
guys, welcome to the Valley.I'm Robbie Baker with Fox ten.
Darius, This is for you.After the draft last night, you had

(06:53):
a great response about how your processand preparing for a game. Just kind
of wondering where your love for kindof the grind come from and your love
for that process comes from. Iwould say my junior year, because I
played little league ball off and on. But I got my junior year and
I was playing high school and mywhole goal is just to earn a scholarship.
But during that process, I reallyfell in love with the game,
fell in love with working out relationshipswith teammates, and now it's kind of

(07:16):
like my advice and I can't letit go and just kind of finding ways
to always get better, you know. Luke Linting here with twelve Sports,
congrats to both of you walking intothe valley. This one's for you,
Marvin. I'm curious your thoughts orwhat was that conversation like with your dad
after your name was called and youwere able to be drafted by this organization,
and how surreal is it for youto be following your own father's footsteps

(07:38):
but in your own way. Yeah, I mean it was very brief.
Actually just in the second graduations,I walk up to the stage and then
I had to do a bunch ofinterviews afterwards. So I don't think it's
hit both of us yet. Idon't know what's happened. I think,
you know, one of Michaels alwaysmake him proud, so I hope I
did that. Marvin, Bobrock,pH and X Sports. When do you

(07:59):
anticipate your first passes from Kyler Murray? I don't know. I don't know.
I guess we'll see and hopefully assoon as possible. Darius, you
mentioned philanthropy, and I know there'sbeen it's been talked about how you took
some of the NI nil money todo a get back to school for the
kids in Colombia. Where where didthat belief in doing those things come from?

(08:22):
I say my family, my brotherand my mom really instilled that into
me and to me at a youngage, just give back your blessings to
others. In my fifthyear at Missouis the best year of my life,
So why would I not share myblessings with others. So that's what really
motivated me to do that. Andnow being in NFL, you know,
my goals to do three events eachyear. I just give back because you
know, it's life outside of footballand bigger blessings out there. Marvin,

(08:46):
you obviously played with a number ofhighly drafted receivers at Ohio State. What
sort of feedback have you gotten aboutthe NFL from them? And you know
about making the transition in the leagueitself. Yeah, it's a long season,
I think going from in a twelvegame Ricord season you haven't college to
was it seventeen games now? Andyou got three preseason? Actually, just
the biggest challenge the game stays thething obviously, never're all skilled and very

(09:09):
talented athletes, so the mental partis probably the biggest thing and the biggest
change from the college to pros.Marvin, what's your timeline for hiring an
agent? Right over here on theway part right, you haven't hired an
agent? Why is that? Isthere a timeline to hiring one? And
are you gonna slam the NFLPA licensingagreement. I'll continue to talking to my
team. We do what's best forme. I'm moving forward. We just

(09:31):
take it one day at a time. I just got drafted, so I'm
trying to enjoy the moment and behappy while I can at the moment.
Hey, Marvin, we'll say Romaro, Arizona Republic, Welcome. Man.
Can you just kind of share alittle bit about you touched on it briefly
here, but just a little bitmore about growing up with your dad and
you know, the experiences you hadin Indianapolis and games and so on and

(09:52):
so forth. Yeah, I mean, there's no better role model, coach,
mentor that you can have that someonewho's played the game. And then
you know he's actually your father too, so he means a lot to mean
his helping get to the point onthat right now. Uh, and just
he's been very detailed and everything I'vedone growing up and playing football. So
so we're thankful for him. I'mglad they he can be here with me

(10:13):
today. Luke glinting again here withtwelve Sports is for Dariusterius m i z
Zo Yes, Sir Miama mater aswell, curious, what do you think
you learned the most from your timeat Mazoo that has helped you be ready
for this moment. I'll say thebiggest thing is not how you start,
is how you finished. And Ifeel like me being drafted that was the
exclamation point on my career at Mazoo. But now I got to start all

(10:35):
over again and really earned respect onmy teammates and coaches and then earn a
role with and create and do thethings that make him special. Then all
of a sudden, I don't thinkyou really know what they can do until
you put them out there in areal game where there is no black jersey,
there is no non contact jersey.But you know, a guy like
Troy, you know, when hecould create on the run, it was

(10:56):
kind of like Alan Irison with hiscrossover, you know what I mean,
like when you get open man.I mean, he could he could make
things happen that nobody in the historyof o High state football could make happen.
So I uh, you know itwas it was tough. Again,
it was Uh that's one of thosehaunting ones. I mean that that game
probably haunts me more than Florida becauseFlorida. We just got our our wheels,

(11:16):
we got our doors blown up.But Florida also like we weren't we
weren't really that good in O six, Like in O five we were really
good. Like like that O fiveOhio State team, if they wuld have
played the O six team, theO five team would have dog locked us,
just because our defense was so muchbetter and and and really our offense
was too, because we had Nickman Gold and Robsons, like, we
had NFL dudes on our line.Uh that were much better than the guys

(11:39):
that we played in O six.So that that Texas game haunts me to
this day because we had the bestteam in the country beat and we let
them go, Which that sucks.Yeah. Absolutely. In another game that
you're what about Penn State? Didwe played those? Yeah, that was

(12:00):
the first white out, So thatspawned the white out craze and it was
it was. It was the bestcollege football environment of all time. I
mean it was. It was soloud, it was so crazy, and
and honestly, you know, I'dnever been there. Most of us had
never been there. Some of theolder like like uh, you know,
something like Rob SAMs, Nickmangle,they've been there, but they played and

(12:22):
I think it was a noon gamein three, but they we'd never experienced
a whiteout 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,
and it sucked, and I couldn'tfinish the game. And their their
best player was their DN that Iblocked all day, and he was a

(12:43):
first round pick. Tom Beholly playedfor the Chiefs. I was pro bowler,
and like I played him in OHfour and I thought he was good,
but I didn't think he was likeincredible or anything. Like. I
didn't think he was like some guywas like, oh my god, how
I'm gonna block this guy? Andand when I was in there O five,
like, I handled him and heplayed and I played against him the
whole game because he didn't flip,like they don't flip their dns. They

(13:03):
play the same guy plays against theright tackle the whole game. So I
was handling them and I killed himin O four when I was a freshman,
and I, frankly wasn't even good. And you know, so then
when I got hurt, it likeit got a little bit tougher because we
had to put you know, weput Rob Sims at right tackle. Rob
Sims it never played right tackle hislife, and they put him out there,
and then we put Booty out thereat right tackle. Booty was a

(13:24):
true freshman, and you know,no eighteen year old can handle that environment.
He actually did pretty well. Butyou know, at the end of
the game, you know, Tomof course sacks the quarterback and it's like
my nightmare realized when the guy thatI handled the whole year, like ends
the game and kills Stray and tradeas a summersault and like they still play
that clip when we play Penn Statebecause it was the dramatic of an ending.

(13:46):
So that sucked. So, yeah, those are the two and that
was the hardest part, man islike by that time in the season,
like the season was over basically becausewe lost two. And you know,
back then it was like if you'renot in the the top two is you're
not going to have a shot toplay for the championship. That was PREVCS,
but it was still you know,once you get down, you get

(14:07):
a second loss through like six weeksman, your season's over for you,
you know, in terms of winningthe Natty, which is our natural that
was actually our goal. Yeah,absolutely, back then it was you know,
one loss you might still have achance, but two losses basically you're
out of it. So that hadto be tough. And then kind of
getting away from maybe some of themore negative memories of that year. The

(14:28):
one game that I personally had ainvested interest in was the I believe it
was a Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame. Kind of walk me through what you
guys thought when you watch them onfilm and kind of your guys's mentality going
into that game. Well, Imean, we knew they were really good.

(14:48):
We knew that they had a lotof NFL guys that were really well
coached. People can say whatever theywant about Charlie Weiss, but you know,
their offense was was really good.I mean, Brady was playing a
very high level. Obviously, hewas 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 think ifhe had left after that third year,

(15:09):
he had have made more good runningback Darius Walker. Their line was really
good, Ryan Harry had a bunchof NFL guys, Ryan Harris the left
tackle, good player, Samarga whoended up being a pitcher in the in
the big leagues. Uh was aforce as a wide receiver. Defensively,
I remember that Victor Or Abby Amieriwho again that was there were another team
that didn't flips. I played againstVictor Abby Mary the entire game and he

(15:31):
was the best player in their entiredefense. He ended up being a second
round pick by the Eagles. Theyhad Zibbi Tomas of Makowski who we actually
had the same agent, So weactually became pretty tight once we got to
the league. But you know,they had uh, they had dudes,
but again we had we had guysthat could really run and we thought we
could get after their back end alittle bit and we did. Like that's

(15:52):
why we were thrown it up overthe top to Teddy and san Antonio and
we didn't think they could run withus, and they couldn't. So that
was that was something that like ourgame plan was, let's let's take them
deep, and uh, we knewthey were gonna blitz. It was.
It's kind of funny when you studythese teams, is that what are the
weird things you study are like whatcould they do against you that they maybe
haven't shown on film given the break, given a thirty day absence between you

(16:17):
know, the Michigan game and thenthe Bull game. So like we didn't
have a big ten title game backthen, So after we beat Michigan before
Thanksgiving, we didn't play again untilJanuary. So it's a big thirty five
day winner. So you could literallyinstall an entire new defense. And we
thought they were gonna blitz us prettyheavy, just based on our runs and
our tendencies and the one end aroundthe Z round, which you know ched

(16:38):
gin was the Z which is likeyour flank or your speed receiver. We
we we did a self scout andwe'd ran to the right behind me like
seventy five percent of the time thatyear. So we ran our signature play
which was like it was called eightload, which is an option play that
Troy Troy never pitched it. Itwas an option play where he ever putched

(17:00):
it, he only carried it,and uh, I guess Iowa. We
scored two touchdowns with it. Weran it a lot, but we put
in a reverse off of it.So you start the option action and you
see the linebackers come flying right intothe hole where where we hit it.
Cause I'm sure that they went overthat with their scout team for a long
time and uh and they over commitbig time to where the play was going.

(17:21):
But then you have Ted coming backthe other way on the on the
Z round, so there was nobodythere and san Antonio, san Antonio had
the best crack block and he probablyhe had been thrown in prison if he
did that today because he'd been targetingand everything else. But san Antonio killed
their uh, their their their walkoutguy, their their walk out linebacker,
like killed him, took him offhis feet and uh and Ted was like

(17:42):
off to the races. So Ijust remember our offensive staff did a great
job tress bulls like Jim Bowman.Those guys really did a good 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 down the fieldand scored to start the game, and
then they clamped up up a littlebit, and uh, but it was
good. I mean, we doit would be a challenge, and those

(18:03):
are the fun games. Because theyhad they 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 footballnormally encounters on a Saturday. Yeah.
Absolutely. That was the one thingthat I wondered, 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

(18:26):
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 of
the game where Zibakowski picked it upand ran it back to the house,
because that was you know, thatwas like the early the early times of
replay where they said that he didn'tcatch it and it was incomplete and because

(18:48):
that was that was gonna be afumble for a touchdown. Yeah, And
I was like sitting there, Iwas like, please God, do not
whether this be because that want totie I think that would tie the game.
But we were able to get outof the score and ice game down.
But yeah, it was uh,those you know, those are type
those are type games. And againthat's why it's fun at high stateg to
play against teams that are equal talentor close, because then you have to

(19:08):
really, you know, you gottareally be sharp. You can't you can't
just you know, Ohio State ninetynine percent of the time when we play
we've got better players than the otherteam on the sideline. But it's that
one percent when you play Georgia oryou play a good Notre Dame team,
where you got to actually, youknow, win, you have to go
win the game instead of just beingbetter than they are. So it was

(19:29):
it was a fun night and Ididn't know that'd be my last Bowl win,
but you know, it was reallyfun, and uh, it kind
of I think it kind of setus in a little bit of a trap
where it was like we had thisthis streak of going to the Fiesta Bowl.
We stayed at the Fairmont Scottsale Princessand then we wore the white jerseys
and we beat you know, theHurricanes, we beat Kansas State, we

(19:51):
beat Notre Dame. So then ofcourse, the next year we played Florida,
we got our breaks beat off,and it's like, but we sayed
at the same hotel and we're thesame we were. We were the one
seed, and we wore our whitejerseys. Yeah, because again, like
I don't know if it was superstitionor what it was, but it just
kind of is what it is.I mean, it didn't matter what color
jerseys were were And I'm just beingfunny, but it was like we like
fell into the trap of familiarity.And again I get it because you know,

(20:15):
if you wear the red Jersys againstFlorida and we get we lose forty
one to fourteen, then people werelike, why did you wear the white
jerseys? You could have did thatwe were undefeated. It So this is
some one of those like funny thingsthat you think about sometimes twenty years later.
Yeah, for sure, that Floridagame was I was at that game.
That was the crowd and the electricityin the stadium when Teddy took that
kickoff back and then the just shockand haul when they saw him hobbling off

(20:40):
the field was oh my god.Well, the funny thing is that I
won't talk too much about it butit's like he came back in and played
in the game. Like that wasfunny. Thing. It is like I
didn't even know he got hurt because, like I mean, that first offensive
play that we had after Florida scored, he's back out there and he actually
ran a route and we threw himthe ball. So like I it was
it like, Okay, it wasn'tlike his leg was like the bone was

(21:03):
poking out of the skin or anythinglike. So I didn't know what was
going on. Obviously ted was toohurt to play, but it was I
remember, like I asked and thething was like, why aren't you in?
And he's like he looked at meand he's like, come on,
man, let's go, and I'mlike, I'm like I love Teddy,
but I was like, why aren'tyou playing? Like I mean, we
need you. You're the best You'reYou're literally the best player on our team

(21:26):
by far. You were the eighthoverall pick or ninth pick in the draft
like that, no one else thoughthe team was ey were close to the
top ten in the draft. Soyeah, I mean, that was like
one of those ones where you justknow that it ain't gonna be your night.
When your best player gets hurt onthe first play, you're just like
this sometimes the football where you're justlike, god, this is gonna suck.
And it was, like I tellpeople, like it was like with

(21:47):
the forty nine ers last year,uh in the NFC Championship, Like they
lose brock Purty and then they losetheir backup quarterback and they're down to Deebus
Samuel playing quarterback. Like you justsaid that, like sometimes a football man,
it just ain't your knight. Andthat was it was definitely not a
night. And again it's not takinganything a weight from Urban and the Urban
and Urban was the master of gettingguys ready to go. And those guys
were hungry and disrespected and they playedthat card up to the hill and and

(22:11):
they smashed us. And again that'slike I tell people, that's the beauty
of football is everybody who's ever playedor coach has had their brains beat out
at some point. You know,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 pointit's gonna be your turn to get smashed.
And that was our turn, andit was it was a humbling night,

(22:33):
but it was a it was aterrible night, but that's just part
of part of life. Like youdon't get to little them all. And
uh, it was it sucked becauseI felt terrible for Troy because that was
a game that haunts his legacy becausehe probably if he wins that, he's
probably the best Buckeye of all time. But it just kind of is what
it is. Yeah, definitely,I mean coming off winning the Heisman.

(22:55):
And I mean it's not like Troyhad a bad game that game or anything
either. Well, I mean,you know, he didn't have a chance
because we didn't We didn't run theball, he didn't have his number one
receiver. You know. Again,it's like if you take Kelsey away from
the homes or when you see thesequarterbacks, if their number one guy goes
down, sometimes if they're just reallyincredible, they can still make it work.
But a lot of times, man, it's it's tough, you know,

(23:18):
when you don't have your your topguy. And and again, like
you know, we we just wouldn'tplay well, Like like we didn't play
there was at Eddie Fast Like Imean, are you know our offense We
sucked that offense, but our defensegave up forty one points too. You
know, we had we had abunch of personal fouls. We played dumb
football. So and Urban, youknow, Urban was ahead of his time
with that offense. That offense was. I was sitting there watching that man

(23:41):
and our guys were out of gas. Our guys were winded, tired,
and I was watching on the bigscreen, and they're the way that they
they stretched the field horizontally in therunning game. I mean, our guys
were basically like running gassers the wholegame, and they were they were exhausted.
So Urban was ahead of his timewith what he did there. And
I was excited when the game herebecause I got to learn that offense and

(24:03):
it was it was really cool.Yeah. Absolutely. In another game from
from your playing days, how aboutthe game in two thousand and six,
what was the build up going intothat game? I think you know it

(24:23):
was it was one that obviously,like when you look at the schedules,
and it was like once we gotpast like Penn State, we knew that
it was kind of cupcake city andwe had a scare against Illinois, but
otherwise it was you know, wewere coasting, and so was Michigan.
I mean, Michigan got past NotreDame or Penn State or somebody, and
then they were coasting, and itwas like we saw what was coming.

(24:45):
After they smashed Notre Dame, theyjumped up with the polls pretty high,
and that, you know, that'swhat made it. The magic of the
one two games. I mean,they beat that Notre Dame team was like
a preseason number two team. Ithink they were because they'd played us and
they had like twelve the guys comeback. So Brady was back and all
those guys and and Michigan just smashedhim out at Notre Dame, and so

(25:07):
we knew they were gonna be good. And again they were good at No.
Five. They just you know,they had some bad losses. They
were injured, but they still hadlike you know, sometimes the record doesn't
reflect the talent level because they stillhad Alan Branch and Lamar Woodley and Leon
Hall and you know, Mario Manningham. They had guys that were like dudes,
like real dude. Jake Long obviouslyfirst overall pick in the draft.

(25:30):
So you know, we knew theywere gonna be good. They put in
a new running game. They ranthe Denver Broncos zone offense, and they
were really good at that, andthey were like just buzz sewing teams when
I'd watch them on film, andI think that you know, we knew
it was gonna be a big challenge. And I worried about our defense in
that game because I thought our defensewas good. I think it was great,
and I was right, and weended up giving up like thirty nine

(25:52):
points, but thank god, wescored forty two. But that was the
most points I think we'd ever giveit up to a Michigan team, I
think, but it was, Hey, we scored three more than they did,
and it's a team game. Butyou know, I knew that their
offense was legit because I mean,we've got Manningham as your number one guy,
Mike Cartt was a good college player, not a good NFL player,
Jake Long as your left tackle,Henny who played like fifteen years in the

(26:12):
league, was a really good quarterback. Like, you knew it was gonna
be tough, and you knew youweren't going to shut him out, and
I just the build up was crazy. Then you know, Bo dies the
day before the game, which makesit even crazier because you've got you know
there, you know, the guythat they're they're you know, we've got
the Woody Hayes Center, they've gotthe sham Beckler Hall. Uh So,
the guy that their football building isnamed after. Dies the day before the

(26:33):
game or Thursday before the game.It was. It was nuts. So
yeah, there was a lot ofpressure to win. And I don't know
if we blew our stack that nightand we ran out of gas for Florida
or we thought we were too goodor what it was, but you know,
it was kind of like we soldout to beat Michigan and then like,
you know, we didn't have thatsame We didn't play anywhere near as
flawless of a game against Florida,obviously, because that Michigan team was was

(26:56):
a team that I think they kindof suffered the same thing where they you
know, they kind of blew theirenergy, uh and then they didn't do
well in the Rosewell versus sc either, because I think we were so exhausted
from that game and they were probablydefeated from losing that game. So I
always like kind of wonder about thatbecause we just we didn't look like the
same team you know, and sometimesthat happens when you've got all this energy

(27:18):
and you expend it and then youget to win. Then you know,
you really need the coaching staff andthe leaders to to beat you back down
and just submission to get ready togo for that next one, because it's
it's hard, man, you beatMichigan that one two game. Like the
environment around Columbus is different people.You know, It's it's almost like you
gotta the Woody Haysing where it's like, you know, you know, kick

(27:40):
the old granny and the knee,like anyone that gives you a compliment over
the age of eighty three, kicker, kick him in the knee or whatever.
Like, yeah, that thing whereit's like if someone compliments you don't
take it, like don't eat thecheese. Like there's all these motivational things
where it's like when people are sayinggreat things about you and how great you
are, don't listen to it,like, you know, don't focus on
you know, you gotta making allwhite noise. And I think that's something

(28:02):
that we obviously could have been betterat. But that Michigan game will always
be special one of my favorite games, you know. And again it's again,
that's another game that's clouded just becauseof how poorly we did in the
championship game. But at the time, the one versus two game was incredible
one and that was you know,again, like I told it, that
was like a real Michigan team.That was a good Michigan team. That
wasn't some of these teams that we'veplayed recently have just stunk up at Michigan.

(28:26):
But that was like, you know, look at the guys, Look
at David Harris, played ten yearsfor the Jets as a captain, and
you know, like those guys wenton and went to the league and they
were like legit in the league.Yeah, and you'd already touched on it
a little bit, and I don'tknow, I'm curious to your thoughts.
I almost feel like when you comeoff a big win like that, it's
almost better to go right back andplay your next game the next week.

(28:48):
So you're still off that high.But obviously with the National Championship game,
you guys had forty days off inbetween. Do you think that played a
role as far as you guys maybelost some of your energy or lost some
of your focus after the Michigan game. And maybe that was part of the
reason you guys didn't perform as wellin the in the championship game. Well,

(29:10):
I think that you know, obviously, now with the current structure,
with the Big Ten Championship Game,you can't really celebrate the Michigan game anymore
because you got to go play,especially now where they removed the divisions and
now it's like you're gonna have togo play Oregon. You're got to go
play a top five team on theother side of the Big Ten because it's
literally going to be the two topteams now. So I mean, there
could be scenario played Michigan again,So you don't you don't get to relate

(29:33):
celebrate because I mean back then,like when we played like we were done
before Thanksgiving, which is crazy.I mean, I mean in O six,
you know we had a bye week. Uh we actually I think we
played twelve straight games in O six. We didn't we didn't even have a
bye week in O six because weplayed we had a buy and then they
removed the bye week for whatever reason, and we played Bowling Green that was

(29:53):
during what wasupposed to be our byeweek. So we played twelve straight and
we were done super early. ButI think with the current structure, uh,
it's all different because there's no realI mean, obviously you're gonna celebrate
beating Michigan, but you know whenyou gotta play Oregon the next week,
like your celebration is gonna be youknow, like a couple hours. And
that's it because when you got togo play the Oregon Ducks or whoever is

(30:14):
that two team in the Big Ten, like, you gotta get your mind
right. You can't be out,you know, kicking it and having a
good time and relaxing because you're gonnabe fight. You're gonna be facing a
monster. And that's something that's gonnabe intriguing this year because we don't we
don't get to play Iowa or Northwesternor Michigan State or these like turds from
the old Big Ten like Western Conferencethat now you're gonna go play like real

(30:34):
teams. So that makes it tough. And then you know, with the
playoffs, like it's just gonna besuch a it's gonna be such a mental
and physical proposition for these guys becausethey've got to stay even and they've got
to peak at the right time.And that's something that Urban was great about
is he'd get the guys to peakat the right time, because that's delicate

(30:55):
because you know, you gotta figureout how hard do I push them,
how hard do I beat them down? You know, do we put the
hammer down on him in practice todayor not? How beat up are they?
And that's why the Kibaratti is reallygood, is because he'd always give
them good advice on you know,the team's beat trash, take it down
a little bit, or hey,let's turn it up a little bit and
beat them down a little bit.Because you know, managing your roster and

(31:17):
managing the health of your players isgonna be so critical when you can play
seventeen games now because you know,like the old days, like when I
played, it was thirteen at most, and now you got add four more
games on top of it, andyou're not playing Akron four times. You're
playing like SEC Skolls. You're playinggood big ten schools, and it's gonna
be it's gonna be a battle,and I mean, I'm excited for it.
I think it's gonna be great forcollege football. But you know,

(31:40):
managing your roster is gonna be socritical going forward. And that's why you
know Ohio State knock on wood hangingunder their depth in the transferporter right now,
is UH is absolutely huge? Yeah? Absolutely. I mean they're playing
seventeen games. That's a full NFLseason, so in uh. Speaking of
Michigan Kirk, I didn't know ifyou've got a chance to catch the Sharon

(32:07):
More postgame interview from the spring game. It almost to me kind of looked
like a hostage interview because he didhis press conference and then they interviewed him
on the field and he looked zeroenergy, didn't have hardly anything to say,

(32:28):
Yeah, we played well, We'regoing to continue to work. It
was almost like he was deer inheadlights almost. I think he knows what's
coming again. I know Michigan fanswant to say nothing's going to happen,
slap on the rest or whatever,but it's just like, what do you
look at how egregious the cheating wasand how much of a luxury it is

(32:49):
to have an electronic paper material froma guy like Connor Sallions who just used
his own name for buying tickets,and I'm sure they found you know,
transactions, and I'm sure they're goingthrough his Venmo and his bank statements and
and whatever like I mean, becauseyou know, you can, you know,
subpoena that stuff, and it's gonnabe it's gonna be ugly. And
again, Michigan, the Hamburger gatething just dropped like this week, and

(33:13):
that was from twenty twenty during COVID. So you know, these things take
time. And everybody's like they wantinstant justice and instant executions, but you
know, the NCAA has got tobe thorough and and honestly, some of
this information takes time to get andI think that they're gonna be smashed.
And again I say it, I'vesaid it a billion times on my show,

(33:34):
Like every single coach left the Strengthcoach. I mean, Joe Harbaugh
pillaged the entire scham Becker Hall ofevery coach that he could get except for
Shanmore, you know, and theguys that he didn't want. So he
didn't want Mike Hart obviously because MikeHart's a head case. And then his
son, Jay Harbaugh went to Seattlewith MacDonald, who was there you know,

(33:57):
two years ago, but I orthree years go, excuse me,
So I I think that they knowwhat's coming. I think it's gonna be
hard to recruit up there. Youknow again, they're getting kids to commit
right now, which is great.They got a good defensive player the other
day, But will it stick ifthey get hammered, which is what I'm
projecting. They're gonna get hammered worsethan we've seen just because of you know

(34:17):
again, they were cheating. USIntegrity, which is a company you guys
should google if you guys will assimulthis, like US Integrity is involved in
this thing. In US Integrity,they they're they're uh, they're hired by
every major gambling company, every majorleague as in like the NFL, the
NHL, Major League Baseball, theNBA to investigate fraudulent, fraudulent movement in

(34:43):
in gambling lines. You know again, Like we saw the NBA player recently
get get a lifetime DAN because hisfriend, you know, dropped eighty thousand
dollars at a casino on you knowhim like scoring under eight points and under
six assists and under four rebounds,and so that was like, yeah,
yeah, people, I guess,I mean, that's like a layup for

(35:04):
US Integrity. But they investigate allbatting patterns. They have access to all
of the online transactions. And youknow, their computers can pick up when
there's really suspicious activity on some randomevent or random game, or you know,
some acron versus bowling Green Tuesday nightgame all of a sudden gets a
million dollar wager on one side,Like that's gonna send up a big red
flag. So those guys are investigatingMichigan. Obviously there's rumors of potential gambling

(35:30):
going on inside of Chann Beckler Hall, which would be a no no.
So again, it's there's a lotof layers to this, and we have
probably we've probably seen twenty percent ofit compared to what the investigation has got
unveil. So I'm excited for it. I can't wait for it, and
it's gonna be on the best daysin Bucky Scoop history when it happens,

(35:52):
right right, You guys were thefirst ones to report on that in to
keep it going, and I almosthave secondhand embarrassment for the fan base up
there and for the Beat reporters justfor the simple fact of that they had

(36:14):
a lot of information that they saton and and it's wild to me that
that there was. And then beforepro Day he came up and we threw
that night before Pro Day and we'veI mean we've payed in touch. I
feel like pretty well, he's justan awesome human and even a better teammates.
If I could ask you quickly,what did you make of what he

(36:35):
was able to do after you sawhim and you played with him the year
before and he came on and didwhat he did his rookie year? What
did you make of what he wasable to do in his rookie season.
Man, I just to be honestwith you, it was no surprise to
me or anybody in that Ohio Statefacility. It's just we knew to do
a special and when he got thechance, got over the right people and
the right coaching staff. The dudesunbelievable. Brian Bearfield, Hey, kay,

(37:06):
welcome to Houston. Brian Bearfield,big sarch media for everybody just called
me Sage, as you could tellby the hats. So, Kate,
I don't want to take you backdown memory lane for just one second.
I just looked up some of yourstatus. So you were in high school.
You were running back one thousand andfour into seventy seven yards your senior
year, seventeen touchdowns, linebacker onehundred and sixty three tackles, four intercessions.

