Press Conference (Thayer Munford)

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Episode Transcript

(00:02):
Been a whiles and that's at ally'all go, yeah, see, I
don't I don't mess with that though, I worn't for you, No,
you did not. I don't likeclair. Will you talk about the differences
between left and right and just Imean, obviously it's different size of it,
But is it schematically or is itphysically anything different? Uh? It's
more mentally than anything though, Likeblesside was always my uh best side back

(00:25):
in cars, but since I gotto IF, I always been playing right.
But you know, it's a it'sa good challenge for me and I
can show people I can actually playright and left. So it's a versatily
thing. So I'm happy about it. There. He moved around a lot
throughout your career. Let it's Jumbo'sside you'll tackle, I guess in the
sens and playing book, the leftand the right side. Do you think
you kind of benefit from focusing alittle bit more on the right center,

(00:47):
Uh, a little bit. Butyou know, there's a new system that
we have, Like I have beenfound my mindset most in the right,
but also have my mind set andleft too, just in case something that's
happening to like you know, Imean like coating or or you know,
pete of course, but I'm alwaysgonna be very real life no matter what.
How quickly have you felt like youpicked up this new system that you're

(01:07):
working in now? It it's awe actually pretty picked up pretty well cause
it's the same system that I'm usedto back in the hof, see cause
we're more like spread back at thehot state. So you know, it's
pretty good. So it's one ofthe like the draft process off season,
as a lot of people outside thebuildings are rangers be the right tackkay a
lot? Yeah? Alright now,A lot of people in the building were

(01:29):
like, we have the right timeI we dip get motivated by that.
You follow it like if you peticyou do it, though I don't.
I read into it a little bit. But also at the same time,
like they not here of course,but I don't really care what they say.
I know what I can do,and the team know I what I
can do, So they trusting meright now and I'm not gonna live in
right now. How hard or howeasy is that to compartmentalize that and use

(01:49):
that as fuel going forward rather thanto kind of marinated it. Uh?
I J I just keep the seatsand everybody knows that one person I don't
really care for him at all,So that's all good. But it's all
love. I love uh outside ofthis, but you keep doing me,
keep it better, keep on theseknights, do what I can do there.
You've been a outspoken about your supporterZamir, and obviously it's just his

(02:13):
chance now to beat the dog.Wait, what is it about him that
you bought in so early? Thereason why I bought so earliest cause uh,
I was at a house date.They always taught us to actually,
I go getting and ever since Igot here, i'm'a always wanna go get
and I gotta picked late, andI always wanna prove people wrong. You
know, I think prove people arewrong all my life. I don't want

(02:34):
to keep doing that. What's allto do? What's like it's poor,
just like we all put it inlike the set and you feel like a
community. Years nine eight difference ninethey difference from my first year, in
my second year to now like nowI'm my guy. I know I can
play. I know I can goagainst one of the best especial nights anybody
else that we gonna play this year, and I know what I can do,

(02:55):
So all gotta do now is actuallymeet my potential and shoot and help
everybody else out the team as well. You've practiced a lot against Malcolm and
he's really come into his 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 too much. Hecomes to the work every day, do
what he does, and he workshard. He doesn't blit twice at anything.

(03:17):
Yeah, he'll get mad over aco respose. At the same time
that like he has a mentality ofad all, Like he's he don't really
care what y'all think or anybody else, thanks for real. So he's just
like, alright, let's keep going. That's how everybody is on the team
about Tyraison too. Yet that samemindset, he does have the same mindset
we do a little a little nervous, but uh nah, he nah.

(03:40):
He has definitely grown up a lotfrom his like first year heart 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 bright side,
Yeah, uh farm there next toyou on the on the outside too,
and they drafting the guys on theline. Yeah, how long exciting

(04:00):
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 placing us, of course,
but all the same time, wegotta keep going. You know,
we can't just really think about whatthey did. All we gotta do is
thinking about what what can we dowith being better in fourteen as well?
Sorry, don't put a lot onthem both sides. We write it a

(04:23):
little bit more. How How longare you guys working with together? We
working pretty well, you know,you'll say for us, we had like
a a little rookie moment a littlebit, but you know, me and
him that's been great friends. Youknow, I try like her brother and
I always will. You know,we talk every day about how can we
get better and help can we helpeach other out on the on the right

(04:43):
side so we can actually make upconnection with you guys, played like Friday
game? Do you do you thinkof that? What do you about the
NFL playing like a Wednesday Christmas andall that? Stuff. They gotta see
us, so they gotta see usfirst. I don't really care about that.
It's stud good play. Russe knowsthat, Uh, we're competing against
each other every day. Him beingout there for me that you know,

(05:06):
helps me getting better, uh,us pushing 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 meto be my best each and every day.
So I appreciate that you two hada relationship before this. Yeah,
is it kind of does this kindof help with Groll on your own life?

(05:27):
The same team? Uh? Imean yeah, you know, the
first time I ever talked to Russellwas when I was in college, So
you know, we've we've we've knowneach other uh for for a good bit
now. And uh the fact thatI get to you know, learn stuff
from him. You know that thethings that he's accomplished, you know,
up to this point in his careerhas been great. So just me learning
just a little details how he's souh meticulous in detail within every rat every

(05:47):
individual drill. It just kind ofmakes me think, like, you know,
that's what I should be doing eachand every time. So I'm I'm
glad to have him here and gladto you know, be able to learn
from him. Just how do youlook back over the time? Ah,
that's uplod So what how do youlook back on the time in Chicago?
Yeah, I mean there was alot of ups and downs, but all
in all, I appreciate every relationshipthat I built all my teammates, they

(06:10):
know that, nothing but love forthe city, for the fans, and
uh for my you know, oldteammates and coaches. Did you feel they
did everything they should have done.I'm not really gonna, you know,
harp on the past. It iswhat it is. It's it's in the
past. Now I'm here now.So like I said, I'm grateful to
be here and gratefully what it'll bea part of the team. Why do
you like, Jack Ken, You'retraded at ten o'clock the time and you
are you able to sleep that nightor you on the field? What kind

(06:30):
of happened after you get that?I mean, yeah, I mean I've
been dealing with, you know,people for you know a long time.
So my exit meeting. You know, we were in the same situation last
year with the having the number onepick, and it was just a little
bit different this year. So Imean, I'm not I'm not naive to
the fact that, you know,I can read body languages and stuff like
that, so it wasn't really justa shock to where it's like, ah,

(06:50):
I got traded, Like I knewwhat was gonna happen beforehand, So
I'm just glad I got, youknow, traded to the spot that I
wanted to be at. So speakingthat, yeah, I think so,
I think when you're just you know, waiting, cause I knew I was
gonna get traded, you know atthe end of the day, that's that's
just what it was. So itwas just you know, uh just me

(07:11):
waiting and you know, me youknow, trying to figure out where I'm
gonna be at and uh stuff likethat. It was definitely a relief to
you know, kind of be ona team and uh know where I'm gonna
be at a really good situation becauseyeah, yeah, I mean, you
know, shout out to uh uhyou know Posy, Hey, you know,
who would communicate it to to him, you know, through my agent,

(07:32):
and you know, I told himwhere I wanted to be and this
was the place I wanted to be, So you know he uh you know,
honored that and I appreciate him forthat, and uh glad he was
uh able to put me in thespot where where I wanted to be at.
What needs to go right for youto become the guy? Now?
You know you kind of envisioned whenyou came out in the first round,
you said, what needs to goright? Yeah? I mean, m
I mean, I know you're gonnaput the work in, but you're in

(07:53):
a good spot. And what arethe little things that you think it's gonna
take to get you to become theguy that where you all? I think,
me, I just gotta, youknow, keep working every day,
like I said before, just beingdetailed and every drill, not taking a
day off. And I'm just goodhaving Russ here, learning from him,
us pushing each other each and everyday. So you know, I think
just controlling what I can control everytime I step on the field, you

(08:15):
know, just just fall out anduh play to the best of my abilities
and you know, let let letGod handle the rest. So what what
kind of that has been on theteam has been helpful to you or closest
to you as far as getting usedto the team. The organization plays work
in practice, Yeah, I mean, uh it's a new offense, so
nobody really has been in the offensebefore. But I mean there's a lot
of young guys on the team,So I think just that fact right there,

(08:35):
it's easier to communicate with people andkind of just you know, kind
of just built that relationship cause youhave so much in common already. So
I've already uh hung out with ahandful of guys on the team. I
already built those relationships and you know, we're just gonna continue to grow get
closer with each other and you know, ready ready to uh get to playing
this season stuff. Justin what wasit about this team, this situation that
appealed to you, Uh, justthe culture I really think at Ohio State.

(09:00):
I think there's a video that droppedwith you know, Coach T.
I can just you know feel theenergy and just you know, just the
consistency throughout the years and the culturethat Coach T has and just the standard
that you know, the Steelers havehave set, this organization has set.
So I think that was the biggestof pill for me. And you know,
our defense is always you know,gonna top tier and you can't you
can't win games without defense. Soyeah, just just the culture, coach

(09:24):
t and you know, of coursethe team itself. So it wasn't an
issue that it was a situation wherethey like literally days before, had gotten
a guy that they said this isgonna be our startup. Nah. I
mean I wanted to come here beforeRuss got here and after too, So
it was it was more so theteam, not you know, not worried
about who was here, none ofthat sense. So are your first thought
to Pittsburgh when he got here?After the city people? I mean,

(09:46):
yeah, I will say this.I think Pittsburgh has one of the or
has a lot of nice people.That's one thing I've noticed. Like I've
taken a few ubers of the airportand I've had full thirty minute conversations with
the Uber driver. So yeah,just just people, Uh, you know,
their generosity, they're their niceness.I'm going out, people don't even
know who I am. They're justbeing so nice to me. So I
think that's one thing I've noticed.And then I started going on the walks,

(10:07):
uh this past offseason, so justthe different views of the city,
the bridges and stuff like that.It's is it is pretty cool to me.
So what do you know, theoffense is new, it's just day
one. But from what you've learnedso far, how do you feel like
Arthur Smith's offense is gonna put yourskill sets on the future? I mean
yeah, I think, uh,you know, he's he's had experience with
you know, doing their quarterbacks,a lot of quarterbacks in the past,

(10:28):
Ryan Marcus of course, Desmond andTyler in the past past few years.
So you know, he knows howto play to his player's strengths. And
you know, of course he's newhere too, so he's gotta figure out,
you know, what guys do,uh what things the best way,
and you know we're just gonna keepbuilding and getting better every day. But
I definitely, you know, trusthim to you know, put everybody in
the right spot to uh have asmuch where where He's got his two cents

(10:50):
on it, which is, youknow, always the best two cents I've
heard. But me being who Iam, you know, I'm I'm I'm
gonna throw my two cents in there. You know, So that's just uh,
it's been awesome. Man. Youhe's he's you know, a resource
for me, just a person thatI can always bounce my thoughts off of.
And now, you know, justa year you said, thirteen months,
now I feel more comfortable just youknow, bringing certain things that you
know, you never you never wannacome off too. Stan. But I'm

(11:13):
a curious guy. I got alot of questions. I like, I
like football a lot. I liketo talk and talk the games. So
you know, come to find outhe's the exact same. So we uh,
you know, we get along well, and you know we're gonna keep
keep building that relationship. Sometimes inthis league, playing you know, eighteen
games, they tryna make a twenty. You know, it's like it sound
like a little a little fever dreamto be honest, but but uh,
if we can find a way tok you know, stay up right out

(11:33):
there, keep keep airon on hisfeet. You know, I'm I'm excited
for that and uh everything that comeswith it. But uh but yeah,
like I said, man, that'sit's it's harder said than uh or harder
done. And said, I guessyou know, it's one of 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 lot of hits where they're
not looking, and it's just howcan we keep him healthy? Yeah?
Yeah, are you when do youthink I get your receiver room now?

(11:54):
Conditions you guys have made when Iwant healthy and everything like, yeah,
you know, I'm excited to seeit at full health. You know,
we've I haven't got to see allthe all the guys out there at once.
And and you know, it's oneof those 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. But I feel like we got a
great group and the number one thingis how can we stay healthy? How

(12:16):
can we you know, I'll beout on the field, and I think
having depth like this and the groupwe have is gonna help us. Having
guys that can do different things,that can go catch the ball over the
middle, all types of things thatit's gonna take some of the strain off
off all of us. You know, it's it's a good group. So
I'm excited to, uh, youknow, get out there. I feel
like we haven't had the whole wholething together, but you know, come

(12:37):
season time, mo role and it'sgonna be exciting. What about the guy
is in your old number? Yeahyeah, Malai, Yeah, man,
he's uh it was a brute andthen once he catches that ball, I
mean, he's he's got great instinctsof where the defense is gonna be at,
how to make someone miss. Yeah. Man, just just so you

(13:01):
know, you you wis transitions likeone of those fair intel like it's your
time now. But but again,either way, you know, we talked
about it. You know that that'sthat's the how it goes, you know,
but obviously you know he sees he'she's been one of my biggest supporters.
Again, I affect everybody leads intheir own way, you know,

(13:24):
not everybody's the guys coming around andthat's not everybody, right, Like I
felt for me, that's me specificallyon game day with the O line after
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 to Hump about
this, you know, just recentlytalking about how what I want to do

(13:50):
for the room was I want tobring that Hump energy that he brought right
so last year, of course,some traits been doing it for years,
but the year I spent my 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

(14:13):
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 saw what he did for theroom. I want to be that guy
to make sure everyone's amped to goto practice, everybody's hype. Weren't taking
the field team one period. Youknow it's a low day or something.
You know, it's a it's aday, but like I want to make

(14:35):
it feel like your parents a tripperright now. I want to bring that
cause that's what we Hump did toeach other. Weeple hpe each other other,
dudes like dude about to get walkedthrough. We're lit. So I
want to do that. I wantto bring 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 one, from just talking to him, and

(15:00):
obviously it's that time. I spendthe off season before OTA started just being
in my selfish thinking about what theroom needs, you know, because I
know I new role as one ofthe leaders, you know on my offense,
is that we need a guy likethat that's gonna make sure the old
line is picked up, ready togo every day and it was held accountable.

(15:24):
Little things aren't happened to practice,people aren't saying anything. And how
I may lead maybe different than somebodyelse may lead. You know, I
like to a practice at least likethe legal positivity, you know what I
mean. So, but he theenergy yet went beyond just the old hype
up the deal line and started too. So that's kind of how I wanna
be s goal mine literally my wholelife. I wanna be a NFL team

(15:48):
captain, like specifically the NFL.I wasn't a captain of high school.
I wasn't a captain of college.But I made a joke when I was
in high school It's like, didI feel like I'm not gonna be a
captain to like into the NFL.Yeah, but that would be awesome,
you know, but you know,if it happens, i'd be great,
but not either way, I wannaassume a role as a captain from the

(16:15):
perspect of the guys on the team, the dual word today and to get
back to that way. Yeah,I mean, I can't say that.
I mean, I guess the biggestthing is that I felt like it has
felt like how it you used toin the past. But it didn't take
just the first day OTAs. Ittook training left and right once the season
ended, cause I didn't know whatit was gonna be sure, So it

(16:37):
took a lot of yeah reps justto get 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
Oline coach about some things I cando with my feet to get to that
the to sell it, that traditionalangle that I love to set on.

(17:00):
Felt even I thought I felt,I thought I felt great already, but
my okay, I felt even backup. It's not even more excited tomorrow.
Now I'm getting my feedback to howI liked it the right side and
on the left side. So I'mexcited to teach. I mean, obviously,
I feel like in the league,whether I left or right, you're
still going against premier guys. Soobviously you have high expectations for your left

(17:22):
hand or run tackle. But there'sdefinitely uh, like the the level of
energy and like the expectations definitely takinga human start cause now connected the blindside
that stuff that's de tackle role,you know. So so yeah, I
would say in terms of communication asfar as just even outside of facility and

(17:44):
just stuff like that, like reallycreating that that tackle quarterback bond even more
off the field, I think hasbeen something that's even been cool. I
got a text one day as I, hey, like you play left,
and I was like, yeah,you know, yeah, I've been training
both. I've been training both.You know. I asked after the season.
They're like, honestly, you know, we'll talk to you, so

(18:06):
play in the season. And Ijust got a text me like, depending
what happens with with the free agencythen, so I was like, you
know what, I had a wholeseason right tackle, So if I get
the word, I'm going I'm standingright tackle. I don't to do what
I did before. I'm built onthat bus. I was like, I
might as almost trained a left tacklenow as if I'm gonna be left tackle,

(18:27):
and I'd rather do that than trainingon right tackle and get the ko
Hey you're the left tackle. I'mlike, oh, I didn't even switch
on my feet yet, you knowwhat I mean. So I'm like,
let me just prepare in advance.I was like, yeah, this guy,
you know, I think occasionally i'mthird down, there'd be a lot
of twists. I would just knowlike it's I'm automatically coming. And I
think that was my mindset for likethe first half of the season. But

(18:48):
like I didn't have to go intoa game and with surprise like oh my
gosh, they did that. Ikind of figured like, okay, like
this is this is the type ofrushman to get, Like this is how
this guy usually rushes. But Iget a vibe this is how the end's
like the rush. You know,tackles that are you know, first year
guys who got the premiere patch on. I already knew what it was gonna
be, already know every stunt,and honestly, just knowing that it's kind

(19:11):
of an advantage too, so you'renot you're not You're not old. They
brought the twisted my side again.So it was never an Aaron Donald,
you know, to coming up withminds like three plays in a row in
two minutes. I knew that itwas the way to happen, you know
what I mean. I'm watching wheneverybody else and he rarely England goes out
there on occasional third downs on theDM. I was already know it's gonna
be He's gonna pick me, youknow what I mean. So fact fact,

(19:34):
it's kind of a it's also kindof an advantage in a way,
but it's also exciting, like,Okay, I'm gonna get the hardest look.
You know, those are real,real reps, you know the bang.
So really I'm not really didn't kindof process that. I was like,
hey, when they tell me,I see ivery process. We're about

(19:56):
how you might approach this and andwhat do you think it is mean to
think? Ye, element, you'regetting the most out of those because you
got two guys. This ain't myfirst rodeo, No. I know a
lot of people look at say,well, this guy only been on the
field for three years westernon Tucky andOregon. Just because I didn't have the
title of a running back coach.Where I was at the Memphis I never

(20:18):
carried myself that way. I wascarried myself as a running back coach.
I approached every day that way.So at Memphis we had Darren Henderson,
Patrick Taylor, Tony Poller, Kennygang Well, Tonyo Gibson. I've seen
talented backs, and I've seen thembe able to function with one another.
So I hear that all the timeabout well, I this ain't my first

(20:40):
rodeo. Same thing out there atOregon we had Bucketrivin Norwich, and George
James. You go look at theynumbers. They all functioned well together.
We learned how to p play asone. So this ain't my first rodeo.
So and plus I know those twokids cause I recruited them when they
was in high school. So I'mup for the challenge and the responsibility of
it. Got right behind Hi,dan Oble left Carlos Just what is your

(21:00):
kind of coaching philosophy? How doyou get the best out of your running
backs? I get the best outbecause I love the young men. My
main focus is to change the heartsand minds of them, and they'll play
for me. I had just gotthrough reading Coach Trestle's Winners Manual, and
it's something that I took from thatbook. You have your purpose and you
have your goals, all right.My purpose is to serve and pour into

(21:23):
the young man. 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 base and I'm verydetailed at this position. I know y'all
heard me say before, and I'mgonna keep saying. This is the worst
coach position in football. It's terrible. Guys hire anybody to coaches position and
recruiters. CARLS. Locker is nota recruiter. I'm an elite relationship builder,

(21:47):
but I coach this position. I'ma ball coach. So that's who
I am. So ama pouring tothese kids. I think they kind of
seeing it now and I jumped inday one. I'm ready to coach the
prase. You know soft thatched cookies? Did that phrase come from? Kind
of what was fun this boy?Let me tell you about that boy.
I've been called everything but the namethe child of God by the people at

(22:08):
the other places I left, sothat I been getting pills Pillsbury need to
give me a deal, cause I'vebeen getting I've been getting some DM and
texts. I'm some of it.Some of them have been so funny.
The Sawbat's cookie thing came from justhaving a frame of mind, a mental
toughness. It had nothing to dowith guys getting in the portal and anything.

(22:30):
Now most people say I'm a saltbatchedcookie for leaving there, but actually
I'm not because it takes great strengthto make a decision to leave a place.
No, a weak minded person wouldn'tbe able to make the decision that
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,

(22:51):
it's funny. Right behind him,How have you going about the assessment
of the chalent in the room overthe past week or two? How much
is that on field and 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 therunning back position, and I already broke

(23:12):
those kids down cause I recruit himout of high school. You know,
Q is from where I'm from inMontgomery. I was one of the first
guys to offer him just watching him, great contact, balance, creative runner,
great hands and trey. I recruitedhim out of Virginia exceptional short air,
your bursts and quickness and things thatI'm gonna help him get better on.

(23:33):
And then I recruited James Peeples outof t out of San Antonio,
Texas. I knew what he wasgonna what he was gonna be TC and
Sam. Those two kids I'm gettingto know and I'm gonna help them improve
that game. But we got differentrunners in there. I like to call
myself, I'm in love with thisposition. So I get to break down
runners and help the game. Sotalented, talented room, very talented.

(23:57):
Uh far back uh. Jeremy BirminghamPodcast Couch, how do you swear that
that the soft past cookies are actuallythe best cookies? To Philip burtin mags
On, those are way better thanthe crunchy chips and white things that a
territory. I mean, do youdo you have to first find a balance
there or someone Well, for me, I'm actually not eating any cookies.