(37:28):
You broke your high school scoring recordin basketball overall athlete. Even when
you got to Ohio State, youdidn't really you were like a hybrid.
They didn't really know where to putyou until you ended up at tight end.
So I say all that to askyou what the Houston Texans are getting
an athlete who's willing to play anywhereand everywhere they need them. Correct,

(37:51):
one hundred percent. Yeah, that'sone hundred percent, hundred pcent correct,
no doubt about it. I'll dowhatever we got to do here to win
ball games. And I mean theygot awesome players, awesome coaching staff,
so just super super blessed here.How much did that? How much does
that background help you or help youto get through you know, college and
now I'll get you to where youare today. I think every day I've

(38:12):
been thrown in a million different directions, pool in a million different directions,
And to be honest with you,I mean nothing's ever gone like how it's
supposed to on pin the paper inmy life and my coaching career, so
I mean my playing career, excuseme, And it's just I think I'm
just I feel like I'm battle testedand I feel like I'm ready to go.
Thank you. Yeah cool, colYou're on mute any better? Katie

(38:45):
got me? Yeah, I gotyou now. Cole Thompson USA Today Texans
Wire, Congratulations are getting drafted.I just heard you kind of mentioned a
little bit about coaching. You're talkingabout your coaching career, not your playing
career. Do you want to getinto coaching afterwards when you're done playing football?
No, No, it's a lotof emotions going through my body right

(39:08):
now. So regardless, No,I'm not playing on getting coaching. I'm
playing on just playing as long asI can. Just a quick follow up,
and you look at a guy likeTamiko Ryans, who is a former
player that is very close to theleague, only has been out for about
seven years. What does it meanto be playing for somebody who's translated over
to this new side of things butalso understands what a player goes through on

(39:30):
the daily basis. I think thatmakes the biggest difference on the world.
And I think you can tell bythe way the players respect him and just
how and the job he's done inthe short time he's been there. I
mean, the dude's unbelievable. Heseems like an unbelievable person. I'm just
really really excited to be able toplay er Nathan Cody. Heyk Cody Davis

(39:51):
from Sports Illustrated. You and Imet at the NFL COMBA. By the
way, Yeah, I would liketo know, man, what are what
type of tidy are the Houston Texansgetting? Man, I'll tell you what
they're getting. Just a complete utilityplayer. Basically, I'm gonna do whatever
you asked me to do at onehundred percent h one hundred everything I got

(40:13):
every single time, and just I'mgoing to be the exact glue in the
locker room. I'm going to bea dude people can come to when things
go wrong. And I'm so excitedto help his team anyway I can.
Kim, Hey, Kate, It'sKim Davis with Chalk Talk. Congratulations on
getting drafted by the Texans. Kindof following up on what Cody, just

(40:34):
to ask you from your consation withCJ. I know he's spoken how you
have the staff, but what doyou know about this just from what you've
seen this offense? And although you'reyour utility player, what excites you most
about it? Other than obviously playingwith CJ. Man. I just think
one. I think Dalton Schultz isa great player. I've uh watched a
lot of his film growing up,and just even the last couple of years,

(40:57):
study a lot of what he does, especially on the Cowboys and now
just to be able to learn froma guy like that and take notes and
tips how he handles his life andeverything. It's gonna be awesome for right
now, in long term down theroad. And one quick follow up,
what do you know about the cityof Houston? Have you spending time here?
No? No, I trained inBrisco, Dallas for a little bit

(41:17):
for a couple of months, andthen that was really about it. Other
than that, I've never really beento Houston, but I mean, I'm
really excited to come. All right, thank you the media, you too,
Aaron, Hey, Kate. Whenit comes to blocking, some tight
ends embrace it. Some do itbecause it's part of the job. What's

(41:42):
your mentality for blocking? And Ihave a follow up, man, I
love blocking. I do. I'mgonna throw my face in the fire chance
I can get. I might notalways be pretty, but I promise you're
gonna get every ounce of power Igot. And the draft process as a
proven guy. Did you go ona lot of visits? Did you work

(42:02):
out privately? We're someones that youremember, and what kind of level of
activity did you have with Texan's Combinemeetings, et cetera. Yeah, thank
you, Yeah, we had.We had a formal at the combine.
Uh And I've always, like Isaid, always talked to CJ closely.
Uh So, just having that andthen just throughout the prots, we had
a couple of zoom calls here andthere, and other than that, I

(42:25):
mean I trained the state coach,Mick and coach at the trained coaches up
there with training, a group ofme, Tommy Iikenberg and Steel Chambers,
my roommates that we lived with inthe afternoon, and that was really about
it. We just trained and playball at that point. And the other
teams. Did you go on tripsthings like that? We took one local
visit to the Bengals. That wasit. We have time for a couple

(42:47):
more. Go ahead, sarge,Oh, Kate, I know that.
You know, we asked you alot of questions about playing with CJ.
But you've been scouted as a tightend, but it also be flanks out
to the wide receiver position. Beingat Ohio State for as long as you
were, what did you pick upfrom a lot of those great Ohio State
wide receivers they came through the timeyou were there. You just watch,

(43:12):
I mean, you watch those guysgo about how they handle releases, how
they handle their feet atop and theroutes and everything like I mean, for
me, I've never played it inmy life, so starting you literally started
from square one, absolute square one, So learning slowly with them, and
then I mean when you got thechance in the summers, I mean when
I was younger, you got thechance to go train with Garrett in the
summer and the sand and stuff like. You just try and take little bits

(43:34):
and pieces of what people have justapply it to your game the best you
can because not everybody's the same.So you just pieces together how you feel.
Cauldn't help you the most. Thankyou. We'll close with Cole Heate.
I know that your background is indefense from your time at Ohio State
that you translated over to the offensiveside to play tight end. What kind
of advantages are Houston's offense getting withyou being able to understand kind of coverage

(43:59):
it introdue to some folks are atthe head tables. Obviously you just heard
it from Pastor Sawmontago. Thank youagain, Pastor, and amen to the
Archie Girl of Mena. But nextto him our past President jip Stare to

(44:22):
my far left, you just heardfrom him a few minutes ago. Coach
Day more from the mass and Tizer. Let me correct myself, state champion
head coach. That guy's how youshould be in the pressed. Next to
Nate is his lovely wife Rebecca,and Nanda has signed on to speak to

(44:49):
us next year. She is goingto be one of our speakers. What
a great story. She works witha lot of underprivileged kids and also as
a track coach and wrote a book. So we've got a left stuff to
cover with Rebecca, so we're lookingforward to that. And then obviously our
speaker, mister Archieger. I wantto thank our sponsors as we have been

(45:15):
doing all season long. Liberty Forward, All Care, All Cares, Prime
Time, Help Plant, Wilkshire GolfCourse, the Mary and Motley Memorial will
find the scholarship and doctor Peter FergusonChiropractor. A couple of announcements the history

(45:39):
books that we give all of ourspeakers. We had a few left for
the season. They were ten bucks. They're going to be on sale for
five dollars. Will supplies last,so if you wanted to pick one up,
I'll bet you go in the backand get one of those as well.
There's loaded one lead right over.Don't forget. Next Monday is our

(46:05):
golf outing at Wilkshire, So ifyou've got a team to register, please
do that. See Bill Costello allthese and also we have I know there
was individuals that needed to be puton a team. So if you are
looking for a team to jump onSeamill and he can get you squared away.
Then following our dinner that evening righthere at Tozy, so we'll have

(46:29):
some great prizes and door prizes likeI said, and some things to give
away as well as a great mealprepared by the staff here a Tozy.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Residencyprogram rolls along. I've been mentioning this
every week, and this past weekwas Willie Rope and Willie has some fun

(46:53):
in town. I had a chanceto have dinner with Willie. But he's
he loves he loves candle Hi andI love to see that these Hall of
famers come back and enjoy themselves herein their second home. So I can
tell you firsthand that Willie was reallyexcited about it. And this week we
have Lynn Swan, so new Steelerfans keep an eye out for Lyn Swan.

(47:21):
Caps in Boston talk about this everyweek. Series is two to one,
Boston winning the last game here inCleveland they played tonight, so the
cass can bounce back to see whatthey can do send them back to Boston.
We've got some birthdays wanted to announce, and a couple of these were
given them me as I walked intoday. Tim Richard's birthday also, I

(47:49):
know he's back in the kitchen andworking his butt off. Mike Tosi's birthday
today as well. And this oneis special, this one here. Please
join me and welcoming. Is heback here? Okay? Club member Bill
Pilotti. Bill turns ninety nine nextTuesday, and you would know the Bill

(48:20):
is a World War Two veteran andfought in the Battle of the Balls,
So thank you. And then finally, June eighth is the National High School
Football Hall of Fame dinner or events. I guess if you call. It

(48:45):
is June eighth, and Archie isa member of that Hall of Fame as
well. So if you're interested andwant to go to that this year,
we've got some great new Chinese andc RJ for more information for tickets,
things like that about the event.So June eight we want to put on
your calendar. So again, noluncheon next week. This is our final

(49:08):
week of the luncheon, and thenwe will see you at the golf outing
and here at the dinner next Mondaynight. Brings me to our speaker today,
which we kind of changing it upa little bit. Talked to Archie
a couple weeks ago and he said, how about if we just sit down
and chat, and I thought thatwas a great idea. Let's talk,

(49:30):
shoot some questions to him. We'llopen it up to the floor and do
that. But before we do that, I almost forgot. We've got a
drawing. I can't believe you guysdidn't say that I would, but keep
that in mind. Three hundred andtwenty one dollars. It's our biggest one

(49:52):
in the year. Ozzie's got themoney back there. We're gonna have Archie
draw the ticket. Let's see yetany food. Next, I will put

(50:24):
in my glasses and never let meforget the nurs I messed up enough ones
seven seven, five six four seven, three hundred and twenty one dollars right
now, right here, three hundredI got three seventy five six four seven

(51:07):
foundations. Side. I put myglasses on while I read Archie's bio,
because just a really good stumm inhere, and I want to make sure
I get in correct. Then we'regonna invite Archie over. We're gonna have
a seat over Aaron, and we'regonna talks. This is too ironic.
Born at University Hospital nearly in theshadow of Ohio Stadium, Archie Griffin has

(51:34):
been a buck out of his wholelife. After serving for eleven years as
President and CEO of the Ohio StateAlumni Association, Archie stepped back in twenty
fifteen to a consultant role as asenior advisor in the Office of Advancement at
Ohio State. During his tenure leadingthe Ohio State University Alumni Association, Archie

(51:55):
later an expanded effort to embrace youngalumni and began initiatives focusing on career assistance
and establishing an office of Volunteer relations. Known to the world as the only
two time Heisman Trophy winner, Griffinis also one of a select group of
Buckeyes to be named a three timeAll American during his playing days from nineteen

(52:19):
seventy two to nineteen seventy five.A member of the National Football Foundation in
College Hall of Fame and current Boardof Director, Griffin is a member of
the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame andwas named All American Century Player by the
Tournament of Roses Association during the centennialcelebration of the Rose Bowl back in twenty

(52:40):
fourteen. Gryffin is one of twoplayers in NCAA history to start in four
Rose Bowls. Following his story careerOhio State, Archie graduated in nineteen seventy
six with a degree in industrial relations. He was a first round draft choice
of the Cincinnati Mangles, where heserved as co captain and played for seven

(53:02):
seasons. He returned to Ohio Statein nineteen eighty four and rose to become
Associate director of Athletics for sports beforetaking the leadership role with the Alumni Association.
Playing under the legendary coach Wody Hayes, Archie learned the life lesson of
paying forward in life, devoting acountless hours to philanthropic causes. At Ohio

(53:28):
State, Archie created the Archie GriffinScholarship Fund, which benefits Ohio State's Olympic
sports programs in the central Ohio community. The Archie and Bonelli Griffin Foundation Fund
helps develop sports, educational and travelprograms for youth as a aspire the next
generation to dream big. Archie hasthree children, Anthony, Andre and Adam,

(53:53):
as well as three grandchildren. Archieand his wife, Bodida split their
time now between Westerville and another homein Florida. Locally, Archie has been
inducted in the Ohio High School AthleticAssociation's Circle of Champions, which recognized as
former high school student athletes who havedemonstrated outstanding character and accomplishments on and off

(54:16):
the field. He was inducted intothe National Federation of State High School Association
of State High School Association Hall ofFame in nineteen ninety six. He was
also honored in many of twenty fifteento be the commencement speaker during his spring
graduation ceremonies at Ohio State. Archiewas recently selected as the number four all

(54:38):
time player in college football history byESPN. I want to know who the
other three of them? Legendary OhioState coach, this is a suppressive hearing.
Woody Hayes said famously of Archie Griffin. He's a better young man than

(54:59):
he is a football player, andI've seen a lot of great football players.
A sought after speaker and humanitarian,Archie serves on many boards and foundations.
He's a former director of Abercromery andFish. Archie serves as a director
of Vacovia Insurance Company, member ofthe board of directors for the Columbus Youth

(55:19):
Foundation, and a member of theboard of directors for Triple A Club Alignance.
Let's welcome two times Heisman Trophy winnerArchie Verver. Are you're ok.

(55:51):
I'm on me say this work.Thank you so much for that into quis
my father and father s Field.I'm sure the only ones who believe all
those nice Well, you know what, when I got that, I looked
at it and I said, youknow, I wouldn't cut it down a
little bit, but I thought,now don't need to, because we want

(56:15):
to hear all about Archie Griffin andthis is a great opportunity. And as
you can see a lot of scarlettandGray out there, aren't you a lot
of fans? And I thought thiswould be great. I know you mentioned
the why don't we just sit thereand chat? I've got some questions that
I want to ask you and letyou elaborate on as well. So the
first question is your family. It'sa storied American story really when you think

(56:37):
about it. Your parents grew upin West Virginia coal mining camps and before
moving north to really offer a betterlife for their kids. You were born
in Columbus at University Hospital, whichwas part of that bio. I mean
you had to look out and seethat horse you out there, and say
that's where I'm want to be.Well, I wish I could have looked

(56:59):
at at that time. Uh,not quite possible. Right. When you
think about your childhood, Uh,who were some of your greatest influences and
and help you stay on track?Well? You know what, Uh,
I guess I have to start athome. Uh, with the family.
You know, I I was veryimportant to come from a a a fairly

(57:20):
large family. I've got six brothersand one sister and Uh, my parents.
Uh, they were ins priority.I mean, uh my mother and
father. My father was one ofthe hardest work with the men that I
ever knew. I mean when youthink about it, Uh he worked three
jobs uh to support our family.And uh my mother was a homemaker and

(57:43):
uh she did a wonderful job withuh eight kids. And uh So when
you talk about people who were ininspiration, uh, my folks were in
inspiration to me. Uh As wewere growing up. They had priorities for
us, and the person one wasall of us, all of us to
always trusted God. Uh. Thesecond one for all of us to get
an education, college education, andthe third one was for all of us

(58:05):
to participate in sports. And theywanted us to trust God first because I
always said, the gods they couldtold me if he could help get in
any situation that you might find yourselfin, and I will hardly believe that.
And secondly, they wanted to havean education, college education, because
that was something they didn't get.I mean, they had a dream.
Their dream was for all eight oftheir kids to graduate from college. And
I'm very happy to say that thatwas a dream come true with them because

(58:25):
all of us did you graduate fromcollege, and my mother and father were
living. They were so very veryproud of that fact. Then their third
priority was for us to all participatein athletics. And they wanted to pristicip
faid athletics because they felt the athleticsand kind of round the first out.
It teaches you a lot of valuablelifelong lessons, things such as how the

(58:50):
will to win, copord pressure,get along in the team situation, and
all those things are very very importantto help you in life. Absolutely that
I mean that they were fun.But there were others. There were others.
I mean, I certainly think aboutmy coaches, coach AD's and my
high school coach Bob Steward who hgot less and sold just passed away about

(59:12):
a year ago crede as far asrun. But I when I when I
really think about UH people that madea difference, I think about a junior
high school guidance counselor. UH.His name was Oscar Giel. He was
a guidance counselor our student council.UH. He was the leader of our
student council and when I was inthe eighth grade ninth grade, our serve

(59:34):
as president of of of our studentcouncil, and I just remember one day
him sitting down with us and andtalking with us about, uh, some
things that he thought would help usin our lives. And what he talked
to us about was what he calledthe three d's, and three d's being
number one desire, number two dedication, and number three uh determination. And
I remember telling us that if we'dapply those three d's to anything that we

(59:58):
wanted to do, then we couldalways feel good of our subs because if
we use those three d's, andthat's us what we have done as we
have given a total commitments are youknow, setting goals for yourself, Dedication,
committing yourself to a little goals,and determination overcoming the obstacles to give
you away. Those three d's havebeen how I say, my secret sauce

(01:00:19):
for success, because I've used thosethree d's and just about everything I have
ever done in life. And Ilearned them from a junior high school dance
council by the name of the districthospital, you know. So those are
just some of the people that impactedme, Frank in a very very possible
way as I was coming up.Well, certainly has paid off for you.
You know, after your football dayswere over and you spent nineteen years

(01:00:42):
at in the athletic department in OhioState. At eleven out of those years
as the alumni association president, thatlevel was on top of that nineteen it's
right, and at thirty thirty venI came into a good away. It
was the year nine years to nineteenin the athletic department eleven more as as

(01:01:06):
our association president. What were someleadership lessons that he learned that he tried
to apply in the business group.Well, when you when you think about
leaderships, I'll think about the coachas in particular, but before I ever
do that, the golden group verybasic. I'll try a big things so
that the golden group do und ofothers as you wish they would do up

(01:01:31):
to you. To me, thatwas one of the greatest things you could
have as a leader, and allthat the meeting of the ships. Treating
people right, I said, Ican't think of a leadership lesson any better
than that. Treating people right,being empathetic, feeling what others feel.

(01:01:54):
I mean, that's that's a greatlesson to have you're in a leadership growth.
But I think the coach as andsome of the things that I I
learned from him. UH. Coacheswas a great leader. I mean,
and I think he was even abetter person than he was a coach.
Yeah, you know, I justthink that much him. But he was
a great leader. Uh. Hehad great leadership qualities, dedicated dedicated to

(01:02:17):
the house State University, dedicated UHto the game of college football, dedicated
to the coaches who worked for him, he had the players who played for
UH. He was a disciplinarian.He said, UH fair, reasonable rules
and regulation, and he would enforcethose rules of regulation. He was honest,
great leadership lesson. Can't think ofa person more honest and what he

(01:02:42):
ate is UH and UH the bestthing about the best thing about is the
fact that he cared about people.That's what made him such a great person.
I know people you know talk aboutthe incident that UH took him out
of the game, But I couldtell you as a guy that played UH
for coaches who UH loved coach as, that man cared about people. You

(01:03:07):
all know. UH the pay forwardturn. Uh, he really set that
pay forward turn on the map.I mean, he talked to us about
paying forward years and years before themovie Paying Forward came out or any of
uh signs that are on the housestays and then he talked about paying Forward,

(01:03:29):
y'all. I'll never forget. Heused to always on Thursday nights,
uh after practice. Uh it wasa light there of practice, he would
take us uh over the children's hospital. Uh. He had one of those
El Camino. You guys remember theEl Camino, uh uh account of it
wasn't a truck, but it wasuh a car that had a paropan back.
We jump in the back. Hetakes us down the children's hospital to

(01:03:51):
to talk with the kids uh thatwere the children's hospital, cause they loved
for the Hill State football players tocome down and and talk with He knew
that. And every Thursday he takea couple of us uh down uh Children's
hospital on the talking because he knewthat it would uh had a positive impact
on those kids and children positive.But he cared a great deal about people.

(01:04:11):
And you when you talk about leadership, you know, caring, being
dedicated, being honest, and certainlytreating people right a characteristics that you want
to give your leaders. I'm gonnatake you back to your first game and
then you talk about perseverance and overcomingobstacles and things like that. It didn't

(01:04:34):
start off too good for him.You wanna share that story. Uh,
well, it didn't start off toogood. Uh Uh my my first year
to Ohio State when I when I'vebeen recruited, uh about how statement though
a lot of people told me thatI should go to a house steep.
They said, uh that I wastoo small. They said that, uh,
you know, the coach age wasonly recruiting me so that U uh

(01:04:57):
team up north Uh wouldn't get Hesaid it down. You know, you'll
never played for Ohio State because youknow you're You're just not big enough.
Coaches only had those big backs wellover two hundred pounds. He was a
fullback orient and coach. And thenI should go to a smaller school where
I'd get a chance to play wellbeing an athlete, you know, I
I I felt I knew my abillion where than anyone else. I took

(01:05:19):
it as a challenge, uh togo to Hold State. And I remember
when I reported the camp in thesummer of nineteen seventy two. Now,
some of you might remember that nineteenseventy two was the uh uh very first
year that they UH that they allowedfreshmen to play on marshity teams in the
current areas. That was the veryfirst year. And you might remember that

(01:05:41):
if there were those plane crashes,certainly at Marshall and the Wichita State had
plane crashes, and and Marshall UHthey wanted to continue UH their football program,
but they couldn't do it without freshmenplaying. So the NCAA they opened
up freshmen, being helpful for everyabout it. And so that was the
very first year that the freshman worldwho played well with that big the case.

(01:06:03):
My number one goal was to makethe varsity team because I wanted to
prove to everybody who said that Icouldn't play at a house state. I
wanted to prove to him that Icould play at a house state. I'll
never forget when I reported the campin nineteen seventy two, I was put
in the back and put in theback. Been playing on the fifth team
and playing on the fifteen ben playingon the Scott squad, and I think

(01:06:23):
something, you know what that is? That's more or less the beat squad.
I mean, we were the guysthat took the beat. And every
day in practice from the first teamis our job was to run the opposing
teams played while the first team defensegot their practice off the Plus you talking
about discouraging, that was really discouragingbecause for some trange reason, that first
team defense seemed to know what playswe were running and when we were running.

(01:06:43):
So as a running back you couldn'tgain any yardage at all against that
first team. Well, that year, our first game was a home game
and it was against the University ofIowa. Because it was a home game,
Coach Hayes he allowed everybody to advestbecause he un believe that if you
practice for Hiose State, then youshould be identified at the Ohio State.
University of uniform had a home game. I was really happy about that because

(01:07:08):
that would at least showed the oddspart of the team, you know,
even though I was on the fifteenat tail back. And then even though
that you know, there were threenumber forty five out on the field that
day. Well, in the nineteenfour UH coach as nine. Before every
game he took all the varsity,all over the varsity, which was about

(01:07:30):
UH sixty four players, he tookthem away to a hotel with his freshman
of reserves. UH we stayed inthe dormitory. We met up at the
varsity did a game with the statedthat game against I was started and we're
being now were pretty bad, andin the fourth quarter, with a couple
of minutes to go in the game, coach A decided to give a few
friends and an opportunity to play.And I was one of those freshmen.
And now I can remember him callingoff the bench to go into the game,

(01:07:51):
and I remember outsided. I wasbecause this was my big chance and
I could get in the game,run for a touchdown, and maybe he'd
just make a big play. Hemight put me on that varsity team.
And again that was my goal.I wanted to be a part of farsity.
I wanna show everybody who said thatI couldn't play the house that I
wanna show me and I couln't playa house team. Well, I went
into the game, got into thehuddle, and to my surprise, the

(01:08:13):
first player that was called was aneighteen sweet. Now in eighteen sweet was
a pitch out to me going aroundthe right side, I mean, great
opportunity. We broke a huddle,lined up in the eye formation. The
quarterbacks started to call the signals andand as he started calling the signals,
I got the thing. I said, you know, I'm wondering balls,
said line, It's gonna open upthe same type of coal for me as
they've opened up for other running backsto around, because all day long they

(01:08:35):
have to make me big, hugegoal probably running backs to around. So
sion was one of the thing todo. The same thing for me for
the ball was snaps. And assoon as the ball was snapped, I
did something that was fundamentally wrong tosee when you're running back or a tailback
that you're gonna get a pitch out. One of the fundamental things that you
talked from day one, coach withwhat right you gotta look the ball into

(01:08:56):
your hand. You gotta watch theball come from the four backs hands into
your own hands. But when theball was after, the first thing that
I did is I focused my attentionfrom the hole which I was gonna run
through. And when I was lookingtowards that hole, I was shocked because
there's guys that opened up a holebig enough you could drive me trump.
Throwing me in the hole was justthat being so instead you turn it back
towards the quarterback and watching the ballcome into my hand. I kept my

(01:09:18):
eyes on that hole because I wantto make sure it didn't go anywhere men.
With my eyes on to hold thequarterback Frisch the ball through. The
ball hit me in the hands andI hung him. And that's just one
thing you don't do when you playwith coach. Had you not from me
now, as you can imagine,I was disappointed. He took me out
of the game and I watched therest of the game, which was not

(01:09:41):
much less from the bench, veryvery disappointed. I'll never forget going home
that night, my father said somesomething was wrong with me. He asked
me about I told him, ISaidaddy, you know, I don't know,
but I'll get another chance, youknow, bigness to the team to
jail back being on the scout squad, I I don't know the just having
fumbled, I don't know when I'llget another chance. This year. For

(01:10:03):
my father, like he always woulddo, is he gave me a courage
and he said, hey, ifthey didn't think you could play, they
wouldn't been year in the game.And I struck a quarter with me.
He might have something there. ButI went back to practice that next week.
I was still on the fifth team, still on the scout squad,
still taking that meeting every day forthe first teamers. Our next game was

(01:10:25):
against the University of North Carolina,and it was also a home game.
And again because it was a homegame, everybody was allowed to dress now.
Before the game, Coach d tookthe varsity away to the hotel with
Scratchman Reserve stayed in Dovatory, metup with the varsity day the game of
the stadium game against North Carolina startedfirst quarter. North Carolina blocked the count
of arms and they went ahead ofUS seven to other and all of a

(01:10:47):
sudden midway through the first quarter,called from the bench called Ben, kept
calling benmon I knowing didn't mean megoing game, so they kept calling Brill.
I was the only River on ateam at the time. So I
got up and went to run outonto the field. And when I went
to run out onto the field,one of my teammates called me back because
in all the excitement, I hadforgotten to take my helmet with us leave

(01:11:12):
not to leave the coach Hayes meantfor me to go into the game.
After all, I had fumbed upthe week before. I was feeling team
tailback. I was on the scoutssquad. How could they meant for me
to go into the game. Itwas truly a mystery to me. All
I could tell you is if Iwent into the game, and I'll be
totally honest with you, I wasin a daze the whole time. And
all I know is that my numberwas being called and I was running with

(01:11:33):
the ball. And I'll never forgetwhen I left that game after playing about
two and a half quarters. WhenI left that game, the eighty six
thousand fans that went to my housestadium, they stood up that day,
gave me a standing ovation. Andthey did that because those two and a
half quarters I brushed two hundred andthirty nine yards. It was at that
time I was at that time thatwas the high State rushing record. Now,

(01:11:59):
I just never ever covered get thatcock counted as a here. I
really knew because the night before thatgame, when our prayed it is up
every night, I asked to goto the book, give me a chance
to play in that game. Andwhen he give me a chance to play,
help me play to the best ofmy ability. He did that for
me. Soul bared buried, forI had a lot of exciting games,

(01:12:20):
and I'll fay, but that thatabout doubt, was the most excited.
What happened to happen in my prayerof the year. Well it certainly fuelled
you, I know, because it'snow been fifty years since you won that
Heisman trophy, the first one.Yeah, and what what do you remember
about that night at the ceremony.Well, it's different now than it was

(01:12:47):
when I was when I wanted I'llnever get it. They called the Athletic
department on the Monday after the Mondayafter week that team of Loyd. They
they they called the Athletic Department andtold them, uh that I needed to
be in New York. Uh.They were gonna make an announcement of uh

(01:13:09):
the hide and Controphy winner. Uh. There would be two or three others
uh there, but they were gonnamake the announcement of who want to hide
in control? So I was allexcited uh to go to New York.
On Tuesday. Uh got on theplane. Uh they had an escort beating
me in Columbus and and UH escortme uh to uh New York. And

(01:13:30):
I got there and I was theonly one there. So they made the
announcement that I won the Hide controluh huh, and uh I was excited
certainly. Uh. You know Iplayed on the great teams at House taking
that uh team was one of themthat nineteen seventy fourteen. Uh. But
certainly I was excited because you knowwhen we went a hide in the trophy.

(01:13:50):
As far as I concern, uh, that's a team award because you
don't win that kind of a wolfgot a half people helping you how to
great heap and I certainly had thatduring my time at Ohio State. Well,
they made it announced that the thatday and then uh the next week,

(01:14:10):
Uh, my whole family got theopportunity to come to New York and
they had the big uh dinner andthat was very very special. I got
really emotional because uh looking out tothe audience and seeing my whole family and
my mother's father, uh, mybrothers and sister, I mean everybody.
Uh itj I got overtaken by emotionbecause that was an awesome time for me.

(01:14:34):
But the next year, they triedto pull that same thing right.
They told me they knew I knewthe drill, so I happened to be
uh uh going to Saint Clairsville,Ohio, on that that Monday after the
Michigan game in nineteen seventy five,and so the sports information director told me

(01:14:57):
that, UH, on my way, I needed to call in to see
if the Downtown Athletic Club in NewYork called to tell me to come uh
to New York. Well, onmy way to Saint Clairsville, I I
stopped at a filling station and goton a pay phone and call back to

(01:15:17):
the Athletic Department and UH, Ithink it was Steve Staffords, the assistant
uh SID at the time. Hetold me that uh Downtown Athletic Club called
and said, UH that they knewthat I knew Adrio and that I had
won the Hide control, but Ican't tell anybody. So I had to
wait till the next day to goto New York and they announced UH that

(01:15:42):
I had won the second Hide theTroll, and I tried to honor their
request. I have to tell you, I did the best. My mother,
my girlfriend, and my teammate foundout that night. They didn't tell
anybody. No, I don't knowanybody. But yeah, it's quite different
now you all know that it's ait's a big, huge, ceremony.

(01:16:04):
It's a TV show up on theESPN. It's a it's a great time
for everybody, bring a lot ofthe former player, former winners back.
But it was quite a bit differentback in the nineteen I bet that gas
station wishes they knew that you receiveda word in their gas station that you

(01:16:24):
won the Heisman tropa you mentioned.You know, it's changed. That has
changed in the game of football,has changed as far as N I L
and the transfer portal and all thisstuff that's that's happening in the last few
years. Your thoughts on that,is it good for college football or what
are your thoughts? Well, it'sour college spas in general. It's it's

(01:16:49):
good, but very good and alittle bit of bad. Yeah, let's
see, it's good because when whenwhen you you you think n I L.
Let's talking about it I L.You talk about an IL. I
mean people could see that coming.I mean that, yeah, everybody,
uh could see that company. Whenyou start seeing billions and billions of dollars

(01:17:09):
being paid uh uh to the collegecoaches, you just hadn't know that.
Uh, something's gotta be given uhto the young people uh playing the game.
So you you you could see thatcoming. Now it didn't come the
way that I thought it would coming. I mean I I I I I
I. I think they have toget some more regard to reels around in

(01:17:32):
il and how it's done. Youknow, I when I thought of an
il us, I used to thinkof nil as uh. You know,
you you go to college on yourscholarship, Uh, you do well and
maybe uh uh a car viewership mightwant you to do a commercial form.