(24:18):
Uh nah, I'm just saying I'mnot eating any cookies this year. I
gave it up for a fast orno sweets for me for the whole year.
That's something I gave up. Sothey the term the south bast Cookie
term. Look, guys, Iactually took that from I represent the high
school coaches of Meths, Tennessee.I actually took that from a guy named
Coach Slocum. He used to alwayssay that South Bast Cookie. Actually stole

(24:42):
that from him. I give himcredit for it, and I tell him
all the time he said, youI should have branded that, cause you
done took it and ran away withit. But that's just where that comes
from. So that that now wasstanding as you get to Ohio stated and
you start to look around the countryat me, Oregon's a big place,
that's a that's a major job.How do you think that where your opposite

(25:03):
of logo are the Jack Ran blocko. When you get out out of the
pre and trail, how does thatchange the way that you feel you're either
receive or or does it add adifferent level to to just feeling like I
could go anywhere and get anybody inthe company, and that's the sangest thing
for me. This is a greatplace. Oregon is a great place too.
But guess what, whatever I puton, I know what I'm going

(25:26):
to represent for me. I NI N I know who put me here.
I know I represented something higher,you know. Like I told you,
I know what my purpose is.My purpose is to pouring to people.
So whatever logo I have on,I'm still gonna be doing the same
thing. So this is a greatlogo, great logo, but I well

(25:48):
another logo every day. It's acrossI see around my neck. I know
what I represent. So that's thegreatest logo I could ever wear. So
it doesn't matter what other logo Ihave on. I got that one on.
I'm going to any house and bea recruit. Uh uh deep right
the camera, Ti Robinson, theathletic from which you you mentioned the time
at Memphis and them it's four NFLwhere backs you mentioned they're what you learned

(26:11):
from that time that we continue totake over to managing your group and kid
what did I learn from them?I just building a just teaching the kids.
We live in such a selfish worldthough, and I can tell the
kids all the times, it's gottabe much more the football. The ball
gonna go flat one day. AsI always say, what being in that
room there at Memphis is it wasn'tfour five? Teaching them how to be

(26:37):
a bo bout being one? Itell you them in all time, it
doesn't cost you anything to celebrate anotherman's success. So teaching them how to
be one, and then once theylearned to be one, they function the
in they feed off one another.So that's what I learned from being there
at Memphis. Uh. Right infront of Andy Bach from let'em in
Road, Crolos, heard of yourcareer in law enforcement kind of influence you
as a coach and kind of shapewhere you are. Huh uh, Well,

(27:00):
I just got through talking to somebodyabout that today. When I first
got in this profession and I gotmy own room in Western Tech, I
was asked, No, how wasI was gonna be able to handle my
room? I said, Man,I had a part with fifty one inmates.
You talking about me having got sixor seven guys? Are you kidding

(27:21):
me? I'm talking about me havingto do traffic stops. So going on
domestic no virus 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 walk into a room, it's the reason why I go
train every morning. This is whenit's the same thing when I was a
police officer. You look a certainway kind of deter people from doing certain

(27:44):
things. So reason why I gotrain every morning. I'm gonna look just
as good as my boys look.So it helped out a lot. In
other words from Arl right Austin wordthe podcast, Carls Welcome to Columbus.
What would it mean to I don'tknow, revolutionize the way running backs are
coach? What does that take?I ain't even I'm not gonna say revolution

(28:07):
now. 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
just want the coaches to realize,hey, you know what, let me

(28:30):
look and be thorough about this guythat I'm hiring for the 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
in college too, but I lovethe running back position so and I just

(28:52):
want to see it coach well.Podcasts, Yeah, a million questions.
All that's a couple. Number one, when you when you when your wife
whatever? You got the message stuff? Or are we moving again? What
was? What was her reaction?Nah? She she just knew guy had
give us, gave us a newassignment. She w it was never like
we're moving again. Let me tellyou guys something I grew up. My

(29:14):
mom was in the military, soI lived everywhere. I lived in Panama
of South America. I'm used topicking up and moving. I lived in
Fort Rodley, Kansas, Montgomery's homeif it was my second home, So
I'm I'm used to moving now.My wife it was different for her,
but she just knew guy had gaveus a new assignment, so it's time
to go. What did uh?What did coach they tell you when you
heard you that he wants out ofyou? That may be different. It's

(29:37):
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 toto develop the position. That's not taking
a shot at the coach that washere who I'm friends with, and he
said they didn't want somebody to reallyget the guys going. U. I

(30:00):
can only be me, and Itold him that because I'm gonna be me
every day now. Because see,my mindset is when I step in this
building, I got one mindset that'sto do my job so well that the
living dead or unborn can do itany better. So when I leave it,
that's what my mindset is. HopefullyI'm here for a long time,
but only God knows that. So, but that's my mindset every day that

(30:21):
step into the Wizard Hate. Sothat's my mindset. I'm gonna do my
job so well that living dead orumborn couldn't do it any better. So
that's what my mindset is. Supposewe got time for one last question.
Bill Rabinowitz Plumbus Dispatch Carlos. Firstof all, it's it true that nobody
calls you Carlos, never calls youLocke. That's the truth. Yeah,

(30:41):
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

(31:02):
to do the same, and youknow, I think at the end of
the day he realized he made madethe wrong decision and we connected on it,
we talked about it, and youknow, it was a great opportunity
to to right or wrong. Andobviously we're very glad he's here. I've
always believed in him. We believein him, and he believes in himself
and that's part of the just tryingto understand what's my path right. So

(31:23):
uh, but yeah, it's beengreat steps have been made. He's growing,
but he's nowhere near where he knowshe's capable of being. And he's
just probably oppressive Ceremiah. I lovethe way he lives. I love the
way he approaches things. I lovethe way the questions he asks. I

(31:44):
love the way he makes mistakes andthen correct mistakes. It's very veteran,
like, I mean, there's somuch Ball he has to learn. Like
he literally does things that are good. I'm like, do you know why
that worked? He goes coach,I have no freaking idea, So like
I'm trying to teach him all ofthat why it worked, so then you
know the consistency at which it worksjust goes to the roof and so but

(32:05):
I'm very you know, excited andproud of the conversations we're currently having,
and I'm excited it for them tokeep going by what power for you working
with you. I love working withChip chip Is. I love talking Ball,
I love the viewpoints I love Ilove the veteran that he has,

(32:30):
you know, uh and uh.I love now like I love all of
it. I think that you know, early on the biggest impact, you
know, just you know, feelingperspective. I think in the run game
has been awesome, you know,and then you know, off of the
run game some of the actions oror relief throws or all that kind of

(32:51):
stuff. I love where it's at. I love working with them, and
uh, I would say that Isleep a little better, all right.
Uh No, it's it's really agreat combo because, like you know,

(33:12):
we're obviously we're doing a lot asa group. It's not just Chip and
I so but you know, obviouslyChip has an image and a view on
things that I never had. Soto have that experience and have that viewpoint,
I'm just trying to absorb as muchas i can, but then also
highlight some things that we've really donea good job of and make sure those
you know, nothing's really changing.We're just trying to enhance. We're not

(33:36):
changing, We're enhancing. So wherethe things fit is perfect, you know,
I think, uh, you know, the rest of the dynamics of
search Chip can talk about. Butit's been it's been awesome, So I'm
excited about it. We talked toa mecha. You're talking about moving from
slot to the outside. You know, how good he's been in the slot
is that a difficult move for youguys, coaches to know how good a

(33:59):
guy is one spot, but knowthat maybe for his long term future and
the no. I wouldn't say it'sanything on his future, because he's capable
of doing whatever you want to getdone. But I'd say that it says
more about the room. I thinkit's it's the growth of you know,
Brandon and the growth grow of Bryson. That's really you know, allowing my

(34:22):
mind to say, hey, Mech, be prepared. You're gonna move around
a lot. You're gonna come outof that slot, You're gonna be outside.
We're going to create mismatches out there. I mean, his ability to
move around is critical. But Iwould say between Mech and between Carnell Takes's
ability to move around a lot,it's gonna provide a lot of flexibility for
our room and uh and those topyou know, six seven guys that are
really doing a good job right nowprogress this spring for like a because yeah,

(34:45):
there's no times one of those thingsare true where he has balanced how
much work does a need versus somuch? Yeah, heavy heavy emphasis on
what work he needs, you knowversus anything else. Uh, I rely
on him. We have great dialogueback into it's a way. It's a
two way conversation, and frankly,there's gonna be times where like, Hey,
Meg, what do you wanna dotoday? You wanna go outside?

(35:06):
You gonn go inside? And Idon't care. So we're not there yet.
We will be there, but it'sjust more about, you know,
when the room is ready to startmixing things up. I would say,

(35:30):
there's got I mean, I makesure I bring in guys that are able
to do all, but I havenot asked them to yet. So the
only guys that in our room currentlyI've asked to do that has been Mecca
and Carnell, and those are probablythe two guys that I would, you
know, think heavily on doing movingaround a lot. I'm not putting that
on anybody else right now, notsaying they can't, but at this point,

(35:52):
having two guys being able to swing, you probably don't need much more
than that. I need guys beingexperts at what they're good at, so
it it'll it's the offense. Stillbe great at everything and be an expert
at something, and we can usethat to our lot. I like him.
Yeah, it's a bunch of gooddudes just just out here. So
we're gonna keep working and I likeI like our edge guys that we picked

(36:15):
up, and I'm excited to workwith them. You know much about how
we played against him, Leonard,and what's what's been kind of your earlier
on him. I think he's superskilled, russier, a little good length,
and he's more athletic than I evenrealized. And I think guys like
him when they come to our schemeare the best is brought out of him.

(36:36):
So I'm excited to see what potentialhe has. He's year nine,
so I feel like you, asa d lineman, you can keep improving
all the way through ten years inthis league. So I'm excited to see
what he's got. How old didyou know soors so when he was assistant
here and you've gotten to know hima lot of what's the relationship maybe right
now? I know him pretty well. He was always h just a good

(37:00):
dude around the facility. He didour ball meetings, so he's good in
front of a group. He's agood leader. He knows the scheme really
well, which is good. Iwas happy to see him promoted. He
called me in the off season wetalked. I just congratulated him, and

(37:20):
I think he's gonna bring something similarto what we had with the Miko'll be
good. Do you know Brandon Stanleywell at all? I mean, obviously
Joey played for him. I don'tknow too much about him. I've obviously
heard from my brother, but Idon't even think i've said high yet.
I haven't ran into him yet,but I'm sure i'll get to know him.
When you say it looks similar tothe Miko of the energy or the

(37:44):
system, maybe a little different energy, but I think just knowing the system
from the front to the back,I think he knows how it ties in,
and he's been around with some reallygood coaches, so I think it'll
be pretty pretty seamless, and Ithink we'll be firing on all cylinders.

(38:06):
You're three months removed from the superBowl now, so just how have you?
I guess digested it, and Iguess physically everything good to go.
Yeah, I feel really good.I think it's been one of my better
off seasons of just kind of Itwas a long year, so I took
it nice and slow to get backinto it. Not as young as I
once was, so I'm taking alittle a little slower, but everything's great.

(38:32):
I'm feeling as good as I felt. I'm excited to actually get some
practice in Last year was kind oftough, getting thrown in Week one after
I walked through, so that wasanother reason I'm excited to be here is
just to get practicing a little bitin season. Practice is one thing,
but actually being able to work yourstuff and not have a game coming up

(38:54):
is good. With the super Bowlunfortunately, I know how to bounce back
from tough losses, so it wasrough for a little bit, but no,
just annoying when people bring it up. Since the last season, we've
seen a Rock on TV commercials andon the stage with Kluke Coombs and throwing

(39:17):
out the first pitch in the Giantsgame. But he seems like a guy
that's totally unaffected by celebrity, whichhe has now. But what have you
noticed in his leadership style and theway he carries himself any difference at all.
I think he's definitely getting a littlemore vocal within the building, and
uh yeah, I mean, Idon't think he's ever gonna change. I

(39:38):
don't think he's somebody that's gonna changeeven when he gets paid next year.
So he's he's a man of faithand he kind of reminds me of Scotti
Scheffler but except for just super humbleand really good kid. Uh and yeah,

(40:00):
he's definitely famous suffer. I don'tjust from watching Armstead get released obviously
meant so much to the defensive lineinto the team. I mean, Colin
john were pretty open that they werewilling to talk about trading deebo or are

(40:21):
you at draft? Does that justanother what's that feel like in the locker
room when those sort of joels happened. I didn't even know that happened and
I wasn't here, but you're talkingabout this offseason armsteall in alarm Eric released,
So that's certainly one thing. Yeah, it's a tough business, for

(40:44):
sure. You have to have thickskin and I haven't gone through that,
but I think you just have tounderstand that it is a business and the
team's going to try and get asgood as it possibly can with or without
you, and you have to lookout for yourself. That's why you go
through holdouts and do certain things thatseem selfish in the moment, but it

(41:08):
is what it is. And wheneverything's settled, we're gonna come together as
a team and try and go getone Nick. What's the overall feeling around
the group right now, Like,how much does it feel like the excitement
of the ramp up to the season, Even though it's early, it feels
good. It's been a couple ofdays for me, so I like all
the new guys. I'm getting toknow everybody, but I think the passes

(41:31):
in the past and we're ready togo. Do you talk to me?
You talked to beat all about handlingthe business part of this, and he's
going through something similar. We chata little bit, but not too much
about the details. I just toldhim to keep his head up and try
and stay positive through it all.We your first impressions when you heard what

(41:51):
your schedule would be in that AaronRodgers' first time it'll be fun. Yeah,
it's gonna be gonna be a goodone kind of alluded to this.
But the fact that last year youhad to have that holdout you said that
affected you somewhat early in the season. If you hadn't had that experience,

(42:13):
would you be here right now?I mean, was that part of the
motivation for being here? Early justto have the opposite when last year might
be. No, I don't thinkthat's one of the reasons. But I
just talked to Kyle and he kindof asked me. He kind of stated
how he felt about why it wouldbe good for me to be here and

(42:34):
asked if I agreed, and Ione did agree. So it's not like
I'm missing too much. I thinkI'm out here. It's a little less
workload than I'm doing back home,so it's kind of a good active recovery
thing for me, and I'm gettingfootball stuff, football working specifically, so
that's good. I'm not it's notcompromising my training at all, and I

(42:59):
get to meet all the guys.It's positive. How did Joey take the
news your brother? Did you haveto like let him down and say,
oh, no, he's he's there. He's got a new regime over there.
Did you first? I actually thoughtI was coming next week until recently,

(43:19):
so I was gonna have one moreweek at home, but we're both
in California. Everything you could likeshare about Conn's reasons, reasons that you
agreed with for being here, Uh, yeah, just the things I already
stated, just getting around the guys, and just getting the football stuff honed

(43:45):
in a little bit before camp starts. You've been afraid, You've been afraid
to speak out on player safety issuesand things like that when it comes to
play service and things like that.The eighteen game schedule has been kind of
discussed again here recently. What whatis your kind of take on that possibility.
I mean, it's I guess it'seasy to appreciate when you kind of

(44:12):
see it working and you see guysimproving, getting better. I just think
the details are really important. Youcan pretend that leaving your shoes a mess
or your locker a mess isn't abig deal, and what matters is playing
football. But I think all thosetiny details and things kind of add up
and leak into the important stuff,like what you're doing on the field.

(44:37):
So if you can have your toebehind the line, or have your locker
and order and all these things,they kind of stack up into performing well
and and playing well when things count. So you know, I appreciate that.
It's it also hasn't been a fightwith the guys in the locker room.
They buy in, and you know, it's a lot of young guys,

(44:59):
and I think they're hungry to learn, hungry to compete, and when
walkers please. You know, it'sjust an example, whether it's we talked
about first day, have you ifyou could, if you could spend the
time on these small things when nobody'swatching. I think, like I was
saying, it seems like it mightnot add up too much, but I
think in the long term it does. And uh, it leaks into other

(45:22):
things, whether you're doing your rightassignment on the field, being late to
meetings or all these things. Ifyou hold a standard and you stay to
that standard, I think it benefitsyou long term. It's been like Ben
Herbert, who has there been anyanything in his training program or working with

(45:43):
you that you feel will benefit youlater. Yeah, Yeah, definitely.
He's He's been great. He's ano nonsense kind of guy. But he's
not an old school in the sensethat he's bringing his way of doing things
and that's the only way to dothings. He understands that guys have been
in the in the business for along time, Khalil me and we have

(46:04):
a way of doing things, andall he wants to do is add to
that and help you get better andperform the best you can. He's a
He stresses it all the time thathe's a tool for us, and you
know, he's been, he's beengreat. The guys love him. The
energy brings is awesome, and Ithink the stuff that we're doing in the
weight room is great, a greataddition to stuff that I may may do

(46:27):
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
been to the team so far.So obviously, staying healthy is a huge
factor to anybody's success. I'd sayit's plagued us a little bit for a

(46:49):
while. So yeah, I thinkhe's he's definitely incredibly beneficial. You like
fully, I know the end ofseason you might have been able. Yeah,
No, I was not ready togo last year. No, tried
practicing, tried coming back, anduh it was it was not good,

(47:13):
But yeah, it was Unfortunately,the year wasn't going great and it just
was unnecessary risk for I mean,my foot could have had some real real
issues if I came back too early. So yeah, it's been, it's
been. It's been a great offseason. My foot's feeling great, toes,
good, hamstring skid. I mean, there was a list of things

(47:34):
last year, my hand, soall those things are good. Finger gout
surgery on my finger, so that'sfeeling good. Yeah, it's it's nice
to be feeling better going into yearnine than you have since maybe five six
years ago, which I've said,I've said I've been feeling great last couple
of years. I'm telling you it'sa real deal this time. But obviously

(47:55):
anything can happen. But I justfeel it's fun feeling really confident in your
body and being able to perform.So I could just go out during practice
and you know, go balls tothe wall and do everything that I feel
like I need to to be ableto prepare. It's fun. My brother
and whoever I trained with my trainerTodd back home, I think they'd be

(48:22):
really proud of how I've been workingthis offseason, and it's just exciting.
The pointing was the injuries Imber theGreen Bay game. You kind of,
yeah, it was a bit ofa build up, a little bit of
an overreaction, but you know,it's just tough. It comes sometimes like
that, and I just felt feltreally defeated coming back, had a broken

(48:46):
hand. I'm like, oh,yeah, I get to play Boom for
a series foot Pops. Thought I'dhave to get surgery, and all these
thoughts flooded through my head. Brokedown a bit, and yeah, it
just hurts. You know, you'relosing, you're getting injured. You've felt
like you prepared really well in theoff season, and then the year before
you had groin surgery, so youknow, a lot of things build up.

(49:10):
Yeah, you don't get a breakif you're injured. Everybody wants to
go on. Fans are very nice, but no, I just I'm grateful
that I feel this way. I'mstill still nicey Ripe twenty eight, so
not too old yet. But yeah, I'm just excited. I can't remember

(49:32):
what the original question was at thispoint, get something about my body.
How close you and Gift were?How frustrating was it that you couldn't you
know soon for one of those lastthree games. It was frustrating, but

(49:52):
I mean Gift was had my backthe whole way. I think for Gift,
for any but for the whole team, just to show what it means
to me, it would have beenimportant for me to be out there,
but I literally could and I triedto practice, injured my foot worse the
very first play I was and inpractice, So no chance that was happening

(50:14):
unless I wanted to throw my nextseason away as well. But no,
I'm just I'm proud of him forwhat he did with the team, how
he handled it, and I needto call him back. Actually sorry,
I give Yeah, I'm happy hegets to stay close by with the with
the Rams, and just proud ofall we accomplished here together over the years,

(50:37):
and and we'll be close for therest of our lives. It was
the footage foot sprang. Yeah,I sprained one area of my foot.
Then when I tried to return,I sprained another area. Was able to
avoid getting surgery, which is kindof the main goal, but yeah,
it was. It was tough whenit comes to the addition. But dupree

(51:00):
when he felt like he's kind ofbrought to the to the room and could
bring on the field. Yeah,it's when I heard we got my brother
some I don't know, maybe mybrother told me. I'm like, really,
we just got budd Like that's no, that's no small pickup. He's
a seriously elite pass rusher has hadsome trouble with injuries as well, so

(51:22):
I understand how that is, butnot only him as a player, but
as a personality. I heard Khaliljust saying he's he's a fun guy.
He's a funny guy, and andto have 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.And map Tuley's going into a second year.

(51:45):
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 becausehe was already mature in those areas.
I mean, he's on it everythingplaybook wise, always doing his job,
working hard, just refining his techniqueand pass rush. I mean, we

(52:09):
don't have the pads on right now, so the real work will begin,
you know, in six weeks now. So but yeah, I love Tulie.
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 the addition of
Joe Old Yeah, yeah, I'mgonna need to beat him up a little

(52:30):
bit in camp, so so he'sready. But no, I think anything
to protect our number ten is agood, good investment. So he seems
like a real solid dude. Haven'ttalked to him too much. Great build,
seems like he has good hands,good feet, strong. We'll see.

(52:51):
We'll see in a few weeks whenI lay a helmet in his chin,
how he holds up. But it'llI'll take it easy on him.
No, Rashon's a beast. Didyou know coach Harbond before he came here?
And if you did, just whatwere those first couple of conversations like
that? Yeah, probably have crossedpaths with him. Maybe maybe not.

(53:15):
Actually, I think what was ithis first year when I was a junior.
So he kicked his ass as usualat Ohio State. No, No,
they just want a championships. I'dsay they probably have the bragging rights
right now. I'm like the guytalking about his old high school. Oh
I remember, Yeah, we usedto kicks. No but no, yeah,

(53:40):
no, the rivalry is dead.I was just saying this morning,
you know, nine years and kindof forget about that. I'm not a
great alumni. Sorry, sorry,coached, But no, that's great.
That's what's great about the NFL isyou just have guys from all backgrounds.
You could hate their guts one oneyear, and then you on the same

(54:00):
team and your brothers and you're allworking towards one goal together. So our
first talk together was great. Ijust sat down with him, went up
into his office and chopped it upabout life mainly and his opportunity here and
how much it means to him.And uh, yeah, I think he's
a special guy. I think he'sthe way he conducts himself. He's an

(54:22):
interesting cat, for sure, andI'm still still feeling him out. But
one thing you can't denies that heloves football and his main goal is to
win football games. And that's whatwe need. When you see him working
out with you guys and pushing hislives and doing all this stuff, just
how interesting is that to see?Yeah, I mean he was a he

(54:42):
was a great player himself, andI think he's always been you know,
built like that lack of a betterterm. But yeah, he's uh,
he's part of the guys. Youknow, he's not this guy outside looking
in. He he really, Imean he voiced that to me. Is
that his favorite part of all ofit as being with the guys and and
the connections he makes. So Yeah, to to see a guy like that

(55:07):
come in and embrace it all andkind of be part of it himself is
important. Your initial im questions ofCoachman during the defensive gaming. Yeah,
it's funny to go from old gift, old gift to this little young guy
who's my age. I wouldn't wantto get thrown into a room with me
and Khalilipos his age. But no, he's been great. I love messing

(55:31):
with him a little bit. Welittle sarcasm back and forth. But no,
he's great. He's uh, he'svery talks very fast, and I
don't as you know, so sometimesI gotta be like slow down, coach,
come on. But no, he'sgreat. I'm excited, you know,

(55:52):
to get closer as the years,as the year goes on, and
I think he has he has alot of passion for the position and all
he wants to do is learn andand help us to improve. So I'm
excited about him, and I meanI do miss Skiff. Obviously, it
was a long time with him,but I am excited to have a new
face and kind of have that challengefor me. You worked much with with

(56:15):
Jesse's dad, since I know hecoached linebackers in Michigan. Did you ask
about Jesse? Did you ask aboutdoing? Okay, you asked about Jesse.
Oh my god, I was talkingabout freaking doing the whole time.
You guys are so confused. No, sorry, I thought were I thought
I was. I thought you mentionedcoach Ronie. No, No, coach

(56:37):
Mentor has been great as well.Yeah, they've both been great. Sorry,
run that back. No, he'sbeen good. Uh yeah, very
knowledgeable guy. Same thing. I'mexcited to get to know him more as
the year goes on. Have youworked Have you worked much Jesse's dad?

(56:59):
Yeah? Uh no, I havenot. I don't know if I've said
one word to him, but morewords to come down the road. Like
you said, you've been in yearsin twenty sixteen, Just what are some
of this stuff? You just onem about the wrong guy for fifteen minutes

(57:23):
walk in What Yeah, what theheck's like? Actually that's literally not the
person. Yeah, yeah, Ifigured out what's something that you you worked
undering the off season something to improveyour game or is there something that you
can Usually my answer is pretty consistentthat I just continue to try to prepare

(57:51):
myself physically, whether that's my sprintwork or agility work and my lifting,
but yeah, just to get everythingfeeling great. I had dealt with those
injuries, so I had to kindof ramp it up with my finger and
foot and all those things. Butnow I'm I'm full full speed out there,
and I'm just gonna continue to dowhat I know will prepare me for

(58:15):
the season. And uh, Iknow I'm gonna get plenty of technique work
and position work when I'm out here. So for now I'm going to spend
these five weeks really getting preparing aboutschematic standpoint, I don't know the ins
and outs of what I'm gonna bedoing yet, so I'll wait and see
soon. But just what everything goingon? See hot to think the best

(58:37):
fit Chris we go, Yeah,Drea, and welcome to Seattle. Thank
What are you looking for? AndI fight has a loaded question for real
for uh, you know, interms of no pay system, teammates,

(59:00):
environment, city, all those kindof just like play into it. Besides
just the money thing, I knowfinancials always play a big role, and
I kind of steered you into thedirection you want to go. But everything
kind of plays into it. Andhow much did you reach out to Shelby
Drew knowing some of the guys youknew the played here last year to get
a sense for what what Seattle mightoffer you. I mean, not much

(59:21):
right now, I'll talk to I'lltalk to Shelby a little bit about it.
Mainly no one. Drew just congratulatedme, Bob. Did you come
together pretty quickly? I know youkind of a ten year agreement on that
first Monday, and everything with thatcome together really faster. Now, it

(59:44):
was a long day. Seattle camein almost out of nowhere. We had
like a good set of teams thatwe were talking to, just trying to
finalize what was going on, whatwas the term is going to be?
You know, and Seattle came inhot. They showed a lot of interest,
and uh, they kind of justmotivated me to come here more and
more. And how similar will yourrole be, you know, in terms
of playing what you did in Denver. I don't know that yet. I

(01:00:06):
got of just mentioned previously. Idon't know my role. I don't know
the ins and out yet. Oncewe'll get you no through the protocols and
nfl PA, We'll we'll talk aboutno, the schemes and everything, right.
Uh, so welcome. When youwere in Denver in the three four,
where did you find yourself most comfortableand most effective? And I played

(01:00:29):
a lot of different positions in uhDenver, I mean earlier in my year,
I played zero, I played three, two one. I mean I
are definitely more comfortable in a shadedposition, mainly being a three technique and
five technique. That's why I foundmyself to be more comfortable whether I'm standing
up or I'm not, whether it'srunner or pass. Uh. Those seem
to be my best my best fits. And what is your impression of Pete

(01:00:52):
Carroll's defense and whole environment in Settle? Uh? From Afar, it seems
like he uh he holds in ona defense a lot. Uh. I
can't really say too much about thatyet. I don't know. I know
Pete Carroll very little, so uh, I'm just trying to figure out more
and I'll give you a better answerlater. What's the reputation around the league
out of the Seahawks. Uh?You know, hard nos hard had type

(01:01:12):
of team definitely on a little morelack side as opposed to being stuck up
or military style, and which isdefinitely good because then they this program is
won a lot of football games havebeen super successful for many years, as
long as I've been alive and aslong as I've been watching football, and
definitely this has been a good program. And Pete Carroll has been a hell
of a coach for as long asI remember, even back in his college

(01:01:36):
days. So I'm looking forward toexperiencing that. Boyle. Yeah, I
know you said you don't know yet, you know what your role is going
to be, but just what whatkind of player are you? You who
haven't watched it? Time to denverwhat kind of player get? Definitely a
high motor, definitely not a onetrip pon any type of player. I
like to attack, you know,whether it's a first or first through the

(01:01:59):
fourth down, I like to attack. I'm always trying to apply pressure.
I'm definitely just a hot mortar guyin my opinion. Brady either Brady Henderson
for ESPN, nice to meet you. That's what. Yeah, this is
not a team that really makes bigsplash signings in free agency. Did you
think going into it that Seattle wouldbe Uh No, not at all.

(01:02:22):
Uh. You just it's kind oflike being a cure at the County store.
You know, I've got a wholebunch of different options coming at you,
uh hearing, a whole bunch ofdifferent crazy things, and uh,
you know, you only get tochoose one. And this is the place
that that we both chose each other. And I mean, I'm loving Seattle
so far, you know, Ilike these colors for real. Real.
What what did you got to dowith Seattle or see since you've been here?

(01:02:44):
Not much? Uh, just kindof just drive around the city exploring.
Uh, get down to the marketa little bit. I want to
get out of the Ferris will dosome more like touristy type of things.
You know, I'm new to thecity and I got a lot to learn
about the city, right. Yeah. A lot of comparisons with you to
Michael Bennett. I was wondering ifyou know Michael Bennett at all and you

(01:03:04):
think those are accurate. I knowMichael berger Ben like nothing. I know
nothing about it but besides his styleof play. But I'm honored to be
considered in the same conversation as himand style of play. You know,
he's a Hall of Fame type ofdeep lineman that I've known about since I
was a kid. I mean,last time he played here, I was
in high school, So you know, it's cool to it kind of came
full circle a little bit watching himon TV and now I'm being kind of

(01:03:28):
compared to him in a way.You know. I mean, I'm not
touching the surface of Michael Bennett.You know, he's a Hall of Famer
and I'm not there yet. Soyou know, I just got to keep
doing my due diligence to be abetter player. Carn Hey, Dreamont,
welcome to Seattle. I know youget to play several seasons for Vic Fangio
and three four style defense and Seattle'splaying a similar system now dating back to

(01:03:51):
last year. As a defensive lineman, what do you think is most important
to be successful in that system?Maybe fundamentals or just playing style to be
successful. From what I learned,being gaps sound and being patient has always
been the biggest thing, and that'show we've been successful when I was in
Denver, just kind of like relyingon each other. I know that sounds

(01:04:11):
kind of cliche, but like it'skind of like the the realm of being
in the three four defense. Yougotta really really rely on the guys behind
you and the guys on the sideof you to really make their to do
their job to make your job easier. Yeah. Uh, your that you
didn't start playing football till you werejunior in high school and largely played basketball

(01:04:34):
till then. That's what made Iguess decided to go to go play football
then away from basketball. No.No, I've always loved football first.
Uh, it was just kind ofjust playing it out. You know.
I love the who but you know, football was definitely about calling. Given
I was a two hundred and sixtyfive pound power forward and I was like
sixty threes and change, so youknow, I kind of chose the route

(01:04:56):
that God gave me. No,I'm not six eight. Yeah, very
well comes to Seattle and you canquote it, and you're looking at a
couple of order things that you listenplayer, and can you just talk a
little bit about that that we're atthat I think some of the US says,
you know, always kind of countedout, but US came through.

(01:05:18):
Can you elaborate more than that?Just from a standpoint like I always get
like over overshadowed, overlooked, whetherit's a in something, you know what
I'm saying, Like, I feellike I do a lot more than what
can be sitting by the eyes ofthe inexperienced, you know, Scout and
I do a lot of different dynamicthings that help make play for others.

(01:05:40):
You know, I'm definitely an activeplayer. I'm always doing something, whether
in a runner pass game, soyou know, I think that goes on
others sometimes and I'm looking forward toputting people on notice. Thanks Brady.
What uh, what do you liketo do outside of football? Uh?
Big gamer? I'm definitely I've beengetting too a lot of chests lately,

(01:06:01):
so just to expand my brain.Uh, I'm trying to get into reading,
but if it's not sports related,I'm really not interested in reading that
much, but mainly just video gamingand chess. And then when we write
and say your name, do youprefer your grandma? Uh? I mean
you can say, you can sayDraymond Jones. I mean, but like
just I feel like, personally justcall me Dre because easy because people like

(01:06:23):
to f my name up a lot, like a lot they call me DRAYMONDE.
I don't know why you put aDraymonte in my name or Draymond T
whatever you want to say. Whodo you think some of that I'll be
able to bring out out of yourgames? You can keep trying to,
you know, just being more explosive, probably more yards for catch with the
space that he's putting us into.The more yards, more yards have to

(01:06:44):
catch, more explosive pit, moreexposive play for for not just only me,
but she and ak and taste them. So I'm excited to be able
to be in the system. Iassume you think you guys can be a
lot more explosive than than you inthe last couple of years. Oh yeah,
course it brings a lot of differentthings, you know what I'm saying
the playbook, but just accountability.I feel like that's gonna lead us to

(01:07:06):
success. They said the language isa little a little shorters it. Have
you found that the language that youguys use. Is it about the same
or is it it's kind of thesame. Really, it's a long long
plays, but it's more understanding forsure. I feel like you could get
to that more understanding plays and hI feel like that's that's the difference.

(01:07:28):
Hater was saying the other day,just kind of like coming into this offense
after like twenty years of Breeze andjust kind of how it was just kind
of built on top of each otherand on top of each other. It's
like kind of a lot to kindof take in. Do you do you
find that they kind of turn itdown to something new, starting to like
zero with everybody. It's just alittle bit easier to kind of get everybody
on the same Yeah, I feellike it's way easier. Like you said,
it was kind of more of aDrew Brees style the last playbook,

(01:07:50):
So all credit to them though theybuilt that around him, around his players.
But like I said, it's it'smore. Uh, this playbook is
more for uh matchups, and Uh, I feel like it's gonna be better
for us. How do you thinkit's gonna really take advantage of your skill
sets? Uh? Just building aroundthe strengths that I have. You know

(01:08:10):
what I'm saying, things that Ican do and things that she can do,
Uh, things that our players cando. Is kind of focused on
what we can do and and buildingon that. Uh. I feel like
it's playing to the player strengths,So I feel like it's gonna help us
a lot has been around the waythis offense will have a lot more speed.
And how has that transition event sofar? I mean, like I
said, it's building around the playersstrengths. So of course we got speed

(01:08:32):
uh uh with me or uh sheand ati receiver, so uh, just
building around that. Uh. LikeI said, playing to our strengths and
be able to capitalize off that.Feel like it's gonna help us a lot.
But most of like, uh,the up tempo asterisk and you know,
getting a lot of plays in thebest time. Oh yeah, yeah,
yeah, yeah, that's that's definitelygonna play a big difference. Like
I said, coming from the WestCoast, Uh, they bringing that stand

(01:08:53):
for an offense here. So I'mexcited to be be able to be a
part of that. For you personally, what what's uh what's the next lovel
look like for you? What doyou what are you trying to accomplish this
year? Just staying consistent. Manhad a couple of ups and downs last
year. Just building off that.It's always always gonna work on the physical
part, but being able to bounceback after a bad game. The mental

(01:09:14):
mental aspect. UH. Just learninglearned that last year and be able to
build on that this year is ahuge part. You know with Mike Gon,
do you take it upon yourself tokind of be that voice in the
room or to take a step forwardeven further as uh? I mean it's
not really. I mean everybody kindof grown in the NFL, so it's

(01:09:35):
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 after that. Andthat yards after the catch? Is that
you feel like that's the strength ofyours that maybe wasn't utilize. I don't

(01:09:56):
know if utilizes the right word,but you could show more like yeah,
it's an offense that UH is builtaround at uh just catching the ball in
space, catching the ball over themiddle or even on the outside, UH
with with space and separation. Ifeel like it's built around having yards have
to catch. So I'm definitely proudto be in the system, like I
said, and I'm excited. Butis that is that a mindset too?

(01:10:18):
Like being good at yards after thecatch? Like Oh yeah, I mean,
of course. I mean you don'twant 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. Great dude,

(01:10:40):
man, Uh some some that Idefinitely needed. Something that he relates to
me. Uh, just from backgroundsand uh he's a great coach, great
leader, Uh, motivational and uh. Like I said, I'm excited to
have him around and for him topush me is everything that I need.
So you're talking about like mentally bouncingback some tough performances or whatever. Did

(01:11:01):
you try to fund your resources goingto help you figure out how to do
that? Oh yeah, I meanit's older guys. Uh tell me that's
natural. Most have bad games.But uh, just having a standard that
I have in my career as ahead coach to have him on my staff
in a couple of places, soI got a chance to see him work
firsthand. You know, I gotto see him work firsthand as a player
and then as a coach. Sothe success he had is not is not

(01:11:25):
surprising to me. Is there wheredo you see Ryan, the success had.
Yeah, I think we all dothat. I think we come from
a unique place and in a reallysmall hometown in New Hampshire where we all
take a lot of pride to wherewe're from and and when anybody's successful coming
out of there, then you kindof take a little pride that that's it's
the upbringing that we all had,you know, in the UTH sports program
that we grew up in in inevery aspect, whether it was football,

(01:11:48):
baseball, basketball, those coaches wehad an amazing impact on us and that's
why we are where we are rightnow. Bill Rabin, Ryan said,
he doesn't think of it as youworking under him, that's working with him.
The fact is he's the head coach. He makes me call him sir
though he just said can you dothat day one and I was like,

(01:12:12):
all right, right now. ButI mean he ultimately is the decision maker.
You've been a head coach, Howdo you think that's going to work?
Do you think there'll be any asclose as you are, any kind
of awkward moments the right term,But when he's the ultimate decider and you
are working for him, Yeah,I certainly understand my role. I'm not

(01:12:33):
Alhaic like I'm not I'm not incharge here. Yeah, some people get
that reference. Other people don't getthat reference. But I'd certainly understand that,
and and I actually kind of relishit because I really love the scheming
part. I love the individual part. I love being in the meeting rum
of the quarterbacks and trying to gameplan. But everything we do here is

(01:12:54):
collaborative. You know. The onething that that really struck me when I
walked in this place is there's anamazing coaching staff here. You know,
and if you get a chance totalk to Larry Johnson just about football,
or Tim Walton or Jim Knowles orBrian Hartline or any of these guys that
are on the staff here, it'sit's a very collaborative effort. I think
everybody's on the same page. Youknow. It's not our offense and their

(01:13:15):
defense and it's Ohio State. Youknow, it's it's Ohio State versus the
twelve opponents that we're gonna play duringthe regular season and then beyond. So
it's really collaborative. And that's thething I like, just in the short
time that I've been here, ishow collaborative everybody's been you know, we're
all trying to make each other betterand we're all trying to develop this team.
Touched on this when you said,you know, you know you like

(01:13:35):
to do what you want to doand not My sense is you, in
your perfect world, you'd like toscribble plays on a napkin and not deal
with boosters, do deal with allthe stuff that coaches head coaches have to
deal with. Now, how muchof a factor was that in this decision
you could just do football? No, that's not it. I mean I
enjoy I mean we've had some amazingI've had an opportunity and everywhere I've been

(01:13:58):
to meet some amazing people that areassociated with the program. And there's people
that from my time at New Hampshireor my time at Oregon. I was
just with Phil Night two weeks ago, you know, and got an opportunity
to spend some time with him andhis wife Penny, who are dear friends
of mine that have been great mentorsto me in my career. And there's
a bunch of people that and UCLATerry Donnahue Andrea Donna who were awesome to
me. Angela Mazzoni is a greatfriend Casey Wasserman, Troy Ayikman. There

(01:14:20):
was a bunch of people at UCLAthat I really enjoyed, you know,
being around and talking with. SoI think sometimes everybody wants to make a
narrative of it's either this or that. It's never that. It's never just
all ball, it's never just allrecruiting, it's never just all boosters.
It's a mixture of everything. ButI think the one thing that as this

(01:14:40):
position as a head coach kept movingon is that if you look at a
lot of them, they all becomemore CEOs. You know. I can't
tell you how many coaches that havecalled me since I made this decision that
said I'm two years behind you,brother, you know that are thinking the
same exact way. And I thinkit's all part of what we have to
do. I think we all needto protect this game and promote this game,
and I think there are some rulesthat we need to get straightened out
so that people understand where what it'sabout, because the game is still about

(01:15:03):
the players, and I hope thatnever gets discounted. You know. It's
it's always been about the players,and I think if we can keep that
at the forefront the people that aremaking decisions on this, and I think
Jeane Smith is one of the bestinfluences in in the NCAAA is to make
sure we keep that the main thing, the main thing needs to be the
student athletes Leland dot Com. Youknow, you're coming in at a time

(01:15:27):
where you've been through some places wherethe expectations are high, I understand,
which also coming into the juncture whereyou know, the three losses to Michigan,
the not making the playoff last year, the urgency is pretty high here.
I guess just sort of what perspectivedo you have on kind of the
stakes that there are for Ryan thisyear and the decision that then he makes

(01:15:48):
to bring you in to kind ofhelp solve that. Yeah, I think
the expectations can be no harder thanthey are in your own brain, you
know. And I think if youtry to worry about what other people are
thinking in their brains, you're goingto get screwed up a little bit.
So, you know, I talkedearlier the one thing about Ryan that I
know about him and has always beenhe's the ultimate competitor. So he's got
there's nowhere that has higher expectations ofOhio state than Ryan does, nor the

(01:16:11):
rest of us that joined him inour part of this and that are working
with him. So you know,I don't think I think sometimes you can
spend too much time thinking about thosethings. You know. What you really
have to do is just as there'sa big sign as you walk into this
place, it says when the moment, you know, I think that's a
real thing that we have to doas coaches, is to make sure that
our players aren't worried about what's goingon in the future, or or aren't
worried about what's going on in thepast, or worry about can they get

(01:16:31):
a little bit better today, youknow, and can we make improvement?
And I think the one thing thatI've seen here and I've only been here
for three weeks, but there's aconsistency to the players approach when they walk
in this building every day, whichis it's unique. It's not like that
everywhere else. And it's one ofthe things that I remarked to Mick when
I you know, he said,Hey, what do you think, And
I was like, it's impressive.It's impressive the culture of the players that
are in this program right now.But I think it speaks a lot to

(01:16:53):
the leadership. There's there's a lotof older players on this team, and
they've set the tone for the youngerplayers, and I think the younger players
done a great job of followship andgetting right in line with that. He's
never hit it over a play callingto someone before. What does it mean
to you? I guess he technicallydid it to Bill when he was here
for a couple of weeks. Butwhat does that mean to you to kind
of be getting that responsibility from himand he's calling essentially the offense that you

(01:17:16):
gave it? I guess in someway. Yeah, I still think the
play calling part will be a collaborativeeffort. And by that I mean that
if it's a good play, Icalled it, and if it's a bad
play, he called it. Becausethe great part is an assistant coach,
you can just hen point the fingera little bit and just say, hey,
you know, I wanted to dothis, but he trumped me.
So we haven't actually discussed game dayyet. You know, we'll see how

(01:17:38):
that operates. But everywhere I've beenit's been a collaborative effort, and all
of a sudden, someone that's callingthe plays isn't isn't like pulls one out
of left field that you hadn't practicedand 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 in the middle of thefourth quarter that we haven't done.

(01:18:00):
But I think it's the key toreally being successful on offense is is how
you game plan, how you putit all together, and then how you
practice and train for that so thatyou get a chance to execute it.
Because the player's confidence comes comes fromtheir demonstrated ability that they've done this so
many times in practice that when theyget out on the field that this is
like that to them, you know. And it's not that they do it
so they do it right, it'sthey practice it so much so that they

(01:18:21):
can't do it wrong. So,you know, I think it's that whole
part of it that is really thekey to being a really good game planning
team, right, Doug Lane Reith, King of North Chip, When you
had that feeling when you were coachingthe quarterbacks during BOWLD, did you consider
at that point maybe resigning as thehead coach and thinking like this is this

(01:18:42):
is not where I am anymore.I'll leave and then I'll look to see
what else is out there. NI never thought about quitting anything, So,
you know, I just is therean opportunity that I think I can
that fit, you know, AndI think that's the you know, it's
no different than when you're talking toa recruit about them make a decision and
know where they're gon go to school, think that where they should go to
school is where the best fit isfor them. So you know, I

(01:19:03):
just entertained some opportunities and I alwaysfelt I felt like this was the best
fit. But I never thought aboutquitting or not coaching. I'm gonna coach.
I'm gonna coach, and then I'mgonna die. I mean, that's
how I think I think about things. Is I can't picture that. I
know someone I was on the Niketrip and they like, how much longer
are you going to go? WhenI said I to go another fifteen twenty

(01:19:24):
years. I don't think about Idon't think about retirement. I don't think
about any of those things. That'sjust not kind of my mindset that you
know. I love football and inthe as long as I can be part
of this game, then I'll bepart of this game. Just the way
things worked out with your departure fromUCLA, is there anything that you wish
you had done differently, or anythingyou regret, or just that the circumstances

(01:19:45):
that presented themselves. Do you thinkthat you handled that departure the best that
you could have? Yeah? Imean I got an opportunity to tell my
players personally. You know, Ithink in this day and age of the
Internet, where they read it somewhereelse and you have to text message,
and you know, that was alwaysimportant to me that I wanted to make
sure I talked to my players andexplain the reasons of what I was doing.
I wasn't leaving to take a headcoaching job somewhere else. I wasn't
thinking that the grass is greener atanother university. Was just in my personal

(01:20:10):
situation, this is what I wantedto do. I wanted to take an
opportunity to go be a position coachand coordinator, and that's how it fit.
You know, what I was happyis that I always thought to Sean
Foster, I think the world ofthem, and I think he's a special
you know, and the fact thatthat they were they gave him the opportunity
to take over there was you know, it worked out. I didn't have

(01:20:30):
any say in that decision, youknow, I was gone. But I
always thought that that Shaun would bea great head coach, and I'm really
proud of him and happy that thathe got the opportunity to take that job
right behind him. Act you haveyour reputation as innovator. Was part of
the appeal of this is that youget to get in the weeds a little
bit. Uh maybe not mad scientists, maybe too too strong of a work

(01:20:54):
because you're working within the system.But was there an appeal of I get
to get my hands verty here againand innovate and get back to that side
of things. It was, Butit was really more important of who I
get to work with, you know, and so knowing you know, I've
got I know a lot of guyson the staff besides Ryan also, so
you know, when I know whattheir mindset is and what their values are

(01:21:15):
and how they do things, andso I want to be a part of
that. But there's a part ofthat, Yeah, yeah, how much
of a teacher you get labeled ininnovator. The teachings are part of this.
How much of a teacher are even? How patient are you? Yeah?
I think we're all teachers. Imean, education is the transportation of
knowledge, you know, So itreally doesn't matter what the coach knows.
It matters what the players understand,you know. So you have to be

(01:21:39):
able to make sure that while you'reimplementing things is what resonates with them and
how does that come back to them. So, you know a lot of
our teaching styles that we've learned ismore the socratic method of there's a lot
of questions, you know, anda lot of check for understandings, just
to kind of find out where theplayers are coming from, because it's what
they know that's ultimately going to wingames, not what we know. You

(01:22:00):
know that we're not playing the games, we're not stepping across those white lines,
you know. And your job asa coach is to create an environment
where they have an opportunity to besuccessful and then get out of their way
and let them go do it.So I think the teaching aspect is huge,
and we continue to research, youknow, some of the latest trends
in teaching to make sure that weare transporting that knowledge to our players.
The second rolld left Steve Helwagan twentyfour seven Sports. Yeah, coach,

(01:22:23):
just curious, you've got five scholarshipquarterbacks with differing levels of experience from age
and everything else. Not to annoyedhim, but just want to ask specifically
about Will Howard coming in after startingpart of two years at kids a stage.
He just seems to promote this ideathat he's a football player, you

(01:22:44):
know above all else. Just howimpressed are you with his makeup, his
experience, what he's bringing to thetable walking in here right now? Yeah,
really impressed. You know, youdon't have to talk to Will for
more than five minutes to kind ofknow where he's coming from. He's really
focused. You know, he knowshe's got a short window left in his
college career, and it really wantsto capitalize on what that is. There's

(01:23:06):
a maturity to Will, you know. I really I've had experience, My
experience in this thing since the transferportal opened in college football is some of
the best players I've had an opportunityto coach. Award transfers. Sometimes when
you're a true freshman and it's fiveyears out, you know, it's like,
hey, I got a ton oftime, you know, and sometimes
when you're a transfer is that I'vegot nine months, you know. So

(01:23:28):
there's a sense of urgency I thinkwhen you're dealing with with transfers, and
I think Will has exuded that sincehe's been here. But the other thing
that I just in the short timethat Will has been here is how quickly
he's fit in with the entire team, you know, and how much the
rest of the players respect him.You know. He was one of the
Gold Award winners for his work inthe weight room in this offseason, so
that says a lot for him comingin here as in a short time being

(01:23:50):
able to win a weight room award, you know, to start off,
you guys hope to have the numberone internally externally at the end of spring
or I guess just let it playout, how do you I? I
think it always every time I've beeninvolved in these, I think when they're
organic is when it's the best thatI don't think you can anoint somebody or
force the issue because the players know, the players would understand, they see

(01:24:12):
it every single day, you know, and there's a team chemistry part of
this thing too, So we're notgonna force the issue a but I've always
seen it play itself out. SoI've been fortunate that there's always gonna be
some quarterback battles at at some pointin time. At every school there's a
quarterback battle, you know, andthen and really you you gotta let them
play it out on the field,and that's where it has to That's that's
where it has to be decided.Just a couple age Hey can welcome and

(01:24:38):
we were excited to have you here. Think I'm kind of to talk about
the innovative part. Ryan said thatthat's something that he's always loved ut working
with you, and now he wantsyou to bring that here and how to
fit with Ohio State. Do youhave any idea what that's gonna look like
yet or is it just way tooearly? I have no idea now.
I I think part of it isis you're trying to put the players in
position to make plays. So alot of that comes from getting to understand

(01:25:00):
the players and what their skill setsare and how we feature what their skill
sets are, you know, andand the one thing after day one,
I can tell you that there's alot of skill set out there, you
know. So that's that's what getsyou excited. You know, that's that's
what you jump out of bed inthe morning and you're excited to go to
work because of the talent that youget to work with. But the one
thing that's the most impressive is thework ethic that goes along with that talent.