(01:17:53):
You do that commersional, you getpaid for. That was in il the
the way uh that I saw.Or if somebody wanted you to do uh
a company wanted you to come inand do a speaking game for them,
you do, just speak and gaveit. You get paid for us And
to me, that's what an Iowas. Well, it's gone far beyond
that now. You know you haveto deal with uh uh nil money uh

(01:18:18):
when you when you recruit people you'renot supposed to with you. But when
when when people are being recruited,I mean now I even hear stories that
uh some people are even asked uhask'em when to come to universities to
pay them uh like five thousand dollarsto come make visits and things of that
sort. That's not how I'm avisioned U in IL. So they need
to get some guard grails around it. But it's a good thing. It's

(01:18:40):
a good thing that they have uh. And IM it's a good thing that
uh players or athletes are getting uhthe opportunity uh to make uh some money
uh off of uh what they're doing. H. I think that's a good
thing. I've always been a proponentuh for that. Uh. But at
the same time, they've got toget some guard gels around. I know
the NCAA just recently uh pass therules where the schools can get involved and

(01:19:04):
and helping kids within IL. Youknows, they can use their marketing partners
uh to help the kids get thatin IL. That what's good. It's
a good thing. But I've alwaysfelt that the schools shouldn't be involved anyway,
because I look at in IL assomething that if the schools had control
of it would be uh in arefter situation. You wouldn't have to deal

(01:19:27):
with the agents and all that stuffthat's uh getting involved in. Yeah.
And when transfer portal is another Yeah, there are transfer importal I'll tell you
it's uh, it's crazy and it. It works for something. I mean
there's been some people that's gone throughthat transfer portal and they've done a great
job. It's worked down and win. But what people don't know about are

(01:19:48):
those that get stuck in the portal. I mean I think I think Geene
Smith was telling me that, uhthere were or if it was last year
or the year before, but uh, there were like thirty five hundred people
went into the the portal. Thousanddidn't come out before. So you know,
hit works bore waves. Yeah,so you've got to be a very

(01:20:10):
big character how you handled uh whosesituations? So you know, it's uh
it works for something. I meanI I think of you know, people
like go work who who went inand got the LSU and and hit terrific
things. Uh, I mean thepeople like that, those are the ones
that you hear about, but youdon't hear about the ones that get stuck

(01:20:31):
in that portal. So, uh, again, very good. There's a
movement bad and keeping with change incollege football. As a big ten guy,
you know the landscape with a bigtennis change. We've got USC,
Oregon, Washington, who else?Uh you said, Allan, you seem

(01:20:54):
all coming uh into the Big Ten. W what do you make of that?
I can see that coming too,you know when you when you you
when you see uh the SEC andthose teams I go on the tea.
You knew that the Big Ten wewas gonna have an answer for that,
and they answered be it. Fora long time, the Big Ten had

(01:21:15):
been talking about uh being a conferenceuh that goes from coast to coast and
uh, now if you look atit, uh huh this year it will
be a conference from coast to coast, from the east coast to the west
coast. And uh, you know, I think it's exciting. I know
what do you age is probably rollingover in his grave and on in Uh
UCLA and USC are playing in theBig Ten. Uh, but uh yeah,

(01:21:41):
I I I think it's uh gonnabe exciting uh to watch. I
can't wait to see USC Ucla comeand play us in November. And you
know that that's that's That's what I'mreported to. So now you know it
it it, it's it's gonna bean It's gonna be answer you but you
y I it it's gonna end upwith, in my opinion, a couple

(01:22:02):
of super conferences. Uh. Youknow, we we just get into eighteen
eighteen. Uh so I can seethe big thing to add another couple and
super seed the SEC added some more. Uh huh, it's it's gonna happen
have super conference. You you mentionedWoody. I wanna go back to uh
the first time you met Woody Hayes. Uh I. I've heard this from

(01:22:25):
a few people that I've known overthe years that when Woody came to the
house a lot of times he didn'ttalk football and h called football all yeah,
and and tell us about when hecame to your house. Well,
first, first, you know,he moved to salesman. Oh man,
he he he can't him in thehouse, and he's got the parents there.
That's who he selling. You know, you just sit there. It's

(01:22:47):
that the parents and uh but thething about about coach is that, uh
he he really didn't say anything aboutfootball at all. Matter of fact,
it was so much that uh,I thought, well, maybe he doesn't
want me to play football for me. You know, all you talking about
was an education and how impol itwas for uh media get a good education,

(01:23:10):
and uh you know so again II I wasn't so sure that if
you didn't wanted me to play football, but he continued to recruit me.
So you know, I I choseto go at the state and I'm glad
that I did because I'll never forget. And the first meeting that we attended
as freshly, uh, the firstthing that they told all of us was
if we were in school for anythingelse other than to get a good education,

(01:23:30):
and you might as well get uphis Ea the meeting, he had
the same and stuff. But youalways said that an athlete without an education
could be headed for a bad situation. And when you think about that,
that's so very true because well youyou think about the number of athletes that
played the game of football, Imean it's it's huge. You know,
over sixty thousand athletes UH played thegame uh coming out of uh uh high

(01:23:57):
school, coming out of college.And when you think of the number that
make it in the pros, youknow, it's not any comparison because you've
got thirty two Pro team, yougot seven round the drag. That's two
hundred and twenty four people, twohundred twenty four und sixty seventy thousand.
It's not very good. Algy Andwhen the coach as always tried to make

(01:24:18):
the hospital and that you had tohave something else to fall back on.
And that fall back position that heconstantly referred to that he drilled in the
huss was that you had to havean education. You had to have something
you know, you got a fallbackposition was always your education and you know,
making good the be able to outfor the famish. I know,

(01:24:40):
this is my last question for you, and now we're gonna open it up
with a couple of orphans. Alright, I always wondered, and you know,
I'm watching your career. You know, you started off with a with
a bed fumble and and things likethat, but you had such an incredible
career after that. And you've playedagainst some really good teams, uh,
in the rose balls and and throughoutthe the regular season. I mean,

(01:25:02):
the team up north had some prettygood team, so they did, and
and there were some other teams.IOWA back then was good, and there
were some other teams. Who wasthe toughest guy you ever played against?
Toughest guy playing the kids. Alot of tough guys, A lot of
really really tough guys. You know, I I I i'll I'll go to

(01:25:24):
about a pro career. UH.One of the guys. Uh that uh
was really really tough to hit methe hardest. Well, you remember,
guys, remember Hollywood Henderson. Ohyeah, yeah, I had something time
hit me so hard, hollering.Man. I believe Kenny Anderson was thrownpia
o running the past, but Iwas the least man on pass playing.

(01:25:47):
I was going out to side KennyAnderson, football up in the air.
It just like it seemed like ittook forever from now, and when it
came down, I thought it.Hollywood Henderson hit be so hard, I
mean out of him. He untilthe next day, I say, he
ain't hit me so hard, andI'll never forget that. And then I

(01:26:08):
was reading his book and he talkedabout that hit. That's how hard.
He hit it hard enough, buthe wanna talk about him and his book.
He said, I hit art scriptso hard. I knocked vocal hiding
ties off this guy. I meanhe and he did. He did.
He didn't be hard. Uh.But the other guys, I mean,

(01:26:29):
you know, I heard you mentionedsome of the Pittsburgh Steelers and and you
know it Pro Football Hall of Fame, A lot of Fitzburgh Steelers or in
the Hall of Fame, and oneof'em. Jack Lambert, I mean
he he he was one of thoseguys, Jack Lambert, uh and and
and and not necessarily as the hardesthitter, but he was the surest tip.

(01:26:50):
I mean you could never get awayfrom him. Jack and I just
never forget how how he's uh usedto uh uh when when? When when
first played a game on offense?I'll never forget. Line up in our
information looking across the line of spiritsat Jack Lambery. Now this first played

(01:27:11):
the game? Can't just started right? Jack Lambert had the blood all over
his uniform? Where did that cometo? First playing the game? What
did you do in the liner room? And never play? He had blow
up all all over again. He'sjust unbelievable. But he was a very

(01:27:32):
short tackler. Uh Dinna loved playingagainst uh I. I I liked it
cause I actually knew a little bitabout him because he played its. Played
with my brother Darrol at Kent Statons, so I had an opportunity to watch
him play uh even when I wasUH in high school little bit and uh
and and always paid my potential inthe college because he was on the same

(01:27:55):
teams as one of my brothers.Well, I know these folks have some
question since we're gonna open it upto the floor before Archie has to leave
here, So go ahead, arn'tyou. Yes, sir, the thousand
you mentioned that went into the portal, do they have any choices? Well,
they can ask their team to letthem back in, or they could,

(01:28:16):
you know, try to go toanother team, try to get accepted
on another team. But you know, you go into that portal, sometimes
you can get lost in that portal. I mean, the team that you
left don't have to take you back. So that's that's what I'm saying.
I mean, it's one of thosesituations where you know, you can go
in that portal, hopefully you'll comeout, but you might not come out,

(01:28:39):
and you hope you got the otheropportunities out there for you to take.
And most of the time what willhappen is they'll go to uh maybe
a lesser division of some sort.But yeah, I mean, it's it's
it's not just one way thing.You don't go in and out of mat
and get picked up by somebody.Yes, tell us Cornelius green story story.

(01:29:03):
Yeah, well you all might rememberCornelia's Green was pretty long being going
into my sixth year. I kindof know the lay of the land and
everything and anything that I can doto help them become acclimated and be a
part of our team, and wetry to do that. So obviously I
don't know, they don't ask me, and uh, but my job is

(01:29:25):
when they get here to kind ofhelp bring them along as much as I
can, because you know, we'llgo as far as the quarterback goes.
Good to see you too, nolonger here. Yeah, what was that
like that going in? Yeah,we were we were training. We trained

(01:29:51):
at Bambritos together, so I gotto see him for the most part of
the off season, and first ofall, I was happy for him.
Obviously, we know that this isa business and you have to do what's
best for his career and his futureas well. So you know, obviously
he has familiarity with Joe Brady hadone of his best seasons with them,
so you know, I think he'sgonna be a big part of their offense

(01:30:11):
and continue to grow as a receiver. You know, it's a lost for
our room because he's a dynamic playmaker. He can play inside and out and
just his energy. Man, Ithink he really became one of the favorite
teammates on the team because he keptthings light, but he also was a
really hard worker and and uh madeplays when we need him to. So
on a personal standpoint, I'm definitelygonna you know, miss him having him

(01:30:32):
in the building, and he's kindof like the guy you I get to
talk to and he's like my bestfriend. But on the other hand,
I get to see him, youknow, continue to take steps in his
career. Uh, he's still veryyoung, so he has a lot of
good football ahead of him. Literallyoff and be different for the offense.

(01:30:55):
And yeah, yeah, we haven'thonestly even started an install yet, so
I haven't even got a lay ofthe land quite yet. I'll probably take
a look at just got our Ipass within the last few days, so
I'll try to take a sneak peekat what we have looking for. But
you know, I know with himtalking to zach Ertz, he does a
great job of trying to get hisplaymakers involved, which I think we have
a really good group of guys fromthe running backs to receivers and some solid

(01:31:19):
tight ends as well. So I'mjust looking forward to see where I fit
into that. And you know,I think with him, his biggest things
is making sure the playmakers are makingplays and trying to fit the scheme around
that, which is always good tohear, good to see too. This
is what your offense? Yeah,yeah, it's definitely, you know,

(01:31:48):
an adjustment obviously when you're learning anew offense. And it's kind of the
same mentality I take into last yearin years past, where you kind of
just want to take a day oneapproach, kind of erase what you've learned
in the past. But at theend of the day, I think,
uh, you know, schemes inthe NFL are relatively similar. Is just
the names and the formations that maybe a little different. So just getting

(01:32:11):
used to the terminology and Cliff's offenseis just going to be something that's an
adjustment for all of us. Butthe good thing about it is I got
some good time on my hands toreally put some work in studying when I
leave this place, so I couldcome in here when we have walkthroughs and
when we start to put our helmetson, we can really hit the ground
running. So so far it's wehaven't learned anything yet, But my approach

(01:32:32):
is the same, try to takegood notes in there, ask good questions
and then study on my own atnight. I know you like the yeah,
yeah, I think I got somereally good work down in Florida.
Is just working on my footwork,just betting better at the top of my

(01:32:54):
routes, sharper on my speed cuts, dig routes, out routes, and
just being cleaner with my footwork atthe top of the routes. I think,
you know, with a little bitof zone covers that we've seen in
the past with some teams kind ofrunning more too hot show, you're gonna
get a little bit more of catchtechnique where guys are kind of sitting at
the top of your route. SoI want to be better at being efficient

(01:33:15):
to getting out of those routes whenthe guy's kind of sitting at my depth,
whether it's a fifteen yard comeback ora twelve yard crowl route, you
know, being able to get outefficiently so I can keep create and keep
the separation within my route. Soobviously I'm always still working on my ball
skills and making sure I'm just catchinga lot of footballs in the off season,
but just really being better at thetop of the routes, and you

(01:33:39):
know, Sharper out of my cutsis something that I think I can improve
on. Good to see you too. You know, you're obviously one of
the leaders of this team and teamcaptain, and with so many new faces,
new players locker room, what isthe challenge you're going to have and
the other leaders in that locker roomblend everything together because there's so many new

(01:34:00):
and different personalities. Yeah, Ithink I think that's really started with coach
Quinn in the way he's really integratedeverybody over the first two days. I
think we haven't even gotten into x'sand oo's quite yet. We've just really
begin to know one another. Gettingout there with Chad and the strength coaches
and getting some good workouts in justkind of creating a foster in an environment
where everybody's the same and continuing tohave a competitive environment. I think that

(01:34:26):
brings out the best in one another. And obviously, you know, you
have guys like Zach Ertz who's playeda lot of football and won a championship,
Marcus Marriota, obviously, Bobby Wagner, who's a future Hall of Famer.
So you got some guys who havebeen brought in here who know what
it's supposed to look like at thislevel, and for myself, I just
want to continue to add my valueand be even more vocal this year than
I have in the past. Especiallywith possibly a new quarterback come in.

(01:34:48):
I think that can really help ouroffense. Have you know, some more
unity with the guys who know whatit looks like, helping bringing those guys,
the younger guys along to watch.He didn't want to use the word
rebuild. Yeah, changes going onwith franchise, all the new changes and

(01:35:11):
new coaching staff, all the newplayers. Is there a certain word use
everything? Honestly, I just thinkof it as a as a new year.
Just talking to Sam Cosmy, Uh, we've been here for a few
years, so it's a lot ofnew faces. I think, you know,
this is probably the most I wouldsay turnover we've had in the last
few years. So there's guys comingfrom all different areas, walks of life,

(01:35:34):
and but I think the one thingis the same. They're all coming
in looking for an opportunity to compete, take another step in their careers and
prove that they're one of the bestplayers at the position. And I think
coach Quinn has emphasized that we're gonnahave the opportunity to prove ourselves. Whether
you're a ten year vet or asecond year player, you know, this

(01:35:55):
is a clean slate for everybody.So I think it's just about getting on
the same page, enjoying coming inhere and working together, and also just
pushing each other in these workouts,and then when we start getting on the
field, uh, really get thatcompetition going. Try to simulate as we
go along in this off season processof how the games are going to be.

(01:36:17):
Hey, how are you doing?Good to see you too, and
look, yeah, I think coachQuinn has really assemble assembled a very unique

(01:36:38):
group of coaches. There's multiple headcoaches, there's multiple quarter uh coordinators that
come from different places, and soyou have guys who have a lot of
football experience, some have played,some have coached in big games. And
then you bring in, you know, the the talent that we have defensively
and offensively, and I just thinkyou can feel the unity and the same

(01:37:00):
this in in the message that he'strying to preach to our team, and
it's we're gonna be tough and we'regoing to be competitive, but we're also
going to have fun. And helike I think he said in Your Guys'
interview, he said he likes todo, you know, hardship with good
people. So I think that's fun. You know, a guy like me
likes to put my nose down andgrind and work. So I know him

(01:37:21):
and I are going to continue tohit it off, and you know it's
just my job to help bring otherguys along with me. Thank you more
to your next step as a vocalleader. Yeah, what does that mean
to you? I think for me, I I've grown a lot in my

(01:37:43):
vocal leadership. I think I tryto always find the balance of when to
say something, when not to saysomething. I think I never want I've
always wanted to be a person whenI say something that means something like you
don't want to be You're giving allthe motivational speeches, but you're not backing
up with your play, or you'reyou're talking so much you kind of your
message is drowned out. And soit's kind of continued to find that balance

(01:38:03):
of when to say things and whento kind of just take a step back.
But I think I've I've gotten areally good feel of how to do
that. I think obviously with anew coaching staff, you just try to
understand what they how they want thingsdone, and you try to, you
know, bring what you do wellinto that and you also try to encourage
the guys who haven't taken those stepsin their career to do that as well.

(01:38:26):
So I think for me, it'sjust really starting in my position group.
I think we have still a veryyoung group, kind of inexperience for
the most part, but I thinkwe have a lot of talent in there,
and it's just my job, inBobby's job, and to continue to
bring that group up being part ofthis program and you know, just contribute
as much as I can. Whatwas the major point for you to decide

(01:38:50):
as the rams? You know,I had some familiarity with Stafford, you
know, I had him my rookieyear, and you know, I've seen
the pieces to the puzzle and theability to you know, possibly make it
all the way and I definitely wantedto be a part of something like that.
Thank you. Got Hi, Jena, Welcome to Los Angeles. I'm

(01:39:13):
Jordan with the athletic congratulations. Thankyou Jordan, and so we respect the
watch placement here on the deck.I'm actually a lefty though, so I
got it on the wrong one,but I'm kind of ambidex or so we
can forgive it. I just wantedto get your a little bit deeper takeaways
of what you make of the personnelalong this offensive front shoring up Kevin Dotson

(01:39:38):
on the opposite side of you atguard and then Steve bobbyla probably moving to
center. Your impressions of those guys. I know you haven't you know,
been down on the ground for thatlong, but just from afar, what
you make of those guys and RobHans Sin and Alerc Jackson on the outsides.
Yeah, I mean we've had somecross take through the season, so
I was able to see like thework that they do, and you know,

(01:40:00):
that's a powerful bunch. I cameout the same year as Dots and
so I had some familiarity with himthrough college, and uh, you know,
watching him, Steven Alaric and Rob, you know that's a that's a
good group, kind of similar towhat we have in Detroit, and you
know there's there's some specialness there.So I'm excited to be a part of
it. You know, Sean McVayhas praised a lot of the run game

(01:40:23):
that you guys deployed and particularly kindof getting a little bit more to the
duo, the man blocking and thegap stuff, as as a lot of
teams shift, we're still on theoutside stuff. Is there when you watch
that cross tape? Is there acrossover in your mind of things that you're
already comfortable with that the Rams lastyear started really installing and deploying behind some

(01:40:44):
of these new personnel. Oh yeah, I mean the gap scheme and the
duo just in general is probably ourbread and butter and Detroit and Glad I
said bread and butter over here,so you know this is it's not going
to be too hard of a transition. And you know things like that are
right up my alley. And thenfinally, you know Matthew Stafford. I

(01:41:05):
know you had familiarity with him yourrookie year, but watching from afar what
he was able to do in lA and you know we saw him kind
of get back to help being healthylast year. As someone who is going
to be protecting him, how doyou describe him? How would you describe
what he's good at and what youneeded to do to protect him. I
mean he's in Detroit. We calledhim the Wizard. You know, he

(01:41:28):
can figure it all out and hecan make anything happen, and you know,
I'm excited to be able to protecthim and you know, let him
make us look good and make playshappen. Thanks John, I congratulations,
Thank you. Adam. Hey Joe, I'm Adam a Orche County Register.
Congratulations. Thanks Adam, appreciate it. Yeah, I'm curious kind of the

(01:41:53):
process. It's like, you know, you agree, it turns out two
hours into free agency, what arethose two hours that look like career?
You talking to you talk to anyonewith the range personally, it's like,
just what do those hours look like? You? Actually, me and my
wife you were just sitting at homeand like the I guess twelve o'clock hit
and we were like we thought itwas going to be like an idiot and

(01:42:14):
you know, mayhem, and kindof sat there for like forty five minutes
and my agent was calling me.It was like, what do you think
of Los Angeles? And I waslike, that doesn't sound too shabby.
And we talked about it, andyou know, it sounded like the right
move, good weather, good placeto be, good winning culture, great
staff, and you know, justeverything overall was just a plus. So

(01:42:35):
we couldn't deny that. I know, it's kind of the nature of the
business. What is it like,though, to make a decision like that,
by such a light altering decision likethat on such short notice. Yeah,
I mean it is. It ispretty crazy, you know, just
the amount of timing you have.But you know, you kind of have

(01:42:56):
a I don't know, I've beenon the outside looking in at this place
for a while, so I kindof had a general idea what's going on,
and a lot of familiarity within ourbuilding. Like Brad Holmes, you
know, he was from here,so I kind of got a feel of
the people that, you know,they they've been around and how they run
things. So I kind of gota good feel about how it would be
here. Thank you, Stu Theyjonas Stu Jackson from the Rims comedy Beneath

(01:43:25):
you man, my fellow Jackson brother. What's up? Man? Hey,
what's up? Listen? That youspent most of your football career, whether
it be you know, college orobviously the NFL now in the Midwest or
East coast, So now that you'rehere, what's like just being out here
and you know, being in southernCalifornia. Now I will say, the

(01:43:46):
weather is beautiful, you know,it's excellent and definitely going to miss the
East Coach. You know, I'veI've got a lot of roots there at
the Midwest, you know, I'vestarted a lot there, but nothing like
new beginnings and no better place tobe in here. And I guess what
did you notice about just this offensefrom Afar? I know Jordan asked you
about some of the specifics with schematiccarryover, but you know, beyond that,

(01:44:10):
beyond Matthew Stafford, what it wouldappeal to you about being a part
of this offense and being a partof this team, beyond those things.
Yeah, just I mean a lotof similarities on what we do. You
know, the gap scheme, playaction and you know, having to drop
back. You know, I'm comfortablein whatever we've had. I've had eight
this would be I think nine nownine different offensive coordinators since I started college.

(01:44:30):
So I'm comfortable in whatever. Itdoesn't really matter. But like I
said, the pieces to the puzzlewere, you know, incredible, whether
it's the wide receivers, the runningback, the QB, the old line,
the defense, you know, it'sit's a it's a pretty good team
over here. So I'm excited tobe a part of it. Thank you
so much. Appreciate it. Gary, Hi Jonah ge time theft Sarah,

(01:44:58):
Thank you Gary. I'm curious whatwas it like the part of uh you
know, alliances that enjoyed that urgelast season, And what, if anything,
are your memories of playing against theRams in that wild card game field?
Uh? Yeah, you know,being a part of something, uh,

(01:45:20):
you know and Detroit where for solong that the city was dying for
a winner and being able to bringit there and and you know, change
the trajectory of everything and and bringsome light to the situation. It was
awesome and there's nothing like it.But you know, when when you when
you face the l A Rams,you know they got they got a special
defense and you know up front theythey got the guys. You know.

(01:45:43):
So, Sair, will you talkabout the differences between left and right and
just I mean obviously it's different sizeof it, But is it schematically or
is it physically anything different? Uh? It's more mentally than anything though,

(01:46:06):
Like bass side was always my uhbest side back in Carge, but since
I got to IF, I've alwaysbeen playing right. But you know,
it's a it's a good challenge forme and I can show people I can
actually play right hand and left,so it's a versatility thing. So I'm
happy about it. There. Youmoved around a lot throughout your career that
there's jumbo side you'll tackle, Iguess in the sentence and playing both the

(01:46:28):
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 newsystem that we have, Like I been
finding my mindset most in the right, but also have my mind's out and
left too, just in case somethingdoes happening to like you know what I
mean, like Coltland or you know, Pete of course, but I'm always
gonna be ready for left no matterwhat. How quickly have you felt like

(01:46:50):
you picked up this new system thatyou're working in now? You know it's
a we actually pretty picked up prettywell, cause it's the same system that
I'm used to back in the hotstay cause were more like bread kind of
how I say. So, youknow, it's pretty good. It's it's
one of those like the draft processoff seasons, A lot of people outside
the buildings, you're paraders get theright time. Yeah, a lot of

(01:47:11):
yeah, alright now, But alot of people in the building were like,
we have the right time all weget? Do you multivated about that?
You follow it like if you pennaturedoing it, though I don't.
I read into it a little bit. But also the same time, like
they not here of course, butI don't really care what they say.
I know what I can do,and the team know what I can do.
So they trusted me right now andI'm not gonna live them right down.

(01:47:32):
How hard or how easy is thatto compartmentalize that if you use that
as fuel going forward rather than tokind of maritate it. Uh, I
I just keep them seats. Everybodyknows that one person I don't really care
for him. And also it's allgood for me, but it's all love.
I love uh outside of this.But you keep doing me, keep
it better, keep on these nights, doe what I can do there.

(01:47:54):
You've been a outspoken about your supportof Zamir, and obviously it's just a
chance now to be the dog.What is it about him that you bought
in so early? The reason whyI bought so earliest cause us I was
at a house state they always taughtus to actually go get it, and
ever since I got here, i'm'aalways wanna go get and like got picked
late, and I always wanna provepeople wrong. You know, I think

(01:48:16):
prove people wrong all my life.I wanna keep doing that, which I
guess poor. Just like we allplay like the set and you feel like
a community this year nine day difference, nine day difference from my first year
and my second year to now.Like now, my guy, I know
I can play. I know Ican go against one of the best,
specially with Max anybody else that wewant to play this year, and I

(01:48:40):
know what I can do. Soall I do now is actually meet my
potential and should do it and helpeverybody else out the team as well.
You've practiced a lot against Malcolm andhe's really come into his own. What
is it about Malcolm that's helped himmake that next step? There? Man,
Malcolm, He's quiet, he doesn'treally say too much. He comes
to the work every day really theUS, and he works hard. He

(01:49:00):
doesn't lilit twice at anything. Yeah, he'll get mad over a cop respose.
At the same time that like hehas a mentality 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 Tyrais too. Yougot that same mindset. He does have
the same mindset up a little nervous, but uh nah, he nah.

(01:49:26):
He has definitely grown a lot fromhis like first year ear to now like
he has, but he's he's growingup a lot mentally too. Until you
guys are reimagining the offensive line alittle bit with you out there right side,
yeuh uh, farm there next toyou on the on the side too,
and then drafting the guys on theline here. How exciting is that
to be part of something that's that'skind of being you know, having that

(01:49:47):
dross but also being reinvented a littlebit. That's great, you know,
But me and doing those like theygonna keep replacing us, of course,
But all the same time, wegotta keep going, you know, we
can't st we even think about whatthey did. All we gotta do is
think about what what can we doto be better in fourteen as well?
Sorry, don't put a lot onthem both sides, right, A little

(01:50:08):
bit more. How how long areyou guys working together? Working pretty well?
You know, you guess say forus, we had like a a
little rooking moment a little bit,but you know, me and him,
that's been great friends. You know, I trually like my brother and I
always will. You know, wetalking every day about how can we get
better? Help can we help eachother out on the on the right side

(01:50:29):
so we can actually make a connection. You guys played like Friday game.
Do you do you think of that? What are you about being a sol
plain? Like the Wednesday Christmas andall that stuff. They gotta see us,
so they gotta see us first.I really care about that. It's
a ton of good play. Russknows at Uh. We're competing against each
other every day, him being outthere for me that you know, husban

(01:50:51):
be getting better. Uh, uspushed to each other. So I mean,
I definitely don't have the mindset ofyou know me just you know,
sitting all year. So you know, I'm coming in every day giving it
all I got and you know,pushing him to be his best, and
he's you know, pushing me tobe my best each and every day.
So I appreciate that You had arelationship before this. Yeah, is it
kind of does this kind of helpwith Grillio once you're on the same team.

(01:51:13):
I mean, yeah, you know, the first time I ever talked
to Russell was when I was incollege, So you know, we've we've
we've known each other, uh forfor a good bit now. And the
fact that I get to you know, learn stuff from him. You know
that the things that he's accomplished,you know, up to this point in
his career has been great. Sojust me learning just a little details how
he's so uh articulous in detail withinevery rat every individual drill. It just

(01:51:33):
kind of makes me think, like, you know, that's what I should
be doing each and every time.So I'm I'm glad to have him here,
and I'm glad to be able tolearn fromhim. Just how do you
look back every time? Likes up? It's just really good, he said,
How do you look back on thetime of Yeah, I mean there's
a lot of ups and downs,but all in all, I appreciate every
relationship that I built. All myteammates, they know that. Nothing but

(01:51:56):
love for the city, for thefans, and uh for my you know,
old teammates and coaches, did youfeel they did everything they should have
done to assault I'm not really gonna, you know, harp on the past.
It is what it is. It'sit's in the past. Now I'm
here now. So like I said, I'm grateful to be here and U
gratefully what it'll be a hearty team. Why do you like, Jack Kevin,
You're traded at ten o'clock flo andtime, like you are you able
to sleep that night orre you onthe phone? What kind of happens after

(01:52:16):
you get that? I mean,yeah, I mean I've been dealing with
you know, people for you know, a long time. So at my
exit meeting, you know, wewere in the same situation last year with
the having the number one pick,and it was just a little bit different
this year. So I mean,I'm not I'm not naive to the fact
that, you know, I canread body languages and stuff like that,
so it wasn't really just a shockto where It's like, ah, I
got traded, Like I knew whatwas gonna happen beforehand. So I'm just

(01:52:40):
glad I got, you know,traded to the spot that I wanted to
be at. So is it areally to get the newest. Yeah,
it happened, I think, SoI think when you're just you know,
waiting, cause I knew I wasgonna get traded, you know at the
end of the day. That's That'sjust what it was. So it was
just you know, uh, justme waiting and you know me you know,
trying to figure out where I'm gonnabe at and uh uh stuff like

(01:53:00):
that. It was definitely a reliefto you know, kind of be on
a team and uh know where I'mgonna be at. So that's another thing
to a really good situation. Causeyeah, yeah, I mean, you
know, shout out to uh uhyou know Poles he Key, you know,
who would communicate it to to him, you know, through my agent,
and you know I told him whereI wanted to be and this was
the place I wanted to be,so you know he uh you know,

(01:53:24):
honored that, and I appreciate himfor that and uh glad he was uh
able to put me in the spotwhere where I wanted to be at.
What needs to go right for youto become the guy? And you know
he kind of envisioned me and cameout in the first round or you said,
what needs to go right? Yeah. I mean, I mean,
I know you're gonna put the workin, but you're in a good spot.
And what are the little things thatyou think it's gonna take to get
you to become the guy where youcall? I think me, I just

(01:53:45):
gotta, you know, keep workingevery day, like I said before,
just being detailed and every drill,not taking a day off. And I'm
just good having rest here learning fromhim. I was pushing each other each
and every day. So you know, I think just controlling what I can
control every time I step on thefield, you know, just just fall
out and uh, played to thebest of my abilities and you know,
let let let God handle the rest. So what kind of just been on
the team has been helpful to youor closest to you as far as getting

(01:54:08):
used to the team, the organizationsand plays work in practice. Yeah,
I mean, uh, it's anew offense, so nobody really has been
in the offense before. But Imean there's a lot of young guys on
the team, so I think justthat fact right there, it's easier to
communicate with people and kind of justyou know, kind of just built that
relationship cause you have so much incommon already. So I've already uh hung
out with a handful of guys onthe team, already built those relationships,

(01:54:30):
and you know, we're just gonnacontinue to grow get closer with each other
and uh you know ready ready touh get to playing this season stuff.
Justin what was it about this teamthat situation that appealed to you? Uh,
just the culture I really think atOhio State. I think there's a
video that dropped with you know CoachT. I I can just you know
feel the energy and just you know, just the consistency throughout the years and

(01:54:51):
the culture that Coach T has andjust the standard that you know, the
Steelers have have set, this organizationhas set. So I think that was
the biggest for me. And youknow, our defense is always you know,
gonna top tier and you can't youcan't win games without defense. So
yeah, just just the culture CoachT and you know, of course the

(01:55:12):
team itself. So it wasn't anissue that it was a situation where they
like literally days before, had gottena guy that they said this is gonna
be our story. Nah. Imean I wanted to come here before Russ
got here and after too, Soit was it was more so the team,
not you know, not worried aboutwho was here, none of that
sense sought to Pittsburgh when he gothere. The actual city. The people.
I mean, yeah, I willsay this. I think Pittsburgh has

(01:55:33):
one of the or has a lotof nice people. That's one thing I've
noticed. Like I've taken a fewubers to the airport and I've had full
thirty minute conversation with the u uberdriver. So yeah, just just people,
uh you know, their generosity,they're their niceness. I'm going out
and people don't even know who Iam. They're just being so nice to
me. So I think that's onething I've noticed. And then I started
going on the walks this past offseason, so just the different views of the

(01:55:55):
city, the bridges and stuff likethat is pretty cool to me. Do
you know the offenses knew it's justday one, But from what you've learned
so far, how do you feellike Arthur Smith's this is gonna put your
skill set some of the years.I mean yeah, I think, uh,
you know, he's he's had experiencewith you know, doing their quarterbacks.
A lot of quarterbacks in the past, Ryan Marcus of course, Desmond
and Tyler in the past past fewyears, so you know, he knows

(01:56:17):
how to play to his player ofstrengths. And you know, of course
he's new here too, so he'sgotta figure out, you know, what
guys do, uh what things thebest way, and you know, we're
just gonna keep building and getting betterevery day. But I definitely, you
know, trust him to you know, put everybody in the right spot to
uh have as much do where wherehe's got his two cents on it,
which is, you know, alwaysthe best two cents I've heard. But

(01:56:38):
me being who I am, youknow, 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'syou know, a resource for me,
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 that if you know,
you never you never wanna come offtoo strong. But I'm a curious guy.