(01:25:24):
You know, it's not just emptytalent. It's you got some kids
who want to I mean all ofthem since I've been here, want to
work. So that that's what getsyou excited. But I think assessing what
the skill set is you know thatwe have available to us on the offensive
side of the ball is vitally important, and then our job is to put
those guys in positions to make plays. Lots of pressure. I mean,

(01:25:45):
you've experienced what it's like to coachnational championship, how over teams this program
right now and moving into a situationwhere you got to win quick and now.
So does that feel like pressure herefor you or is it a little
bit of excitement or both? Well, I've always subscribed to us. Pressure
is what you feel when you don'tknow what you're doing. So if you
don't want to feel pressure and thenyou should know what you're doing, so,

(01:26:05):
you know, I think it's it'spart of that, and I think
part of our job with our playersin terms of the education process is getting
them to understand that too, isthat you know, it's it's about your
preparation, it's about you and yourdevelopment. It's not about that you can't
be governed by what other people say. It's it's what's my mindset and how
am I intrinsically motivated and then howdo I really compete against myself on a

(01:26:26):
daily basis to get a little bitbetter. You know, we got a
little bit better today because we getout on the field today and got a
chance to do some football. Andthen the challenges when we get back on
the field on Thursday, can webe a little bit better than we were
on Tuesday. And if we're doingthat, then we keep stacking good days
on top of good days, andI think we'll be in good spot.
And welcome, Thank you. I'mgonna ask about the pros and cons of
coaching from the box and coaching fromthe field. It's interesting talk to some

(01:26:48):
off some coordinators. Tom Herman talkedabout he swore he wanted to coach from
the box. Saw the game somuch better, sterile environment, not all
the chaos on the field. Somecoaches you talk to the like, I
want to be on the field soI can look at guys in the in
the eye. Where are you asa as a coordinator, honestly, And
I've thought of this a lot.I thought of it a lot during COVID
because we had the empty stands,you know, so I had thought about

(01:27:10):
just walking up into the stands fora little bit because I had a better
advantage. I've always believed you cansee the game better from up above,
but I believe you can feel thegame better from the field. So if
there was any way we could geta zip wire where you could do both,
you know, coach called from thereand then zip out of the field
get a chance to talk to him, because it's a different deal when you're
talking to the quarterbacks on a phone, you know, than being able to

(01:27:30):
look in their eye and kind ofsee where they are with it, And
part of it is the field partof it. I remember when I coached
Ryan once we were playing Yukon andhe got hit hard going out of bounce
and 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 inhis eyes because I don't think he could
have thrown it. You know,he was still trying to get his win
back. But you wouldn't know thatif you're up in the booth, you

(01:27:51):
know, and you call a passplay from up in the booth and you're
like, how come we can't completethat? Well, he just took a
shot going out of bound. Soit's fine line that I don't have an
answer, you know. I thinkI think it's feel on the ground and
it's see from up above. Maybein this day a technology, they'll figure
it out. But we'll see howthat that that operates, and whatever Ryan

(01:28:13):
feels is the best for the teamis what we're gonna do. So your
teams at the Oregon were obviously Nowwe're playing at this pass pace and running
a bunch of players per minute andyep, maybe not by a pretty fast.
What role do you see tempo andhaving an offense and in the state
yea in college football and has maybechanged? I think the game is always

(01:28:34):
evolving, you know. I thinkwhen I left in two thousand and twelve
to go to the National Football League. Oregon was the only team that was
playing really, really fast and hadshiny helmets. And when I came back
in twenty seventeen, everybody had shinyhelmets and everybody was playing fast. So
I think the game is always goingto go up and down, and there's
gonna be different cycles that it goesthrough. I think tempo is part of

(01:28:57):
an offensive, but I don't thinkit's an offense in itself. I think
it's more of like if you goto dinner, it's a side order.
You know, it's not the maincourse, but it's it's always good to
have it. So I think there'stimes when you'll use it, but you're
you're not gonna use it extensively theentire game, just like you're not gonna
throw the ball every single snap inthe game. You're not gonna run the
ball every single snap in the game. You know, there there's there's not

(01:29:18):
a game of absolutes anymore. Ithink the ability to be diverse and and
have it as a tool in yourtwo box, so to speak, uh
is really how we would look atusing it. Here are now work family
with it? Then I think soyou know, I think when you first
started going Temple, there were peoplein the NCAA. They want to outlawd
They want to make an NCAA rolethat you had. You couldn't do it,

(01:29:38):
you know, and I'll I'll givecoach Shaving credit. I mean,
I think obviously Nick was the firstone to do it. He wanted outlaud
and then all of a sudden headapted it and said, all right,
we like this, you know,so we'll keep it in. But it's
I think people have it doesn't matterwhat you do. There's there's cycles to
this game, and then once peoplecatch on to that cycle, then it
moves. You know, It's nodifferent than four three D defenses and three

(01:30:00):
four defenses. You know what isthe rage when the when the Giants won
the Super Bowl, they were therewere three four defense and everybody, everybody
says, we have to do that. What people didn't understand is they had
Carl Banks and Lawrence Taylor. Itdidn't matter what defense they were running.
I know, Gym's back there andJim played against the you know it was
they could have been a four downdefense and those guys would have been great
players. But it's not the scheme. I think that the coaches that do

(01:30:21):
it the best way is they inserttheir players and put them in the best
position to make plays. And now, now will Temple be part of it.
It'll be part of it, butit's certainly not going to be the
main course. Awesome. Sorry,last question, Oh, thank you very
much, Jerry. Uh. Numberone, there was a great moment there
when y'all were warming up, whenyou were you were talking with Tim Walton

(01:30:41):
and Caleb Downs comes up and conversingand as you're in this kind of a
two part question, but number one, what was just your take on the
talent you saw on that field todayon both sides of the ball. Where
where would you rank it? Yeah, I'll rank it. I'll be very
transparent. As I was telling Timand Caleb what a great offensive player I
thought Caleb would be, could beand should be. But I'm at the

(01:31:09):
head coach, so I always turnstretch as a as an offensive coordinator,
I'm always looking at the defensive playerslike I could use him. Oh what
could I do if I had him? Life? If you do it right
away, so you know, beingaccountable, you know, doing the extra
stuff away from the f uh.The facility. That stuff matters at the
end of the day because all theexpectations and all that pressure, that really

(01:31:30):
doesn't matter if you do those things, you know, So what are your
expectations for a year two in thisoffense? I'll just keep going. You
know, the name of the gameis execution. You know, the times
where we executed at a high level, the times we won those games.
You know, So that's just thegoal is just execute and to be able
to be on the same page billchemistry right now, so you know,

(01:31:51):
when when the ball rolls, youknow, very very ready to fly around
at a high level. So,I mean that's the goal and that's that's
you know, there's goals on topof that, but that's the that's the
foundation right now. Okay's foundation work. So CJ, I know that I
know that it's still pretty early.But how has it been so far getting
to work with Diggs and how ishe fitting in? So far? He's
been fitting in great. You know, he's coming in with uh his head

(01:32:14):
down mentality, just working. Youknow, he's helped me out a lot.
Just you know, he come comesfrom a from a a good system
over there where when he was withthe bills and they did a lot of
things with him and really just offenseand tell me how like Josh played and
things like that, things that youknow, we do different than we've had
this a plenty of conversation, youknow. So he been he's come in

(01:32:35):
and been a leader, which whichI'm proud of him for. And you
know it just really's has been unselfishand uh, I wanted to see other
guys eat and that was his mainthings. Like he wanted to be around
other dogs. And you know,he he he stepped into that role where
there's a dog everywhere. Every helooks right, he looks left, there's
gonna be a dog. So andhe wanted that and that's what you know,

(01:32:56):
we we break to the table andhe's been nothing but just amazing so
far. And I I'm very excitedto work with him as a teammate,
as a what's it like to haveyour friend Tank back with you guys?
What was it like to go fromthe camon of emotions from hearing about it
to now when it's over in yourbackyard there you'll have plenty. It's amazing,

(01:33:16):
you know, it's sh just atestament to him and you know,
one of the God we serve.And then two, uh, just the
work that he's put in. Youknow, he's been uh you know,
he came back before it was evenschedule. He can get cleared. And
then on top of that, youknow, just coming back after that freak
accident. And you know, Ithink that we serve a God that's merciful
and that's that's purposeful, and heknows that, and he stepping into and

(01:33:40):
me and him we have those conversationsabout our faith and then cause, like
this football stuff it seems like it'severything, but it's not. You know,
we're we're people, and we wego through a lot off the field
people don't know. And you know, as his brother, I have to
be there for him, like justlike he's there for me when I go
through what I go through. SoI mean, I'm just proud of him,
man, Like the word proud iseven probably enough to like state the

(01:34:03):
the feelings that I have for thatguy. Man, he's my one of
my best friends that I've n youknow, gotten a known over the years
in this in this world of footballand past that Man, I feel like
I'm known since I've been three yearsold. You know, I think for
like our connections kind of like wegrew up together, and you know,
I just got a lot of lovefor that guy, and you know,
I'm very excited for him. He'sbeen snapping that practice and doing really well

(01:34:25):
and you know, to knock offthe rust that quick shows how much work
he's been in. How much morecomfortable are you walking up to ots this
year to n the last year?Things kind of a little bit slower,
just us. The biggest difference toyou, Yeah, it's night and day.
Man. It's really like I feellike I'm running the show and I've
got a lot more uh responsibilities fromSlow and from the Beacon, from dry

(01:34:46):
Bill and really our whole office ofstaff. And you know, I'm the
captain of the ship and I gotto run it the right way. And
I feel like I've you know,stepped into that role just you know,
and now not only holding out accountable, but also you know, hold myself
accountable of those moments like I don'tlet anything slide, uh, cause that's
that's the point of winning and losing. So I think from last year to
this year, like I've gotten alot better with like controlling my emotions,

(01:35:11):
controlling my ball placement, knowing what'sNFL open, knowing my food work better.
There's really every little thing I've takena step, and then on the
other side of the ball, youknow, just everything slowed down. Seeing
coverage. Demico does a good jobof blitching me and you know, working
on their different coverages and different looksand start too high, go to one
and go back to two motion likeas man, go to cover too like

(01:35:32):
all that stuff to keep me trueand honest, and you know, I
think I've tried to do my bestwith my off season study to you know,
be better, and I feel likeI've done that and had a good
ota so far. So got tofinish with that mini camp. But it's
been definitely a big transition of justmore comfortability from last year to this year.
College, you you always had likea really talented receiver room, and
then last year you had a talentto receive a room. So you've had

(01:35:55):
the experience of having to feed alot of guys. Obviously you had in
digs, even Joe Mexico went outof backfield. How much would that experience
from those you know, college andlast year help you with being able to
make sure that everybody's being fed theway they are. So if you get
you don't have the best impossible offer. If you guys like get Moore.
Yeah, I mean I don't thinknothing changes. You know. It's like
I tell, I tell guys,cause I get that question a lot from

(01:36:18):
I got people just walking around justanywhere, astra game whatever, and I
was like, man, it's football. You know you're open, you get
the ball, so uh and mythings, you gotta pick your poison playing
us, like who you gonna double, who you gonna cater to? Who
you like? You got five dogs? Who are who are able to get
to get the ball in each giveand play? You know? So I

(01:36:39):
think it's fine. I know Slowhas done a great job of being more
creative and you know, has putdifferent personnel packages out there, guys in
different positions at going from inside andoutside, you know. And you know,
I'm I'm very excited to work withwith coach Low again. He's done
amazing so far, you know,OTAs and will continue to do such.

(01:37:00):
But yeah, man, I thinkthat past experience of playing with Marv Jax,
Garrett, Chris Jamo, America Julianlike those type of guys, they'll
tell you too, Like I knowthey'll probably have said it before, but
they'll tell you like they made mebetter and I made them better. You
know, that's my job is tomake everybody around me better. So I'm

(01:37:21):
excited. Man has been healthy competition. Like I know, Garrett, I've
seen his interview day he was talkingabout Ohio. See how like the receivers,
like if Gear made a play,Chris is like, nah, watch
this like it's the same thing here, which is you know, really cool
to watch. And you know,as the quarterbacks meet, Davis in case
and Tim were the same way too, So healthy competition is the best way

(01:37:42):
to grow and get better. AndI think that that's what it's about.
You see how excited Diggs gets forTank when he makes it play, and
metch gets for excited for when Nicomakes a play, and Tank gets excited
when Rob makes a play. Youknow. So it's amazing. And you
know, we got Noah coming backto which is gonna be amazing. And
I'm excited being there and a tonof guys there's a ton of talent.
Steed's showing up. Really everybody's reallybeen doing Jay, Wayne, Johnny,

(01:38:05):
you know, so and Man it'sbeen fun. Uh Nick wo that and
got you some some mixture talent onthe office side of the ball. Well
what do you think about their dishesthat he made on the defensive side of
the ball. Yeah, man,it's been great. It's been good on
good like Demiga talks about irons trompingiron you know, it's been a lot
of smack talk, a lot ofjust uh, just good competition, you

(01:38:26):
know. And then it starts withme and his ease, you know,
him being the leader of defense.I'm the leader at offense. And you
know, playing him last year.Man, 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. We youcan see him at my locker, me
at his or us before practice,after practice talking about plays and you know,
so, I mean it starts withus. And then when you add

(01:38:48):
Danielle somebody who's a vet who playsreally hard, who's gonna help? Will
you know them two dogs? Yougot Cheam in the in the middle with
Autry and and Sosa and y justa ton of guys, man, you
know, in the back end,y'all young guys showing up. Kaitlyn's doing
really well in the back end alongwith Petrie and Jimmy, along with Kamari.

(01:39:12):
Kamari is shown 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, but alsothe most competitive team. So it's been
dope season. See that he brokeout last year and Lego broke out last
year and he go getst the contractexception, he's here to twenty twenty seven.

(01:39:32):
What does that do for you?Just knowing that you have a 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 showing upand shown out. You know when you
know when his number is called,he always makes the play. And you
know, he's just a special He'sa generation talent man. He's he's like

(01:39:56):
alright, ag is Andre Johnson inmy opinion of just how fast he is,
how gets in and out of hisbrace, his releases, how strong
he is, and I think lastyear was just a uh a preview to
what it's took come for him.And the one thing I'm proud of him
for is just the work has neverstopped. He's constantly here working on his
body, constantly in here working onhis hands. Is his mobility in the
weight room, you know. Sofor me, I mean just having a

(01:40:18):
a true uh. I think wehave like five number ones, you know,
So that's kind of cool to have. And I've had that before in
college and I'll have it again andit's gonna be fine. Man. And
Nico he's gonna he's he loves tosee everybody else he eat too, so
man, his his love for hisbrothers hasn't change. And you know,
it's it's a it's a special feelingto see somebody who deserves to get paid

(01:40:39):
and you know, get what theythe 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 Artosola Andelie Johnson.
I don't know if you remember thatwas a moment going into the playoffs last
season where he really didn't know ifeither one of those guys would be or
this year forty shit. Yeah,I mean for both of them to come
back was very special. I thinkwe both we all have a better feel

(01:41:01):
of how to work with one another. And you know, the talent I
am on the field, and theplay caller that Bobby is and then the
common coach Drovet is, you know, we all work together and that and
you know, slow as I'm inhis office almost every morning just going over
stuff and watch the film with him, going over things that we need to
go to get better at. Andhe always has his phrases, you know,

(01:41:25):
working for the end at mind,and you know he holds me accountable
when you know it could be easierjust to like let me slide, cause
you know I'm out there still makingplays. But he's like, nah,
you need to be better here,here and there. And you know that's
just shows what type of a leaderhe is. And you know it's an
honor to be able to work withhim again. And same for me,
like to him like, hey,flow, I'm not really feeling his play,

(01:41:47):
or I want to add this playerto try to see if we can
get better here in this in thispractice, or you know, I think
we can be really good at thistype of player and he's very very accepting
when it comes to that. Soit's been cool to work with both of
them, and I'm very excited toget another year on our belt. What
right, what was it like,uh teacher football internationally and the the r

(01:42:11):
the reception that you got from thepeople there, it was it was amazing,
you know. Uh. First ofall, shout out to Beijing,
Shanghai and Tokyo, you know foraccepting Meta Mica uh with open arms and
just the hospitality and the uh justthe culture man there is just amazing.
They wanna learn about football, youknow, and it's it was cool just

(01:42:32):
to see like them already have likethe foundation of it, but wanted to
grow from there. And you know, I think football is a family sport
and like those people are our familynow. And you know, the Olympics
come into where it's gonna be internationalwith flag football, I think it's super
dope. And to be able toget you know, to be able to
put our feet into those those uhdoors already, you know, it's kind

(01:42:57):
of cool, you know. SoI mean, I'm very grateful with my
team with uh uh Bernie and Davidfor setting that up and even like the
guys out there who who gave ustop notch hospitality. It w It was
just amazing, man, the wholeexperience. So, you know, just
my first time really out the countryand just being able to like go to
the Great Wall China and all thatstuff and still do what I love to

(01:43:19):
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 itwas fun. Man, John and Jonathan,
Dad, what's uh, what's itlike how you hit Stover down here
with you and what's your relationship beenlike with him? Oh? Yeah,
Kay's my brother. Man. Youknow, I've been through thinking thing with

(01:43:41):
him, and he's somebody who II often look at us 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 walking on
the line. I don't know howit works, but I just he's already
like there for me. He's alwaysyou know, I don't know, man,

(01:44:02):
Kate is just like that guy.He's a brother that you just you
know, letting him know I'm availablefor him, you know, I think
it can be something as little asjust the steps on field goal block or
field goal protection. You know,I've been doing it for thirteen years.
Uh, it's still crazy. I'mstill doing it. But uh, you
know, uh, those are thet type of things I'm just giving guidance

(01:44:25):
to. And then you know,off the field, it's you know what
takes back to around the city.Where should you be, where you should
be, how you can help yourself, you know the little things day.
What are you looking for in yourcontract? You know, I'm looking to
be here. You know, thevalue is what we decide, but you

(01:44:48):
know, I think for me,I I want to be you know,
value of my position. You know, I understand I came up a rough
season, but I don't think it'sa step down of where I can play.
You know, I think when Iwas at the top of my game,
I'm still you know, top fiveplayer in my position. And you
know I played a run in thepast and I bring leadership and you know

(01:45:13):
that's not anything I discover. Canyou do you plan to be here for
mini camp and am a storage forany camp? Yeah? How difficult has
it been the last two weeks tonot be here? I mean, you
said in your podcast, the firsttime you've never not been at Yeah,
it w it was difficult, butlike you know, the thing I got
very frustrated with was just and peoplequestioned my communication with the team. You

(01:45:33):
know, I uh was communicating withguys left and right, and you know,
front office, coaches, teammates,and all I care about is how
I am with my teammates. Idon't want them to ever think I don't
care about them or how I'm notin it. And you know, you
can say whatever you want about me. But besides that, but I always

(01:45:56):
dedicate anything I can do, andI don't want that to ever be a
question. Isaiya said that it feltlike sometimes you were hold up somewhere watching
film. You text r H sayhey, you missed this, or you
wanna make that. Well, likethe first day, he was batting all
up with Russ's passes, so Ihad to let him know. You know,
I uh, you gotta take advantageof that. You gotta make sure
guys are you know, UH knowthat you you still care and you still

(01:46:17):
wanna be a part of this.You know, just watching practice, there's
a couple of little things we're doingdifferent, whether I'm communicating with Dunbar or
other people, you know to beatye. So you're that you're also talking
with him and you you've given himpointers during the off season, just constant
communication. How do you see himgrow as a person, you know,

(01:46:38):
as far as how he's approaching thingsand how you're getting ready for this season
for promos his rookie year. Uh, you know, I think the thing
with Keanu is he's more comfortable,you know. You know, it's not
his first time around the track.You know, it's actually like he can
you know, uh, catch hisfeet under him. You know. I
always think when you're in your rookieseason, you're going from bowl game.

(01:46:59):
I don't Wisconsin playing a bowl game. Sorry Wisconsin, I don't even know.
But you know, personally, Ijust think when you go from bowl
game to training for the combine toyou know, rookie minning camps, OTAs,
the you know mini camp, Imean the training camp the regular season,
you really don't get a time toreally catch yourself. You know,
he understands the playbook. Now youcan be more vocal, you know.