(01:56:58):
I got a lot of questions.I like, I like football,
lot like to talk talk the games. So you know, come to find
out, he's the exact same.So we uh, you know, we
get along well, and you knowwe're gonna keep keep building that relationship.
Sometimes in this league, playing youknow, eighteen games, they tryna make
it twenty. You know, it'slike it sound like a little a little
fever dream to be honest, butbut uh, if we can find a
way to k you know, stayup right out there, keep keep Aaron

(01:57:20):
on his feet. You know,I'm I'm excited for that and uh everything
that comes with it. But uhbut yeah, like I said, man,
that's it's it's harder said than uhor harder done, and said,
I guess you know, it's oneof those things. It's like that's a
lot of games, you know,all of a sudden, take a lot
of hits. They take a lotof hits where they're not looking, and
it's just how can we keep himhealthy? Yeah? Yeah, are you
when you think I get your receiverroom now? Positions you guys have made

(01:57:42):
when want healthy and everything, like, yeah, you know, I'm excited
to see it at at full health. You know, we've i haven't got
to see all the all the guysout there at once. And and you
know it's one of those positions whereevery day is something might happen to Nick
up. You know, it's justa a tough position to stay out there
at all times. But I feellike we got a great group and and
the number one thing is how canwe stay healthy? How can we you

(01:58:02):
know, I'll be out on thefield, and I think having depth like
this and the group we have isgonna help us. Having guys that can
do different things, that can gocatch the ball over the middle, all
types of things that it's gonna takesome of the strain off off all of
us. You know, it's it'sa good group. So I'm excited to,
uh, you know, get outthere. I feel like we haven't
had the whole whole thing together,but you know, come season time,

(01:58:24):
morol, and it's gonna be exciting. What about the guy your whole number?
Yeah, yeah, like a yeah, man, he's uh, it
was a brute and then once hecatches that ball, I mean he's he's
got great instinct of where the defenseis gonna be at, how to make
someone miss. Yeah, man,just just play here forever, you know,
at plans, so you know,you wish transitions like one of those

(01:58:48):
things. But again, either way, you know, we talked about it
you know, that's that's the howit goes, you know, but obviously
you know he sees he's he's beenone of my biggest supporters. Again,
I affect everybody leads in their ownway, you know, not everybody's the

(01:59:13):
guys coming around and that's not everybody, right Like I felt for me,
that's me specifically on game day withthe O line after we do one on
one like that's my like, wellHump did like that's my like big vocal
time. But I feel like I'vetalked to Hump about this, you know,
just recently talking about how what Iwant to do for the room is

(01:59:34):
I want to bring that Hump energythat he brought right so last year.
Of course some traits have been doingit for years, but the year I
spent on him, he brought alot of the energy and excitement and the
happiness in the room was just hisnatural energy to where I only had to
focus on me, you know,I didn't have to make sure other other

(02:00:00):
guys are, you know, feelsome type of way when they came in
here because Hump brought that. ButI'm the Hump's not here, but I
saw what he did for the room. I want to be that guy to
make sure everyone's amped to go topractice. Everybody's hype weren't taking and field
team one period. You know it'sa low day or something. You know,
it's a it's a day, butlike I want to make you feel
like the parents a tripper right now. I want to bring that because that's

(02:00:24):
when me and Hump did to eachother. People hype each other other,
dudes like dudes about to people walkedthrough and we're lit. So I want
to do that. I want tobring that energy. I want to make
bring more guys, you know,to do that. You know, I
wanted to do that from day one, you know, I kind of I
wanted to do that from day onefrom just talking to him, and obviously

(02:00:45):
it's that time. I spend theoff season before OTA started, just being
in myself, just thinking about whatthe room needs, you know, because
I know I knew a new roleas one of the leaders, you know
offense, is that we need aguy like that that's gonna make sure the
old line is picked up, readyto go every day and it was held

(02:01:09):
accountable. Little things aren't happened topractice, people aren't saying anything, and
how I may lead maybe different thansomebody else may lead. You know,
I like to a practice at leastlike to leave with positivity, you know
what I mean. So, buthe the energy yet went beyond just the
old hype up the deal line andstuff too. So that's kind of how
I wanna be s goal mine literallymy whole life. I wanna be a

(02:01:32):
NFL team captain, like specifically theNFL. I wasn't a captain of high
school, wasn't a captain of college. But I made a joke when I
was in high school. It's likethere, I feel like I'm not gonna
be a captain til I get tothe NFL. Yeah, but that would
be awesome, you know, butyou know, if it happens, i'd
be great. But if not,either way, I wanna assume a role

(02:01:57):
as a captain from the perspective theguys on the team, individual word ada
and to get back to that way. Yeah, I mean, I can't
say that. I mean, Iguess the biggest thing is that I felt
like it has felt like how youused to in the past. But it
didn't take just the first day OTAs. It took training left and right once

(02:02:19):
the season ended. Because I didn'tknow what it was gonna be sure,
So it took a lot of yeahreps just to get back to feeling like
myself for day one OTAs and thenthat whole first week. But now like
today specifically just changing some small thingswith my feet that I did say talking
about a line coach about some thingsI can do with my fee to get

(02:02:41):
to that to sell at that traditionalangle that I love to set on.
Felt even I thought I felt.I thought I felt great already, but
Moka and I felt even back upit. So I'm even more excited tomorrow.
Now I'm getting my feedback and howI liked it the right side and
on the left side, So I'mexcited Tea. I mean, obviously,
I feel like in the league,whether I left or right, you're still

(02:03:02):
going against premier guys. So obviouslyyou have high expectations for your left and
and right tackle. But there's definitelyuh like the the level of energy and
like the expectations definitely taking a humanspect cause now connected the blind side that
stuff, that's the tackle role,you know. So so yeah, I

(02:03:24):
would say in terms of communication asfar as just even outside the facility and
just stuff like that, like reallycreating that the tackle quarterback bond even more
off the field, I think hasbeen something that's even been cool. I
got a text one day and it'slike, hey, like you play left,
and I was like, yeah,you know, yeah, I've been

(02:03:45):
training both. I've been training both. You know. I I asks after
the season, They're like, honestly, you know, we'll talk to you
still play in the season. Andthen I just got a text and like,
depending on what happens, but withthe free agency then, so I
was like, you know what,I had a whole season right tackle,
So if I get the word,I'm going I'm standing right tackle. I
don't need to do what I didbefore. I'm built on that bus.

(02:04:06):
I was like, I might asalost trained the left tackle now as if
I'm going to be a left tackle, and I'd rather do that than training
on the right time and get theko Hey you're the left tackle. I'm
like, oh, I didn't evenswitch my feet yet, you know what
I mean. So I'm like,let me just prepare in advance. I
was like, yeah, lets guy, you know, I think occasionally i'm
third down, there would be alot of twists. I would just know,

(02:04:28):
like it's a automatically coming. AndI think that was my mindset for
like the first half of the season, like I didn't have to go into
a game and with surprise like ohmy gosh, they did that. I
kind of figured like, okay,like this is this is the type of
rush. Mean it get like thisis how this guy usually rushes. But
I get the vibe, this ishow the ends like the rush, you
know, tackles that are you know, first year guys who got the premiere

(02:04:50):
patch on. I already knew whatit was gonna be, already knew of
every stunt and honestly just knowing thatit's kind of an advantage too. So
you're not you're not You're not.Oh well, they brought the twist of
my side again. It was neveran Aaron Donald coming up with mind like
three plays in a row in twominutes. I knew that that was the
way. You know what I mean, I'm watching more than everybody else and

(02:05:12):
he rarely eland goes out there onoccasional third downs on the d M.
I sorry, you know it's gonnabe He's gonna pick me, you know
what I mean, So fact fact, it's kind of it's also kind of
advantage in the way, but it'salso exciting. I'm like, Okay,
I'm gonna get the hardest. Look. You know, those are real,
real reps, you know the bank, So really I I'm not really any

(02:05:34):
kind of process. And I waslike, hey, when they tell me
I ain't do I guess you needa new process. We're about how you
might approach this and and and whatdo you think is meaning the the key
element? You're getting the most outof those because you got two guys.
This ain't my first udio, No. I know a lot of people look
at say, well, this guyonly been on the field for three years

(02:05:58):
westernn Tuckey and Oregon. Just becauseI didn't have the title of a running
back coach where I was at theMemphis, I never carried myself that way.
I was carried myself as a runningback coach. I approach every day
that way. So at Memphis wehad Darren Henderson, Patrick Taylor, Tony
Poller, Kenny game Well Tonyo Gibson. I've seen talented backs and I've seen

(02:06:19):
them be able to function with oneanother. So I hear that all the
time about well I this ain't myfirst rodeo. Same thing out there at
Oregon, we Buckevery Norwich and GeorgeJames. You go look at their numbers.
They all functioned well together. Welearned how to play as one.
So this ain't my first rodeo soand Plus I know those two kids cause
I recruited them when they was inhigh school. So I'm up for the

(02:06:41):
challenge and the responsibility of it.Got right behind them. Dan Hope,
Len Carlos, Just what is yourkind of coaching philosophy? How do you
get the best out of your runningbacks? I get the best outum,
because I love the young man.My main focus is to change the hearts
and minds of them and they'll playfor me. I had just got through
reading Coach Trestle's Winners Manual, andit's something that I took from that book.

(02:07:03):
You have your purpose and you haveyour goals, all right. My
purpose is to serve and pour intothe I man. Now, my goals
is a football coach. All ofthem are take care of themselves. So
that's one of the ways. I'mjust real relationship based and I'm very detailed
at this position. I know y'allheard me say it before, and I'm
gonna keep saying this is the worstcoach position in football. It's terrible.

(02:07:26):
Guys hire anybody to coach his positionand recruiters. CARLS Locker is not a
recruiter. I'm an elite relationship builder, but I coached this position. I'm
a ball coach, so that's whoI am. So ama pouring to these
kids. I think they kind ofseeing it now and I jumped in day
one. I'm ready to coach,and I'm gonna use the phrase, you
know, soft thatched cookies. Wheredid that phrase come from? Kind of
always but this boy, let metell you about that boy. I've been

(02:07:48):
called everything but the name the childof God by the people at the other
places I left, so that I'vebeen getting, Hey, Pillsbury needs to
give me a deal, because I'vebeen getting I'd been getting some DM and
textas down something. Some of themhave been so funny. The saftbat's cookie
thing came from just having a frameof mind, a mental toughness. It

(02:08:11):
had nothing to do with guys gettingin the portal and anything. Now most
people say I'm a Saftbat's cookie forleaving 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

(02:08:33):
that have been sending me like tonsof cookies out like it's funny. Right
behind him, Tony Urban, howhave you got about the assessment of the
talent in the room over the pastweek or two? How much is that
on field off field? Like,what's the process of getting to know who
you have as players? Well,I broke down well me being a guy

(02:08:54):
that loves the running back positions,and I already broke those kids down because
I recruit them out high scho ooh. You know Q is from where I'm
from. And Montgomery. I wasone of the first guys to offer him
just watching him great contact, balance, creative runner, great hands and trey.
I recruited him out of Virginia exceptionalshort air, your bursting quickness and

(02:09:16):
things that i'm'a help him get betteron. And then I recruited James Peeples
out of t out of San Antonio, Texas. I knew what he was
gonna what he was gonna be.TC and Sam, those two kids I'm
getting to know and I'm gonna helpthem improve the game. But we got
different runners in there. I liketo call myself. Uh, I'm in
love with this position. So Iget to break down runners and help their

(02:09:39):
game. So talented, talented theroom, very talented. Uh far back
Uh. Jeremy Birmingham Podcast Couch,how do you swear that factor? Saw
fast Trookie's actually the best cookies toPhilip Briton mas or those are way better
than the country chips and white thingwith Terman, I mean, do you
do you have to first find abalance there or somewhere. Well, for

(02:10:01):
me, I'm actually not eating anycookies now, I'm just saying I'm not
eating any cookies this year. Igave it up for a fast or no
sweets for me for the whole year. That's something I gave up. So
they the term the south bast cookieterm. Look, guys, I actually
took that from I represent the highschool coaches of Myths, Tennessee. I

(02:10:22):
actually took that from a guy namedcoach Slocum. He used to always say
that south Bast cookie. I actuallystole that from him. I give him
credit for it, and I tellhim all the time he said, you
I should have branded that, causeyou done took it and ran away with
it. But that's just where thatcomes from. That that I was standing.
As you get to Ohio Stadium,start to look around the country.
I mean, Oregon's a big place. That's a that's a major job.

(02:10:45):
How how do you think that waryyou oppick logo under jas Brandon blocko?
When you get out out of livingfree and trail, how does that change
the way that you feel you're eitherreceived or or does it at a different
level too to just feeling like Icould go anywhere and get anybody in the
country. And that's the sagest thingfor me. This is a great place.

(02:11:05):
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
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

(02:11:26):
on, I'm still gonna be doingthe same thing. So this is a
great logo. Great logo but Iwear another logo every day. It's across
I see around my neck. Iknow what I represent. So that's the
greatest logo I could ever wear.So it don't matter what other logo I
have on. I got that oneon. I'm going to any house and
be a recruit. Uh uh deeprite camera tiqu Robinson, the athletic So

(02:11:50):
which you you mentioned your time inMemphis and them it's for NFL running backs
you mentioned there who you learned fromthat time that you any to take over
to manage to grow? What didI learn from them? I just building
a just teaching the kids. Welive in such a selfish world though,
and I can tell the kids allthe times, it's gotta be much more

(02:12:11):
to football. The ball gonna goflat one day. As I always say,
what being in that room there atMemphis is, it wasn't four five?
Teaching them how to be ab boutbeing one. I tell you the
man all time, it doesn't costyou anything to celebrate another man's success.
So teaching them how to be one, and then once they learned to be
one, they function and they feedoff one another. So that's what I

(02:12:33):
learned from being there in Memphis.Right in front. Andy Bach from let
'em in road Cross heard of yourcareer in the law enforce I kind of
influence you as a coach and kindof ship where you are. Uh,
well, I just got through talkingto somebody about that today. When I
first got in this profession and Igot my own room in Western Tech,
I was aksed. No, howwas I was gonna be able to handle

(02:12:58):
'em? M M my room?I said, Man, I had a
part with fifty one inmates. Youtalking about me having got six or seven
guys? Are you kidding me?I'm talking about me having to do traffic
stop. So going on domestic novirus calls, it's simple easy. No,
people don't know what you care.Also know you gotta have a certain
demeaning about yourself. So when Iwalk into a room, it's the reason

(02:13:22):
why I go train every morning.This is when it's same thing when I
was a police officer. You looka certain way kind of deter people from
doing certain things. So it's reasonwhy I go train every morning. I'm
gonna look just as good as myboys look. So U it helped out
a lot. In other words,uh from Earl right Austin word the podcast,
Carls, Welcome to Columbus. Whatwould it mean to I don't know,

(02:13:45):
revolutionize the way running backs or coach? What does that take? I
ain't know. I'm not gonna sayRevolutioniz's just some 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 whosaid that on these jobs to not just
hire guys. Just know, allcoaches on your staff should be great recruiters,

(02:14:07):
not just a running back coach.We coach a position. We developed
players as well. I just wantthe coaches to realize, Hey, you
know what, let me look andbe thorough about this guy that I'm hiring
for this job. Is he teachingthe position? 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. Neither. And
I'm only passionate about it cause Iplayed it. I love it, so

(02:14:30):
it's the only position I want tocoach. Could I coach other positions?
Yeah? I played dB in collegetoo, but I love the running back
position so and I just wanted tosee it coach well too. Many podcasts.
Yeah, a million questions. Ohthat's a couple number one, when
you when you, when your wifewhatever? You got the message stuff,
are we moving again? What wasWhat was her reaction? Nah, she's

(02:14:52):
just no guy that give us,gave us a new assignment. S.
It was never like we're moving again. Let me tell you guys something I
grew up. My mom was inthe military, so I lived everywhere.
I lived in Panama of South America. I'm used to picking up and moving.
I lived in Fort Rodley, Kansas. Montgomery's home MEFS my second home,
so I'm I'm used to moving now. My wife it was different for
her, but she just knew guythat gave us a new assignment. So

(02:15:15):
it's time to go. What didwhat did coach they tell you when he
heard you that he wants out ofyou. That may be different. It's
not slamming somebody else. But whatdid he say he wanted you to bring
to the running back room. Ithink he did his research on me.
He said he wanted the guy todevelop the position. That's not taking a
shot at the coach that was herewho I'm friends with, And he said,

(02:15:39):
they want somebody to really get theguys going, I can only be
me, and I told him that. Couse, I'm gonna be me every
day now because see my mindset,this is when I step in this building,
I got one mindset that's to domy job so well that the living
dead or unborn can do it anybetter. So when I leave it,
that's when my mindset is. HopefullyI'm here for a long time, but

(02:16:03):
on the God knows that. So, but that's my mindset. Every day
step into the Wiz hayes Son,that's my mindset. I'm gonna do my
job so well that living dead andI'm born couldn't do it anything better.
So that's what my mindset is.Suppose we got time for one last question
Bill Rabinowitt's Columbus Dispatch Carlos. Firstof all, is it true that nobody
calls you Carlos, never calls youLocke. That's the truth. Yeah,

(02:16:26):
I prefer to be called locked inparticular. But I wouldn't say everyone doesn't
really know how to handle it properly. You see it currently. I mean,
it's just it's a variable that's newand how to handle it. There's
not a transcript on how to handlethat variable. So you just guys just
trying to do what they think isright. That's all they're really trying to
do. And I'm not saying thatright or wrong, but he was trying

(02:16:46):
to do the same, and uh, you know, I think at the
end of the day he realized hemad Mad made the wrong decision and we
connected on it. We talked aboutit, and you know, it was
a great opportunity to to write orwrong. And obviously we're very glad he's
here. I've always believed in him. We believe in him, and he
believes in himself and that's part ofthe just trying to understand what's my path,

(02:17:07):
right. So uh, but yeah, it's been great. Stuffs have
been made. He's growing, buthe's nowhere near where he knows he's capable
of being. And he's just problyoppresis Caeremiah. I love, uh the
way he lives. I love theway he approaches things. I love the
way the questions he asks. Ilove the way he makes mistakes and then

(02:17:31):
correct mistakes. Uh, 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 you know whatthat worked, He goes, coach,
I have no freaking idea, Solike I'm trying to teach him all
of that why it worked, sothen you know, the consistency at which
it works just goes to the roof. And so but I'm very you know,

(02:17:52):
excited and proud of the conversations we'recurrently having and I'm exciting it for
them to keep going by what powerfor you working with I love working with
Chip Chip is. I love thetalking ball, I love the viewpoints,
I love I love the veteran thathe has, you know, and uh

(02:18:18):
I love yeah, like I Ilove all of it. I think that
you know, early on the biggestimpact, you know, just you know,
feeling perspective. I think in therun game has been awesome, you
know, and then you know,off of the run game some of the
actions or or relief throws or allthat kind of stuff. I love where
it's at. I love working withthem, and I would say that I

(02:18:50):
sleep a little better, all right. Uh No, It's it's really a
great combo because, like you know, we're obviously we're doing a lot as
a group as not just Chip andI. So but you know, obviously
Chip has an image and a viewon things that I never had. So
to have that experience and to havethat viewpoint, I'm just trying to absorb

(02:19:11):
as much as i can, butthen also highlight some things that we've really
done a good job of and makesure those you know, nothing's really changing,
We're just trying to enhance. We'renot changing, We're enhancing. So
where the things fit is perfect.You know, I think you know the
rest of the dynamics and search chipcan talk about. But it's been it's
been awesome, so I'm excited aboutit. We talked to a Mecca who's

(02:19:35):
just talking about moving from slot tothe house side. You know how good
we've been in the slot. Isthat a difficult move for you guys's coaches
to know how good a guy ison one spot, but know that maybe
for his long term future and theno, I wouldn't say it's anything on
his future, because he's capable ofdoing whatever you want to get done.

(02:19:56):
But I'd say that it says moreabout the room. I think it's it's
growth of you know, Brandon andthe growth grow of Bryson. That's really
you know, allowing my mind tosay, 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

(02:20:18):
and between Carnell Takes's ability to movearound a lot, it's gonna provide a
lot of flexibility for our room.And uh and those top you know,
six seven guys that are really doinga good job right now. Progress look
like this spring for Mecca because there'sno contents one of those things. I'm
true when you has balanced how muchwork does a need versus much? Yeah,
heavy, heavy emphasis on what workhe needs, you know, versus

(02:20:39):
anything else. Uh, I relyon him. We have great dialogue back
and forth. It's a two wayto it's a two way conversation and uh,
frankly, there's gonna be times we'relike, hey, Mech, what
do you wanna do today? Youwanna go outside? You gona go inside
and I don't care. So,uh, we're not there yet. We
will be there, but it's justmore about, you know, when the
room is ready to start mixing thingsup. I would say, there's got

(02:21:16):
I mean, I make sure I'mbringing guys 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 todo that has been Mecca and Carnell,
and those are probably the two guysthat I 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

(02:21:37):
guys being able to swing, youprobably don't need much more than that.
I need guys being experts at whatthey're good at, so it it helps
the offense. Don't be great ateverything and be an expert at something and
we can use that to our too. I like them. Yeah, it's
a bunch of good dudes just justout here. So we're gonna keep working
and I like I like our edgeguy that we picked up, and I'm

(02:22:01):
excited to work with him. Youknow much about how we played against him,
wonder Floyd and what's been kind ofyour earlierad on him. I think
he's super skilled, russier, well, good length, and he's more athletic
than I even realized. And Ithink guys like him when they come to
our scheme are the best is broughtout of him. So I'm excited to
see what potential he has. He'syear nine, so I feel like you

(02:22:28):
as a d lineman, you cankeep improving all the way through ten years
in this league. So I'm excitedto see what he's got. How old
did you know Sores and when hewas assistant here and had gotten to know
him a lot better? What's therelationship made you right now? I know
him pretty well. He was alwaysjust a good dude around the facility.
He did our ball meetings, sohe's good in front of a group.

(02:22:52):
He's a good leader. He knowshis scheme really well, which is good.
I was happy to see him promoted. He called me in the off
season. We talked. I justcongratulated him, and I think he's gonna
bring something similar to what we hadwith the Miko. It'll be good.
Do you know Brandon Staley well atall? I mean, obviously Joey played

(02:23:15):
for him. I don't know toomuch about him. I've obviously heard from
my brother, but I don't eventhink i've said high yet. I haven't
ran into him yet, but I'msure i'll get to know him when you
say it looks similar to Miko theenergy or system maybe a little different energy,
but I think just knowing the systemfrom the front to the back,

(02:23:39):
I think he knows how it tiesin, and he's been around with some
really good coaches, so I thinkit'll be pretty pretty seamless, and I
think we'll be firing on all cylinders. You're three months removed from the super
Bowl now, so just how haveyou? I guess digested it, and
I guess physically everything good to go. Yeah, I feel really good.

(02:24:01):
I think it's been one of mybetter off seasons of just kind of it
was a long year, so Itook it nice and slow to get back
into it. Not as young asI once was, so I'm taking a
little, uh, a little slower, but everything's great. I'm feeling as
good as I felt. I'm excitedto actually get some practice in. Last

(02:24:22):
year was kind of tough, gettingthrown in Week one after I walked through,
so that was another reason I'm excitedto be here, is just to
get practicing a little bit in season. Practice is one thing, but actually
being able to work your stuff andnot have a game coming up is good.

(02:24:43):
With the Super Bowl. Unfortunately,I know how to bounce back from
tough losses, so it was roughfor a little bit, but now it's
just annoying when people bring it up. Since the last season, we've seen
a on TV commercials and on thestage with Kluke Coombs and throwing out the

(02:25:03):
first pitch in the Giants game.But he seems like a guy that's totally
unaffected by celebrity, which he hasnow. But what have you noticed in
his leadership style and the way hecarries himself any difference at all. I
think he's definitely getting a little morevocal within the building and uh yeah,
I mean I don't think he's evergoing to change. I don't think he's

(02:25:24):
somebody that's going to change even whenhe gets paid next year. So he's
he's a man of faith and hekind of reminds me of Scotti Scheffler,
but except for just super humble andreally good kid. And yeah, he's

(02:25:46):
definitely famous. I don't just fromwatching Armstead get released obviously meant so much
to the defensive line to the team. I mean, Colin John were pretty
open that they were willing to talkabout trading Deebo or are you as you

(02:26:07):
well, does that just another what'sthat feel like in the locker room when
those sort of joels happened. Ididn't even know that happened and I wasn't
here, But you're talking about thisoffseason arms in alarm erla, So that's
certainly one thing. Yeah, it'sa tough business, for sure. You

(02:26:30):
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
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 selfish inthe moment, but it is what it

(02:26:54):
is, and when everything's settled,we're gonna come together as a team and
and go get one Nick. What'sthe overall feeling around the group right now,
Like, how much does it feellike the excitement of the ramp up
to the season. Even though it'searly, it feels good. It's been
a couple of days for me,so I like all the new guys.
I'm getting to know everybody, butI think the passes in the past and

(02:27:18):
we're ready to go. You talkto me. You talked to be at
all about handling the business part ofthis. He's going through something similar.
We chat a little bit, butnot too much about the details. I
just told him keep his head upand try and stay positive through it all.
We your first impressions when you heardwhat your schedule would be in that
Aaron Rodgers' first time it'll be fun. Yeah, it's gonna be gonna be

(02:27:43):
a good one. Nick excuse me, kind of alluded to this for the
fact that last year you had tohave that holdout that affected you somewhat early
in the season. If you hadn'thad that experience, would you be here
right now? I mean, wasthat part of the motivation for being here
early, just to have the oppositeNo, I don't think that's one of

(02:28:07):
the reasons. But I just talkedto Kyle and he kind of asked me,
h, He kind of stated howhe felt about why it would be
good for me to be here andasked if I agreed. And I agree.
So it's not like I'm missing toomuch. I think I'm out here.

(02:28:28):
It's a little less workload than I'mdoing back home, so it's kind
of a good active recovery thing forme. And I'm getting football stuff,
football working specifically, so that's good. I'm not it's not compromising my training
at all. And I get tomeet all the guys. That's it's positive

(02:28:48):
news. Your brother you have tolet him down and oh no, he's
he's there. He's got a newregime over there. I actually thought I
was coming next week until recently,so I was gonna have one more week
at home, but we're both inCalifornia. Anything you could like share about

(02:29:13):
tons of reasons, reasons that you'veagreed with here. Uh, yeah,
just the things I already stated,Just getting around the guys and just getting
the football stuff honed in a littlebit before camp starts. You've been afraid,

(02:29:33):
You've been afraid to speak out onplayer safety issues and things like that
when it comes to playing service andthings like that. The eighteen game schedule
has been kind of discussed again hererecently. What is your kind of take
on that possibility. I don't knowhow many. I mean, it's I

(02:29:54):
guess it's easy to appreciate when youkind of see it working and you see
guys and moving getting better. Ijust think the details are really important.
You can pretend that leaving your shoesa mess or your locker a mess isn't
a big deal, and what mattersis playing football. But I think all

(02:30:15):
those tiny details and things kind ofadd up and leak into the important stuff,
like what you're doing on the field. So if you can have your
toe behind the line, or haveyour locker and order and all these things,
they kind of stack up into performingwell and and playing well when things
count. So you know, Iappreciate that it's It also hasn't been a

(02:30:39):
fight with the guys in the lockerroom. They buy in, and you
know, it's a lot of youngguys, and I think they're hungry to
learn, hungry to compete and win. You know, it's just an example,
whether it's we talked about first dayyou have your shoe, if you
could, if you could spend thetime on these small things when nobody's watching.