(01:47:23):
And I think when my absence,the other guy's absence, you know,
you need guys like that, tostep up and be ready for those opportunities
you had during the season. Wasmore thorough. What was just tightening down
everything, you know on my leftside because I was overcompensating a little bit,
but you know it was it wasn'tanything that lingers. You know,

(01:47:46):
I'll say this, Uh, agrowing is not like an a cl It's
not like anything's that we're gonna getafected again. And you know, you
know, I'm feeling good, ableto do everything, squat and heavy with
power and speak, so you knowit it feels good to get after again.
What do you think of what theteam was able to accomplish? Whis
offseason return to bring guys like Russianand things end? You know, I

(01:48:09):
I think they're all good acquisitions.But you know, you never want to
be known as a paper champion andso can't win the off season. I
think the work gets done out hereon the field, gets done in the
classroom, it gets done training hyou know, and then you see where
you're at in training camp and thenyou build on that. You know,
I think we got the right guysin the building. It's just about putting

(01:48:32):
a complete team on the field.Camp. How Tenther companes 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,
h because you know one day it'sgonna end. Uh and that's been job.
Uh. It's not like in collegewhere you know you got four years

(01:48:55):
guaranteed. I don't know, wellnow you you don't even know what an
il at though. Scrap and thetransfer portal portal. But you know you
have to I still have love forthis game, and I still work my
tail off and I still put everythinginto it and that's not gonna change.
But you have to know what youbring to the team and what your what

(01:49:18):
your value is. Okay, Imean did a fel to be out there
with your teammates today? Emotionally great? You know, we got a new
uh, we got a new trainingstaff and still learning the the warm up
a little different. Uh, butuh, you know I loved it.
Uh, you know, just gettingafter it, learning new guys, Uh,
going through the same drills I've beendoing by myself. Uh. I

(01:49:39):
actually like having more people around,cause like kind of go stir crazy,
cra crazy when it's just you andanother guy, You're like, damn,
I gotta go back up for anotherref already. And so you know,
it's nice to be up here andget a chance to, you know,
be with my guys cam where you'reconfident and you will get done with your
emotions. Oh I'm gonna I'm we'lltry to remain pretty neutral, cause you

(01:50:03):
know, I don't wanna be tooeither way. All I know is I
wanna be here, but we'll seewhat happens. Is my last year here,
I I've I've I've had a greatcareer here, but uh, I'll
look forward to play next year.Can you know what's that second surgery?
You said it this time was onthe left side. It was the first

(01:50:24):
time around on the right side,right side during the season, left side,
and that was just tightening down mycorner. My corma saw. It
wasn't the same as my ad doctor. You know, you can ask doctor
Bradley, uh doct doctor Zuckerbron whouh did the surgery as well. You
know, I if anything's gonna helpme and you'll make me a lot stronger

(01:50:46):
for hearing up. Can you saidyou were training with another guy? Who
have you kind of been Tyson ohuh. I've been training with him for
the last eight years. We've alwaystrained together. We got a trainer up
north, UH shot out cole Al. He's my guy, traded h trained,
trained, Uh, Heath Miller,Brett Keesel, the multitude of guys

(01:51:08):
that I all respect, and we'vejust been getting after can. He's very
few guys historically thirty five that youpaid big contractor you think that's held against
you. I think there's not alot of history behind it. But you
know, for me, I Ilook at as I'm not looking to be
like anybody else. You know,my game is different from everybody else in

(01:51:28):
this league. You know, Ilike to think, you know, I
can play the run in the past, and then that's where I'm different.
You know. I remember last yearMike t just brought to my attention.
You know, the thing that's reallycool is you watch powerlifters, and you
know, my game's built on powerand technique, and those guys go into
their forties and so you know,that's what kind of research I'm doing behind

(01:51:51):
the scenes. But you know,I I We'll see what happens. The
it's there's not a lot of history, but I'm here to make history,
and I'm here to you know,win another super Bowl here and you know,
have a great season. Do youhave a set goal over yourself or
how many years you wanna play inthe NFL? Or did you just take
things here by here? You knowit? It was it was tough answering

(01:52:15):
that question right after the season.I will say this, guys, I
I can't keep answering that question rightafter the season. That is not fair
to the season, That's not fairto my family. Uh. You know.
But in my mind, I gotthree years and I wanna maximize'em.
I wanna play at a high level, and I wanna go deep in
the playoffs. And you know,we got a good team and I'm gonna

(01:52:36):
do my part to be ready forall those situations here. If you plan
on practice when you report to Latrobe, or is your possibility that you might
pull in and enforcing delociations? II have not even thought that far.
I've taken a day by day.Uh you know. Uh uh. I
told my agent and we talked aboutit. I mean, we were cool
coming out here. You know,I'll be here for many and then I'll

(01:53:00):
be there for training Pam. Youknow, I don't know what the work
entails. But when we get there, we'll we'll cross that bridge remains steer
for those three years. You know, there was a conversation between me Omar
and Mike t And there's certain guysthat are one helmet guys, you know,

(01:53:24):
and I want to be one ofthose one helmet guys. And you
know, there's a there's a hungerand desire that I was doing a little
bit of carrying the ball. Iwas behind Xavier Johnson. So learning from
him and guys like that, it'sit. It makes me more comfortable.
But I could. I feel likeI could do anything on the field.
I'll do anything to play so fast, to do with me throwing the ball,
run the ball, catching the ball, blocking, anything I'll do on

(01:53:45):
the field, I'll be with that. Specially talking about how competitive you are.
Where do you think that driving from? It just comes from where I'm
from, South Florida. I feellike everybody down there we compete to the
max. There's no other place thatcompetes like South Florida. There's dogs all
around the South Florida. So,I mean, it's just ever since I
was seven years old when I startedplaying, It's just it was instilled in

(01:54:05):
me to just compete and be thatdog. Speaking of South Florida Jeremiah,
I mean I played with Jeremiah whenI was ten and eleven, and that
we played against each other a coupleof years in high school. So I've
seen him. The growth he's madeover these years is insane. The way
his body has changed is crazy.And now seeing out here today is just

(01:54:30):
like everything comes full circle. Youknow, he's what he was the best
player in the country last year andfor him, for me seeing him grow
up and things like that, it'sbeen really good to see truth Press.
It's such a stacker. Even MarvinHarris Junior didn't play much as a truth
Fresh, but seems like he mightbe the exception to the rule. I
feel like Jeremiah is just I mean, he's definitely he's a different caliber.

(01:54:51):
When when you when you watch himand how smooth he is and the physical
abilities he brings to the game,I feel like he has to play some
way. He has to. Hehas to play goods. He was the
better the team Jeremiah sophomore and nowhomes this year. The next three years,

(01:55:24):
we're gonna they're gonna get the bestreceiver receiving room in the country.
You know, we've been helding thatnarrative for so long now, but we're
gonna continue to do that. Imean, we have conversations with like as
US three because we're we all playfor the same team. As you said,
we just want to be the bestand we know when it's our time
to come, we're gonna do We'regonna do that and definitely get a national

(01:55:47):
championship. How special is that foryou? For you guys, it's very
special because you would have never knownin O T seven when we were there
all on the same field together onthe same team. Who never thought we
would have been at the Ohio StateUniversity all playing on the same field at
the same time. So it's definitelyspecial in the dream. How's your body

(01:56:09):
changed in this off season. Idefinitely think my body has changed a lot,
and it's changed the ways of likemy body Faber sentences went down a
lot, and I just feel likeI overall feel better when I like do
long runs and stuff like that.So I have a good, really good
stamina right now. So I justhope to keep that up winded this year.

(01:56:30):
As you were after a fifty sevenyears touchdown in your first catch line.
Yeah, yeah, I feel likeit was just adrenaline rushing. I
feel like I was more so thecelebration was more tired than the run.
Actually, everybody jumping on me andstuff like that. But it was definitely
a cool experience experience. Just talkabout South Florider. Is there a little

(01:56:53):
South Amba is there outside? Itfeels like there's a little bit of South
Florida gopas proper? Yeah, youguys me did you see guy in the
corner? I feel like if theif there were anybody to be from South
Florida at corner them, it wouldbe day Uh I GB Davis and Ignos
guard and looking over to the myaccount party guard. It's a great thing

(01:57:15):
to say. What what about Carson'sskills might just allow him to shift over
one's box was last year? Whycouldn't be a successful pat? Right,
He's athletic, he's able to runthe ball. He's he's been as well,
which has offend your favorite thing inthe work in the space. That's
uh, it's a huge uh thingto have and uh, he's just trying
to come out into the red guardspot. Now. It's how man kind
of other guys, I gotta saidbad or fining for it. But you

(01:57:38):
think you get a good out today, Let's say we can go into the
summer and get into the ball camp. After Sam scored his touchdown, which
lock And was talking to, thenhe kind of made his way over toward
he grabbed his shoulder pad like whatwas going on there? Oh yeah,
yeah, I mean obviously, Uh, the young guy scores a touchdown,
the shoe he kind of blocks outeverything cause I'm trying to coach a locks
call his name, trying to gethis attention back. He gets some coaching.

(01:58:00):
Uh it was It was nothing toocrazy, cause like I said,
now we handle all to the refaround here, and so it just make
sure you know, uh, obviouslyit's a great thing, right I'm scoring
to touchdown, it's great thing.Everybody showing you see him score. But
you have some time of season conchesa lot of quarterbacks running that ball up
today, I don't uh think ofthat part of the game. I mean
I I think that just makes uhthe offense even more powered. You know
seven that's played eleven on the elevens, ten on eleventh, So it's just
another guy to account for, anotherguy. You have to uh move outside

(01:58:23):
the box or another guy to tendthe roles. The rest of the demon's
open for more uh options than theoffensive. So it's a it's an awesome
thing. You know personally I onthe slide, but but uh it's it's
still cool to see how difficult didthat make it last year? When year,
your last couple of years when youreally ever had that were running for
you, aby do run the quarterbackgames? None, it wasn't difficult.

(01:58:44):
It's just uh houstyle offense. Youknow. Coach Kelly comes in with uh
his philosophy and what he wants thecues to do, and the cues are
actually do well on the spring,so uh, we're just gonna keep building
off that. Obviously, UH useda couple of good things today some uh
some good runs by out all thecues, but just uh build off of
it and see what we can dobetter. I think you open today in
the tea formation is you're creative likethat? What's it like working with Chip

(01:59:04):
Kelly and how is that helping theoffensive line? Is creativity? It's it's
it's really fun going through walk throughs. Obviously I only get the run play
the inside outside sound but you know, we go back from filming like,
well we're in the T formation.But it's uh, everything's a lot everything's
a lot more fun. All theguys are buying in, all the guys
are having a lot more fun.So coach kind of brings us on his

(01:59:27):
own juice to what we have,what he's going on, and just uh,
every day, every guy, everyoneimproves off of it. And do
you feel that improvement up front foryou guys in the offensive line? You
feel like that's helping you guys rightnow for sure? Yeah, I mean,
uh, we have a lot moreexperience in the line, A lot
more guys have a year or twounder the belt. And what did your
impression of him? What does hedo well that you're like, Okay,
yeah, this is this is ourown take closes Born depot. Yeah,

(01:59:51):
be committed right after your visit.I mean when you came down here,
was there a thought process that youcould commit. Did you come down with
an open mind or did you kindof have a feeling that this was gonna
be do we gotta either? Icame down with open mind. I didn't
know about the mad really and thenI got here, I felt the family.
I'm here with the players. Whatwas that moment like for you talking

(02:00:12):
to the coaches, telling me youcompared and telling your family Just what was
that like for you? But itwas great. I have my mom,
my dad, or my husband inthe room there. What was that reaction?
Well, my everybody already really exceptcompany presum takes. What was coach
lost that it was the time whenyou think of like just to comment or
the yeah, just an Ohio stateback. You know, whether it's physicality,

(02:00:36):
what are the first things that cometo mind when you think of they
don't high share anything, speed andpower? Yes on and tell you about
it? Yeah. Is that somethingthat I mean you feel like you have
to you know we're going or isthat something that you're like, Yeah,
that's the kind of back I am. I'm just gonna be next to mine
in as. I think that's thetime back I am. But you all,
yeah, well, what are kindof a few of those things that
you're like, yeah, I needto work on like over the course of

(02:00:59):
the next few months. I'm justeverything. Make sure I keep all the
details. Boston, your year.What a coach I tell you that he
likes about your game? Is ityou the tackles your speed or what is
he like you? He said youlike tomorrow fucker Backfield man, and he
like that. I'm not t what'skind of your main I mean obviously as
an instinctive committed to this class.What's your pitch now to other recruits and

(02:01:20):
being like, this is why youshould join Ohio State ste It's a real
family. I'm a screen. Yeah, everybody get them on. Everybody talking
to everybody know each other? What'dyou say once you get any acts bringing
I've always looked up to Bill Jackiewatching this film. Do you uh that's

(02:01:45):
funny? Do you think that yourboy style and here has fected in just
the way that he really toast Field? Yeah? I think that what you
want to go into. Yeah,I think I can. I think he's
speed in a card. Yeah,I think I can. Ye. Who
are the main guys that you're you'retalking to right now to join us?
I'm really talking to everybody the listeningroom and that all the commits. Any

(02:02:11):
guys that you want to join theplast to anybody at the top of your
listen not im sorry if you alreadyasked this, but coming up here as
a as a recruit as a commitment. Sre what what did you want to
show today? What did you wantto get out of this experience? It
wasn't nothing to show nothing. Ijust wanted to this working. Good luck.
How did you feel like that went? Obviously he's still relatively new here,
but he seems to bring up alittle bit of a different energy than

(02:02:34):
than some of these camps in thepast. I feel like a really good
Yeah. Do you sense that energy? I mean when you're out with him,
it's I feel this intense interview.He's different than other guys though,
right, I mean kind of howyou would you explain his coaching than some
of the other running back coach you'vemade up worked with in the path.
It's just intense. It's tense,like don't go go Did you talk to
tolock on when you either got toOrgan? I did? Okay? So

(02:02:57):
when when didn't? He didn't Organgetting aut America like ruffle around like after
the season like not so facts?Okay? So I mean is it was
he kind of the same guy thathe is now? Like so just just
in a new uniform? Basic?Yeah? Okay. Then you guys obviously
added Isaiah to the class and there'sno secret. They would like to add

(02:03:17):
another one. What are your thoughtson being in a class with three different
running backs like that? I haveno problem being in the class three or
another. What do you like aboutIsaiah? I don't know, denizing you've
never met him, but just damnnot the first time when you committed.
There were some of the guys thatwe sat to gird family, but in
particularly about after they come back.I'm not really a couple of linebackers taking

(02:03:43):
out rest. Enjoy just be comingback. You're just getting in that first.
I enjoy every time. Great.Just do you put your life to
change since your walk down the door? If you just decide to work,

(02:04:08):
I'm committing and now you're five startin the one players crazy us. It's
actually pretty just like ever says,just even getting the offer for here my
life, that's just ye sky Stepappreciate this. I mean obviously any time

(02:04:29):
you got a couple here before youdid hear it. I'm curious about how
you pitch your higher state, Like, how do you pretty? It's pretty
you started to go. But Imean in terms of the guys, if
you want to join, how doyou pick You're start hit your team?
Sure, something great, great rights. What do you want to be out

(02:04:56):
of a quarterback in your pass likea white glass about I'm like, yeah,
this is one of the one.Let's just great my puss talking or

(02:05:38):
thank you brother's visit to its todaybe very much kind of to thank you
very much, per se, thankyou once again. You're miss talking with
monsters and Kelly about that other jokinglike that I'm the first time I met

(02:06:00):
him, know, just on itreally well, yeah, what do you
think we can bring through this?You know we were of yehs like you
a lots over the locking in.What's been like when you're just moving up
to California being out of Counterda thislittle obviously love help me? Just like

(02:06:29):
different being out a state recruit hereor is when you were just a couple.
It's definitely different. So it's flyinghere. You're a new generation of
recruits where I don't think anybody outsidelooking. You know, the question is
the strength of your commitment, Likeyou're locked in the last eight and you
send it over and over, butyou're making visits around the country, You've

(02:06:50):
seen other schools. It's it's almosta totally different mindset. How do you
approach these other visits and how doyou can communicating with Ohio stated back there,
But what's been the message? Hcamp house state? I just let
it all that, you know.Uh, I'm always locked in, you
know, I'm just still enjoying theprocess or beating the group. You know,

(02:07:12):
it's this is only having one timeyou seving enjoy U the other schools.
I tell them like, like,yes, it canna be really hard
to try to get to the flipcause that's so high to states where it
would be. So what is ifit's made you wanna take post to us?
What pot chase house? The rehabprocess going so far, it's doing
great, man, it's just takingthem one day at a time. Up

(02:07:34):
at what stage are you? Iknow DA said they wanted to see you
probably in training camp and we wouldknow a little bit more. I guess
after next week when you see thedoctor for what what stage are you?
Yeah, I'm back up training doingeverything lifting. I'm crazy, So I'm
back in that stage. Do youhave a timetable? Like what would you
be ready for training camp or likewhat is your expectation? Uh? Right
now, just take me one dayat a time. Standing in my playbook,

(02:07:57):
so my numbers called them ready andhow important for you hasn't been to
I guess stay around the team whileyou're in this process. Uh great man,
Uh, you know, definitely gettingin touch with the guys, you
know, knowing a lot of slot of the guys already a lot of
the old State boys here. Soit's been great. Are you encouraged by
how you feel so far after theprocedure? Do you? Oh? Yeah,
what are your expectations work or fromwhat people told you? How how

(02:08:20):
it goes? Oh yeah, nah, I f I feel fine. Shit,
I just ran ten fifties. Shoot, I'm I'm getting back in shape.
Shoot, getting in the weight room, about to get strong again.
So yeah, I'm I'm I'm i'm'abe ready. What potential do you see
with this defensive line? Yeah?I mean now you definitely stacked. I
see a lot of great things.Uh, you know we've worked together.

(02:08:43):
Yeah, I think Scott's a limit. Some conversations have you had with some
of the veterans like Cam, manyof the people on the G line?
Yeah, just uh going to Camjust aks'embout certain things in terms of
how he sees offenses. Just wholetime he's been in the league in terms
of four mations and how he picksup on little pre snap breeze things like

(02:09:03):
that. Chase, I think Makeingsaid, you know you dove into the
deep end of the cool h.How I guess m much important for you
to be disinvested with his team inand how much are you enjoying that investment?
Yeah? Nah, that's real cool, but I uh I love it
here. Only thing I had toget used to is that heat. Uh
but uh it's it's real cool.Great teammates and everybody welcome me with open

(02:09:24):
arms. So it's a great experience. Chase, how you gonna get work
inswered? Sority? Is uh trainingcamp day one? Is that a realistic
expectations? I'm just focusing on today. Are you running it? Yup?
Marshawn is in the the old housethey got just having him back in the
building, just talko what happened?Oh yeah, uh yeah, b uh
big brouh. You know it's uh, definitely excited to play with him.

(02:09:48):
We always chatted obviously on different teams, but I'm definitely excited to to play
with'em. That's you know,that's that'd be big for me. Was
that one of the guys making thedecision that you you kind of talked to
about what this locker room is like, yeah, Marshaan Tyranne, but yeah,
I mean it was. We gota lot of great guys in this

(02:10:11):
day. You look at that,you know on paper, you know,
I feel like definitely one of themost talented defenses in the league for sure.
Now it's all about just putting ittogether and you know, coming together
as a team. Your research onthat. One hundred years ago, you
know, folks had the idea ofbuilding a stadium over sixty thousand people,

(02:10:33):
and that's because of what Chick Carleywas doing. And you know, they
had a wooden bleachers over here andall these people started coming in and the
idea of bringing in a stadium thatwere sixty thousand people at the time was
like, this is crazy. Whatis college football turning into? And they
instead of going to the state orgoing to the school the community, they
went to the community to raise themoney they raised over at the time,
over a million dollars one night.You fast forward one hundred years and the

(02:10:56):
conversation still might be like what iscollege football doing right? And in this
situation, then I l we hadto turn to the community for help,
and Bucky Nation showed up again ina big way. So although the landscape
is changing, I don't know,if you know, one hundred years later,
if it's that much different. It'sjust in a different time, in
a different you know, set ofissues that we're working through. But I

(02:11:20):
think it's exciting. I think there'sa lot of positives to it. I
do. I think that we're takingthe next step with the revenue sharing to
try to institutionalize some of it,which would be big for US bids.
Yeah, every year's got question.It seems like this year's team has fewer
questions off the line as specifically,if you look ahead to Love in a

(02:11:50):
month, what are the real questionsthat you have in your mind about position
battles? And I would say onoffense, you know, we've to square
away the quarterback, as you know, I feel like, you know,
the offensive line on the right side, we got to solidify that. I
feel like we got to build,you know, enough depth at receiver that

(02:12:13):
we feel like we can put infive or six in the game and feel
good about it. On defense,I think we're still looking to figure out,
you know, who are going tobe the guys inside, you know,
the third, the fourth, thefifth, defensive interior alignment that we're
going to put in the game,and then same thing, just just I

(02:12:33):
would say depth, a little bitof safety, just to kind of see
who those next guys are. They'regoing to step up and so we know
it's going to be a long year. We're going to need everybody and and
so in a lot of those areasit is depth. Special teams wise.
You know, punter is going tobe you know that that is significant.
You know we just brought in Nickand you know, so there'll be a

(02:12:54):
battle there. So I'd say thoseare probably the areas we're focused on the
most. Ryan just to fall onthe offensive line, there was I think
a school elogy guys. Might welooked for a transfer in that post spring
window. Did you guys do that? Did you guys not find the guy
or were you just confident the guysyou have, just like you know in
January, if if if we're goingto bring somebody in, it is to

(02:13:18):
fill a hole. We're not justgoing to bring somebody in to bring somebody
in. Like at all positions,we'll always look to see what's out there.
We did evaluate some of the guysthat were out there, and you
know, you know, we feltlike coming out of it as we evaluated
it. You know, there wasa couple of guys that you know,
we checked on, but but ultimately, like based on where we were and
some of the young guys that arecoming up, you know, we felt

(02:13:39):
like we saw some progress in theoffensive line in the spring. So you
know, it wasn't there wasn't asmany folks in the portal, you know,
in after the spring. So welooked at it, we identified it,
We did our due diligence, butyou know we're gonna go through.
We have now second rold bills,right, you're it was interesting that you
have two of maybe the top fiveers or guys in sport and then a

(02:14:03):
bunch of guys who haven't plenty maybesomeone that I know, my question,
but did you consider trying to addthere? Understanding that probably the difficult to
sell we can have such telling howto bring somebody in his experiences, like
what were those conversations like, andhow did you settle on being comfortable with
you know, Trey, and andthen well, like you said, you
know, I think we're we willget some experience there with those two guys,

(02:14:26):
and then you know, we feltlike coming out of the spring that
James and Sam both did a nicejob and you know we're gonna have to
play them and they're gonna have toyou know, take on a little bit
of that. You know, wehave you know, started having conversation with
Caleb Downs. I was part ofthe recruiting process of possibly you know,
doing a little bit of running backas well. It's something that he wanted

(02:14:46):
to do. So we've been havinghim in some of the meetings and some
of the individual drills as a possibilitythere if you know, needed so down
the road to continue to build depthat that position. But you know,
I think, you know, wefeel like, you know, if you
have you know, four strong runningbacks going into it, then you know
that's gonna be that's gonna be enoughto carry the season. I do think

(02:15:07):
that the quarterbacks will run the ballmore this season, so that should take
some carries away from them. Butto your point, you know, James
and Sam are gonna have to stepup to you guys that we can count
on. Save that for another day, Yeah, just fall up on that.
Is he capable of stepping in andbeing running back. Obviously, we'll

(02:15:33):
see, we'll see. We talkedabout in the recruiting process, you know,
the first time around and more specificallyin the second time around, and
so he's you know, he's beenaround a little bit just to get a
feel for it. We did verylittle in the spring. We did I
think we pitched them an option orsomething like that in the spring just to
kind of get them going. Butwe'll see, we'll see where that goes.

(02:15:54):
We don't have a specific plan rightnow, but we do want to
introduce him to that just the samething like Lorenzo's as has played your seer
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 theball. This time of the year,
you can get away with that alittle bit, a little bit in the
preseason. Where it goes, we'llsee, but you just never know,
and we're trying to put some contingencyplans in place because it could be a

(02:16:16):
long season. Yeah, this ismy forty first year covering house day.
I don't remember ever expectations like this. In the summer, there were some
of them were almost this big.Sure do you sense that too, And
what's that pressure like as you're workingthrough a summer. Yeah, And people
have asked me that I go backto the expectations every year are the same.
I mean, it's just the truth. When opening press conference, I

(02:16:37):
said you got to beat the teamup north, and when every game after
that, that's just the expectations.And when you come up short, you
know you got to figure out away to get those things fixed. I
think we have done that. Butthe expectations are the same every year.
Pressure is the same every year.I just like the pressure when you've got
a really good team behind you.So that's what we've got right now.
And you know, we know it'sgoing to be a long season. We
know what we're working towards. ButI will say this about this team,

(02:17:00):
Well, we've been talented. That'sthere's been times in the past we've been
talented. I don't know since I'vebeen here, if we've been this talented
and this experience together with guys thathave played a lot of football, fourth
and fifth year guys, and thatdoesn't matter. We'll go extor Stephen play.
Since you brought it up maybe thisis his top because it's summer conmaus
so you can have just have conversations. Maybe that we're making a big deal

(02:17:24):
out of nothing long term situation.But we've seen it around college football league
guys playing both sides of the balland doing it quite well. Right,
Travis Sun is doing it out inColorado and Kaylyn Jas has been apartment turns,
so we see what he could dowith the ball. But there's also
the stamina aspect of that get intoa sixteen game season. So I'm not
saying it's any forty snaps or somethinglike that, but what about his athleticism
what he brings to the table andlet you know that if you wanted to

(02:17:46):
explore it in a real game,he could last and still be an effective
seek. Yeah, yeah, we'dhave to see all that he did it
in high school. But we've gotsome really good run backs in a room.
So it's not something that we're planningon doing, but uh, we
all we are gonna, you know, work on a little bit. Caleb.
Caleb enjoys that part of it.We did agree that that was something
that we were gonna look into.Where it goes, I don't I don't

(02:18:09):
really know right now, but Iknow that he has the capability to do
it. He has the athleticism anddo it, and you know, we'll
kind of see where it goes,see see how he does, and you
know, maybe hand the ball toima little bit in the preseason, because
again, it's going to be along season. We have to make sure
we have continuoency plans in place.But I know it's something that he enjoys
having the ball in his hand.So even during their first time around the

(02:18:31):
recruiting process, we even't talked abouthim coming in as a as an offensive
player. Ultimately we think his ceilingis highest on defense. But you know,
but I also agree. I thinkthat having you know, guys going
in this side of the ball andjust see it, listen to meetings is
really healthy for the development. Sowe're gonna do that regardless. Your defensive

(02:18:52):
recruiting right now is maybe further alongit's been in the years past, and
I think we numous questions about inthe past, But is this of seeing
it over the last couple of yearsand now it's not just telling guys,
hey, this might look like this, they're seeing it in real time.
Yeah, you know, we talkedabout it when Jim first came in,
and I think Tim walls an unbelievablejob as well in the back end,

(02:19:13):
and you know, Matt stepped rightin and James and Larry. I think
they're all doing a great job.But like you said, you know,
it's one thing to talk about it. That's theory testimony is just look at
this is this is what we're doing. And then I think you're seeing a
lot of guys just excited about playingin this defense and they see the capabilities
and the flexibility too. You know, right now, the way we play,
excuse me, the way we playright now is based on you know,

(02:19:35):
we have four really talented defensive linementhat are really good, and we
got a lot of that to thosepositions. But there's also flexibility with some
of the things Jim's done in thepast that you know, we're definitely looking
at and some of the recruits thatwe're looking at who brings some versatility,
pass rusher, you know, wehave that jack position and those type of
things. So that's exciting as well. And I think you're seeing a lot

(02:19:56):
of the recruits, you know,really get fired up when they get here.
Yeah, coach. I think yourfirst couple years your identity was was
very far from an AWFU standpoint andair it out type team. Look at
the key best of talent and theplaymakers you have there. Has your identity
changed? I guess what do youthink the identity is of this twenty point
four Well, we'll see as wego, but you know, we know

(02:20:18):
what we need to do to playin the big games. That's never changed.
And we have to be able tostop the run, run the football,
take care of the ball, andthere'll be opportunities to throw the ball
that'll that'll happen, but you knowwe're gonna have to, you know,
do those things to win close gamesand play situational football. But I think,
you know, you won't really geta feel for what the identity of

(02:20:39):
the team is until we get intoprobably the beginning of October, you know,
and I think we all have ideasof what it could go. But
you know now that we're playing ina playoff format, just like a lot
of those NFL teams sometimes, youknow, they don't really quite understand their
identity until they get about halfway throughthe season. I don't think it'll take
that long, but you know,we're able to play some games and kind
of work through some things. AndI don't think our defense is going to

(02:21:01):
change a bunch in terms of whatwe did last year. I mean,
it's a lot of the same guysback could look a little different on offense.
Have you got time for two more? Go to Doug Limers. Hey,
Ry, you lose an important recruitingstaffer to promotion at Michigan. Just
it's the second time so Mu's goneto Michigan this offseason. How do you

(02:21:22):
react to something like that? Issomething that someone like that would take information
that was learned here that could helpthe Michigan or Burt Ohio stages? Which
a reaction to that? Yeah,all good questions, And you know,
I just I want to talk aboutthe guys that are here, you know,
the staff members that are here,the coaches that are here, the

(02:21:43):
players that are here, the onesthat are Buckeyes. Joe didgon with the
scheduling change that was announced yesterday?How and why did they come together?
Didn't have anything to do with theexpanded playoffs? Maybe no, think beginning
of the season a little different.Yeah, you know, I don't know
all that came in came with it. I know, it got presented to
me a while back, and youknow I was on board with it.

(02:22:05):
So yeah, I mean I think, you know, we do have to
look a little bit different at ourscheduling as we move forward, based on
the way the format is at theend of the season. That's quickly about
the linebackers. Got in here alittle bit late. How do you feel
about your linebackers? Cody seems likehes like he's looking as a starter.
CJ. When do you see hisrole being Sonny? When you see his

(02:22:26):
role being Gay and all this guys? Yeah, good versatility all those guys,
rvel Reese, Like you said,CJ, Gabe, Sonny, Cody,
you know I'm missing a couple,I'm sure, but like that was
that y r bel Yeah, Imean these guys are very versatile guys.
You can see the length on them, and you know, they do a
good job in terms of like fittingthe runs they can. They have enough

(02:22:50):
length you know, to cover andzone, but they'll also blitz and that's
something that we wanted to really workon this offseason, is getting better at
blitzing, you know, and hopefullywe can even take the n we got
Jeremiah J. J. Smith JJ. How'd you feel out there today?
You got a great team, cameout, don't three and old pool

(02:23:11):
play? When you come to thesekind of tournaments, what kind of techniques
do you like to work on it? See they got you going deep run
some short stuff from crossing routes.What do you work on when you're out
of tournament like this? Really justgetting back in the run during the week,
So really just working on my releases. Uh, that's why your game,
my fridge faster. I've been I'vebeen a chuck. So just where
you can get back in. Nowwe know you pulled the trigger on Ohio

(02:23:35):
State. Obviously you gotta take visitskind of make sure that you're you're perfect,
done your decision. What was itabout Ohio State and Brian Hartline and
Ryan David? It made you feelcomfortable to commit early? Really they sent
me my first visit when I thinkthe first you can't they offered me off
you feels, but it just what'sup? What's up? What's what they

(02:24:03):
say? Was really? They theythey gave me, uh really just a
kid I'm gona talk about I wasn'ttalk Marta Times checked us now I know
you got some of your s fA family up there. You got Brandon
n S, you got Carnal Day. What does it mean to potentially be
able to link up with them ina year and be able to kind of
run back what you guys have donein South Florida Express in Columbus, Ohio,

(02:24:26):
it'd be great we go there toOhio State take over. It'd be
grateful, all great for the firstrounds. Yeah, you're a super humble
kid. I've been really impressed byyou today. Is there anything that you
want Ohio State fans to know aboutyou? You know again, I know
you're just your all work, allwork, all work. But what are
they getting when they get a JJSmith to come to Ohio saying, you

(02:24:48):
kid coming the world job the day? What I got to do? Take
care? That's perfect, man,God bless you. I appreciate you,
my man watching today, Thank youso much. And then later tonight I'll
probably come back and watch the filmagain. But at the end of the

(02:25:11):
day, it's just trying to bearound football, be around the facility.
How much of your film watching whois like Solo would never just shoot by
yourself watching and stuff? How muchteams for your earlier. We've had more
safeties come in throughout the spring,more guys try to learn the system and
learn the game. But I mean, at the end of the day,
you gotta do what you gotta doto put yourself in the best position to

(02:25:35):
win. So myself, I'll watchfilm at home too by myself, but
when I'm here, there's always otherplayers around me that are trying to work
to get better, just like Iam. Are you only watching yourself?
Watch? No, I watched theNFL teams. Watch good NFL safeties that
are playing right now, Javon Holland, hanswin Winfield, go guys like that
that can that I can emulate andtry to see how they play. And

(02:25:56):
then also just watching other players here, other players that do things well or
just just learning from them, tryingto see how they play the game,
trying to get better. Caleb,what are some of the big differences that
you've seen so far between what youwent through at Alabama and so far you've
gone through up here. A lotof it's the same, a little differences
in the defense and how they operateand how they see things. But at

(02:26:18):
the end of the day, footballsfootball defensive defense. So everybody gotta get
to the ball and make the typeof we think of colds. Oh.
I love the city. I loveuh High Street. I love being in
the city. I love going tothe restaurants here. The food's great here.
So uh, I ain't got nogood place for me because it's like
you got the campus all the cliverthen you also a big city. It's

(02:26:39):
it's different than Alabama because Alabama wasa college town and test LUSA is not
as big of a city. Here, there's a lot of people to see,
a lot of different businesses that youcan be a part of. So
just trying to learn the city andlearn what everybody has to offer here.
He'll you probably noticed that when Kipark the media's decision to go back out,

(02:27:00):
that starts a full level of speculationas the are you were you taking
back by that? Did you feellike you needed to make a declaration off
of that? Uh? I meanat the end of the day, No,
I didn't feel like I needed tosay anything, cause at the end
of the day, I was stillhere a practice, I was still here
with my teammates. So I mean, I feel like my actions speak for
themselves. I'm I mean, Idon't I don't need to say anything about

(02:27:20):
that. Cayden. I talked tohim when he did it. I congratulated
him on his decision. I mean, that's what he feels his best,
that's when he feels is the best, and I support him. But I'm
here. You guys have are inthis new generation of you have that sort
of freedom, You have that sortof control over your career in a way
that other people didn't. Is it'ssomething that you you have to kind of

(02:27:41):
pay for the certain seriousness that you'remaking that right decision at all times,
I think ev I mean, inlife, you have to make decisions based
off of what you feels best foryourself. So that was a big decision
for him. And if he feelsthat's what's best for himself, then I
support it. But at the endof the day, for college sable athletes,
I think that's the best thing becauseis the coaches have the same right
to do what they do. Coachcan come here for a month and leave,

(02:28:03):
and I mean then he's just leavingthe player at high and drove.
So I mean, if they're gonnahave the ability to do it, why
would the players not have some typeof say in their in their life,
Kerol, you you made the impactoppostion last year's fresh What do you think
you can do an assault the yearunder your belt? Yeah, I think

(02:28:24):
I can grow and what I didwell last year and increase on the qualities
that I wasn't not as a leiteat during during the season. So just
being better in coverage, being betterthan the post, being better in my
tackling, being a better communicator withmy teammates, all that I think I
can offer to the team. Andbut at the end of the day,

(02:28:46):
it's gotta be a team collective togo do what we want to do well.
What do you come in this office? Is a lower gear, bast
what what do you think of beinga big part of it? Wasn't the
elite last year and it should beone of the better this year. Yeah,
they were a very defense last yearand watching all the film from last
year and the whole season, theyplayed a great season. They played a
lot of good defense. Excuse me, wich question, just the idea of

(02:29:09):
being hard. I'm a big part. I'm not a league defense. Uh.
I mean I can only do mypart. I can only do my
one eleventh and do my job everyplay. I can't I can't try to
do more than that, and everyother player just has to do their job
and we'll do what we need todo. Okay, we'll be talking about
your film watching habits. Was thatthe same in high school? And what
did that look like for you ona regular high school My high school coach

(02:29:31):
was one of my favorite people inthe world, uh Freeman Davis. Me
and him watched film together a lot, but that was more so just myself
watching film and trying to grow.So I would say I had a lot
of the same habits and has trustedover to college, but a lot of
that was me and my high schoolcoach starting the game together and another movie.
You around everywhere here, but youknow, it seems like you're at

(02:29:54):
that free safety spot as opposed tothe strong safety spot you played at Alabama.
Just pus that transition, like,do you feel that does that even
matter in this kind of defense?I mean, it's the same spot really
to the it's the safety to thefield safety playing in the most space,
That's what I'm used to. Butat the end of the day, I
feel like I can play to theboundary, I can play the dim money

(02:30:15):
position. I can play nickel SoI mean, at the end of the
day, you gotta make plays whereveryou're at. Think, Caleb, what
have you been? What have yourthoughts about on the militaryminid spot A very
elite athlete, very instinctual player,has a great ball skills. Should uh
should have a big impact this year. Anybody you can comparentis what you've seen?

(02:30:41):
Nah? J Jason's on, SoJesus he's on. It's his own
man. Uh. Who else?Who caught your eye? At your receiver
group? Kayleb that uh is elitein your opinion? Uh? I watched
a Mecca Buka a lot, andwhen I was in high school watching the
games, and then last year watchingsome of his film. He's been a
lead receiver then and he's a leadereceiver now. And Carlote has had a

(02:31:05):
great spring as well. Yeah.And the you you personally? Uh?
After that? Uh, Steve appreciationDale on Saturday you were mobbed about as
much as anybody. What is what? How have you felt the receipt meaning
of autograph seekers at Saturday? Now? Uh? Have you felt the reception
here? Uh? For you overthe last several months, but especially like
the Saturday. I think it's beenvery welcoming. I appreciate everybody, and

(02:31:26):
like I appreciate when I go toclass seeing people that know me and just
being able to meet them, beingable to say that I'm glad to be
here, being able to say I'mglad to be here to everybody that came
up to me. Yeah. SoI'm just I'm very appreciative of it.
Do you feel there are expectations foryou? You know what I mean that?
Uh? I mean people mad soas a versatility then, so I'm

(02:31:46):
happy about it. There. Youmoved around a lot throughout your career that
there's Jumbo's side you tackle, Iguess, and the sayings and clean about
the left on the right side,do you think you kind of benefit from
focusing a little bit more on theright center? Yuah, a little bit.
But you know, there's a newsystem that we have, Like I
find my mindset most of the right, but also have my mind sell the
love too, just in case somethingdoes happening to like you know, I

(02:32:09):
mean like Coltland or you know,Pete of course, but I'm always gonna
be ready for love no matter what. How quickly have you felt like you
picked up this new system that you'reworking in now. It it's a we
actually played up picked up pretty wellcause it's the same system that I'm used
to back in the hot stae causewe're more like spread back in the hot
state. So you know, it'spretty good. It's one of those like

(02:32:31):
the draft process off seasons, Alot of people outside the buildings and the
readers get the right tack. Alot of yeah, alright now. A
lot of people in the building werelike, we have the right time I
weep in get motivated by that.You follow it like if you pet nature
do it. Though I don't.I read into it a little bit.
But also at the same time,like they not here of course, but
I don't really care what they say. I know what I can do,

(02:32:52):
and the team know I what Ican do, so they trusted me right
now, and I'm not gonna livein right now. How hard or how
he's had to compartmentalize that and usethat as fuels going forward rather than the
kind of maritating it, uh IJ I just keep receipts and everybody knows
that one person I don't really carefor him. And also it's all good,
but it's all love. I loveuh outside of this, but you

(02:33:15):
keep doing me, keep it better, keep on these nuts, doe what
I can do there. You've beena outspoken about your supporter Zamir, and
obviously it's just his chance now tobe the dog. Wait, what is
it about him that you bought inso early? The reason why I bought
it so early cause us I wasat a house they they always taught us
actually act, go giving, andever since I got here, I'm always

(02:33:37):
wanna go get and I gotta pickedlate. And I always wanna prove people
wrong. You know, I thinkprove people wrong all my life. I
wanna keep doing that. That's allto do, which I guess more just
like a potating like the set youfeel like the community. Nine day difference
nine they difference from my first yearand my second year to now. Like

(02:33:58):
now, my guy, I knowI can play. I know I can
go against one of the best,especially with Max anybody else that we be
gonna play this year, and Iknow what I can do. So all
I gotta do now is act meetmy potential and should do it and help
everybody else out on the team aswell. You've practiced a lot against Malcolm
and he's really come into his ownWhat is it about Malcolm that's helped him
make that next step? There?Man, Malcolm, he's quiet, He

(02:34:22):
doesn't really say too much. Hecomes to the work every day, do
what he does, and he workshard. It doesn't blit twice at anything.
Yeah, he'll get mad over aco rest. But also at the
same time that like he has amentality of adult like he's he don't really
care what y'all think or anybody elsethinks for real, So it's just like,
alright, just keep going. That'show everybody is on the team about
tyrais too. You got that samemindset. He does have the same mindset

(02:34:46):
we do. A little real,a little nervous, but uh nah,
he nah. He has definitely grownup a lot from his like first year
here until now, like he has. But he's he's throwing up a lot
mentally too. I'll tell you,guys are reimagining the offensive line a little
bit with you out there west sidefarm there next to you on the on

(02:35:07):
that side too, and then draftingthe guys on the line. 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 was great,
you know. But me and Dylanknows like they gonna keep placing us,
of course, but all the sametime, we gotta keep going, you
know, king stool and think aboutwhat they did. All we gotta do
is staying about what what came todo with things better in fortyteen twelve.

(02:35:31):
Sorry, they don't put a loton the left side right a little bit
more. How how long are youguys working together? I'm one hundred percent
now. And it was like awalk in the park. It's like a
sprained ankle. You know. Itwas very easy, you know, because
I had the knee. The kneewas pretty hard, you know, and
the Achilles was I would say it'seasy, you know, just because that's

(02:35:52):
just my mentality, and it was. It was pretty easy to be.
But you know, I've had theseinjuries and it's been storm like the past
two years, you know, havinghaving like good, great games. The
next thing, you know, hurtand then you know, so got got
the injury prone out there, youknow. But I think the storm is

(02:36:13):
over with, you know, youknow, and I think I'm I'm gonna
gonna take off now, you know, and there will be no setbacks and
the injury prone thing will be goneout of the window again. Yep,
ah, Sorr, You're gonna beback. I am. I am excited.
You know. He does a lotof great things, and he's a

(02:36:35):
great person, and we have agreat relationship. It's gonna be it's gonna
be a fun year. We're gonnahave a lot of fun. We're gonna
do a lot of great things.So I can't wait, take here waiting.
The injuries you've had, is thatyou just bad luck? And is
that any is there anything you've beenattributed to beyond just misfortune? Yeah,
it's just unfortunate, you know.But God has a plan always, you

(02:36:56):
know. I don't know what theplan exactly is, you know, I
don't know, but whatever plan itis, it's for me to be here.
You know, I had a greatrookie year. I didn't really have
the volume as other people my rookieyear, but I still had a great
rookie year. Six yards of carry, you know, things like that.

(02:37:18):
I think it was like nine touchdownsten including the playoffs. And so there's
always been like all right, guy, let me show my talent. Shine
a little bit like even when Ihad the knee. So I had the
knee right, A lot of peopledon't know, like I didn't get hurt
again whenever I got you know,got cleaned up. So I went down
in twenty one, right, hadthe injury, the knee injury, and

(02:37:39):
then came back later the next year, and I played the first few games
and it just feel there was alot of scars issue in there. So
I had to get it cleaned up. I didn't get hurt again. I
could have played the whole year,but I got it cleaned up so I
can feel like me. And soafter I got that cleaned up, the
first two games back from the injury, I had over one hundred two yards

(02:38:00):
rushing right, and then went onhad great, great ending of the year,
you know, one hundred total yardsin the playoff game we lost,
which I hate the most. Stats. Don't marry me. I don't want
to win. But then come backthe next year hurt again like torn achilles.
So two really unfortunate injuries. Butthat's just God's plan, you know.
And I think that the storm isnow over, you know, And

(02:38:24):
I do think that I'll be ableto shine my light to the whole world.
Are you concerned that you have thatlabel? You can't say three,
I could care less because I do. I do. I know this out
there because as it should be,it should be. I got hurt two
major injuries back or not back toback years. But you know, so
I haven't been on the field asmuch as I should. That's true,

(02:38:46):
that is true. But it's notlike I'm having these little little dinky injuries
and sitting out. It's something Ican't control literally, So that's why I'm
not bothered by it. Like,yeah, I am injury poem. You
could say that, you know,but I do think that the Chargers are
getting a guy that's going to behealthy from now on, you know,

(02:39:07):
God willing, and it's gonna begreat. And I do think that it's
gonna be It's gonna be a greatHowever, many years here, when you've
been on the field, he's beenhighly adopted, five point of years,
been very average for your career.Like knowing that when you're out there you're
very adopted, how much confidence doesthat give you? That really all you
need is is knowledge. You needall the confidence in the world. You

(02:39:30):
know, the way I work,I wouldn't say just from the numbers,
but just the way I work,my work ethic, you know, and
my relationship with Jesus is like Ihave the most confidence when I step out
there because I do know, likeif he grants me the health, it's
over with. I don't think Iwould be you know, I think it
will be a great year or whatever, a couple of years. However many

(02:39:54):
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'msaying. And it's crazy to think about
it because I I had six orsix yards per carry, you know.
So we'll see you looking forward torunning behind this line that they put together.

(02:40:16):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.I played with Bradley. I played
with him, you know, Iknow the Slater, I know all the
I know all the guys, youknow, and I'm excited. I think
it's like I said earlier, it'sa talented group. You know. We
just got to put together win somegames, because that's what I came here
for a year. Or I wouldn't. I wouldn't say part of the recruitment,

(02:40:37):
but like whenever I decided I wasgonna sign, it was great to
have him in the room. What'syour relationship? Yeah, we're great.
We're we have a great relationship.That's he's like my brother. So I
think a compliment each other very well. You know, he can do a
lot of stuff too, you know, God Like, a lot of people
think he's just power, power,power, but I think he has some

(02:41:00):
other parts of his game two whichit'll be great because I feel like I
could do everything and when one gettired, we can roll it in.
We keep rolling win some games.So when you the two of you get
going, well, how do youthink that's gonna look for? What would
like? What will be that partnershipkind of back there? I know that's

(02:41:20):
a hard question. How do Ithink? I think it'll look beautiful?
You know a lot of people callthis a passing league, but I think
you got to run the ball towin the super Bowl. You know,
if you look at the team towin the Super Bowl, they can run
the ball, they can control theclock, and so if we're both good,
it'll look great, beautiful. Howwould you describe the Gregor running the

(02:41:41):
offense, I would I would describeit as, you know, a great
offense. I think he gives aquarter he's going to give the quarterback a
lot of options. He's gonna givethe running back a lot of options.
He's gonna give the receiver a lotof options, you know. And I
think it'll be I think it's gonnabe great. His offense is going to
be amazing. When we talked tohim a minute, you know, I

(02:42:01):
was like, why have you manywill build something good rushing offenses throughout your
career everywhere you've been, and yousaid that one part of it is just
you gotta call place. You gota call run place as a running back.
You know, how much confidence,how much exciting does it give you?
You know, you have a playcaller that's gonna stick with it and
allow you and the offensive lineman toget into your resident. Gives me a

(02:42:22):
lot of excitement. You know.It's gonna be Like I said, it's
fun to play at his offense,you know. And I think he does
have some good things in the pastgame too, But like you said,
he sticks with the run, andthat's that's the identity you You want an
offense that has an identity, right, you won't be looking everywhere else to
find your your identity you want,you want to have it. And so

(02:42:45):
I think his offense has that,and the guys he builds and puts in
there, it complements that identity.So I think it's gonna be great.
You mentioned your one hundred percent now, so you'll we will go for portraying
him. That'specation. Look, Iain'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 years ago,I'm thinking I'm full go. I think

(02:43:09):
I'm ready to go, and thenext thing, you know, I'm on
pup like, hey, look somestory above my prey pay grade. So
but I don't know hopefully I canstart. I think I'm ready to start,
you know, at the beginning trainingcamp. But that's not up to
me. As I've learned, Iwouldn't say that. I think I've been

(02:43:31):
I've been in some great organizations,and I think this this organization is a
great organization, and the training staffis great, and so they just want
what's best for me, you know, and they're they're taking care of me.
Which that's what you want in anorganization, and so that's where that
comes from. Which I appreciate it, Like I really appreciate that, you

(02:43:52):
know, because I'm the type ofguy 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 likeI said, if it's up to
me, yeah, I'm out there. But never know what an administration for
you during the heading into free agency, you know, dealing with with rehab
and not you know, having wona full season tape or production out there?