(02:31:00):
I think, like I was saying, it seems like it might not
out up too much, but Ithink in the long term it does,
and it leaks into other things,whether you're doing your right assignment on the
field, being late to meetings orall these things. If you hold a
standard and you stay to that standard. I think it benefits you long term.

(02:31:20):
It's it been like working Ben Herbert, who has there been anything in
his training program. We're working withyou that you feel will benefit you later.
Yeah, Yeah, definitely, he'sbeen great. He's a no nonsense
kind of guy, but he's notan old school in the sense that he's
bringing his way of doing things andthat's the only way to do things.

(02:31:43):
He understands that guys have been inthe business for a long time, Khalil
me and we have a way ofdoing things, and all he wants to
do is add to that and helpyou get better and perform the best you
can. He stresses it all thetime that he's a tool for us,
and you know, he's been he'sbeen great. The guys love him.

(02:32:03):
The energy brings is awesome, andI think the stuff that we're doing in
the weight room is great, greataddition to stuff that I may may do
on the side or whatever that is. Yeah, I think we I mean,
we had a presentation today with allthe certain measurables that are changing,
and if you guys are in themeeting, you definitely see how beneficial he's

(02:32:24):
been to the team so far.So Obviously staying healthy is is a huge
factor to anybody's success. I'd sayit's plagued us a little bit for a
while. So yeah, I thinkhe's he's definitely incredibly beneficial. You like
fleet covered. I know at theend of last season you might have been

(02:32:46):
able to Yeah, No, Iwas not ready to go last year.
No, tried practicing, tried comingback, and uh it was it was
not good. But yeah, itwas. Unfortunately, the year wasn't going
great and it just was unnecessary riskfor I mean, my foot could have

(02:33:07):
had some real, real issues ifI came back too early. So yeah,
it's been. It's been. It'sbeen a great off season. My
foot's feeling great, toes good,hamstrings good. I mean, there was
a list of things last year inmy hand, so all those things are
good. Gout surgery on my finger, so that's feeling good. Yeah,
it's it's nice to be feeling bettergoing into year nine than you have since

(02:33:31):
maybe five six years ago, whichI said, I've said I've been feeling
great last couple of years. I'mtelling you it's a real deal this time.
But obviously anything can happen. ButI just feel it's fun feeling really
confident in your body and being ableto perform. So I could just go
out during practice and you know,go balls to the wall and do everything

(02:33:54):
that I feel like I need toto be able to prepare. It's fun.
My brother and whoever I trained withmy trainer Todd back home, Uh,
I think they'd be really proud ofhow I've been working this off season,
and it's just exciting. Winning wasthe injuries. I remember that the

(02:34:16):
Green Bay game, you kind ofyeah, it was a bit of a
build up, a little bit ofan overreaction, but you know, it's
just tough. It comes sometimes likethat, and I just felt felt really
defeated coming back. Had a brokenhand. I'm like, oh, yeah,
I get to play Boom first seriesfoot pops. Thought I'd have to

(02:34:37):
get surgery, and all these thoughtsflooded through my head. Broke down a
bit, and yeah, it justhurts. You know, you're losing,
you're getting injured. You've felt likeyou prepared really well in the off season,
and then the year before you hadgrowing surgery, so you know a
lot of things build up. Yeah, you don't get a break if you're

(02:34:58):
injured. Everybody wants to go on. Fans are very nice, but no,
I just I'm grateful that I feelthis way. I'm still still nicey
Ripe twenty eight, so not tooold yet. But yeah, I'm just
excited. I can't remember what theoriginal question was. At this point.

(02:35:22):
You get something about my body,how close you and Gift were. How
frustrating was it that you couldn't youknow soon for one of those last three
games. It was frustrating, butI mean Gift was had my back the
whole way, I think for Gift, for any but for the whole team,

(02:35:45):
just to show what it means tome. It would have been important
for me to be out there,but I literally couldn't. I tried to
practice, injured my footworse the veryfirst play I was and in practice,
so no chance that was happening unlessI wanted to throw my next season away
as well. But no, I'mjust I'm proud of him for what he

(02:36:05):
did with the team, how hehandled it, and I need to call
him back. Actually sorry, giveYeah, I'm happy he gets to stay
close by with the with the Rams, and uh, I'm just proud of
all we accomplished here together over theyears and and We'll be close for the
rest of our lives. Was thefootage. It was this guy blest a

(02:36:28):
foot sprang. Yeah, I sprainedone area of my foot. Then when
I tried to return and I sprainedanother area. Was able to avoid getting
surgery, which is kind of themain goal, But yeah, it was
it was tough when it comes tothe addition of what Dupree what he felt
like he's kind of brought to theto the room and could bring on the

(02:36:50):
field. Yeah, it's when Iheard we got my brother something. I
don't know, maybe my brother toldme. I'm like, really, we
just got Bud Like, that's no, that's no small pick up. He's
a seriously elite pass rusher. Hashad some trouble with injuries as well,
so I understand how that is,but not only him as a player,

(02:37:11):
but as a personality. I heardKhalil just saying he's he's a fun guy.
He's a funny guy, and tohave that in the room another vet
is always a great addition. ButI'm just excited to have him intulee and
to be able to rotate like thatand not drop off at all when we
come off the field is huge andma Tuly's going into a second year.

(02:37:31):
Just what do you what are youkind of What are some of the maturity
maturity areas you see from him?You know, I'm gonna say not much.
And that's a compliment because he wasalready mature in those areas. I
mean, he's on it everything playbookwise, always doing his job, working
hard, just refining his technique andpass rush. I mean, we don't

(02:37:54):
have the pads on right now,so the real work will will begin,
you know, and six weeks now. So but yeah, I love Julie.
I've loved him since the first dayhe's walked into the facility, and
I know he's just gonna continue toget better. You think of the addition
of Joe Olt, Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna need to beat him up

(02:38:15):
a little bit in camp. Sohe's so he's ready, But no,
I think anything to protect our numberten is a good, good investment.
So he seems like a real soliddude. Haven't talked to him too much,
great build, seems like he hasgood hands, good feet, strong,
We'll see. We'll see in afew weeks when I lay a helmet

(02:38:39):
in his chin, how he holdsup. But it'll I'll take it easy
on him. No, Rashaun's abeast. Did you know Coach Harbond before
he came here? And if hedid, just what were those first couple
of conversations like that? Yeah,probably have crossed paths with him. Maybe

(02:39:00):
maybe not. Actually I think whatwas it his first year when I was
a junior? So he kicked hisass as usual at Ohio State. No,
No, they just want a championship, so I'd say they probably have
the bragging rights right now. I'mlike the guy talking about his old high
school. Oh, I remember weused to kicks. No, but no,

(02:39:24):
yeah, no, the rivalry isdead. I was just saying this
morning, you know, nine yearsand kind of forget about that. I'm
not a great alumni. Sorry,sorry, coach, But no, it's
great. That's what's great about theNFL is you just have guys from all
backgrounds. You could hate their gutsone year, and then you come on

(02:39:45):
the same team and your brothers andyou'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 choppedit up about life mainly and his opportunity
here and how much means to him, and uh, yeah, I think
he's a special guy. I thinkhe's uh, the way he conducts himself.

(02:40:07):
He's an interesting cat for sure,and I'm still still feeling him out.
But one thing you can't denies thathe loves football and his main goal
is to win football games. Andthat's what we need. When you see
him working out with you guys andand pushing his lives and doing all this
stuff, just how interesting is thatto see? Yeah, I mean he
was a he was a great playerhimself, and I think he's always been,

(02:40:30):
you know, built like that lackof a better term. But yeah,
he's uh, he's part of theguys. You know, he's not
this guy outside looking in. Hehe really, I mean he voiced that
to me, is that his favoritepart of all of it is being with
the guys and and the connections hemakes. So Yeah, to to see

(02:40:50):
a guy like that come in andembrace it all and kind of be part
of it himself is important. Yourinitials a pushman during the defensive game.
Yeah, it's funny you go fromold gift, old gift to this little
young guy who's my age. Iwouldn't want to get thrown into a room
with me and Khalil if I washis age. But no, he's been

(02:41:16):
great. I love messing with hima little bit. We little sarcasm back
and forth. But no, he'sgreat. He's uh, very talks very
fast, and I don't as youknow, 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 years, as the

(02:41:39):
year goes on, and I thinkhe has he has a lot of passion
for the position, and all hewants to do is learn and and help
us to improve. So I'm excitedabout him and I me and I do
miss Gift. Obviously, it wasa long time with him, but I
am excited to have a new faceand kind of have that challenge for me.
Were much with with Jesse's dad,since I know he coached linebackers in

(02:42:03):
Michigan. Wait, did you askabout Jesse? Did you ask about doing?
Okay, you asked about Jesse.Oh my god, I was 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,

(02:42:26):
they've both been great. Sorry,run that back. No, he's
been good. Uh yeah, veryknowledgeable guy. Same thing. I'm excited
to get to know him more asthe year goes on. Have you worked
Have you worked much? Jesse?Yeah? No, I have not.
I don't know if I've said oneword to him, but more words to

(02:42:50):
come down the road. Like yousaid, you've been in year since twenty
sixteen. Just what are some ofthis stuff? You just someone on a
ramble about the wrong guy for fifteenminutes walking? What Yeah, what the

(02:43:13):
hecks? Actually that's literally not theperson. Yeah, I figured out.
What's something that you you worked unduringthe off season? Something to improve your
game or is there something that youcan Usually my answer is pretty consistent that
I just continue to try to preparemyself physically, whether that's my sprint work

(02:43:39):
or agility work and my lifting.But yeah, just to get everything feeling
great. I dealt with those injuries, so I had to kind of ramp
it up with my finger and footand all those things. But now I'm
I'm full full speed out there,and I'm just going to continue to do
what I know. Uh, we'llprepare me for the season, and uh,

(02:44:03):
I know I'm gonna get plenty oftechnique work and position work when I'm
out here, So for now I'mgonna spend these five weeks really getting uh
preparing my bo schematic standpoint. Idon't know the ins and outs of what
I'm gonna be doing yet, soI'll wait and see soon. But just
what everything going on? See howto seek the best fit? Christian Chris,

(02:44:30):
Here we go. Yeah, Adria, welcome to Seattle. What are
you looking for in free agency?I felt that's a loaded question for real,
for real, Uh, you know, in terms of you know,
pay system, teammates, environment,city, all those kind of just like
play into it. Besides just themoney thing. I know, financials always

(02:44:50):
play a big role, and Ikind of steer you into the direction you
want to go. But everything kindof plays into it. And how much
did you reach out to Shelby Drewknowing some of the guys you knew the
played here last year to get asense for what what Seattle might offer you.
I mean, not much right now. I'll talk to I talk to
Showby a little bit about it.Mainly no one, Drew, Uh,

(02:45:11):
just congratulate me, Bob. Didyou come together pretty quickly? I know
you kind of came year agreement onthat first Monday, and everything with Seattle
that of come together really faster.Now, it was a long day.
Seattle came in almost out of nowhere. We had like a good set of

(02:45:33):
teams that we were talking to,just trying to like finalize what was going
on, what was it the termis going to be? You know,
and Seattle came in hot. Theyshowed a lot of interest, and uh,
they kind of just motivated me tocome here more and more. And
how similar will your role be,you know in terms of playing what you
did in Denver. I don't knowthat yet. I kind of just mentioned
previously, I don't know my role. I don't know the ins and out

(02:45:54):
yet. Once we'll get no throughthe protocols and the nfl PA, we'll
we'll talk about know the schemes andeverything. Right, U, so welcome.
When you were in Denver in thethree four, where did you find
yourself most comfortable and most effect Iplayed a lot of different positions in uh

(02:46:16):
Denver, I mean earlier in myyear, I played zero, I played
three, two one. I meanI'm definitely more comfortable in a shaded position,
mainly being a three technique and fivetechnique. That's why I found myself
to be more comfortable whether I'm standingup or I'm not, whether it's runner
or pass. Uh, those seemto be my best, my best,
Fitch. And what is your impressionof Pete Carroll's defense and whole environment in

(02:46:39):
Seattle afar? Uh? From Afar, it seems like he h he holds
in on a defense a lot.Uh. I can't really say too much
about that. Yeah, I don't. I know Pete Carroll very little,
so Uh, I'm just trying tofigure out more and I'll give you a
better answer later. What's some reputationaround the league out of the Seahawks.
Uh, you know Hard nos Hardhad type of team definitely on the little

(02:47:00):
more lack side as opposed to beingstuck up or military style, and which
is definitely good because then they thisprogram is one a lot of football games
have been super successful for many years, as long as I've been alive,
as long as I've been watching football, and definitely this has been a good
program. And Pete Carroll has beena hell of a coach for as long
as I remember, even back inhis college of days. So I'm looking

(02:47:22):
forward to experiencing that. Yeah,I know you said you don't know yet.
You know what your role is goingto be, which is what what
kind of players who haven't watched itcome of Denver? What kind of player?
Definitely a high motor Definitely not aone trick pony type of player.
I like to attack, you know, whether it's a first or first through

(02:47:43):
fourth down, I like to attack. I'm always trying to apply pressure.
I'm definitely just a high mortar guyin my opinion. Brady, are there,
Brady Henderson from ESPN, Nice tomeet you. Yeah, this is
He's had a team that really makespig splash signings in free agency. Did

(02:48:03):
you think going into it then Seattlewould be in play? Uh? No,
not at all. Uh you youjust it's kind of like being a
cure at the County store. Youknow, I got a who who bunch
of different options coming at you.Uh hearing a whole bunch of different crazy
things, and uh, you know, you only get to choose one.
And this is the place that thatwe both chose each other. And I
mean, I l I'm I'm lovingSeattle so far. You know, I
like these colors for real, forreal? What what did you got to

(02:48:26):
do with Seattle or see since you'vebeen there? Not much? Uh,
just kind of just drive around thecity exploring, uh, getting down to
the market a little bit. Iw I wanna get on the the Ferris
will do some more like touristy typeof things. You know. I'm I'm
new to the city and I gota lot to learn about the city.
Larry. Yeah, there's been alot of comparisons with you to Michael Bennett.
I was wondering if you know MichaelBennett at all and you think those

(02:48:48):
are accurate. Uh. I know, Michael berr Ben It n like nothing.
I know nothing about it, butbesides his style of play. But
uh, I'm honored to be consideredin the same conversation as him and uh
s out of play. You know, He's a Hall of Fame type of
deep lineman that I've known about sinceI was a kid. I mean,
last time he played here, Iwas in high school. So you know,
it's cool to it kind of camefull circle a little bit watching him

(02:49:11):
on TV and now I'm being kindof compared to him in the way you
know. I mean, I'm nottouching the surface of Michael Bennett. You
know, he's a Hall of Famerand I'm not there yet. So you
know, I just got to keepdoing my due diligence to be a better
player. Hey, Dreamont, welcometo Seattle. I know you get to
play several seasons for vig Fangio andthree four style defense and Seattle's playing a

(02:49:35):
similar system now dating back to lastyear as a defensive lineman, what do
you think is most important to besuccessful in that system? Maybe fundamentals or
just playing style to be successful.From what I learned, being gap sound
and being patient has always been thebiggest thing, and that's how we've been
successful when I was in Denver.Just kind of like relying on each other.
I know that sounds kind of cliche, but like there's kind of like

(02:49:58):
the the realm of being in thethree for defense. You gotta really really
rely on the guys behind you andthe guys on the side of you to
really make their do to do theirjob, to make your job easier.
Bob, Yeah, well, uh, you yourhose State payoffs said you didn't
start playing football till you were juniorin high school and you largely played basketball,

(02:50:20):
So then that's what made I guessdecided to go go play football.
Then was away from basketball. No, No, I've always loved football first.
Uh, it was just kind ofjust play it out. You know,
I love the who but you know, football was definitely about calling.
Given I was a two hundred andsixty five pounds power forward and I was
like six strees and changing, soyou know, I kind of chose the

(02:50:41):
route that God gave me. No, I'm not six eight. Yeah,
welcome to Seattle, And you've beenquoted, and you're looking a couple of
other things that you job player,and can you just talk a little bit
about that a little bit always kindof counted out. Can you elaborate more

(02:51:05):
than that, just from a standpoint, Like I always get like over overshadowed,
overlooked, whether it's a in something, you know what I'm saying,
Like, I feel like I doa lot more than what can be seen
by the eyes of the inexperienced,you know, scout and I do a
lot of different dynamic things that helpmake plays for others. You know,
I'm definitely an active player. I'malways doing something, whether in the runner

(02:51:28):
pass game, so you know,I think that goes on others sometimes and
I'm looking forward to putting people onnotice. Thanks Brady. What uh,
what do you like to do outsideof football, big gamer? I'm definitely
I've been getting to a lot ofchests lately, so just to expand my
brain. Uh. I try toget into reading, but if it's not

(02:51:52):
as ports related. I I'm reallynot interested in reading that much, but
mainly just video gaming and chess.And then when we you write and say
you're your grandma, Uh, Imean you can say, you can say
Draymond Jones. I mean, butlike just I feel like personally, just
call me Drey because easy, becausepeople like to f my name up a
lot, like a lot they callme DRAYMONDE. I don't know why you
put a Drakemonte in my name orDrakemond t whatever you want to say.

(02:52:16):
Who do you think some of thatwill be able to bring out out of
your game as you can keep tryingto, you know, just being more
explosive, probably more yards per catchwith the uh space that he's putting us
into, the more yards, moreyards have to catch, more exposive,
pick, more exposed to play forfor me, not just only me,
but she and uh ak and tastethem. So I'm excited to to be

(02:52:37):
able to be in the system.I assume you you think you guys can
be a lot more explosive than thanyou have been in the last couple of
years. Oh yeah, of course. It brings to a lot of different
things, you know what I'm saying, the playbook, but just accountability.
Uh, I feel like that's gonnalead us to success. They said the
language is a little a little shorter, has it? Have you found that
the language that you guys use Isit about the same or is it It's

(02:53:00):
kind of just saying, really it'sit's a long long plays, but it's
more understanding for sure. I feellike, uh, you can get to
that more understanding plays and uh,I feel like that's that's the difference.
Hater was saying the other day,just kind of like coming into this offense,
I feel like twenty years of breezeand just kind of how it was
just kind of built on top ofeach other, on top of each other.
It's like kind of a lock tokind of take in. Do you

(02:53:22):
do you find that they kind ofturn it down to something new starting at
like zero with everybody. It's justa little bit easier to kind of get
everybody on the same. Yeah,I feel like it's way easier. Like
you said, it was kind ofmore of a Drew Brees style the last
playbook, So all credit to them, though they built that around him,
around his players. But uh,like I said, it's it's more.
Uh, this playbook is more foruh matchups, and I feel like it's

(02:53:46):
gonna be better for us. Howdo you think it's gonna really take advantage
of just give sets? Uh?Just building around the strengths that I have.
You know what I'm saying, thingsthat I can do and things that
she can do, things that ourplayers can do. Is kind of focus
on what we can do and buildingon that. Uh. I feel like
it's playing to the player strengths.So I feel like it's gonna help us

(02:54:07):
A lot has been around the waythis offense will have a lot more speed,
And how has that transition been sofar? I mean, like I
said, it's building around the playersstrengths. So of course we got speed,
uh with me or she and atireceiver, so uh, just building
around that, Like I said,playing to our strengths and be able to
capitalize off that. Feel like it'sgonna help us a lot most of like

(02:54:28):
the up tempo aspect and you know, getting a lot of plays in the
must time. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, that's definitely gonna play a
big difference. Like I said,coming from the West Coast, Uh,
they bringing that stand for an offensehere. So I'm excited to be able
to be a part of that.For you personally, what's what's the next
level look like for you? Whatdo you what are you trying to accomplish
this year? Uh, just stayingconsistent. Man, a couple of ups

(02:54:50):
and downs last year. Just buildingoff that. Uh, it's always always
gonna work on the physical part,but being able to bounce back after a
bad game the mental mental ap inspectJust learning learning that last year and be
able to build on that this yearis a huge part. You know with
Mike Gon, do you take itupon yourself to kind of be that voice
in the room or to take astep forward even further as I mean,

(02:55:16):
it's not really I mean everybody kindof grown in the NFL, so it's
just on you to be able tohave that standard. Like I said,
I just try to do that leadby example. I'm not really outspoken,
but just lead by example, workinghard, trying to dominate every rep and
hopefully they follow out to that andthat yards after the catch? Is that

(02:55:37):
you feel like that's the strength ofyours that maybe wasn't utilize. I don't
know if utilizes the right word,but you could show more in that kind
of Yeah, it's an offense thatis built around that, just catching the
ball in space, catching the ballover the middle or even on the outside,
uh, with space and separation.Feel like it's built around having yards

(02:55:58):
after catch. So I'm definitely proudto be in the system, like I
said, and I'm excited. Butis that is that a mindset too?
Like being good at yards after thecatch? Like? Oh yeah, I
mean of course. I mean youdon't want to get tackled by the first
person. And my mindset is tryingto take every take everything to the house,
you know, every touch. Souh, I definitely got to do
that more and definitely try to workon that in practice. Keep great dude,

(02:56:24):
man, Uh some some that Idefinitely needed, some that he relates
to me. Uh, just frombackgrounds and uh he's a great coach,
great leader. Uh, motivational andUh. Like I said, I'm excited
to have him around and for himto push me is everything that I need.
So you're talking about like mentally bouncingback, you know from tough performances

(02:56:46):
or whatever. Like, did youtry to fund your resources going to help
you figure out how to do that? Oh? Yeah, I mean it's
older guys. Uh uh tell methat's natural. Just have bad games.
But uh, just having the standardthat I have in my career as a
head coach to have him on mystaff in a couple of places, so
I got a chance to see himwork firsthand. You know, I got
to see him work firsthand as aplayer and then as a coach. So

(02:57:07):
the success he had is not isnot surprising to me. Is there where
you seeing Ryan the successes had?Yeah, I think we all do that.
I think we come from a uniqueplace in a really small hometown in
New Hampshire where we all take alot of pride to where we're from and
and when anybody's successful coming out ofthere, then you kind of take a
little pride that that's it's the upbringingthat we all had, you know,

(02:57:30):
in the U sports program that wegrew up in in in every aspect,
whether it was football, baseball,basketball, those coaches we had an amazing
impact on us and that's why weare where we are right now. Ryan
said, he doesn't think of itas you working under him, that's working
with him. Fact is he's thehead coach. He makes me call him

(02:57:50):
sir though he just said can youdo that? Day one? And I
was like, all right, rightnow. But I mean, he ultimately
is the decision maker. You've beena head coach. How do you think
that's going to work. Do youthink there'll be any as close as you
are, any kind of awkward momentsthe right term, But when he's the

(02:58:13):
ultimate decider and you are working forhim, Yeah, I certainly understand my
role. I'm not Alhaic, LikeI'm not I'm not in charge here.
Yeah, some people get that reference. Other people don't get that reference.
But I'd certainly understand that, andI actually kind of relish it because I
really love the scheming part. Ilove the individual part. I love being
in the meeting room of the quarterbacksand trying to game plan. But everything

(02:58:37):
we do here is collaborative. Youknow, the one thing that really struck
me when I walked in this place. Is there's an amazing coaching staff here,
you know, and if you geta chance to talk to Larry Johnson
just about football, or Tim Waltonor Jim Knowles or Brian Hartline or any
of these guys that are on thestaff here, it's it's a very collaborative
effort. I think everybody's on thesame page. You know, it's not

(02:58:58):
our offense and their defense and it'sOhio State, you know, it's it's
Ohio State versus the twelve opponents thatwere going to play during the regular season
and then beyond. So it's it'sreally collaborative. And that's the thing I
like, just in the short timethat I've been here, is how collaborative
everybody's been. You know, we'reall trying to make each other better and
we're all trying to develop this team. You've touched on this when you said,

(02:59:20):
you know, you like to dowhat you want to do and not
My sense is you, in yourperfect world, you'd like to scribble plays
on a napkin and not deal withboosters, dot deal with all the stuff
that coaches head coaches have to dealwith. Now, how much of a
factor was that in this decision youcan just do football now that that's not
it. I mean, I enjoyI mean we've had some amazing I've had

(02:59:41):
an opportunity and everywhere I've been tomeet some amazing people that are associated with
the program. And there's people thatfrom my time at New Hampshire or my
time at Oregon. I was justwith Phil Night two weeks ago, you
know, and got an opportunity tospend some time with him and his wife
Penny, who are dear friends ofmine that that have been great mentors to
me in my career. And there'sa bunch of people and UCLA Terry Donahue
and Andrea Donna who were awesome tome. Angela Mazzoni is a great friend,

(03:00:05):
Casey Wassman, Troy Yikman. 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
I think the one thing that asthis position as a head coach kept moving

(03:00:26):
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
rules that we need to get straightenedout so that people understand what it's about.

(03:00:48):
Because the game is still about theplayers, and I hope that never
gets discounted. You know, It'salways been about the players, and I
think if we can keep that atthe forefront the people that are making decisions
on this, and I think GeeneSmith is one of the best influences in
in the NCAAA, is to makesure we keep that the main thing.
The main thing it needs to be. The student athletes com you know,

(03:01:11):
you're coming in at a time whereyou've been through some places where the expectations
are high. I understand it's alsocoming into a juncture where you know,
the three losses to Michigan, thenot making the playoff last year. The
urgency is pretty high here. Iguess just sort of what the perspective do
you have on kind of the stakesthat there are for Ryan this year and

(03:01:31):
the decision that then he makes tobring you in to kind of help solve
that. Yeah, I think theexpectations can be no 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
ultimate competitor. So he's got There'snowhere that has higher expectations of Ohio State

(03:01:54):
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 areal thing that we have to do as
coaches, is to make sure thatour players aren't worried about what's going on
in the future, or or aren'tworried about what's going on in the past,

(03:02:16):
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 beenhere for three weeks, but there's a
consistency to the players approach when theywalk in this building every day, which
is it's unique. It's not likethat everywhere else. And it's one of
the things that I remark to Mickwhen I you know, he said,
Hey, what do you think?And I was like, it's impressive.
It's impressive the culture of the playersthat are in this program right now.

(03:02:37):
But I think it speaks a lotto the leadership. There's a lot of
older players on this team, andthey've set 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.It's never ended 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 weeks, but what does that
mean to you to kind of begetting that responsibility from him. He's calling

(03:03:01):
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'sa good play, I called it,
and if it's a bad play,he called it. Because the great part
is an assistant coach, you canjust point the finger a little bit and
say, hey, you know,I wanted to do this, but he
trumped me. So we haven't actuallydiscussed game day yet. You know,

(03:03:22):
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 isn't like
pulls one out of left field thatyou 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 annexation of Puerto Rico. You know, we're not coming up
with something special, you know inthe middle of the fourth quarter that we

(03:03:43):
haven't done. But I think it'sthe 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 train forthat so that you get a chance to
execute it because the player's confidences comesfrom their demonstrated ability that they've done this
so many times in practice that whenthey get out on the field that this
is like that to them, youknow. And it's not that they do
it so they do it right,it's they practice it so much so that

(03:04:05):
they can't do it wrong. So, you know, I think it's that
whole part of it that is reallythe key to being a really good game
planning team, right Doug Lane maReeth North Chip. When you had that
feeling when you were coaching in quarterbacksduring Bowl, did you consider at that
point maybe resigning as the head coachand thinking like this is this is not

(03:04:26):
where I am anymore. I'll leaveand then I'll look to see what else
is out there. No, Inever 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,

(03:04:48):
I just entertained some opportunities and Ialways felt I felt like this was the
best fit. But I never thoughtabout quitting or not coaching. I'm gonna
coach. I'm gonna coach, andthen I'm I mean, that's how I
think I think about things. IsI can't picture that. I know someone
I was on the Nike trip andthey like, how much longer are you
gonna go? When I said Ihave to go another fifteen twenty years.

(03:05:09):
I don't think about I don't thinkabout retirement. I don't think about any
of those things. That's just notkind of my mindset that you know.
I love football and in the aslong as 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

(03:05:31):
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 them. You know.
That was always important to me thatI wanted to make sure I talk
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

(03:05:52):
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 to
go be a position coach and coordinator, and that's how it fit. You
know. What I was happy isthat 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 werethey gave him the opportunity to take

(03:06:13):
over there was you know, itworked out. I didn't have any say
in that decision, you know,I was gone, But I always thought
that de Shaun would be a greathead coach and I'm really proud of him
and happy that that he got theopportunity to take that job right behind him
at you have your reputation as innovator. Was part of the appeal of this
is that you get to get inthe weeds a little bit. Uh maybe

(03:06:35):
not mad scientists, maybe too toostrong of a word because you're working within
the system. But was there anappeal of I get to get my hands
dirty here again and innovate and getback to that side of things. It
was, but it was really moreimportant of who I get to work with,
you know, and so knowing youknow, I've got I know a
lot of guys on the staff besidesRyan also, so you know, when

(03:06:58):
I know what they're mindset is andwhat their values are and how they do
things, and so I want tobe a part of that. But there's
a part of that. Yeah,how much of a teacher you get labeled
in the innovator. The teaching isa part of this. How much is
how a teacher are even how patientare you? Yeah? I think we're
all teachers. I mean, educationis the transportation of knowledge, you know.

(03:07:18):
So it really doesn't matter what thecoach knows. It matters what the
players understand, you know. Soyou have to be able to make sure
that while you're implementing things is whatresonates with them and how does that come
back to them. So, youknow, a lot of our teaching styles
that we've learned is more the socraticmethod of there's a lot of questions,
you know, and a lot ofcheck for understandings, just to kind of

(03:07:39):
find out where the players are comingfrom, because it's what they know that's
ultimately going to win games, notwhat we know. You know that we're
not playing the games. We're notstepping across those white lines, you know,
And your job as a coach isto create an environment where they have
an opportunity to be successful and thenget out of their way and let them
go do it. So I thinkthe teaching aspect is huge, and we
continue to research, you know,some of the late trends in teaching to

(03:08:01):
make sure that we are transporting thatknowledge to our players. Second roll left,
Steve Hellwagen, twenty four seven Sports. Yeah, coach, just curious
you got five scholarship quarterbacks with differinglevels of experience from age and everything else.
Not to annoyed him, but justwant to ask specifically about Will Howard
coming in after starting part of twoyears at kids a state. He just

(03:08:24):
seems to promote this idea that he'sa football player, you know above all
else. Just how impressed are youwith his makeup, his experience, what
he's bringing to the table walking inhere right now. Yeah, really impressed.
You know, you don't have totalk to Will for more than five
minutes to kind of know where he'scoming from. He's really focused. You

(03:08:46):
know, he knows he's got ashort window left in his college career and
it really wants to capitalize on whatthat is. There's a maturity to Will,
you know. I really I've hadexperience, My experience in this thing
since the transfer portal opened college footballis is some of the best players I've
had an opportunity to coach award transfers. Sometimes when you're a true freshman and
it's five years out, you know, it's like, hey, I got

(03:09:07):
a ton of time, you know. And sometimes when you're a transfer is
that I've got nine months, youknow. So there's a sense of urgency
I think when you're dealing with withtransfers, and I think Will has exuded
that since he's been here. Butthe other thing that I just in the
short time that Will has been hereis how quickly he's fit in with the
entire team, you know, andhow much the the rest of the players
respect him. You know, hewas one of the gold award winners for

(03:09:30):
his work in the weight room inthis offseason, So that says a lot
for him coming in here as ain a short time being able to win
a weight room award, you know, to start off, You guys,
hope to have the number one internallyexternally at the end of spring or I
guess just let it play out.I think it always every time I've been
involved in these, I think whenthey're organic is when it's the best.

(03:09:50):
I don't think you can anoint somebodyor force the issue because the players know
the players would understand. They seeit every single day, you know,
and there's a team chemistry part ofthis thing too, So we're not gonna
force the issue. A but I'vealways seen it play itself out. So
I've been fortunate that there's always gonnabe some quarterback battles that at some point
in time at every school there's aquarterback battle, you know, and then

(03:10:13):
and really you gotta let them playit out on the field, and that's
where it has to That's that's whereit has to be decided. Just a
couple more age. Hey, welcome, than we We're excited to have you
here. I'm kind of to talkabout the innovative part. Ryan said that
that's something that he's always loved butworking with you and now he wants you
to bring that here and how itwould fit with Ohio State. Do you

(03:10:33):
have any idea what that's gonna looklike yet or is it just way too
early? I have no idea,you know. I I think part of
it is is you're trying to putthe players in position to make plays.
So a lot of that comes fromgetting to understand the players and what their
skill sets are and how we featurewhat their skill sets are, you know,
and and the the one thing afterday one, I can tell you

(03:10:54):
that there there's a lot of skillset out there, you know. So
that's that's what gets you excited,you know, That's what That's what you
jump out of bed in the morningand you're excited to go to work because
of the talent that you get towork with. But the one thing that's
the most impressive is the work ethicthat goes along with that talent. You
know, it's not just empty talent. It's you got some kids who want
to I mean all of them sinceI've been here, want to work.

(03:11:15):
So that that's what gets you excited, But I think assessing what the skill
set is you know that we haveavailable to us on the offensive side of
the ball is vitally important, andthen our job is to put those guys
in positions to make place lots ofpressure. I mean, you've experienced what's
like to coach national championship, callover teams this program right now and moving

(03:11:35):
into a situation where you got towin quicken now. So does that feel
like pressure here for you or isit a little bit of excitement or both?
Well, I've always subscribed to aspressure is what you feel when you
don't know what you're doing. Soif you don't want to feel pressure,
and then you should know what you'redoing, so, you know, I
think it's it's part of that,and I think part of our job with
our players in terms of the educationprocess is getting them to understand that too.

(03:11:56):
Is that you know, it's it'sabout your preparation, it's about you
and your development. It's not aboutthat you can't be governed by what other
people say. It's it's what's mymindset and how am I intrinsically motivated?
And then how do I really competeagainst myself on a daily basis to get
a little bit better. You know, we got a little bit better today
because we get out on the fieldtoday. I got a chance to do
some football. And then the challengeswhen we get back on the field on

(03:12:18):
Thursday. Can we be a littlebit better than we were on Tuesday.
And if we're doing that, thenwe keep stacking good days on top of
good days, and I think we'llbe in good spot and welcome, thank
you. I'm gonna ask about thepros and cons of coaching from the box
and coaching from the field. It'sinteresting to talk to some off some coordinators.
Tom Herman talking about he swore hewanted to coach from the box,
saw the game so much better,sterile environment, not all the chaos on

(03:12:41):
the field. Some coaches you talkto the like, I want to be
on the field so I can lookat my guys in that in the eye.
Where are you at as a asa coordinator? Honestly, And I've
thought of this a lot. Ithought of it a lot during COVID because
we had the empty stands, youknow, so I had thought about just
walking up into the stands for alittle bit because I had a better advantage
I've always believed you can see thegame better from up above, but I
believe you can feel the game betterfrom the field. So if there was

(03:13:03):
any way we could get a zipwire where you could do both, you
know, coach called from there andthen zip out of the field get a
chance to talk to him, becauseit's a different deal when you're talking to
the quarterbacks on a phone, youknow, than being able to look in
their eye and kind of see wherethey are with it. And part of
it is the feel part of it. I remember when I coached Ryan once.
We were playing Ukon and he gothit hard going out of bounds and

(03:13:26):
he just walked by me, andI was a play caller and he was
like, run the next play,and I just kind of looked at him.
I saw the look in his eyesbecause I don't think he could have
thrown it. You know, hewas still trying to get his win back.
But you wouldn't know that if you'reup in the booth, you know,
and you call a pass play fromup 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

(03:13:48):
it's see from up above. Maybein this day a technology, they'll figure
it out. But we'll see howthat that operates, and whatever Ryan feels
is the best for the team iswhat we're gonna do, right, Joey
Coffin, you your teams at theOregon were obviously no never playing at this
assid pace and running a bunch ofplayers per minute, and yep, maybe

(03:14:09):
not by a fast, pretty fast. What role do you see tempo and
having an offense and in the stateyea in college football and has maybe changed.
I think the game is always evolving, you know. I think when
I left in two thousand and twelveto go to the National Football League,
Oregon was the only team that wasplaying really really fast and had shiny helmets.

(03:14:30):
And when I came back in twentyseventeen, everybody had shiny helmets and
everybody was playing fast. So Ithink the game is always going to go
up and down, and there's goingto be different cycles that it goes through.
I think tempo is part of anoffense, but I don't think it's
an offense in itself. I thinkit's more of like if you go to
dinner, it's a side order.You know, it's not the main course,
but it's it's always good to haveit. So I think there's times

(03:14:52):
when you'll use it, but you'reyou're not going to use it extensively the
entire game, just like you're notgoing to throw the ball every single snap
a game. You're not gonna runthe ball every single snap in the game.
You know, there there's there's nota game of absolutes anymore. I
think the ability to be diverse andand have it as a tool in your
two box, so to speak,uh is really how we would look at
using it here becaus are now morefamiliar with it then, I think.

(03:15:16):
So, you know, I thinkwhen you first started going tempo, there
were people in the NCAA they wantto outlaw they want to make an NCAA
role that you had. You couldn'tdo it, you know, and I'll
I'll give coach Shaping credit. Imean, I think obviously Nick was the
first one to do it. Hewanted it outlawed, and then all of
a sudden he adapted it and said, all right, we like this,
you know, so we'll keep itin. But it's I think people have
it doesn't matter what you do.There's there's cycles to this game, and

(03:15:41):
then once people catch on to thatcycle, then it moves. You know,
it's no different than for three defensesand three four defenses. You know
what is the rage when the whenthe Giants won the Super Bowl, they
were there were three four defense andeverybody, everybody says we have to do
that. What people didn't understand isthey had Carl Banks and Lawrence Taylor.
It didn't matter what defense they wererunning. I know, Gym's back there
and Jim plays gets the you knowit was they could have been a four

(03:16:01):
down defense and those guys would havebeen great players. But it's not the
scheme. I think that the coachesthat do it the best way is they
insert their players and put them inthe best position to make plays. And
now now will Temple be part ofit, It'll be part of it,
but it's certainly not going to bethe main course. Last question, Oh,
thank you very much, Jerry.Uh Remember one, there was a

(03:16:22):
great moment there when yall were warmingup, when you were you were talking
with Tim Walton and Caleb Downs comesup and conversing and as you're in this
kind of a two part question,but number one, what was just your
take on the talent you saw onthat field today on both sides of the
ball. Where where would you rankit? Yeah, I'll rank it.
I'll be very transparent. As Iwas telling Tim and Caleb what a great

(03:16:45):
offensive player I thought Caleb would be, could be and should be. But
I'm not the head coach, soI always turned stretch as a as an
offensive coordinator, I'm always looking atthe defensive like I could use him.
Oh what could I do if Ihad him? Life? If you do
it right away, so you know, being accountable, you know, doing

(03:17:07):
the extra stuff away from the fuh the facility. That stuff matters at
the end of the day, causeall the expectations and all that pressure,
that really doesn't matter if you dothose things, you know. So what
are your expectations for a year twoin this offense? I'll just keep going.
You know, the name of thegame is his execution. You know.
The times where we executed at ahigh level, the times we won

(03:17:28):
those games. You know, Sothat's just the goal is just to execute
and to be able to be onthe same page Bill chemistry right now.
So you know, when the whenthe ball rolls, you know, we're
very we're ready to fly around ata high level. So, I mean
that's the goal and that's that's youknow, there's goals on top of that,
but that's the that's the foundation rightnow with Ta's foundation work. So

(03:17:48):
CJ. I know that I knowthat it's still pretty early. But how
has it been so far getting towork with Diggs and how is he fitting
in? So he's been fitting great. You know, he's coming in with
his head down and tell he justworking. You know, he's helped me
out a lot. Just you know, he come comes from a from a
a good system over there where whenhe was with the Bills, and they

(03:18:09):
did a lot of things with himand really just offense and tell me how
like Josh played and things like that, things that you know we do different
than We've had this plenty of conversation, you know. So he been he's
come in and and been a leader, which which I'm proud of him for.
And you know it just really's hasbeen unselfish and uh, I wanted
to see other guys eat and thatwas his main things that he wanted to

(03:18:30):
be around other dogs. And youknow, he he he stepped into that
role where there's a dog everywhere.Every he looks right, he looks left,
there's gonna be a dog. Soand he wanted that. And that's
what you know, we we bringto the table. And he's been nothing
but just amazing so far. AndI I'm very excited to work with him
as a teammate, as a bigwhat's he like to have your friend Tank

(03:18:52):
back with you? Guys? Whatwas it like to go from the cameraon
of emotions, from hearing about itto now when it's over in your back.
It's amazing. You know, it'sjust a testament to him and you
know, one of the god weserve. And then two just the work
that he's put in. You know, he's been h you know, he
came back before it was even schedule. He can get cleared. And then

(03:19:15):
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 thatand he stepped into and me and him
we have those conversations about our faithand then cause like this football stuff.
It seems like it's everything, butit's not. You know, we're we're
people, and we we go througha lot off the field people don't know.

(03:19:35):
And you know, as his brother, I have to be there for
him, like just like he's therefor me when I go through what I
go through. So I mean,I'm just proud of him, man,
Like the word proud is even probablyenough to like state the the feelings that
I have for that guy. Man, he's my one of my best friends
that I've you know, gotten aknown over the years in this in this

(03:19:56):
world of football and past that.Man, I feel like I'm going to
take I've been three years old,you know, I think for like our
connections kind of like we grew uptogether, and you know, I just
got a lot of left for thatguy. And you know, I'm very
excited for him. He's been snappingthat practice and doing really well and you
know, to knock off the restthat quick shows how much work he's been
in. How much more comfortable areyou walking up to ots this year to

(03:20:16):
read the last year things kind ofa little bit slower. Just that's the
biggest difference to you. Yeah,it's night and day, man, it's
really like I feel like I'm runningthe show, and I've got a lot
more uh responsibilities from Slow and fromde Beaca, from dry Bill and really
our whole office of staff. Andyou know, I'm the captain of the
ship and I gotta run it theright way. And I feel like I've

(03:20:37):
you know, stepped into that rolejust you know, and I not only
holding out 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 I think fromlast year to this year, like I've
gotten a lot better with like controllingmy emotions, controlling my ball placement,

(03:20:58):
knowing what's NFL open, and onmy foot work better. There's really every
little thing I've taken a step andthen on the other side of the ball,
you know, just everything slowed down. Seeing coverage Demiico does a good
job of blitching me and you know, working on their different coverages and different
looks and start too high, goto one and go back to two motion
like as man, go to covertoo like all that stuff to keep me
true and honest. And you know, I think I've tried to do my

(03:21:20):
best with my off season study toyou know, be better, and I
feel like I've done that and hada good ota so far. So gotta
finish with that mini camp. Butit's been definitely a big transition of just
more comfortability from last year this year. Yah. College, you you always
had like a really talented receiver room, and then last year you have a
talented receive a room. So you'vehad the experience of having to feed a

(03:21:41):
lot of guys obviously had in digs, even Joe Mising coming out of the
backfield. How much would that experiencefrom those you know, college and last
year help you with being able tomake sure that everybody's being fed the way
they are. So if you can, you don't have the best possible offer.
If you guys like it more,Yeah, I mean I don't think
nothing changes, you know. It'slike I tell I tell guys because I

(03:22:03):
get that question a lot from Igot people just walking around just anywhere,
astra game whatever, and I'm like, man, it's football. You know
you're open, you get the ball, so uh, And my thing is,
you gotta pick your poison playing us, Like who are gonna double who
you gonna cater to who like yougot five dogs who are who are able
to get the get the ball eachgive and play. You know, So

(03:22:24):
I think it's fine. I knowSlow has done a great job of being
more creative and you know, hasput different personnel packages out there, guys
in different positions that going from insideand outside, you know, And you
know, I'm I'm very excited towork with with coach Low again. He's
done amazing so far, you knowOTAs and will continue to do such.

(03:22:45):
But yeah, man, I thinkthat past experience of playing with Marv Jack's
Garrett, Chris Jamo, America Julianlike those type of guys, they'll tell
you too, like you know,they'll probably have said before, but they'll
tell you like they made me betterand I made them better. You know,
that's my job is to make everybodyaround me better. So I'm excited.

(03:23:07):
Man has been healthy competition. LikeI know Gear, I've seen his
interview 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, asthe quarterbacks meet Davis in case and Tim
were the same way too. Sohealthy competition is the best way to grow
and get better. And I thinkthat that's what it's about. You see

(03:23:30):
how excited Diggs gets for Tank whenhe makes it play, and Metch gets
for excited for when Nico makes aplay, and Tank gets excited when Rob
makes a play. You know.So it's amazing, and you know we
got Noah coming back to which isgonna 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

(03:23:50):
you know so and man it's beenfun, uh Nicko and got you some
some Maketu talent on the office sideof the ball. And what do you
think about their dishes then they madeon the defensive side of the ball.
Yeah, man, it's been great. It's been good on good like the
going talks about iron shopping iron.You know, it's been a lot of
smack talk, a lot of justuh, just good competition, you know.

(03:24:11):
And then it starts with me andhis ease, you know, him
being the leader of defense. I'ma leader at offense. And you know,
playing him last year. I mean, he always showed up on tape
when I watched the Titans last year. So it's cool to like see like
the stuff he thinks. You cansee him at my locker, me at
his or us before practice after practicetalking about plays, and you know,
so, I mean it starts withus, and then when you add Daniell,

(03:24:35):
somebody who's a vet who plays reallyhard, who's gonna help will you
know? Them? Two dogs?He got team in the in the middle
with Autry and and Sosa and justa ton of guys, man, you
know, in the back end,got young guys showing up. Kaitlyn's doing
really well in the back end alongwith Petrie and Jimmy, along with Kamari.

(03:24:56):
Kamar is showing up. Stein isplaying well as y'all seen. Uh
So, man, it's just beendogs on dogs, you know, like,
and that's that's that's that's the bestteams I've ever been on. Has
been the closest teams personally, butalso the most competitive team. So it's
been Dope S's and see that hebroke out last year and Ego broke out
last year and he goo geinst thecontract exception. He's here too twenty twenty

(03:25:16):
seven. What does that do foryou? Just knowing that you haven't familiar
target to work with for the nextfew years, You know, it's just
something I I'm first of all,I'm just proud of that guy. Uh
my brother, Nico. He's shownup and shown out, you know when
you know when his number is called, he always makes to play. And

(03:25:37):
you know, he's just a specialHe's a generation talent man. He's He's
like al Age is Andre Johnson inmy opinion, of just how fast he
is, how he gets in andout of his brace, his releases,
how strong he is. And Ithink last year was just a uh a
preview to what it's took come forhim. And the one thing I'm proud
of him for is just the workhas never stopped. He's constantly here working
on his body, constanting here workingon his hands. Is his more ability

(03:26:00):
in the weight room, you know, So for me, I mean just
having a a true uh. Ithink we have like five number ones,
you know, So that's kind ofcool to have. And I've had that
before in college and I'll have itagain and it's gonna be fine. Man.
And Nico he's gonna he's he lovesto see everybody else eat too.
So man, his his love forhis brothers has a change, and you
know it's it's a it's a specialfeeling to see somebody who deserves to get

(03:26:22):
paid and you know, get whatthey to d D wait, they what
they deserve and you know, I'mjust really proud of him. What does
it mean for you to have anotheropportunity to work with Barbisola Andelotte Johnson.
I don't know if you remember thatwas a moment going into the playoffs last
season, where do you really evenknow if either one of those guys would
be in pretty shit? Yeah,I mean for both of them to come

(03:26:43):
back was very special. I thinkwe both we all have a better feel
of how to work with one another. And you know, the talent I
am on the field, and theplay caller that uh Bobby is and then
the the common coach droved is youknow, we all work together or that
and you know, slow as I'min his office almost every morning just going

(03:27:03):
over stuff and wi for filling withhim, going over things that we need
to go to get better at.And he always has his phrases, you
know, working for the end atmind, and you know, he holds
me accountable when you know it couldbe easier just to like let me slide,
cause you know, I'm I'm outthere still making plays, but he's
like, nah, you need tobe better here, here and there,
And you know, I that's justuh shows a type of a leader he

(03:27:24):
is. And you know, it'sa honor to be able to work with
l him again. And same forme, like to him like, hey,
flow, I'm not really feeling hisplay, or I wanna add this
player to try to see if wecan get better here in this inn in
this practice, or you know,I think we can be really good at
this type of player. And he'svery, very accepting when it comes to

(03:27:45):
that. So it's been cool towork with both of them, and I'm
very excited to get another year onour belt. What was it like teacher
last year? Right here? Whatwas it like, uh? Teacher football
internationally and the the r the receptionthat you got from the people there,
and it was amazing. You know, first of all, shout out to
Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo, youknow for accepting me to Micah with open

(03:28:09):
arms and just the hospitality and theuh just the culture man, there is
just amazing. They want to learnabout football, you know, and it's
it was cool just to see likethem already have like the foundation of it,
but wanting to grow from there.And you know, I think football
is a family sport and like thosepeople are our family now. And you
know, the Olympics come into whereit's gonna be international with flag football,

(03:28:33):
I think it's super dope. Andto be able to get you know,
to be able to put our feetinto those those doors already, you know,
it's kind of cool, you know. So I mean, I'm very
grateful with my team with Bernie andDavid for setting that up and even like
the guys out there who who gaveus top notch hospitality. It it was

(03:28:56):
just amazing, man, the wholeexperience. So you know, just my
first time really out the count Treeand just being able to like go to
the Great Wall China and all thatstuff and still do what I love to
do, you know, working outwhen Micah it was cool and uh he
has a lot of crazy takes,but you know, I I got love
for that guy, but it wasfun. Man, John and Jonathan,
Dad, what's uh, what's it? Like, have you can't stover down

(03:29:18):
here with you? And what's yourrelationship been like with him here? 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 his
college, I think he's like myblood brothers who like somewhere for walk count

(03:29:39):
of the line. I don't knowhow it works, but I just he's
always like there for me. He'salways you know, I don't know,
man, Kate is just like thatguy. He's a brother that you just
you know, letting him know I'mavailable for him. You know. I
think it can be something as littleas just the steps on field goal block
or or field goal protection. Youknow, I've been doing it for thirteen

(03:30:03):
years. It's still crazy. I'mstill doing it, but uh, you
know, Uh, those are thetype of things I'm just giving guidance to.
And then you know, off thefield, it's you know what takes
BacT around the city. Where shouldyou be, where you should be,
how you can help yourself? Youknow, the little things day and what
are you looking forward to your contract? You know, I'm looking to be

(03:30:28):
here. You know, the valueis what we decide, but you know,
I think for me, I wantto be you know, valued at
my position. You know, Iunderstand I came up a rough season,
but I don't think it's a stepdown of where I can play. You
know, I think when I'm atthe top of my game, I'm still

(03:30:48):
you know, top five player inmy position. And you know, I
played a run in the past andI bring leadership and that's not anything I
disc Can you do you plan tobe here for Mini campra in the storage,
for any camp? Yeah? Howdifficult has it been the last two
weeks to not be here? Imean you said in your podcasts the first

(03:31:09):
time you've never not been at Yeah, it w It was difficult, But
like you know, the thing Igot very frustrated with was just when people
questioned my communication with the team.You know, I uh was communicating with
guys left and right, and youknow, front office, coaches, teammates,
and all I care about is howI am with my teammates. I

(03:31:31):
don't want them to ever think Idon't care about them or how I'm not
in it. And you know,you can say whatever you want about me.
But besides that, but I alwaysdedicate anything I can to them,
and I don't want that to everybe question Andjaya said that it felt like
sometimes you were holed up somewhere watchingfilm. You texted h say, hey,
you missed this or you wanna beepthat. Well, like the first

(03:31:52):
day, he was batting all upRuss's passes, so I had to let
him know, you know, I, uh, you gotta take advantage of
that. You gotta make sure guysare you know, uh know that you
you still care and you still wannabe a part of this. Uh,
you know, just watching practice,there's a couple of little things we're doing
different, whether I'm communicating with Dunbaror other people you know, to be

(03:32:15):
Yeah, so you're that You're alsotalking with him and you you've given him
pointers during the off season, justconstant communication. How do you see New
Girl as a person, you know, as far as how he's approaching things,
how he getting ready for this seasonfrom his rookie year. Uh,
you know, I think the thingwith Keanu is he's more comfortable, you
know, you know, it's nothis first time around the track. You
know, it's actually like he canyou know, uh, catch his feet

(03:32:37):
under him. You know, Ialways think when you're in your rookie season,
you're going from bowl game. Idon't even know Wisconsin playing a bowl
game. Sorry, Wisconsin, Idon't even know. But you know,
personally, I just think when yougo from bowl game to training for the
combine to you know, rookie minicampto OTA's the you know mini camp,

(03:32:58):
I mean to try an the regularseason, you really don't get a time
to really catch yourself. You know, he understands the playbook. Now you
can be more vocal, you know, and I think with my absence,
the other guy's absence, you know, you need guys like that to step
up and be ready for those opportunities. Big server you had, say you
had during the season was a morethorough What was just tightened down everything,

(03:33:22):
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, A growing is not likean a cl It's not like anything's that
we're gonnaet affected again. And youknow, you know, I'm feeling good,
able to do everything, squat andheavy with power and speed, so

(03:33:45):
you know, it feels good toget after Again, what do you think
of what the team was able toaccomplish yourself season? In turn to bring
guys like Russian and things. Youknow, I think they're all good acquisitions.
But you know, you never wantto be known as a paper champion,
so can't in the off season.I think the work gets done out
here on the field, gets donein the classroom, Wow, it gets

(03:34:07):
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 uh, putting
a complete name on the field andhow temper coll is it to separate the
business part of the game in theactual football player. Uh. You know,
you you always wanna you you alwayshave to treat it like a business

(03:34:31):
because you know one day it's gonnaend. Uh and that's been job.
Uh. It's not like in collegewhere you know you got four years guaranteed.
You know, well now you youdon't know whether nil and know it's
crap, but the transfer portal portal, But you know you have to I
still have love for this game andI still work my tail off and I

(03:34:54):
still put everything into it and that'snot gonna change. But you have to
know, uh what you bring tothe team and what your what your value
is. Yeah, I want youto 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.
Uh, but uh, you knowI loved it. Uh, you

(03:35:16):
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, cra crazy.
When it's just you and another guy, You're like, damn, I gotta
go back up for another rep already. And so you know, it's nice
to be up here and get achance to you know, be with my

(03:35:39):
guys cam where you're confident and beable to get done with your emotions.
Oh, I'm gonna we'll try toremain 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 what happens. Is my last year here, I

(03:36:01):
I I I I've had a greatcareer here, but Uh, I'll look
forward to play next up. Canyou with that second surgery? You said
it this time was on the leftside. 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. Youknow, you can ask doctor Bradley,

(03:36:22):
uh, doctor doctor Zuckerbron who uhdid the surgery as well. You know,
I if anything's gonna help me andyou'll make me a lot stronger from
hearing up And you said you weretraining with another guy? Who have you
kind of been Tyson? Oh?Uh, I've been training with him for
the last eight years. We've alwaystrained together. We got a trainer up

(03:36:43):
north, uh shadowt Cole Haley,he's my guy, traded trained trained,
uh Heath Miller, Brett Keesel.The multitude of guys that I all respect
and we've just been getting after itcan be very few guys historically thirty five
they paid big contract that do youthink that's held against you. I think
there's not a lot of history behindit. But you know, for me,

(03:37:07):
I I look at as I'm notlooking to be like anybody else you
know, my game is different fromeverybody else in this league. You know,
I like to think, you know, I can play the run in
the past, and then that's whereI'm different. You know. I remember
last year Mike t just brought tomy attention. You know the thing that's
really cool is you watch powerlisters,and you know, my game's built on

(03:37:30):
powering technique, and those guys gointo their forties and so you know,
that's what kind of research I'm doingbehind the scenes. But you know,
I I We'll see what happens.I it's there's not a lot of history,
but I'm here to make history andI'm here to you know, win
another Super Bowl year and you know, have a great season. Do you

(03:37:52):
have a set goal over yourself onhow many years you wanna play in the
NFL? Or did you just takethings year by the year? You know
it? It was it was toughanswering that question right after the season.
I will say this, guys,I I can't keep answering that question right
after the season. That is notfair to the season, that's not fair
to my family. Uh you know, but in my mind, I got
three years and I wanna maximize'em. I wanna play at a high level

(03:38:16):
and I wanna go deep in theplayoffs, and you know, we got
a good team and I'm gonna domy part to be ready for all those
situations here. If you plan onpractice when you report to Latrobe, or
is your crossibility that you might foldin And I I have not even thought
that far. I've taken a dayby day uh you know uh uh.

(03:38:37):
I told my agent and we talkedabout it. I mean, we were
cool coming out here. You know, I'll be here for many you know,
and then I'll be there for traininggrand you know, I don't know
what the work entails, but rightwhen we get there, we'll we'll cross
that bridge or remain a stealer forthose three years. You know. There

(03:39:00):
was 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 or Johnson. So learning fromhim and guys like that, it's it

(03:39:22):
makes me more comfortable. But Icould. I feel like I could do
anything on the field now, I'lldo anything to play so fast and do
with meat, throwing the ball,running the ball, catching the ball,
blocking anything I'll do get on thefield. Talked about how competed you are.
Where do you think that can drivefrom? It just comes from where
I'm from, South Florida. Ifeel like everybody down there, we compete
to the max. There's no otherplace that competes like South Florida. There's

(03:39:45):
dogs all around the South Florida.So, I mean, it's just ever
since I was seven years old whenI started playing, It's just it was
instilled in me to just compete andbe that dog. Speaking of South Florida,
I mean, I played with Jeremiahwhen I was ten and eleven,
and then we played against each othera couple of years of high school.

(03:40:07):
So I've seen him. The growthhe's made over these years is insane.
The way his body has changed iscrazy. And now seeing out here today,
it's just like everything comes full circle. You know. He he's what,
he was the best player in thecountry last year. And for him,
for me seeing him grow up andthings like that, it's been really
good to see fresh. It's sucha stack room. The Marvin Harrison Junior

(03:40:30):
didn't play much as a true fresh, but seems like he might be the
exception to the rules. I feellike Jeremiah exists. I mean, he's
definitely he's a different caliber when whenyou when you watch him and how smooth
he is and the physical abilities hebrings to the game, I feel like
he has to play some way.He has to. He has to play
because he was the better of theteam. Jeremiah and the years, they're

(03:41:11):
gonna get the best receiver receiving roomfrom the country. You know, we've
been helding that narrative for so longnow, but we're gonna continue to do
that. I mean, we haveconversations with like as us dream because we're
we all play for the same team. As you said, we just want
to be the best and we knowwhen it's our time to come, we're
gonna do We're gonna do that anddefinitely get a national championship. How special

(03:41:33):
is that for you? For thatyou guys get it's very special because you
would have never known in OT sevenwhen we were there all on the same
field together on the same team.People never thought we would have been at
the Ohios State University, all playingon the same field at the same time,
so it's definitely special in them thedreams come true. How's your body
change in this offseason? How doyou got better? I definitely think my

(03:41:58):
body will changed a lot, andit's change the ways of like my body.
Pappers sentences went down a lot,and I just feel like I overall
feel better when I like do longruns and stuff like that. So I
have a good, really good staminaright now, so I just hope to
keep that up. Would you beas winded this year as you were after
a fifty seven years touchdown in yourfirst test? Winded? Yeah, yeah,

(03:42:20):
yeah. I feel like it wasjust adrenaline rushing. I feel like
I was as more so a celebrationwas more tired than the run. Actually
everybody jumping on me and stuff likethat. But it was definitely a cool
experience experience. Just talk about SouthFlorida. Is there a little Southwmoria?