(02:44:16):
Was there any part of that whereyou're like, gosh, you know,
had hit the open market with adifferent situation. You know, Nah,
I like it. I like,how would I say this? I
like it the hard way, butnot, you know, I like it
the hard way. I like it. I like trial and true relations.

(02:44:41):
So I mean the dice that Iwas given the role was I was coming
off of Achilles and that was thatwas the lowest plan. So it was
beauty in that, Like I wascomfortable. I was caught like there was
multiple teams, you know, Iwas and it wasn't like I didn't have
any other team, but I wascomfortable and sitting back and just enjoying the

(02:45:05):
process, letting myself get fully healed. So whenever that team, whoever I
would sign with, who now isthe Chargers, is gonna get the best
me, you know, And Ithink people all around the league know that,
like, Okay, this guy,Okay, it's a high risk,
high reward type thing, right,not even a high risk hilar rice,
because you it's a business, right, So I got hurt last year,

(02:45:28):
so not as much money it needsto be throwing there. But I think
everyone around the league knows that wheneverI am on the field, the numbers
don't lie, and so they knowthat. And a lot of teams were
like, all right, here,you can give you this, but we
want you to be healthy. Sowhen I'm healthy, it's gonna be great.
This is the chance that I've beengiving here. I'm so grateful and

(02:45:50):
I know that's gonna be. Theywon't be they won't regret it. Are
you the type of person that likesto crew people wrong? Like you've run
a couple of things like that's twocents I've heard. But me being who
I am, you know, I'mI'm I'm gonna throw my two cents in
there, you know. So that'sjust uh, it's been awesome. Man.
We he's he's a you know,a resource for me, just a

(02:46:11):
person that I can always bounce mythoughts off of. And now, you
know, just a year you said, thirteen months, now I feel more
comfortable just you know, bringing certainthings up. You know, you never
you never wanna come off too strong. But I'm a curious guy. I
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

(02:46:31):
along well, and and uh,we're gonna keep keep building that relationship.
Sometimes in this league, playing youknow, eighteen games, they tryna make
a 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 and keep keep Aaron
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,

(02:46:54):
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 his where they're not looking, and
it's just how can we keep himhealthy? Are you when do you think?
I do you ever see your roomnow positions you guys have made when
want healthy and get 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

(02:47:16):
know, it's one of those positionswhere every day is something might happen to
nick up. You know, it'sjust a a tough position to stay out
there at all times. But Ifeel like we got a great group and
and the number one thing is howcan we stay healthy? How can we
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

(02:47:39):
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,
mo roll and it's gonna be exciting. What about the guy is at your
old number? Yeah yeah, Malayeah, man. Oh, you help
me a lot like the first day, it's just true. And helped me

(02:48:00):
get used to to write tackle.He got my feet used to write tackle
like my first dad practicing. I'mlike, dude, I still feel feel
a little off. I don't feelas balanced in my stands. And he
showed me the small technique and todo with my feet, which I still
do even even though I left tackle, just cause it's a part of my
routine. That was part of myprocess and getting to my stands. So

(02:48:20):
stuff like that that he taught mefrom day one and obviously in practice was
fun. Just compete with him,you know. It's just to me at
the back of the pocket and todap each other back to every rep like
that was compete, you know whatI mean. So that's my guy.
As much as you love him onyour the West side, how bittersweet is
it as a certain matters because itwould happened to him. Yeah, that's

(02:48:43):
the thing that's not how it wasdefinitely how I n in and that's how
I thought about the transition would go. You know, I thought it would
be you know, home someone timinga cardinal his whole career. You know,
you know you wanted to play hereforever. You know what I mean
when always talking about his plans,so you know, you us transitions like

(02:49:07):
one of those fairy tale like toyour time now. But but again either
way, you know, we talkedabout it. You know, that's that's
the how it goes, you know, but obviously you know he sees he's
he's been one of my biggest supporters. Again, I affect everybody leads in
their own way, you know,not everybody's the guys coming around because like

(02:49:31):
that's not everybody, right, LikeI felt for me, that's me specifically
on game day with the O lineafter we do one on one like that's
my like, well Hump did likethat's my like big vocal time. But
I feel like I've talked to humabout this, you know, just recently
talking about how what I want todo for the room is I want to

(02:49:54):
bring that hump energy that he broughtright so last year, of course,
some traits have been doing it foryears. But the year while I spent
with him, he brought a lotof the energy and excitement and the happiness
in the room was just his naturalenergy to where I only had to focus
on me, you know, Ididn't have to make sure other other guys

(02:50:18):
are, you know, feel sometype of way when they came in here
because Hump brought that. But outof 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 to practice, everybody's hype were taken and field team
one period. You know it's alow day or something. You know,
it's a it's a but like Iwant to make it feel like pre parent's

(02:50:39):
a trip right now. I wantto bring that cause that's what me and
Hump did with each other. Wewill hpe each other up, dude,
like dudes were about to be walkedthrough. We're lit. So I want
to do that. I want tobring that energy. I want to make
bring more guys you know, wantto do that. You know 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

(02:51:03):
that time. I spend the offseason before OTA started just being in myself,
just thinking about what the room needs, you know, because I know
I knew new role as one ofthe waders, you know, on my
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

(02:51:26):
accountable. Little things that 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 andstarted too. So that's kind of how

(02:51:46):
I wanna be some goal mine literallymy whole life. I wanna be NFL
team captain, like specifically the NFL. I wasn't a captain of high school,
wasn't a captain of college. ButI'm made a joke when I was
in high schools like, did Ifeel like I'm not gonna be a captain
til I get to the NFL?Yeah, but that would be awesome,

(02:52:07):
you know, but you know,if it happens, i'd be great,
but not either way. I wannaassume a role as a captain from the
respect of the guys on the team. They to do a ward today and
to get back to that way.Yeah, I mean, I can't say
that. I mean, I guessthe biggest thing is that I felt like

(02:52:28):
it has felt like how it youused to in the past. But it
didn't take just the first day OTAs. It took training left and right once
the season ended, cause I didn'tknow what it was gonna be sure,
So it took a lot of yeah, my reps just to get back to
feeling like myself for day one OTAsand then that whole first week. But

(02:52:52):
now like today, specifically just changingsome small things with my feet I did
today talking about Oline coach about somethings I can do with my fee to
get to that to selling it thetraditional angle that I love to set on.
Felt even more I thought I felt. I thought I felt great already,
but Moka, I felt even back. Okay, so I'm even more
excited tomorrow. Now I'm getting myfeedback and how I liked it the right

(02:53:13):
side and on the left side,So I'm excited. I mean, obviously,
I feel like in the league,whether I left or right, you're
still going against premier guys. Soobviously you have high expectations for your left
hand or right tackle. But there'sdefinitely uh, like the the level of
energy and like the expectations definitely takingthe human start cause now conneted the black

(02:53:37):
side that stuff, that's the tacklerole, you know. So so yeah,
I would say in terms of communicationas far as just even outside of
facility and just stuff like that,like really creating that tackle quarterback bond even
more off the field, I thinkhas been something that's even been cool.
I got a text one day asI, hey, like you put and

(02:54:00):
I was like, yeah, youknow, yeah, I've been training both.
I've been training both. You know. I asked after the season.
They're like, honestly, you know, we'll talk to you some play in
the season and I just gotta textme, like depending what happens with the
free agency then. So I waslike, you know what, I had
a whole season right tackle. Soif I get the word, I'm going

(02:54:20):
I'm standing right tackle. I don'tjust to do what I did before.
I'm built on that bus. Iwas like, I might as almost trained
the left tackle now as if I'mgoing to be a left tackle, and
I'd rather do that than training onthe right time and get the call,
hey you're the left tackle. I'mlike, oh, I didn't even switch
my feet yet, you know whatI mean. So I'm like, let
me just prepare in advance. Iwas like, yeah, let's god,

(02:54:41):
you know, I think occasionally i'mthird down, there'd be a lot of
twists. I would just know likeit's I'm antomatically coming. And I think
that was my mindset for like thefirst half of the season, like I
didn't have to go to a gameand with surprise like oh my gosh,
they did that. I kind offigured like, okay, like this is
this is the type of rush minuteget. This is how this guy usually

(02:55:01):
rushes. But I get the vibe, this is how the ends like the
rush, you know, tackles thatare you know, first year guys who
got the premiere patch on. Ialready knew what it was gonna be,
already knew of every stunt and honestlyjust knowing that it's kind of an advantage
too. So you're not you're notyou're not old. They broughably twisted my
side. Again. It was neveran Aaron Donald, like, you know,

(02:55:22):
they're coming out of minds, likethree plays in a row and two
minutes. I knew that that wasthe way happened. So you know what
I mean, I'm watching more thaneverybody else, and he rarely England goes
out there on occasional third downs onthe d N. I was like,
already know it's gonna be He's gonnapick me, you know what I mean,
So fact fact it's kind of it'salso kind of an advantage in a
way, but it's also excited.I'm like, okay, I'm gonna get

(02:55:43):
the hardest look. You know,those are real, real reps, you
know, the bank. So really, I know, I really didn't kind
of process that. I was like, hey, when they tell me to
let me know about I'm just gonnatrain it. I was training all left
to Ta's I guess if I didn'thear anything about T's already came in Like

(02:56:05):
so you know what I mean,because just like I'm coor training both continuing,
I would have been cour trained bothcontinually. But I feel like anybody,
any position will be like okay,like you wanna as soon as possible
get your feet kind of settle settledat hand. So then well look at

(02:56:28):
say, well, this guy onlybeen on the field for three years westernn
Tucky and Oregon. Just because Ididn't have the title of a running back
coach where I was at the Memphis, I never carried myself that way.
I was carried myself as a runningback coach. I approach every day that
way. So at Memphis we hadDarren Henderson, Patrick Taylor, Tony Poller,

(02:56:52):
Kenny Gangwell, Tonyo Gibson. I'veseen talented backs, and I've seen
him be able to function with oneanother. So I hear that all the
time about well, I this ain'tmy first rodeo. Same thing out there
in Oregon. We Buckevern Norwich andGeorge James. You go look at their
numbers. They all functioned well together. We learned how to play as one.
So this ain't my first rodeo.So and plus I know those two

(02:57:13):
kids cause I recruited them when theywas in high school. So I'm up
for the challenge and the responsibility ofit got right behind the damn Hopele Carlos,
Just what is your kind of coachingphilosophy? How do you get the
best out of your running backs.I get the best out them because I
love the young men. My mainfocus is to change the hearts and minds
of them, and they'll play forme. I had just got through reading

(02:57:35):
Coach Trestle's Winners Manual, and it'ssomethday that I took from that book.
You have your purpose and you haveyour goals, all right. My purpose
is to serve and pourtant to theyoung men. Now my goals is a
football coach. All of them aretake care of themselves. So that's one
of the ways. I'm just realrelationship based and I'm very detailed at this
position. I know y'all heard mesaid before, and I'm gonna keep saying.

(02:57:58):
This is the worst coach position infootball. It's terrible, guys hire
anybody to coaches positioning recruiters. CARLSLocker is not a recruiter. I'm an
elite relationship builder, but I coachedthis position. I'm a ball coach,
so that's who I am. SoI'm gonna pouring to these kids. I
think they kind of seeing it nowand I jumped in day one. I'm
ready to coach. I'm use thephrase, you know, soft batched cookies.

(02:58:20):
Where did that phrase come from?Kind of what was this boy?
Let me tell you about that boy. I've been called everything but the name
the child of God by the peopleat the other places I left, So
that I been getting. Pillsbury needsto give me a deal because I've been
getting I've been getting some DM andtexts don some of it. Some of
them have been so funny. Thesaftbatch cookie thing came from just having a

(02:58:43):
frame of mind, a mental toughness. It had nothing to do with guys
getting in the portal and anything.Now most people say I'm a saltbatched cookie
for leaving there, but actuality I'mnot because it takes great strength to make
a decision to leave a place.A weak minded person wouldn't be able to
make the decision that I made,So it took great strength to do that.

(02:59:03):
So I'm telling you, if Iliterally in my DMS, it's some
it's some great comedians out here thathave been sending me like tons of cookies
and out like it's funny. Rightbehind him, Tony, how have you
going about the assessment of the talentin the room? Uh over the past
week or two? How much isthat on field, off field like,

(02:59:24):
what's the process of getting to knowwho you have as players? Well,
I broke down well me being aguy that loves the running back position,
and I already broke those kids downcause I recruit him out of high school.
You know, Q is from whereI'm from in Montgomery. I was
one of the first guys to offerhim just watching him great contact, balance,

(02:59:45):
creative runner, great hands and trey. I recruited him out of Virginia
exceptional short air, your bursts andquickness and things that I'm gonna help him
get better on. And then Irecruited James Peeples out of t out of
San Antonio, Texas. I knewwhat he was gonna what he was gonna
be. TC and Sam. Thosetwo kids I'm getting to know and I'm
gonna help them improve the game.But we got different runners in there.

(03:00:09):
I like to call myself, I'min love with this position, so I
get the break down runners and helptheir game. So talented, talented room,
very talented. Uh far back uh. Jeremy Birmingham Podcast Couch, how
do you swear that that the softBeast cookies are actually the best cookies?
The philos britty nigs and going thoseare way better than the crunchy chips and

(03:00:30):
white things with terrible I mean,do you do you have to first find
a balance there or someone Well,for me, I'm actually not eating any
cookies. Nah, I'm just sayingI'm not eating any cookies this year.
I gave it up for a fastor no sweets for me for the whole
year. That's something I gave up. So they the term the softhbast cookie
term. Look, guys, Iactually took that from I represent the high

(03:00:54):
school coaches of meThe, Tennessee.I actually took that for a guy named
Coach Slow him. He used toalways say that soft best cook. I
actually stole that from him. Igive him credit for it, and I
tell him all the time he said, you I should have branded that,
cause you don't took it and ranaway with it. But that's just where
that comes from. So that thatnow I was standing as you get to

(03:01:15):
Ohio standing and you start to lookaround the country. Any Oregon's a big
place. That's a that's a majorjob. Whether how how do you think
that ran you? Opposite a logoU the Jas Brandon blocko. When you
get out out of living free andtrail. How does that change the way
that you feel you're either received oror does it add a different level to
it to just feeling like I couldgo anywhere and get anybody in the country.

(03:01:39):
And that's the sagest thing for me. This is a great place.
Oregon is a great place too.But guess what, whatever I put on,
I know what I'm going to representfor me. I N I N
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

(03:02:03):
on, I'm still gonna be doingthe same thing. So this is a
great logo. Great logo by wearanother logo every day. It's across I
see around my neck. I knowwhat I represent. So that's the greatest
logo I could ever wear. Soit doesn't matter what other logo I have
on. I got that one on. I'm going to any house and be
a recruit. Uh uh deep Rightto camera. Tique Robinson the athletic froch.

(03:02:26):
You you mentioned the time if Memphisis nominis four NFL running backs?
You mentioned there who you learned fromthat time that you that you can take
over to managing to grow and kid. What did I learned from them?
I just building a just teaching thekids. We live in such a selfish
world though, And I could tellthe kids all the times, it's gotta
be much more the football. Theball gonna go flat one day. As

(03:02:48):
I always say, what being inthat room there at Memphis is it wasn't
four five teaching them how to bea b boyt being one. I tell
you, I'm in all time.It doesn't cost you anything to celebrate another
man's success. So teaching them howto be one, and then once they
learned to be one, they functionand they feed off one another. So

(03:03:09):
that's what I learned from being therein Memphis. Butman, Road Carlo started
your career in law enforcement, kindof influence you as a coach and kind
of shape where you are. Ohwell, I just got through talking to
somebody about that today. When Ifirst got in this profession and I got
my own room in Western Tech,I was asked, No, how was

(03:03:33):
I was gonna be able to handlemy room? I said, Man,
I had a part with fifty oneinmates. You talking about me having got
six or seven guys Are you kiddingme? I'm talking about me having to
do traffic stops or going on domesticno violence calls. It's simple, easy,
No. People don't know what youcare. Also know, you gotta

(03:03:54):
have a certain demeaning about yourself.So when I walk into the room,
it's the reason why I go trainevery morning. This is when same thing
when I was a police officer.You look a certain way kind of deter
people from doing certain things. Soit's just why I go train every morning.
I'm gonna look just as good asmy boys look. So it helped
out a lot. In other words, Uh front right. Austin Moore the

(03:04:16):
podcast Carls Welcome to Columbus. Whatwould it mean to I don't know,
revolutionize the way running backs are coach? What does that take? I ain't
know. I'm not gonna say Revolutioniz'sjust good. It's some good running back
coaches out here. Everybody's different.It's some great coaches out here. I
just want the head guys who saythat on these jobs to not just hire

(03:04:39):
guys. Just know all coaches onyour staffs should be great recruiters, not
just a running back coach. Wecoach a position. We developed players as
well. I just want the coachesto realize, Hey, you know what,
let me look and be thorough aboutthis guy that I'm hiring for this
job. Is he teaching the position? Is he developing the position? Because
you're not gonna hire anybody just coachquarterbacks or y Well, it shouldn't be

(03:05:01):
like that for the running back positioneither. And I'm only passionate about it
cause I played it. I loveit, so it's the only position I
want to coach. Cauld I coachthe other positions. Yeah, I played
dB in college too, but Iloved the running back position so and I
just wanted to see it coach well. Ten May podcasts. Yeah, a
million questions all as a couple.Number one, when you when you when
your wife whatever? You got themessage stuff? Or are we moving again?

(03:05:24):
What was What was her reaction?Nah? She she's just new guy
had given us, gave us anew assignment. S w. It was
never like we're moving again. Letme tell you guys something I grew up.
My mom was in the military,so I lived everywhere. I lived
in Panama of South America. I'mused 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 used to moving now. My wife it was different for

(03:05:46):
her, but she just knew guythat gave us a new assignment. So
it's time to go. What diduh? What did Coach Day tell you
when you heard you that he wantsout of you? That may be different.
It's not slaming somebody else, Butwhat did he He said he wanted
you to bring to the running backroom. I think he did his research
on me. He said he wantedthe guy to to develop the position.

(03:06:09):
That's not taking a shot at thecoach that was here who I'm friends with.
He said, they want somebody toreally get the guys going. I
can only be me and I toldhim that Couse, I'm gonna be me
every day now cause see, mymindset is when I step in this building,
I got one mindset. That's todo my job so well that the

(03:06:31):
living, dead or unborn can doit 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, but that's my mindset every day
that step into the Wizard Hate soenter, that's my mindset. I'm'a do my
job so well that living dead orI'm born couldn't do it any better.
So that's what my mindset is.S Coase, we got time for one
last question, Bill Rabino AT's ClumbusDispatch. Carlos. First of all,

(03:06:54):
is it true that nobody calls youCarlos, never calls you Locke, That's
the truth. Yeah, I preferto be called a lot and I would
say that, not him in particular, 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

(03:07:16):
a transcript on 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 thereright or wrong, but he was trying
to do the same, and uh, you know, I think at the
end of the day he realized hemade made the wrong decision and we connected
on it, we talked about it, and uh, you know, it
was a great opportunity to to towrite or wrong, and uh, obviously

(03:07:39):
we're very glad he's here. I'vealways believed in him. We believe in
him, and he believes in himself. And that's part of the just trying
to understand what's my path right.So uh, but yeah, it's been
great. Steps have been made.He's growing, Uh, but he's nowhere
near where he knows he's capable ofbeing. He's just really a priceless Caeremiah.
Uh. I love the way helives. I love the way he

(03:08:03):
approaches things. I love the waythe questions he asks. I love the
way he makes mistakes and then correctmistakes. It's very veteran, like,
I mean, there's so much ballhe has to learn. Like he literally
does things that are good. I'mlike, do you know what that worked?
He goes coach, I have nofreaking idea, So like I'm trying
to teach him all of that whyit worked, so then you know the

(03:08:24):
consistency at which it works just goesto the roof. And so but I'm
very you know, excited and proudof the conversations we're currently having, and
I'm exciting it for them to keepgoing. By what power you work?
And you tell I love working withChip, Chip is I love talking ball

(03:08:45):
I love the viewpoints. I loveI love the veteran that he has,
you know, and I love Yeah, like I love all of it.
I think that you know, earlyon the biggest impact, you know,
just you know, feeling perspective.I think in the run game has been

(03:09:07):
awesome, you know, and thenyou know, off of the run game,
some of the actions or relief throwsor all that kind of stuff.
I love where it's at. Ilove working with them, and I would
say that I sleep a little better, all right. No, it's it's

(03:09:33):
really a great combo because, likeyou know, we're obviously we're doing a
lot as a group. It's notjust Chip and I so but you know,
obviously Chip has an image and aview on things that I never had.
So to have that experience and havethat viewpoint, I'm just trying to
absorb as much as I can,but then also highlight some things that we've

(03:09:54):
really done a good job of andmake sure those you know, nothing's really
changing. We're just trying to enhance. We're not changing. Were enhancing,
So where the things fit is perfect, you know, I think, uh,
you know, the rest of thedynamics and search Chip can talk about,
but it's been it's been awesome,so I'm excited about it. We
talked to a Mecca. They're justtalking about moving from slot to the house

(03:10:16):
side. You know how good we'vebeen in the slot. Is that a
difficult move for you guys' coaches toknow how good a guy is in one
spot but know that maybe for hislong term future and the no. I
wouldn't say it's anything on his future, because he's capable of doing whatever you
want to get done. But I'dsay that it says more about the room.