(03:42:41):
Is there anything outside? It feelslike there's a little bit of South Florida
and maybe there's no from the trackdroppers? Yeah, you guys, do
you see that in the corner?I feel like if there were anybody to
be from South Florida in the corner, it would be I just be Davidson
nig knows some guard and looking overto my counterparty guards. Great thing to
say. What what about Carson's skills? Might just allow him to shift over

(03:43:03):
one's boxing row. It was lastyear? Why would he be successful?
Right, he's athletic, He's ableto run the ball. You he'p been
as well, which is all thefun your favorite thing in work in the
space, that's uh, it's ahuge u thing to have. And uh,
he's just trying to come up intothe reck guard spot. It's some
of the kind of other guys Igot said badifying for it, but uh,
he's don't He did a good jottoday. Let's say we can do

(03:43:24):
it until the summer and get intothe ball camp. After Sam scored his
touchdown, coach lock and was talkingto him then he kind of made his
way over to it, did grabhis shoulder head like what was going on?
Are you? Oh? Yeah,yeah, I mean obviously, Uh,
the young guy scores the touchdown onthe shoe, he kind of blocks
out of everything. So I'm tryingto coach a Lock's call his name trying
to get his attention back. Hegets some coaching. Uh it was it

(03:43:45):
was nothing too crazy. Coach locksit. Now we handle ball to the
rep around here, and so justto make sure, you know, uh,
obviously it's a great thing. ButI'm scoring the touchdown. It's a
great thing. Everybody showing you tosee him score, but he has some
time to see some coaching. Alot of quarterbacks running the ball today,
Uh like to that part of theday. I mean, I think that
just makes uh the offense even morepowers too. Even that's played a leving
on the wepisode ten on eleven.So it's just another guy to account for
another guy. You have to moveit outside of the box, another guy

(03:44:09):
after tens the rest of the defenseopen for more options and you offensive than
itself. It's a it's an awesomething. You know, personally I want
the slide, but but uh,it's it's still cool to see how difficult
did that make it last year whenyou here the last couple of years when
you really haven't had that running foryou, Aby do run with the quarterback
game. None, It wasn't difficult. It's just a new style of operense,

(03:44:30):
you know. Coach Kelly comes inwith his philosophy and what he wants
the cues to do, and thecues are actually on the springs. So
I'm just gonna keep building off that. Obviously, Uh, he did a
couple of good things today some uhsome good runs by all the cues,
but just uh building off of itand see what we can do better done.
I think you open today in thekey formation. It's gonna be creative
like that. What's it like workingwith Chip Kelly? And how is that
helping the offensive line? He's creativity? You know, Uh, it's it's

(03:44:54):
it's really fun going through walk throughs. Obviously I only get the sort of
run to play the inside out.But you know, we go back from
filmingly well we were in the tform mission, but it's, uh,
everything's a lot everything's a lot morefun. All the guys are buying it,
and all the guys are coming alot more fun. So uh,
coach kind of brings us on hisown juice to what we have. What
are you going on? And justuh, every day every guy that everyone

(03:45:16):
improves off of it. So doyou feel that improvement up front for you
guys in the offensive line? Andyou feel like that's helping you guys right
now for sure? Yeah? Imean, uh, it's all we have
a lot more experience in the online, A lot more guys have a year
or two under their belt. Andwhat did your impression of him? What
does he do well that you're like, okay, yeah, this is this
is the proner our own to takecard. He closes you born, he
close hard here he hit it rightafter your visit. I mean when you

(03:45:39):
came down here, was there athought process that you could commit. Did
you come down with an open mindor did you kind of have a feeling
that this was gonna be the weekendof your Natuh? I came down with
open mine. I didn't know aboutthe open maating around that. Then I
got here, I felt, uhfamily ane here clear? Okay, what
was that moment like for you talkingto the coaches, telling the player and
telling your fan, like, justwhat was that like for you? But

(03:46:01):
it's drinks, I have my mom, my dad or my mother's in the
room. What was that reaction?Well, my everybody already reallys for the
thing. Con don take time?So what was coach last bad time when
you think of like just to commentor the yeah, just an Ohio State
back. You know, whether it'sphysicality, what are the first things that

(03:46:22):
come to mind when you think ofthe don't hire share or any back sweet
of power? Yes on and titygot it? Yeah, there is that
something that I mean you feel likeyou have to you know, working 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, Hi,
I think that's the cop back Iam. But you go at the group,
Yeah, well, what are kindof a few of those things that
you're like, yeah, I needto work on like over the course of

(03:46:43):
the next few months, or ofjust everything. Make sure I keep all
the details of boll security. Whata coach I tell you that he likes
about your game? Is it artbetween the tackles, your speed and what
is he likes to right now?He said he like my rough up the
backfield, and I saying he likedthat, I'm not what's kind of your
main I mean, obviously as anin state kid committed to this class,

(03:47:03):
what's your pitch now to other recruitsand being like this is why you should
join Ohio State story, it's areal family. I'm spirit. Yea,
everybody get them, everybody talking toeverybody joins other. What'd you say once
you get any training back or thecoats bring him? Well, I've always

(03:47:24):
looked up to Bill Jackson watching thisfilm. You, Uh, that's funny.
Do you think that your boy stylecan hear his for physical perspective and
just the way that he really hopedto And I think that what you want
to relative to Yeah, I thinkI can. I think the speed to
part yeah, I think I believe. Remember who are the main guys that

(03:47:46):
you're you're talking to right now tojoin the storm? I'm really talking to
everybody, uh for listening room andthat all the commits and any guys that
you want to join the class.Anybody at the top of your listeners,
not at the figure Oh sorry ifyou already got asked this, but coming
up here as a as a recruit, as a commitment s here? What

(03:48:07):
what did you want to show today? What did you want to get out
of this experience? It wasn't nothingto show, nothing cool. I just
wanted to do some work out withhis love. How did you feel like
that went? Obviously he's still relativelynew here, but he seems to bring
up a little bit of a differentenergy than than some of these camps in
the past. I feel like itwent good. Yeah, do you sense
that energy? I mean when you'reout with him, it's I feel isn't
sense? Interview? He's different thanother guys though, right, I mean

(03:48:28):
kind of How would you explain hiscoaching than some of the other running back
coach you've made up work with inthe path. This is a tense sense
like go go go? Did didyou talk to talk one when you even
ever work in? I did?Okay? So when when didn't he didn't
work? And get him out Tomlike Rufford around like after the season,

(03:48:50):
like not too far after? Okay? Is that I mean? Is it
was? He kind of the sameguy that he is now. So just
just to make a new uniform basic. Yeah, and you guys obvious added
Isaiah to the class, and there'sno secret they would like to add another
one. What are your thoughts onbeing in a class with three different running
knacks like that? I have noproblem to be able to clas through another
thing? What do you like aboutIsaiah? I don't know, nizing you've

(03:49:13):
never met him, but you justdamn it not the person coming when you
committed. Who were some of theguys that researched reverse from any in particularly
about after they got up. I'mnot really a couple of linebackers take me
on joining. You just get joycoming that you're just getting him that I

(03:49:39):
enjoy every time. Christ do youthink would you like to change that you
walk out the door if you werethe jy and just decided to work out
committing and now you're flave star numberone player so far crazy us that's actually

(03:50:00):
the picture you ever say? It'sjust even getting offer from here, my
black that's this year the sky greatappreciate. I mean, obviously we got
a couple offore you get married.I'm curious about how you pick so higher
and stay how pretty it's pretty youstarted day. But I mean in terms

(03:50:22):
of the guys, don't you wantto join? You're you're not jest arts
had not pick your pam shirts havea great right seek? What do you
want out of a quarterback in yourclass? Like the white attribute you're missing?

(03:50:45):
I want specifically like yeah, thisis what I want out of specistic
cards? Great? What you uhpress? I talk too? By work?

(03:51:22):
Thank you brothers, visit cost youvery much, very very thank you
once again, you're missing. We'retalking to mass and Kelly about that.
What don't you like that? I'mthe first time I met him. You

(03:51:46):
know, he just flind it reallywell. What do you think you can
bring to you? Yeah, likethe lots said, what's been like for
You're just moving up to count more? You being out of toun day.
This is a little honestly, likehelp help you like different being a state

(03:52:16):
when you were just it is definitelydifferent. So it's live your question the
new generation of recruits where I don'tthink anybody outside looking you know, the
question is the strength of your commitment, Like you're locked into the last day,
you send it over and over,but you're making visits around the country.
You've seen other schools. It's it'salmost a totally different mindset. How

(03:52:41):
do you approach these other visits andhow do you communicate with Ohio State about
them? But what's been the message? I just let you know that you
know, I'm always locked in.You know, I'm just still undone the
buses. You know, this isonly what's on. Siblings enjoy the other

(03:53:03):
schools. I tell them, likelike yeah, it would be really hard
trying to get to the flips that'sso high to stay you see, I
would be it's what is it thatmade you wanna take cloths with us?
What w chase house? The rehabprocess going so far? Schooling? Great
man, it's just taking them oneday at a time. At what stage
are you? I know Day saidthey wanted to see you, probably in
training camp and we would know alittle bit more. I guess at the

(03:53:24):
next week when you see the doctorfor what what stage are you at?
Yeah, I'm back up training doingeverything lifting O crazy. So ye,
I'm back in that stage. Doyou have a time cable like what you'd
be ready for training camp? Oruh? Like what is your expectation?
Uh? Right now? Just takeme one day at a time, standing
in my playbook, so my numberscalled'em ready? And how important for

(03:53:45):
you hasn't been to I guess stayaround the team while you're in this process?
Uh, great man? Nuh,you know, definitely getting in touch
with the guys. Oh, youknow, knowing a lot of s lot
of the guys already a lot ofthe old State boys here. So it's
been great. Are you encouraged byhow you field so far? After the
procedure, do you oh yeah,what are your expectations work? What from
what people told you? How wouldhow would you goose? Oh yeah,

(03:54:05):
noah, I F I feel fine. Shit, I just ran ten fifties.
Shoot, I'm I'm getting back inshape. Shoot, getting in the
weight room, about to get strongagain. So yeah, I'm i'm,
I'm i'm'a be ready. What potentialdo you see with this defensive line?
Yeah? I mean now you definitelystacked. I see a lot of great

(03:54:26):
things. Uh, you know we'veworked together, Yeah, I think Scott's
limit. Some conversations have you hadwith some of the veterans, like Cam
or any other people on the Gline? Yeah? Just uh going to
Cam just aks'em about certain thingsin terms of how he sees offenses,
just whole time he's been in theleague, in terms of formations and how
he picks up on little pre snapbreeze things like that. SAE, I

(03:54:48):
think making said, you know youdove into the deep end of the cool
h. How I guess m muchimportant for you to be disinvested with this
teaming and how much are you enjoyingthat investment? Yeah? That's real cool,
but I uh, I here.The only thing I had to get
used to is that heat. Butuh, it's it's real cool, great
teammates and everybody welcome you with openarms. So it's a great experience.

(03:55:11):
Case. How you gotta get youanswered? The sorry is uh training camp
day one? Is that a realisticexpectation? I'm just focusing on today.
Are you running it? Yup?Marshan is another oh house they got just
having him back in the building,just talking about what happened. Oh yeah,
uh yeah, b uh big bro. You know, it's uh,

(03:55:31):
definitely excited to play with'em.We always chatted obviously on different teams,
but I'm definitely excited to to playwith'em. That's you know, that's
gotta be big for me. Wasthat one of the guys making the decision
that you you kind of talked toabout what this locker room is like,
yeah, Marshaan uh Tyrane, Butyeah, I mean it was We got

(03:55:54):
a lot of great guys in thisd You look at that, you know
on paper, you know, Ifeel like definitely one of the most talented
defenses in the league for sure.Now it's all about just putting it together
and you know, coming together asa team. The research on that one
hundred years ago, you know,folks have the idea of building a stadium

(03:56:16):
over sixty thousand people, and that'sbecause of what Chick Harley was doing.
And you know, they had awooden bleachers over here, and all these
people started coming in and the ideaof bringing in a stadium that of over
sixty thousand people at the time waslike, this is crazy. What is
college football turning into? And theyinstead of going to the state or going
to the school the community, theywent to the community to raise the money
they raised over at the time overa million dollars. Well night, fast

(03:56:39):
forward one hundred years and the conversationstill might be like what is college football
doing right? And in this situationthen il we had to turn to the
community for help, and Bucky Nationshowed 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 thatmuch different. It's just in a different

(03:57:00):
time, in a different you know, set of issues that we're working through.
But I think it's exciting. Ithink there's a lot of positives to
it. I do. I thinkthat we're taking the next step with the
revenue sharing to try to institutionalize someof it, which would be big for
us some real. Bill reminds,Yeah, every years got question. It

(03:57:22):
seems like this year's team has fewerquestions off in a linear specifically, if
you look ahead to more than amonth, what are the real questions that
you have in your mind about positionbattles and who's going to I would say
on offense, you know, we'vegot to square away the quarterback as you

(03:57:46):
know, I feel like, youknow, 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 receiverthat we feel like we can put
in five or six in the gameand feel good about it. On defense,
I think we're still looking to figureout, you know, who are

(03:58:07):
going to be the guys inside,you know, the third, the fourth,
the fifth, defensive interier, alinement that we're going to put in
the game. And then same thing, just just I would say depth,
a little bit of safety, justto kind of see who those next guys
are. They're going to step up, and so we know it's going to
be a long year. We're goingto need everybody and and so in a

(03:58:28):
lot of those areas. It's depthspecial teams wise. You know, punter
is going to be you know thatthat is significant. You know, we
just brought in Nick and you know, 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 from the offensive line, there was I think a school apology

(03:58:48):
you guys might be looked for atransfer in that post spring window. Did
you guys do that? Did youguys not find the guy or were you
just confident the guys you have,just like you know in Jane, worry
if if if we're going to bringsomebody in is to fill a hole,
We're not just gonna bring somebody into bring somebody in, Like at all
positions, we'll always look to seewhat's out there. We did evaluate some

(03:59:11):
of the guys that were out there, and you know, you know,
we felt like coming out of itas we evaluated it, you know,
there was a couple of guys thatyou know, we checked on, but
but ultimately, like based on wherewe were and some of the young guys
that are coming up, you know, we felt like we saw some progress
in the offensive line in the spring, So you know, it wasn't there
wasn't as many folks in the portal, you know, in after the spring.

(03:59:33):
So we looked at it, weidentified it, We did our due
diligence, but you know we're gonnago through. We have now second round
bills, right, you're it wasinteresting that you have two of maybe the
top five ors of guys in Sportand then a bunch of guys who haven't
plenty uh maybe someone that I don'twant to question, but did you consider

(03:59:54):
trying to add there understanding the probablythe difficult sell. We can have such
telling on the top of the brinksthat we experience, just like, what
were those conversations like and how didyou sett along being comfortable with Well,
like you said, you know,I think we're we will get some experience
there with those two guys. Andthen you know, we felt like coming
out of the Spring that James andSam both did a nice job and you

(04:00:16):
know, we're gonna have to playthem and they're gonna have to you know,
take on a little bit of that. You know, we have you
know, started having conversations with CalebDowns. I was part of the recruiting
process of possibly you know, doinga little 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 ofthe individual drills as a possibility there if

(04:00:37):
you know, needed so down theroad, to continue to build depth at
that position. But you know,I think, you know, we feel
like, you know, if youhave you know, four strong running backs
going into it, then you knowthat's gonna be that's gonna be enough to
carry the season. I do thinkthat the quarterbacks will run the ball more
this season, so that should takesome carries away from them. But to

(04:00:58):
your point, you know, Jamesand say, we're gonna have to step
up to you guys that we cancount on. Save that for another day.
Yeah, just fall up on that. Is he capable of stepping in
and being running back? I obviously, Yeah, Well we'll see, we'll

(04:01:18):
see. We talked about in therecruiting process, you know, the first
time around and more specifically in thesecond time around, and so he's you
know, he's been around a littlebit just to get a feel for it.
We did very little in the spring. We did I think we pitched
them an option or something like that. In the spring just to kind of
get them going. But yeah,we'll see. We'll see where that goes.

(04:01:39):
We don't have a specific plan rightnow, but we do want to
introduce him to that just the samething like Lorenzo Styles has played your see
where he did that Notre Dame.You know he's out there a little bit,
just kind of learning. It's healthy. You know, you're seeing it
from the other side of the ball. This time of the year, you
can get away with that a littlebit, a little bit in the preseason.
Where it goes, we'll see,but you just never know. And
we're trying to put some contitiency plansin place because it could be a long

(04:02:01):
season. Yeah, this is myforty fourth year cover of House today.
I don't remember ever expectations like this. In the summer, there were something
were almost a big sure. Doyou sense that too, And what is
that pressure like as you're working througha summer? Yeah, And people have
asked me that I go back tothe expectations every year are the same.
I mean, it's just the truth. When opening press conference I said you

(04:02:22):
got to beat the team up north, and when every game after that,
that's just the expectations. And whenyou come up short, you know you've
got to figure out a way toget those things fixed. I think we
have done that. But the expectationsare the same every year. Pressure is
the same every year. I justlike the pressure when you've got a really
good team behind you. So that'swhat we've got right now. And you
know, we know it's going tobe a long season. We know what
we're working towards. But I willsay this about this team, Well,

(04:02:46):
we've been talented. That's there's beentimes in the past we've been talented.
I don't know since I've been here, if we've been this talented and this
experience together with guys that have playeda lot of football, fourth and fifth
year guys, and that doesn't matter. We'll go Thanks to Intoor, Stephen.
But since you brought it up,maybe this is just talks because it's
summer conmers, so you can nowjust have conversations. Maybe that we're making

(04:03:07):
a big out of nothing long termsituations. But we've seen it around college
football the league, guys playing bothsides of the ball. I'm doing it
quite well right Travis Hunner is doingit out in Colorado and Caleb Jausi's been
department turns, so we see whathe could do with the ball. But
there's also the stamina aspect of that. I get into a sixteen game season,
So I'm not saying it's twenty fortysnaps or something like that. But

(04:03:28):
what about his athleticism, what hebrings to the table, and let you
know that if you wanted to exploreit in a real game, he could
last and still be an effective seetyYeah. Yeah, we'd have to see
all that. He did it inhigh school. But we got some really
good running backs in a room.So it's not something that we're planning on
doing, but uh, well,we are gonna, you know, work
on a little bit Caleb. Calebenjoys that part of it. We did

(04:03:50):
agree that that was something that wewere gonna look and do. Where it
goes, I don't I don't reallyknow right now, but I know that
he has the capability to do it. He has the athleticism and do it,
and you know, we'll kind ofsee where it goes, see see
how he does, and you know, maybe hand the ball Tom a little
bit of the preseason, because again, it's going to be a long season.
We have to make sure we havecontinuency plans in place, but I

(04:04:11):
know it's something that he enjoys havingthe ball in his hand. So even
during their first time around the recruitingprocess, we even't talked about him coming
in as a as an offensive player. Ultimately we think his ceiling is highest
on defense. But you know,but I also agree. I think that
having you know, guys going toother side of the ball and just see
it, listen to meetings is reallyhealthy for the development. So we're going

(04:04:33):
to do that regardless. Your defensiverecruiting right now is maybe further long it's
been in the years past, andI think we passed much questions about it
in the past, But is thisa product of seeing it over the last
couple of years and now it's notjust telling you guys, hey, this
might look like this, they're seeingit in real time. Yeah, you
know, we talked about it whenJim first came in, and I think

(04:04:54):
Tim Walls an unbelievable job as wellin the back end, and you know,
Matt stepped right in and Jame Teamsand Larry. I think they're all
doing a great job. But likeyou said, you know, it's one
thing to talk about it that's theory. Testimony is is look at this is
this is what we're doing. Andthen I think you're seeing a lot of
guys just excited about playing in thisdefense. I think they see the capabilities
and the flexibility too. You know, right now the way we play,

(04:05:16):
excuse me, the way we playright now is based on you know,
we have four really talented defensive linementhat are really good and we got a
lot of that to those positions.But there's also flexibility with some of the
things Gym's done in the past thatyou know, we're definitely looking at and
some of the recruits that we're lookingat who brings some versatility, pass rusher,
you know, we have that jackposition and those type of things.

(04:05:37):
So, uh, that's exciting aswell. And I think you're seeing a
lot of the recruits, you know, really get fired up when they get
here. People. Yeah, coach, I think your first couple years,
your identity was was very bigger fromanal standpoint and air it outside team.
Look at the key best talent andthe playmakers you have therese your identity change.

(04:05:58):
I guess what do you think theidentity is of the Well, we'll
see as we go but you know, 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 opportunity usedto throw the ball. That'll happen.
But you know we're gonna have to, you know, do those things to

(04:06:18):
win close games and play situational football. But I think, you know,
you won't really get a feel forwhat the identity of the team is until
we get into probably the beginning ofOctober, you know, and I think
we all have ideas of what itcould go. But you know, now
that we're playing in a playoff format, just like a lot of those NFL
teams sometimes, you know, theydon't really quite understand their identity until they
get about halfway through the season.I don't think it'll take that long.

(04:06:41):
But you know, we're able toplay some games and kind of work through
some things. And I don't thinkour defense is going to change a bunch
in terms of what we did lastyear. I mean, it's a lot
of the same guys back could looka little different on offense. Time for
two more go to Doug ly Maries. Hey, right, you lose important
recruiting staffer to promotion at Michigan justthe second time. So Mu's gone to

(04:07:05):
Michigan this offseason. How do youreact to something like that? Is something
that someone like that would take informationthat was learned here that could help Michigan
or Burnough high stages 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,

(04:07:28):
the players that are here, theones that are Buckeyes. Joe Didjon with
the scheduling change that was announced yesterday? How why did they come together?
Didn't have anything to do with theexpanded the playoffs. Maybe we think the
beginning of the season a little different. Yeah, you know, I don't
know all that came in came withit. I know it got presented to
me a while back, and youknow, I was on board with it.

(04:07:50):
So yeah, I mean I think, 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 he's the best man. Yours
is like he's lucking as a starter. CJ. When do you see his
role being Sonny? When you seehis role being gay and all this guy?

(04:08:13):
Yeah, good versatility all those guysrvel Reese, Like you said,
CJ, Gabe, Sonny, Cody. You know I'm missing a couple,
I'm sure, but like that wasthat the r VL? Yeah, I
mean these guys are really versatile guys. You can see the length on them,
and you know they do a goodjob in terms of like fitting the

(04:08:35):
runs they could. They have enoughlength, you know, to covering zone.
But they'll also blitz and that's somethingthat we wanted to really work on
this offseason, is getting better atblitzing, you know, and hopefully we
can even take the name have wegot Jeremia JJ Smith JJ? How'd you
feel out that to day? Iheard the team A team came out,
don't three and all pool play?When you come to these kind of tournaments,

(04:08:58):
what the techniques do you like towork on? I see they got
you're gonna deep run, some shortstuff from crossing the routes. What do
you work on? When you're outof the tournament like this, really just
getting back into Google. You're notrun chuck doing the meat, So really
just working on my releases. Uhthat's really you again my friends faster.
I mean I'm gonna chuck. Sojust really getting back in the now.
We know you pulled the trigger onOhio State. Obviously you gotta take visits

(04:09:22):
kind of make sure that you're you'reperfect, done your decision. What was
it about Ohio State and Brian Hartlineand Ryan David that made you feel comfortable
to commit early? Really they sentme my first visit when I first,
can't you they helped me out sometime. Do you feel like it's my
system my first year? You know? Really just what's up? What's up?

(04:09:46):
What's what they saw? Was?Really? They they need they need
me? Uh? Really just akid that I'm gonna talk Hartist. I
wasn't talk artist because I'm trying tohelp them. Now. I know you
got something your s F family upthere. You got Brandon Ns, you
got Cardinal Day. What does itmean to potentially be able to link up
with them in a year and beable to kind of run back what you

(04:10:07):
guys have done in South Florida Expressin Columbus, Ohio. It'd be great
to Ohio State take them. It'dbe greatful through great the first round.
Yeah, you're a super humble kid. I've been really impressed by you today.
Is there anything that you want OhioState fans to know about you?
You know again, I know you'rejust your all work, all work,

(04:10:28):
all work. But what are theygetting when they get a JJ Smith to
come to Ohio saying job than takeat worst? Does just come in?
That's perfect? Man? Well,God, bless you. I appreciate you,
my man. Awesome watching you today, Thank you so much. This

(04:10:50):
is JJ Smith. And then latertonight I'll probably come back and watch the
film again. But at the endof the day, it's just trying to
be around football, be around thefacility. How much of your film watching?
Who is like solo en difference shootby yourself watching? How much do
you do for earlier We've had moresafeties come in throughout the spring, more
guys try to learn the system andlearn the game. But I mean,

(04:11:13):
at the end of the day,you gotta do what you gotta do to
put yourself in a best position towin. So myself, I'll watch film
at home too by myself. Butwhen I'm here, there's always other players
around me that are trying to orto get better just like I am.
Are you only watching yourself or youwatch no. I watched the NFL team
to watch good NFL safeties that areplaying right now, Javon Holland, Hantswain

(04:11:35):
Winfield, go as like that thatcan that I can emulate and try to
see how they play. And thenalso just watching other players here, other
players that do things well here,just learning from them, trying to see
how they play the game, tryingto get better. Cab, what are
some of the big differences that you'veseen so far between what you went through
at Alabama and so far you've gonethrough up here. A lot of it's

(04:11:56):
the same. A little difference isin the d sense of how they operate
and how they see things. Butat the end of the day, football's
football defensive defense. So everybody gottaget to the ball and make the type
of what you think of cool.Oh. I love the city. I
love uh High Street. I lovebeing in the city. I love going

(04:12:16):
to the restaurants here. The food'sgreat here. So I ain't got no
coop place for me because it's like, you got the campus all sud it
then be also a big city.It's it's different than Alabama because Alabama was
a college town and test Losa wasnot as big 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 just trying to learn the city and

(04:12:37):
learn what everybody has to offer here. He'll you probably noticed that when kid
parking media's decision to go back toAlabama and then that starts a full level
of speculations. Are you were youtaking back by that? Did you feel
like you needed to make a declarationoff of that? Uh? I mean
at the end of the day,No, I didn't feel like I needed
to say anything cause at the endof the day, I was still here

(04:12:58):
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. Cayden and I talked to him
when he did it, and Icongratulated him on his decision. I mean,
that's what he feels his best,that's when he feels his best,
and I support him. But I'mhere. You guys have to have are
in this new generation of you havethat sort of freedom, You have that

(04:13:20):
sort of control over your career ina way that other people didn't. That
it's something that you you have tokind of take with the certain seriousness that
you're making that right decision for yourcareer at all times. I think ev
I mean, in life, youhave to make decisions based off of what
she feels best for yourself. Sothat was a big decision for him.
And if he feels that's what's bestfor himself, then I support it.

(04:13:41):
But at the end of the day, for college suble athletes, I think
that's the best thing because the coacheshave the same right to do what they
do. Coach can come here fora month and leave, and I mean
then he's just leaving the player athigh and draw. So I mean,
if they're gonna have the ability todo it, why would the players not
have some type of say in there? And they're like, caron you,
you made the impact oppostion last yearas a fresh what do you think you

(04:14:03):
could do assault the year under yourbelt here? I think I can grow
and what I did well last yearand increase on the qualities that I wasn't
not as a lade at during duringthe season. So just being better in
coverage, being better than the post, being better in my tackling, being

(04:14:26):
a better communicator with my teammates,all that I think I can offer to
the team. And but at theend of the day, it's got to
be a team collective to go dowhat we want to do. What do
you I mean this, obsee isa lower defense. What do you think
those being a big part of me? Wasn't the elite last year and it
should be even better this year.Yeah, they were a very elite defense
last year. And watching all thefilm from last year and the whole season,

(04:14:48):
they played a great season. Theyplayed a lot of good defense.
Excuse me, what your question?Just the idea of being hard a big
part? What about my elaitue defense? I mean I can only do my
part. I can I only domy one to eleventh and do my job.
Every player I can't. I can'ttry to do more than that,
and every other player just has todo their job and we'll do what we
need to do. Okay, we'llbe talking about your film punching Habits.

(04:15:11):
Is that the same in high school. What did that look like for you
in a regular in high school?My high school coach is one of my
favorite people in the world. Uh, Freeman Davis. Me and him watch
film together a lot, but thatwas more so just myself watching film and
trying to grow. So I wouldsay I had a lot of the same
habits and that's trusted over to college. But a lot of that was me

(04:15:33):
and my high school coach playing thegame together. Another movie. You around
everywhere here, but you know,it seems like you're at that free safety
spot as opposed to the strong safetyspot you played at Alabama? Just what
said transition? Like? Do youfeel that does that even matter in this
kind of defense? I th Imean it's the same spot really to the
it's the safety to the field safetyplaying in the most space. That's what

(04:15:54):
I'm used to. But at theend of the day, I feel like
I could play to the boundary.I can play the Doc Money position,
I can play Nickel. So Imean, at the end of the day,
you gotta make plays wherever you're at. And Calen, Uh, what
have you been? What have yourthoughts about on? Uh? Jeremies stot
a very elite athlete, very instinctualplayer, has a great ball skills.

(04:16:17):
Should uh should have a big impactthis year. Anybody, you can your
parents what you've seen? Oh?Nah, j Jesson's on, so Jesus
he's on. It's his own man. Uh. Who else caught your ride
at your receiver group? Kaylen?That uh is he elite in your opinion?
Uh? I watch a Mecca,Buka, a lot o H and

(04:16:40):
co. When I was in highschool. Yeah, watching the games and
then last year watching some of hisfilm. He's been an elite receiver then
and he's an laite receiver now.And carl Ote has had a great spring
as well. Yeah, and uhyou you personally? Uh? After the
uh Stet appreciation Day on Saturday,you were mobbed about as much as anybody.
What is what? How have youfelt the recept meaning of autograph seekers,

(04:17:03):
et cetera? You know? Uhhave you felt the reception here?
Uh? For you over the lastseveral months, but especially like the Saturday,
I think it's been very welcoming.I appreciate everybody, and like I
appreciate when I go to class seeingpeople that know me and just being able
to meet them, being able tosay that I'm glad to be here,
being able to say I'm glad tobe here to everybody that came up to
me. Yeah, So I'm justI'm very appreciative of it. Do you

(04:17:26):
feel their expectations for you? Youknow what I mean that? Uh?
I mean people mad. So it'sa versatility thing. So I'm happy about
it. There. You moved arounda lot throughout your career that there's Jumbo's
side you'll tackle, I guess inthe sens and clean about the left on
the right side, do you thinkyou kind of benefit from focusing a little
bit more on the right center?Yuah, a little bit. But you
know, there's a new assystem thatwe have, Like I haven't found my

(04:17:48):
mindset most of the right, butalso have my mind's on the left too,
just in case something does happening tolike, you know, me,
like Coltland or you know Pete ofcourse. But I'm always gonna be very
for life no matter what. Howquickly have you felt like you picked up
this new system that you're working inthere? You know it's a we actually
prey up picked up pretty well causeit's the same system that I'm used to
back in the hot seat, causewe're more like spread back at how I

(04:18:11):
say. So you know it's prettygood. It's one of these like the
draft process off seasons. A lotof people outside the buildings, promaders get
the right tack, a lot ofyeah alright now, A lot of people
in the building right like we havethe right time. I we geg get
motivated by that. You follow itlike a you you do it though I
don't. I read into it alittle bit. But also the same time,

(04:18:32):
like they not here of course,but I don't really care what they
say. I know what I cando, and the team know I what
I can do, so they trustedme right now and I'm not gonna live
in right down? How hard orhow easy is that to compartmentalize that and
use that as fuel going forward ratherthan the kind of merity it uh,
I j I just keep receipts andeverybody knows that one person I don't really

(04:18:53):
care for him at Also it's allgoing for but it's all love. I
love uh outside of this, butkeep doing me, keep it better,
keep on these knights, doe whatI can do there. You've been a
outspoken about your supporter of Zamir,and obviously it's just his chance now to
be the dog. Wait, whatis it about him that you bought in
so early? The reason why Ibought some earliest cause uh is I was

(04:19:17):
at a house state. They alwaystaught us to actually a go get it,
and that since I got here,i'm'a always wanna go get and I
gotta picked late, and I alwayswanna prove people wrong. You know,
I think prove people people wrong allmy life. I don't wanna keep doing
that. What's all doing? WhichI guess more just like we all put
it in like the set you feellike a community year that have uh nine

(04:19:38):
day difference, nine day difference frommy first year, in my second year
to now like now, I'm myalright, I know I can play.
I know I can go against oneof the best, especially with Knights anybody
else that we want to play thisyear, and I know what I can
do. So all I do nowis ext meet my potential and should do
it and help everybody else out theteam as well. You've practiced a lot

(04:19:59):
against Malcolm and he's really come intohis own. What is it about Malcolm
that's helped him make that next step? There? Man, Malcolm, He's
quiet. He doesn't really say toomuch. He comes to the work every
day, do what he does,and he works hard. He doesn't flit
twice at anything. Yeah, he'llget mad over a co respose. At
the same time that like he hasa mentality of at all, Like he's
he don't really care what y'all thinkor anybody else thinks for real. So

(04:20:22):
it's just like, alright, let'skeep going. That's how everybody is on
the team. How about tyrae'se too, You guy that same mindset. He
does have the same mindset. Whoa little nervous, but uh nah nah.
He has definitely grown up a lotfrom his like first year here to
now, like he has, buthe's he's growing up a lot mentally too.

(04:20:47):
Until you guys are reimagining the offensiveline lit ever with you out there
right side, yeah, farm therenext to you on the on on that
side too, and then drafting theguys on the line here. How exciting
is that to be part of somethingthat'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 those like theygonna keep replacing us, of course,

(04:21:07):
but all since time, we gottakeep going, you know, becamest
me and think about what they did. All we gotta do to stay about
what what came to do with thingsbetter in form as well. Sorry,
don't put a lot on them.Both sides like a little bit more.
How how long are you guys workingtogether? I'm one hundred percent now.
And it was like a walk inthe park. It's like a sprained ankle.
You know. It was very easy, you know, because I had

(04:21:30):
the knee. The knee was prettyhard, you know, and the achilles
was I would say it's easy,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 and it's beenstorm like the past two years,
you know, having haveing like good, great games. The next thing,
you know, hurt and then youknow, so got got the injury prone

(04:21:55):
out there, you know. ButI think the storm is over with,
you know, you know, andI think I'm I'm gonna gonna take off
now, you know, and therewill be no setbacks and the injury prone
thing will be gone out of thewindow again. Yep, I'm sorry,
You're gonna be back. I am. I am excited. You know,

(04:22:18):
he does a lot of great things, and he's a great person, and
we have a great relationship. It'sgonna be it's gonna be a fun year.
We're gonna have a lot of fun. We're gonna do a lot of
great things. So I can't wait, chick here waiting. The interest you've
had Is that just bad luck?Is any Is there anything you've can attribute
to behind just misfortune? Yeah,it's just unfortunate, you know, But

(04:22:40):
God has a plan always. Youknow, I don't know what the plan
exactly is, you know, Idon't know, but whatever plan it is,
it's for me to be here.You know, I had a great
rookie year. Uh I didn't.I didn't really have the volume as other
people my rookie year, but Istill had a great rookie year. Six

(04:23:00):
yards of carry, you know,things like that. I think it was
like nine touchdowns ten including the playoffs. And so there's always been like,
all right, guy, let meshow my talent shine a little bit.
Like even when I had the knee. So I had the knee right,
A lot of people don't know,like I didn't get hurt again whenever I
got you know, got cleaned up. So I went down in twenty one

(04:23:21):
right, had the injury, theknee injury, and then came back later
the next year, and I playedthe first few games and it just there
was a lot of scars issue inthere, so I had to get it
cleaned up. I didn't get hurtagain. I could have played the whole
year, but I got it cleanedup so I can feel like me.
And so after I got that cleanedup, the first two games back from

(04:23:42):
the injury, I had over onehundred and 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.
Stags don't marry me. I don'twant to win. But then come
back the next year hurt again liketorn achilles. So two really unfortunate injuries.

(04:24:03):
But that's just God's plan, youknow. And I think that the
storm is now over, you know, And I do think that I'll be
able to shine my light to thewhole world. Are you concerned that you
have that label of you get standthree? 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 or

(04:24:26):
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 polling, you could say that,
you know, but I do thinkthat the Chargers are getting a guy

(04:24:49):
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 field, you've been highlyadopted. Yeah, five pointy years for
very average for your career. Likeknowing that when you're out there you're very
adopted, how much confidence does thatgive you? That really all you need

(04:25:11):
is is not what you need allthe confidence in the world. You know,
the way I work, I wouldn'tsay just from the numbers, but
just the way I work my workethic, you know, and my relationship
with Jesus is like I have themost confidence when I step out there,
because I do know, like,if he grants me the health, it's
over with is I don't think Iwould be you know, I think it

(04:25:34):
will be a great year or whatever, a couple of years. However many
years he grants me great health,you know. And I think just the
work ethic, my prayer and allthat stuff, that's what helped me have
that confidence with the numbers will bethere and they might be higher after this
year, you know what I'm saying. And it's crazy to think about because
I had six or six yards percarry, you know. So we'll see

(04:25:57):
you're looking forward to running behind together. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
I played with Brandley. I playwith him, you know, I know
the Slater, I know all theI know all the guys, you know,
and I'm I'm excited. I thinkit's like I said earlier, it's
a talented group. You know.We just got to put together win some
games. Cause that's why I camehere for. That's all party, or

(04:26:21):
I wouldn't I wouldn't say part ofthe recruitment. But like whenever I decided
I was gonna sign, it wasgreat to have him in the room.
What's your relationship. Yeah, we'regreat. We're we have a great relationship.
That's he's like my brother. SoI think a company ch compliment each
other very well. You know,he can do a lot of stuff too.
You know, we got like alot of people think he's just power,

(04:26:41):
power, power, but I thinkhe has some other parts of his
game two which it it'll be greatcause I feel like I could do everything
and when one get tired, wewe can roll it in. We keep
rolling win some games. So whenyou the two of you get going,
well, how do you think that'sgonna look for? What? What?
What will be that partnership kind ofback there? I know that's a hard

(04:27:06):
question. How do I think?I think it'll look beautiful. You know
a lot of people call this apassing league, but I think you gotta
run the ball to win the superBowl. You know, if you look
at the team to win the superBowl, they can run the ball,
they can control the clock, andso if we're both good, it'll look
great, beautiful. How would youdescribe the Gregor running offense? I would

(04:27:27):
I would describe it as, youknow, a great offense. I think
he gives a quarter, he's gonnagive the quarterback a lot of options.
He's gonna give the running back alot of options. He's gonna give the
receiver a lot of options, youknow, And I think it'll be I
think it's gonna be great. Hisoffense is gonna be amazing. When we
talked to him, you know,I was like, why you Ben will

(04:27:48):
build something? Give rushing offenses throughoutyour career, you know every way you've
been and you said that one partof it is just you got a call
place. You got a call runplace as a running back. You know
how much confidence, how much doesit give you? You know, you
have to play all or that's gonnastick with it and allow you and the
offense get your resident. Gives mea lot of excitement. You know,

(04:28:10):
it's gonna be. Like I said, it's fun to play in his offense,
you know. And I think hedoes have some good things in the
past game too, But like yousaid, he sticks with the run and
that's that's the identity you You wantan offense that has an identity, right,
you won't be looking everywhere else tofind your your identity. You want
to have it. And so Ithink his offense has that and the guys

(04:28:32):
he builds and puts in there.It complements that identity. So I think
it's gonna be great. You're ahundred percent now, so you'll be full
go for training him. That's Look, I ain't gonna answer any of the
four if it's up to me.Yes, Look, because I had this
problem like three two years three yearsago, I'm thinking I'm full go.

(04:28:52):
I think I'm ready to go,and the next thing, you know,
I'm on pup like, hey,look some story above my pray pay grade.
So but I don't know. HopefullyI can start. I think I'm
ready to start, you know,at the beginning of training camp. But
that's not up to me. AsI've learned, I'll tell you, I

(04:29:15):
wouldn't say that. I think I'vebeen I've been in some great organizations,
and I think this this organization isa great organization, and the training staff
is great, and so they justwant what's best for me, you know,
and they're they're taking care of me, which that's what you want in
an organization. And so that's wherethat comes from, which I appreciate it,

(04:29:36):
Like I really appreciate that, youknow, because I'm the type of
guy like I work really hard.So maybe sometime I'm blind to you know,
the danger of something, you know, So I appreciate it. But
like I said, if it's upto me, yeah, I'm out there,
but never know what that I frustrationfor you during the heading into agency,
you know, dealing with with rehaband you know, having won a

(04:29:57):
full season tape out there any partof that, Ye're like, gosh,
you know I had hit the openmarket with a different situation. You know.
Nah, I like it. Ilike, how would I say this?
I like it the hard way,but not, you know, I

(04:30:19):
like it the hard way. Ilike it. I like trial and true
relations. So I mean the dicethat I was given the role was I
was coming off of Achilles, andthat was that was the lowest plan.
So it was beauty in that,like I was comfortable. I was caught

(04:30:41):
like there was multiple teams, youknow, I wasn't. It wasn't like
I didn't have any other team.But I was comfortable and sitting back and
just enjoying the process, letting myselfget fully healed. So whenever that team,
whoever I would sign with, whonow is the Chargers, is going
to get the best met know,and I think people all around the league

(04:31:03):
know that, like, Okay,this guy, Okay, it's a high
risk, high reward type thing,right, not even a high risk for
low rice because you it's a business, right, So I got her last
year, so not as much moneyand needs to be throwing there. But
I think everyone around the league knowsthat whenever I am on the field,
the numbers don't lie, and sothey know that, and a lot of
teams were like, all right,here, you can give you this,

(04:31:26):
but we want you to be healthy. So when I'm healthy, it's gonna
be great. This is the chancethat I've been giving here. I'm so
grateful and I know that's gonna be. They won't be They won't regret it.
Are you the type of person thatlikes to throw people wrong? Like
you've got a couple of things likea high risk, high reward injury.

(04:31:47):
That's two cents I've heard, Butme being who I am, you know
I'm gonna throw my two cents inthere, you know. So that's just
a It's been awesome man. He'syou know, a resource for me,
just a person that I can alwaysanounce my thoughts off of. And now
you know, just a year yousaid, thirteen months now, I feel
more comfortable just you know, bringingcertain things that you know, you never
you never wanna come off too strong. But I'm a curious guy. I

(04:32:08):
got a lot of questions. Ilike, I like football a lot.
I like to talk talk the games. So you know, come to find
out he's the exact same. Sowe uh, you know, we get
along well and and uh we're gonnakeep keep building that relationship. Sometimes in
this league, playing you know,eighteen games, they tryna make it twenty.
You know, it's like it soundlike a little a little fever dream
to be honest, but but uh, if we can find a way to
k you know, stay up rightout there, keep keep Aaron on his

(04:32:30):
feet. You know, I'm I'mexcited for that and uh everything that comes
with it. But uh but yeah, like I said, man, that's
it's it's harder said than uh orharder done. And said, I guess
you know, it's one of thosethings. It's like that's a lot of
games, you know, all ofa sudden, take a lot of hits.
They take a lot of hits wherethey're not looking, and it's just
how can we keep him healthy?Yeah? Yeah, are you when do
you think I do you have receivedthe room now? Positions you guys have

(04:32:52):
made when more money, healthy andeverything like, Yeah, you know,
I'm excited to see it at atfull health. You know, we've I
haven't got to see all the allthe guy out there at once. And
and you know, it's one ofthose positions where every day is something might
happen to nick up. You know, it's just a tough position to stay
out there at all times. ButI feel like we got a great group
and the number one thing is howcan we stay healthy? How can we

(04:33:12):
you know, I'll be out onthe field, and I think having depth
like this and the group we haveis gonna help us. Having guys that
can do different things, that cango catch ball over the middle, all
types of things that it's gonna takesome of the strain off off all of
us. You know, it's it'sa good group. So I'm excited to,
uh, you know, get outthere. I feel like we haven't
had the whole whole thing together,but you know, come season time,

(04:33:33):
moroll and it's gonna be exciting.What about the guy is in your whole
number? Yeah? Yeah, likea yeah, man, he helped me
a lot even feel like the firstday, just trying to help me get
used to to write tackle. Hegot my feet used to right tackle like
my first dad practice. I likethat. Still you feel a little off,

(04:33:53):
feels balanced to my stands, andhe showed me the small technique to
do with my feet. I stilldo you even even thought left tackle just
because it's part of my routine.That was part of my process and getting
to my stand So stuff like thatthat he taught me from day one and
obviously in practice was fun. Justcompete with him, you know, it's
just to meet at the back ofthe pocket and to dap each other back

(04:34:17):
to every rep like that was compete, you know what I mean. So
that's my guy, as much asyou love him once your the West side.
How bittersweet is it is a certainmatters because it would happened to him.
Yeah, that's the thing. That'snot how. It's definitely not how
I and and that's how I thoughtabout the transition would go. You know,
I thought it would be you know, homeson timing and a cardinal his

(04:34:38):
whole career. You know, youknow you wanted to play here forever,
you know what I mean? WhenI was talking about his plans, so
you know, you win, youwish transitions like one of those fairy tale
like it's your time. But butagain, either way, you know,

(04:34:59):
we talked about it. You know, that's that's the how it goes,
you know, but obviously you knowhe sees he's he's been one of my
bigges supporters. Again, I affecteverybody leads in their own way, you
know, not everybody's the guys comingaround like and that's not everybody right like
effect for me, that's me specificallyon game day with the O line after

(04:35:23):
we do one on one like that'smy like, well, Hump did like
that's my like big vocal time.I feel like I've talked Hump about this,
you know, just recently talking abouthow what I want to do for
the room is I want to bringthat Hump energy that he brought right so
last year, of course some traitsbeen doing it for years, but the

(04:35:45):
year I spent with him, hebrought a lot of the energy and excitement
and the happiness in the room wasjust his natural energy to where I only
had to focus on me, youknow, I didn't have to make sure
other other guys are you know,feel some type of way when they came
in here because Hump brought that,but other Hump's not here, but I

(04:36:08):
saw what he did for the room. I wanna be that guy to make
sure everyone's amp to go to practice, everybody's hype. Weren't taking and field
team one period. You know it'sa low day or something. You know,
it's a it's a a. Butlike I wanna make it feel like
like your parents a tripper right now. I wanna bring that cause that's what
we and Hump did with each other. We will hpe each other up.

(04:36:29):
The dudes like dudes about to bea walk thor were lit. So I
wanna do that. I wanna bringthat energy. I wanna make bring more
guys you know, to do that. You know, yeah, I wanted
to do that from day one,you know, I kind of I wanted
to do that from day one,from just talking to him, and obviously
it's that time. I spend theoff season before OTA started, just being

(04:36:52):
in myself, just thinking about whatthe room needs, you know, because
I know I new new role asone of the leaders, you know on
my offense, is that we needa guy like that that's gonna make sure
the old line is picked up readyto go. Every day I was held
accountable little things that happened to practice. People aren't saying anything. And how

(04:37:15):
I may lead maybe different than somebodyelse may lead. You know. I
like to a practice at least liketo leave with positivity, you know what
I mean. So, but hethe energy yet went beyond just the old
hype up the deal line and stufftoo. So that's kind of how I
wanna be s goal mine literally mywhole life. I wanna be a NFL

(04:37:37):
team captain, like specifically the NFL. I wasn't a captain of high school,
wasn't a captain of college. ButI made a joke when I was
in high school. It's like there, I feel like, I'm not gonna
be a captain til I get tothe NFL. Yeah, but that would
be awesome, you know. Butyou know, if it happens, I'd
be great. But not either way, I wanna assume it w role as

(04:38:00):
a captain from the respect of theguys on the team did award today and
to get back from that point,yeah, I mean, I can't say
that. I mean, I guessthe biggest thing is that I felt like
it has felt like how it usedto in the past. But it didn't
take just the first day OTAs.It took training left and right once the

(04:38:22):
season ended, because I didn't knowwhat it was gonna be sure, So
it took a lot of reps justto give back to feeling like myself for
day one OTAs and then that wholefirst week. But now like today,
specifically just changing some small things withmy feet that I did today talking about
a line coach about some things Ican do with my feet to get to

(04:38:45):
that, like to sell at thattraditional angle that I love to set on.
Felt even I thought I felt,I thought I felt great already by
my okay, I felt even betterof it. So I'm even more excited
tomorrow. Now I'm getting my feedbackand how I liked it the right side
and on the left side, SoI'm excited. I mean, obviously,
I feel like in the league,whether I left or right, you're still

(04:39:06):
going against premier guys, so obviouslyyou have high expectations for your left and
your right tackle. But there's definitelyuh like the the level of energy and
like the expectations definitely take and thehuman start cause now connected the black side
that stuff that's de tackle role,you know. So so yeah, I

(04:39:27):
would say in terms of communication asfar as just even outside of facility and
just stuff like that, like reallycreating that tackle quarterback bond even more off
the field, I think has beensomething that's even been cool. I got
a text one day as a headlike you play left, and I was
like, yeah, you know,yeah, I've been training both. I've

(04:39:48):
been training both. You know.I I aks after the season. They're
like, honestly, you know,we'll talk to you still play in the
season. And I just got atext on like depending on what happens with
with the free agency then. SoI was like, you know what,
I had a whole season right tackle. So if I get the word,
I'm going I'm standing right tackle.I used to do what I did before.

(04:40:08):
I'm built on that bus. Iwas like, I might as west
trained the left tackle now as ifI'm gonna be left tackle, and I'd
rather do that than training on righttime and get the KO Hey you're left
tackle. I'm like, oh,I didn't even switch on my feet yet,
you know what I mean. SoI'm like, let me just prepare
in advance. I was like,yeah, Le's god. You know,
I think occasionally on third down therewould be a lot of twists. I

(04:40:30):
would just know, like it's automaticallycoming. And I think that was my
mindset for like the first half ofthe season. But like I didn't have
to go into a game and withsurprise like oh my gosh, they did
that. I kind of figured like, okay, like this is this is
the type of rushman again, likethis is how this guy usually rushes.
But I get the vibe, thisis how the ends like the rush you
know, tackles that are you know, first year guys who got the premier

(04:40:53):
patch on. I already knew whatit was gonna be, already knew of
every stunt and honestly, just knowingthat kind of an advantage too. So
you're not you're not you're not old. They brought the twisted my side again,
it was never an Aaron Donald,you know, there coming out of
minds, like three plays in arow in two minutes. I knew that
it was the when that happened,So like, you know what I mean,

(04:41:14):
I'm watching more than everybody else andhe rarely England goes out there on
occasional third down. Was on thed M. I was like, you
know what's gonna be. He's gonnapick me, you know what I mean,
So fact fact, it's kind ofit's also kind of an advantage in
a way, but it's also exciting, like Okay, I'm gonna get the
hardest look. You know, thoseare real, real reps, you know
the bang. So really, II really didn't kind of process that.

(04:41:38):
I was like, hey, whenthey tell me to let me know about
I'm just gonna train it. Iwas training all left to Ta's. I
guess if I didn't hear anything aboutTa's, I would have came in like,
so, you know what I mean, because just like I'm cool training
both continue, I would have beencool training both continually. But I feel

(04:41:59):
like anybody in any position be like, okay, like you wanna as soon
as possible give your feet hands,Well look at say, well this guy
only been on the field for threeyears westernon, Tucky and Oregon. Just

(04:42:21):
because I didn't have the title ofa running back coach where I was at
the Memphis, I never carried myselfthat way. I was carried myself as
a running back coach. I approachevery day that way. So at Memphis.
We had Darren Henderson, Patrick Taylor, Tony Poller, Kenny gang Weell,
Tonyo Gibson. I've seen talented backs, and I've seen them be able

(04:42:41):
to function with one another. SoI hear that all the time about well,
this ain't my first rodeo. Samething out there at Oregon, at
buck Iervery Norwich and George James.You go 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 cause I
recruited them when they was in highSo I'm up for the challenge and the

(04:43:02):
responsibility of it all right behind thedamn hope, Carlos, Just what is
your kind of coaching philosophy? Howdo you get the best out of your
running backs? I get the bestout because I love the young men.
My main focus is to change thehearts and minds of them, and they'll
play for me. I had justgot through reading Coach Trestle's Winners Manual,
and it's something that I took fromthat book. You have your purpose and

(04:43:26):
you have your goals, all right. My purpose is to serve and pour
into the young men. Now mygoals is a football coach. All of
them are take care of themselves.So that's one of the ways. I'm
just real relationship based in a verydetailed at this position. I know y'all
heard me say it before, andI'm gonna keep saying. This is the
worst coach position in football. It'sterrible. Guys hire anybody to coach his

(04:43:48):
position and recruiters. Carlos Locker isnot a recruiter. I'm an elite relationship
builder, but I coached this position. I'm a ball coach, so that's
who I am. So I'm gonnapouring to these kids. I think they
kind of seeing it now. AndI jumped in day one, I'm ready
to coach and the phrased another softbatched cookies. Where did that phrase come
from? Kind of what was funthis boy? Let me tell you about
that boy. I've been called everythingbut the name the child of God by

(04:44:12):
the people at the other places Ileft. So that I been getting Pillsbury
need to give me a deal becauseI've been getting I've been getting some DM
and texts, some of it someof them have been so funny. The
saftbat's cookie thing came from just havinga frame of mind, a mental toughness.
It had nothing to do with guysgetting in the portal and anything.

(04:44:34):
Now, most people say I'm asaftbatched cookie for leaving there, but actuality,
I'm not because it takes great strengthto make a decision to leave a
place. No, a weak mindedperson wouldn't be able to make the decision
I made, So it took greatstrength to do that. So I'm telling
you, if I literally in myDMS, it's some it's some great comedians
out here that have been sending melike tons of cookies, and I'm like,

(04:44:56):
it's funny right behind him, Howare you going about the assessment of
the talent in the room over thepast week or two? How much as
that on field off field? Like, what's the process of getting to know
who you have as players? Well? I broke down, well me being
a guy that loves the running backposition, and I already broke those kids

(04:45:18):
down because I recruited him out ofhigh school. You know, Q is
from where I'm from in Montgomery.I was one of the first guys to
offer him just watching him great contact, balance, creative runner, great hands
and trey I recruited him out ofVirginia exceptional short air, your bursting quickness
and things that I'm gonna help himget better on. And then I recruited

(04:45:40):
James Peeples out of t out ofSan Antonio, Texas. I knew what
he was gonna what he was gonnabe. TC and Sam. Those two
kids, I'm getting to know andI'm gonna help them improve that 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
the gun so talented, talented,room, very talented. Uh far back

(04:46:04):
Uh, Jeremy Birmingham podcast couch,Uh, how do you swear that fact?
The South Past trookies are actually thebest cookies. The Philip Britton nicks
or those are way better than thecrunchy chips and white things of Terman.
I mean, do you do Yougot to the first find a balance there
or someone. Well, for me, I'm actually not eating any cookies.

(04:46:25):
Nah, I'm just saying I'm noteating any cookies this year. I gave
it up for a fast or nosweets for me for the whole year.
That something I gave up. Sothey the term the south bast Cookie term.
Look, guys, I actually tookthat from I represent the high school
coaches of miss Tennessee. I actuallytook that from a guy named Coach Slocum.
He used to always say that southbast Cookie. I actually stole that

(04:46:48):
from him. I give him creditfor it, and I tell him all
the time he said, you Ishould have branded that, cause you done
took it and ran away with it. But that's just where that comes from.
So that that now was standing anyas you get to a high standum
and start to look around the country, ever, mean, Oregon's a big
place, that's a that's a majorjob. Really, how how do you
think that ar your opposite a logo? Are the jack run the blacko?

(04:47:10):
When you get out out of thelittle free and trail, how does that
change the way that you feel you'reeither received or or does it add a
different level to to just feeling likeI could go anywhere and get anybody in
the country. And that's the sangestthing for me. This is a great
place. Oregon is a great placetoo. But guess what, w whatever

(04:47:30):
I put on, I know whatI'm going to represent for me. I
N I N I know who whoput me here? Uh, I know
I represented something higher, you know, Like I told you, I know
what my purpose is. My purposeis to poorting to people. So whatever
logo I have on, I'm stillgonna be doing the same thing. So
this is a great logo. Greatlogo by well another logo. Every day

(04:47:55):
it's across I see around my neck. I know what I represent. So
that's the greatest logo I could everwear. So it don't matter what other
logo I have on. I gotthat one on. I'm'a go into any
house and be a recruit. Uhuh deep right camera tiqu Robinson and the
athletic So which you you mentioned thetime at the Memphis and themnis four and
about running backs you mentioned there?Who you learned from that time that you

(04:48:18):
that you take over to managing togrow up? And kids? What did
I learned from them? I justbuilding a just teaching the kids. We
live in such a selfish world though, and I can tell the kids all
the times it's gotta be much moreto football. The ball gonna go flat
one day. As I always say, what being in that room there at
Memphis is it wasn't four five teachingthem how to be ab bout being one.

(04:48:44):
I tell you them in all time, it doesn't cost you anything to
celebrate another man's success. So teachingthem how to be one, and then
once they learned to be one,they function the in they feed off one
another. So that's what I learnedfrom being there in Memphis, h front
of Andy bas from Butteman Road crossthird of your career, you're in a
law enforcement kind of influence you asa coach, and kind of shape where
you are. Oh well, Ijust got through talking to somebody about that

(04:49:07):
today. When I first got inthis profession and I got my own room
at Western Tech, I was aked. No, how was I was gonna
be able to handle my room?I said, Man, I had a
part with fifty one inmates. Youtalking about me having got six or seven
guys like you kidding me? I'mtalking about me having to do traffic stops

(04:49:29):
or going on domestic no violence calls. It's simple, easy. No.
People don't know what you care.Also know you gotta have a certain demeaning
about yourself. So when I walkinto a room, it's the reason why
I go train every morning. Thiswas one of It's same thing when I
was a police officer. You looka certain way kind of deter people from
doing certain things. So reason whyI go train every morning. I'm go'a

(04:49:52):
look just as good as my boyslook. So uh it helped out a
lot. In other words, uhfront right More the podcast Carls Welcome to
Columbus. What would it mean toI don't know, revolutionize the way running
backs or coach? What does thattake? I ain't even I'm not gonna

(04:50:12):
say revolutioniz It's just good. It'ssome good running back coaches out here.
Everybody's different. It's some great coachesout here. I just want the head
guys who say that on these jobsto not just hire guys just you know,
all coaches on your staff should begreat recruiters, not just a running
back coach. We coach a position. We developed players as well. I

(04:50:33):
just want the coaches to realize,Hey, you know what, let me
look and be thorough about this guythat I'm hiring for this job. Is
he teaching the position? Is hedevelopment the position? Because you're not gonna
hire anybody just coach quarterbacks, areyou. Well, it shouldn't be like
that for the running back position either. And I'm only passionate about it because
I played it. I love it, So it's the only position I want
to coach. Could I coach theother positions? Yeah? I play dB

(04:50:53):
in college too, but I lovethe running back position, so I just
want to see it. Coach wellten man. Ten many podcasts, Yeah,
a million questions. Oh that's acouple. Number one, when y,
when we when your wife whatever?You got the message stuff, are
we moving again? What was Whatwas her reaction? Nah? She she's
just new guy had given us gaveus a new assignment. Shit, w

(04:51:15):
It was never like we're moving again. Let me tell you guys something I
grew up. My mom was inthe military, so I lived everywhere.
I lived in Panama of South America. I'm used to picking up and moving.
I lived in Fort Rodley, Kansas, Montgomery's home if it was my
second home. So I'm i'm'a usedto moving. Now. My wife it
was different for her, but shejust knew guy had gave us a new
assignment, so it's time to go. What did uh? What did coach?

(04:51:37):
They tell you when you heard youthat he wants ow to you.
That may be different. It's notslamming 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. And that's not takinga shot at the coach that was here
who I'm friends with. He said, they didn't want somebody to really get

(04:52:03):
the guys going. Uh, Ican only be me, And I told
him that cause i'm'a be me everyday now, Cause see my mindset,
this is when I step in thisbuilding, I got one mindset that's to
do my job so well that theliving dead or unborn can do it any
better. So when I leave it, that's what my mindset is. Hopefully
I'm here for a long time,but only God knows that. So,

(04:52:25):
but that's my mindset. Every dayI step into the Wizards hate soon that's
my mindset. I'm'a do my jobso well that living dead or umborn couldn't
do it any better. So that'swhat my mindset is. Suppose we got
time for one last question, Billribnowit's Plumbus dispatch Carlos. First of all,
it's the truth that nobody calls youCarlos, never calls you Locke.
That's the truth. Yeah, Iprefer to be called locked