(03:10:37):
I think it's it's the growth ofyou know, Brandon and the growth
grow of Bryson. That's really youknow, allowing my mind to say,
hey, Mech, be prepared.You're gonna move around a lot. You're
gonna come out of that slot,You're gonna be outside. We're going create
mismatches out there. I mean,his ability to move around is critical.
But I would say between Mech andbetween Carnell, TAS's ability to move around

(03:10:58):
a lot provide a lot of flexibilityfor our room and uh and those top
you know, six seven guys thatare really doing a good job right now.
Progress look like this spring for Meccabecause there's no time. Think.
It's one of those things. I'mtrue when you guys balance how much work
does a need versus yeah, heavyheavy emphasis on what work he needs,
you know, versus anything else.Uh, I rely on him. We

(03:11:22):
have great dialogue back and forth.It's a two way to it's a two
way conversation. And frankly, there'sgonna be times we're like, hey,
Mac, what do you wanna dotoday? You wanna go outside? You
go inside, And I don't care. So, uh, we're not there
yet. We will be there,but it's just more about, you know,
when the room is ready to startmixing things up, I would say,

(03:11:54):
there's God. I mean, Imake sure I bring in guys that
are able to do all, butI have not ask them to yet.
So the only guys that in ourroom currently I've asked to do that has
been Mecca and Carnell, And thoseare probably the two guys that I would,
you know, think heavily on doingmoving around a lot. I'm not
putting that on anybody else right now. I'm not saying they can't, but
at this point, having two guysbeing able to swing, you probably don't

(03:12:18):
need much more than that. Ineed guys being experts at what they're good
at. So it it helps theoffense still be great at everything and be
an expert at something and we canuse that to our advantage. This year
is different, like maybe you guyswho were more situational. The room's always
different, frankly, I mean fromtwenty eighteen and then nineteen and through COVID

(03:12:39):
and and those guys, and thenthe depth of those guys and then where
Mech and Marvin and those guys wereas freshmen compared to you know, It's
just it's always different, and uh, I expect this one to be different
again, I'm not sure at whatlevel yet. Last question, your relationship
between them room and your last room, especially you know, the back and

(03:13:00):
forwards. I'm curious, Yeah,Dpa as a leader just like you,
you know, play at Ohio State. I'm curious about how you've seen him
kind of build a different war backsand especially on the recreae abpecially hasn't maybe
how the effective your recruit how that'skind of a chance to you. Yeah,
he would probably know more for thatquestion than I would, but I
would say that, Yeah, weobviously feed off each other, right,

(03:13:24):
I mean, there really is ateam sport, and we can't do it
without them, and they can't doit without us, and we can't do
it without the quarterback, and wecan't do without the old line. So
all the way through ten years inthis league, so excited to see what
he's got. How old did youknow Sores and when he was assistant here
and you've gotten to know him alot that it's a relationship. Maybe right

(03:13:45):
now, I know him pretty well. He was always just a good dude
around the facility. He did ourball meetings, so he's good in front
of a group. He's a goodleader. He knows is game really well,
which is good. I was happyto see him promoted. He called

(03:14:05):
me in the offseason. We talked. I just congratulated him, and I
think he's gonna bring something similar towhat we had with the Miko good.
Do you know Brandon Stanley well atall? I mean, obviously Joey play
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

(03:14:26):
ran into him yet, but I'msure i'll get to know him. When
you say it looks similar to theMiko of the energy or the system.
Maybe a little different energy, butI think just knowing the system from the
front to the back, I thinkhe knows how it ties in, and
he's been around with some really goodcoaches, so I think it'll be pretty

(03:14:50):
pretty seamless, and I think we'llbe firing on all cylinders. You're three
months removed from the Super Bowl now, so how have you? I guess
digested and I guess physically everything goodto go. Yeah, I feel really
good. I think it's been oneof my better off seasons of just kind
of it was a long year,so I took it nice and slow to

(03:15:11):
get back into it. Not asyoung as I once was, so I'm
taking a little a little slower,but everything's great. I'm feeling as good
as I felt. I'm excited toactually get some practice in. Last year
was kind of tough, getting thrownin Week one after I walked through,

(03:15:31):
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 and nothave a game coming up is good.
With the Super Bowl unfortunately, Iknow how to bounce back from tough losses.

(03:15:52):
So it was rough for a littlebit, but not just annoying when
people bring it up. Since thelast season, we've seen a Rock on
TV commercials and on the stage withLuke Coombs and throwing out the first pitch
in the Giants game. But heseems like a guy that's totally unaffected by
celebrity, which he has now.But what have you noticed in his leadership

(03:16:13):
style and the way he carries himselfany difference at all. I think he's
definitely getting a little more vocal withinthe building. And uh yeah, I
mean I don't think he's ever goingto change. I don't think he's somebody
that's going to change even when hegets paid next year. So he's he's
a man of faith and he kindof reminds me of Scotti Scheffler, but

(03:16:37):
except for just super humble and reallygood kid. And yeah, he's definitely
famous. I don't just from watchinginstead get released obviously meant so much to

(03:17:01):
the defensive line into the team.I mean, Colin John were pretty open
that they were willing to talk abouttrading Deebo or are you as you does
that? Just another what's that feellike? In the locker room when those
sort of jowls happened. I didn'teven know that happened and I wasn't here.

(03:17:22):
But you're talking about this offseason alarmstalarmed er released, So that's certainly
one thing. Yeah, it's atough business, for sure. You have
to have thick skin and I haven'tgone through that, but I think you
just have to understand that it isa business and the team's going to try

(03:17:45):
and get as good as it possiblycan 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 in themoment, but it is what it is,
and when everything's settled, we're gonnacome together as a team and try
and go get one. What's theoverall feeling around the group right now,

(03:18:05):
Like, how much does it feellike the excitement of the ramp up to
the season, Even though it's early, it feels good. It's been a
couple of days for me, soI like all the new guys. I'm
getting to know everybody, but Ithink the passes in the past and we're
ready to go. Do you talkto me? You talk to be at
all about handling the business part ofthis. He's going through something similar.

(03:18:28):
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.
First impressions when you heard what yourschedule would be in that Aaron Rodgers'
first time, it'll be fun.Yeah, it's gonna be gonna be good.
One excuse me kind of alluded tothis for the fact that last year

(03:18:52):
you had to have that hold outfor SID that affected you somewhat early in
the season. If you hadn't hadthat experience, would you be here right
now? I mean, was thatpart of the motivation for being here early
just to have the opposite No,I don't think that's one of the reasons.
But I just talked to Kyle andhe kind of asked me, Uh,

(03:19:16):
he kind of stated how he feltabout why it would be good for
me to be here and asked ifI agreed. And I agree. So
it's not like I'm missing too much. I think I'm out here. It's
a little less workload than I'm doingback home, So it's kind of a
good active recovery thing for me,and I'm getting football stuff football working specifically,

(03:19:43):
So that's good. I'm not it'snot compromising my training at all,
and I get to meet all theguys. It's it's positive. Joey kitsoners
your brother, did you have tolet him down and say, oh,
no, he's he's there. He'sa new regime over there. I actually

(03:20:05):
thought I was coming next week untilrecently, so I was gonna have one
more week at home. But we'reboth in California. Share about reasons back
here. Does it feel different?Yeah, you know, it's not like

(03:20:28):
these last eight years have come inand thought we were going to lose or
have have a bad year. Ifelt like every year when I tell you
things are feeling good and I feeloptimistic, it wasn't a lie. But
yeah, I think things are aredefinitely, like I said, trending in
the right direction. Everybody's on thedetails. I'm sure it's a word that
you've heard a million times. Soyeah, I think it just feels like,

(03:20:56):
uh, it feels like coaches leadingthe team the way it should be
led. It has a feel ofbeing back in college, you know,
with with coach Erbert Meyer, andyou know the message is sent from the
top and it doesn't get mixed upas it's moving down the ladder, it's
boom. This is how we're doingthings, and everybody's following that, and

(03:21:18):
I think it's impressive the details thateverybody have been on, has has been
on the effort and just the competitivenessthat that's been going on over the last
few weeks. Yeah, it's it'sit's been great. How much do you
appreciate that to not just described withthe way Jim leads we shouldn't eat in

(03:21:39):
the messaging? Do they mixed up? Why do you appreciate that so much?
I mean, it's I guess it'seasy to appreciate when you kind of
see it working and you see guysimproving, getting better. I just think
the details are really important. Youcan pretend that leaving your shoes a mess

(03:22:01):
or your locker a mess isn't abig deal, and what matters is playing
football. But I think all thosetiny details and things kind of add up
and leak into the important stuff likewhat you're doing on the field. So
if you can have your toe behindthe line, or have your locker and
order and all these things, theykind of stack up into performing well and

(03:22:24):
and playing well when things count.So you know, I appreciate that.
It's it also hasn't been a fightwith the guys in the locker room.
They buy in and you know,it's a lot of young guys, and
I think they're hungry to learn,hungry to compete and win. You know,
it's just an example, whether it'swe talked about first day you have

(03:22:48):
your shoe, if you could,if you could spend the time on these
small things when nobody's watching. Ithink, like I was saying, it
seems like it might not add uptoo much, but I think in the
long term it does, and itleaks into other things, whether you're doing
your right assignment on the field,being late to meetings or all these things.

(03:23:09):
If you hold a standard and youstay to that standard, I think
it benefits you long term. It'sit been like working with Ben Herbert.
Has there been anything in his trainingprogram we're working with you that you feel
will benefit you later? Yeah,Yeah, definitely. He's been great.
He's a no nonsense kind of guy, but he's not an old school in

(03:23:31):
the sense that he's bringing his wayof doing things and that's the only way
to do things. He understands thatguys have been in the in the business
for a long time. Khalil meand we have a way of doing things,
and all he wants to do isadd to that and help you get
better and perform the best you can. He's he stresses it all the time
that he's a tool for us,and you know, he's been He's been

(03:23:54):
great. The guys love him.The energy brings is awesome, and I
think the stuff that we're doing inthe weight room is great, great addition
to stuff that I may may doon the side or whatever that is.
Yeah, I think we I mean, we had a presentation today with all
the certain measurables that are changing,and if you guys are in the meeting,

(03:24:16):
you definitely see how beneficial he's beento the team so far. So
obviously staying healthy is is a hugefactor to anybody's success. I'd say it's
plagued us a little bit for awhile. So yeah, I think he's
he's definitely incredibly beneficial. When wouldyou like fully, I know at the

(03:24:37):
end of last season, you mighthave been able to Yeah, No,
I was not ready to go lastyear. No, tried practicing, tried
coming back and uh it was itwas not good. But yeah, it
was. Unfortunately, the year wasn'tgoing great and it just was unnecessary risk

(03:24:58):
for I mean, my foot couldhave had some real, real issues if
I came back too early. Soyeah, it's been, it's been.
It's been a great off season.My foot's feeling great, toes good,
hamstrings good. I mean, therewas a list of things last year in
my hand, so all those thingsare good. Got surgery on my finger,
so that's feeling good. Yeah,it's it's nice to be feeling better

(03:25:22):
going into your nine than you havesince maybe five six years ago, which
I've said, I've said I've beenfeeling great last couple of years. I'm
telling you it's a real deal thistime. But obviously anything can happen.
But I just feel it's fun feelingreally confident in your body and being able
to perform. So I could justgo out during practice and you know,

(03:25:46):
go balls to the wall and doeverything that I feel like I need to
to be able to prepare. It'sfun. My brother and whoever I trained
with my trainer Todd back home,I think they'd be really proud of how
I've been working this off season,and it's just exciting. Pointing was the

(03:26:09):
injuries. I'm the great big gameyou kind of Yeah, it was a
bit of a build up, alittle bit of an overreaction, but you
know, it's just tough. Itcomes sometimes like that, and I just
felt felt really uh defeated coming back, had a broken hand. I'm like,
oh, yeah, I get toplay Boom first series foot pops.

(03:26:30):
Thought I'd have to get surgery,and all these thoughts flooded through my head.
Broke down a bit, and yeah, it just hurts. You know,
you're losing, You're getting injured.You've felt like you prepared really well
in the off season, and thenthe year before you had growing surgery,
so you know, a lot ofthings build up. Yeah, you don't

(03:26:50):
get a break if you're injured.Everybody wants to go on. Fans are
very nice, but no, Ijust I'm grateful that I feel this way.
I'm still still nice. Ripe twentyeight, so not too old yet,
but yeah, I'm just excited.I can't remember what the original question

(03:27:11):
was at this point, get somethingabout my body. How close you and
Gift were. How frustrating was itthat you couldn't you know soon? For
one of those last three games,it was frustrating, but I mean Gift
was had my back the whole way. I think for gift, for any

(03:27:37):
but for the whole team, justto show what it means to me.
It would have been important for meto be out there, but I literally
could and I tried to practice,injured my footworse the very first play I
was and in practice, So nochance that was happening unless I wanted to
throw my next season away as well. But no, I'm just I'm proud

(03:27:58):
of him or what he did withthe team, how he handled it,
and I need to call him back. Actually sorry, give Yeah, I'm
happy he gets to stay close bywith the with the Rams and uh,
I'm just proud of all we accomplishedhere together over the years and and we'll
be close for the rest of ourlives. Was the foot injury, It

(03:28:20):
was this guy blest a foot sprang. Yeah, I sprained one area of
my foot. Then when I triedto return, I sprained another area.
Was able to avoid getting surgery,which is kind of the main goal,
But yeah, it was. Itwas tough when it comes to the addition
of but Dupree when he felt likehe's kind of brought to the to the

(03:28:41):
room and could bring on the field. Yeah, it's when I heard we
got my brother something. I don'tknow, maybe my brother told me.
I'm like, really, we justgot Bud, Like, that's no,
that's no small pickup. He's aseriously elite pass rusher. Has had some
double with injuries as well, soI understand how that is, but not

(03:29:03):
only him as a player, butas a personality. I heard Khalil just
saying he's he's a fun guy.He's a funny guy and to have that
in the room another vet is alwaysa great addition. But I'm just excited
to have him and Tuley and tobe able to rotate like that and not
drop off at all when we comeoff the field is huge. And now
Tuly is going into a second year. Just what do you what are you

(03:29:26):
kind of What are some of thematurity maturity areas you've said from him?
You know, I'm gonna say notmuch, and that's a compliment because he
was already mature in those areas.I mean, he's on it everything playbook
wise, always doing his job,working hard, just refining his technique and
pass rush. I mean, wedon't have the pads on right now,

(03:29:50):
so the real work will will begin, you know, in six weeks now.
So, but yeah, I loveTuli. I've loved him since the
first day he's he's walked into thefacility, and I know he's just gonna
continue to get better. You thinkof the addition of Joe Old, Yeah,
yeah, I'm gonna need to beathim up a little bit in camp.
So he's so he's ready. Butno, I think anything to protect

(03:30:16):
our number ten is a good,good investment. So he seems like a
real solid dude. Haven't talked tohim too much, great build, seems
like he has good hands, goodfeet, strong, We'll see. We'll
see in a few weeks when Ilay a helmet in his chin, how
he holds up. But it'll I'lltake it easy on him. No,

(03:30:39):
Rashaun's a beast. Did you knowcoach Harbond before he came here? And
if he did, just what werethose first couple of conversations like that?
Yeah, I probably have crossed pathswith him. Maybe maybe not. Actually
I think what was it his firstyear when I was a junior, So

(03:31:00):
he kicked his ass as usual atOhio State. No, No, they
just want a championship. So I'dsay they probably have the bragging rights right
now. I'm like the guy talkingabout his old high school. Oh I
remember we used to kicks. No, but no, yeah, no,
the rivalry is dead. I wasjust saying this morning, you know,

(03:31:22):
nine years in kind of forget aboutthat. I'm not a great alumni.
Sorry, sorry, coached, Butno, that's great. That's what's great
about the NFL is you just haveguys from all backgrounds. You could hate
their guts one year, and thenyou come on the same team and your
brothers and you're all working towards onegoal together. So our first talk together

(03:31:45):
was great. I just sat downwith them, went up into his office
and chopped it up about life mainlyand his opportunity here and how much it
means to him. And yeah,I think he's a special guy. I
think he's uh the way he conductshimself. He's an interesting cat for sure,
and I'm still still feeling him out. But one thing you can't denies
that he loves football and his maingoal is to win football games. So

(03:32:09):
and that's what we need. Whenyou see him working out with you guys
and pushing slaves and doing all thisstuff, just How interesting is that to
see you interactive. Yeah, Imean he was a he was a great
player himself, and I think he'salways been you know, built like that
lack of a better term. Butyeah, he's uh, he's part of

(03:32:31):
the guys. You know, he'snot this guy outside looking in. He
he really, I mean he voicedthat to me. Is that his favorite
part of all of it is beingwith the guys and and the connections he
makes. So Yeah, to tosee a guy like that come in and
embrace it all and kind of bepart of it himself is important. Your
initial impression is a coachman during thedefensive game. Yeah, it's funny to

(03:32:56):
go from old gift, old giftto this little young guy who's my age.
I wouldn't want to get thrown intoa room with me and Khalil if
I was his age. But no, he's been great. I love messing
with him a little bit. Wea little sarcasm back and forth. But
no, he's great. He's uh, very talks very fast, and I

(03:33:20):
don't as you know, so sometimesI got to be like slow down,
coach, come on, But no, he's great. I'm excited, you
know, to get closer as theyears, as the year goes on,
and I think he has He hasa lot of passion for the position and
all he wants to do is learnand and help us to improve. So

(03:33:41):
I'm excited about him and me andI do miss s Giff. Obviously,
it was a long time with him, but I am excited to have a
new face and kind of have thatchallenge for me. Worked much with with
Jesse's dad, since I know hecoached linebackers in Michigan. Did you ask
about Jesse? Did you ask aboutdoing? Okay, you asked about Jesse.

(03:34:03):
Oh my god, I was talkingabout freaking doing the whole time.
You guys are so confused. No, sorry, I thought we I thought
I was. I thought you mentionedcoach Ronie. No, No, coach
Mentor has been great as well.Yeah, they've both been great. Sorry,
run that back. No, he'sbeen good. Uh yeah, very

(03:34:26):
knowledgeable guy. Same thing. I'mexcited to get to know him more as
the year goes on. Have youworked if you worked much? Yeah,
No, I have not. Idon't know if I've said one word to
him, but more words to comedown the road. Like you said,

(03:34:48):
you've been in year since twenty sixteen. Just what are some of this stuff?
You someone on a ramble about thewrong guy for fifteen minutes talking what
Yeah, what the heck? Actuallythat's literally not the person. Yeah,

(03:35:15):
I figured out. What's something thatyou you worked unduring the off season,
something to improve your game or isthere something that you can Usually my answer
is pretty consistent that I just continueto try to prepare myself physically, whether
that's my sprint work or agility workand my lifting, but yeah, just

(03:35:37):
to get everything feeling great. Idealt with those injuries, so I had
to kind of ramp it up withmy finger and foot and all those things.
But now I'm I'm full full speedout there, and I'm just going
to continue to do what I knowwill prepare me for the season. And
uh, I know I'm gonna getplenty of to technique work and position work

(03:36:01):
when I'm out here. So fornow, I'm gonna spend these five weeks
really getting uh preparing my body workouts. Competitor again another your competitive all that
stuff. Yeah, yeah, it'susually too hot out there for much competition.
We're just trying to survive, sobut yeah, it's always it's a
it's a silent competition between between eachother, be like Peeking's like what was

(03:36:26):
his time? Was his time?But no, yeah, it's always you
can never have an off day whenwhen you're out there and he's he's warming
up like a beat, like afreaking robot every day out there, so
there's no there's no off days.Have you you and him talked at all
about I mean, I mean justwhen you were having a contract thing,

(03:36:48):
you guys have to talk about paysystem, teammates, environment, city,
all those kind of just like playinto it besides just the money thing.
I know, financials always play abig role and I kind of steered you
into the direction you want to go, but everything kind of plays into it.
And how much did you reach outto Shelby Drew, knowing some of
the gains seen you knew the playhere last year, to get a sense

(03:37:09):
for what what Seattle might offer you. I mean, not much right now,
I'll talk to I'll talk to Shelbya little bit about it. Mainly
no one Drew Uh just congratulated me, Bob. Did you come together pretty
quickly? I know you kind ofcame your agreement on that first Monday and

(03:37:31):
everything with Seattle that all come togetherreally faster. Now, it was a
long day. Seattle came in almostout of nowhere. We had like a
good set of teams that we're talkingto, just trying to find like finalize
what was going on, what wasthe term is going to be, you
know, and Seattle came in hot. They showed a lot of interest,
and uh, they kind of justmotivated me to come here more and more.

(03:37:52):
And how similar will your role be, you know, in terms of
playing and from what you did atDenver. I don't know that yet.
I kind of just mentioned previously,I don't know my role. I don't
know the ins and out yet.Once we'll get NO through the protocols and
nfl PA, we'll we'll talk aboutNO, the schemes and everything, right,

(03:38:13):
so welcome. When you were inDenver in the three four, where
did you find yourself most comfortable.I played a lot of different positions in
Denver. I mean, earlier inmy year 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 find myself
to be more comfortable whether I'm standingup or I'm not whether it's runner or

(03:38:37):
pass. Uh, they'll seem tobe my best my best fits. And
what is your impression of Pete Carroll'sdefense and whole environment from afar? It
seems like he holds in on adefense 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 to figure out more and

(03:38:58):
I'll give you a better answer later. What's the reputation around the league out
of the Seahawks? Uh, youknow, hard nose, hard had type
of team definitely on a little morelack side as opposed to being stuck up
or military style, and which isdefinitely good because then they this program is
one of a lot of football gameshave been super successful for many years,

(03:39:18):
as long as I've been alive,as long as I've been watching football,
and definitely this has been a goodprogram. And Pete Carroll has been a
hell of a coach for as longas I remember, even back in his
college days. So I'm looking forwardto experiencing that. S Boyle. Yeah,
I know you said you don't knowyet. You know what your roles
can be, but just what whatkind of player you who haven't watched it

(03:39:39):
time to Denver? What kind ofplayer get? Definitely a high motor.
Definitely not a one trip pony typeof player. Uh. I like to
attack, you know, whether it'sa first or first through fourth down,
I like to attack. I'm alwaystrying to apply pressure. I'm definitely just
a high mortar guy in my opinion. Brady either Brady Henderson for ESPN,

(03:40:05):
Nice to meet you. That's what. Yeah, this is not a team
that really makes big splash signings infree agency. Did you think going into
it that Seattle would be in play? Uh? No, not at all.
Uh you you just it's kind oflike being a cure at the county
store. You know, I've gota whole whole bunch of different options coming
at you. Uh hearing, awhole bunch of different crazy things, and
uh, you know, you onlyget to choose one. And this is
the place that that we both choseeach other. And I mean, I'm

(03:40:28):
I'm loving Seattle so far. Youknow, I like these colors for real,
for real? What what did yougot to do with Seattle or see
since you've been here? Not much? Uh, just kind of just drive
around the city, exploring, Uh, getting down to the market a little
bit. I want to get onof the Ferris will do some more like
touristy type of things. You know, I'm new to the city and I
got a lot to learn about thecity, all right. Yeah, there's

(03:40:52):
been a lot of comparisons with youto Michael Bennett. I was wondering if
you know Michael Bennett at all andyou think those are accurate. Uh.
I know Michael Berger then at likenothing. I know nothing about it but
besides his style of play, ButI'm honored to be considered in the same
conversation as him and uh style ofplay. You know, He's a Hall
of Fame type of deep lineman thatI've known about since I was a kid.
I mean, last time he playedhere, I was in high school.

(03:41:13):
So you know, it's cool toit kind of came full circle a
little bit watching him on TV andnow I'm being kind of compared to him
in a way, you know.I mean, I'm not touching the surface
of Michael Bennet. You know,he's a Hall of Famer and I'm not
there yet. So you know,I just gotta keep doing my due diligence
to be a better player. CarHey, Dreamont, welcome to Seattle.

(03:41:35):
I know you get to play severalseasons for vic Fango and three four style
defense, and Seattle's playing a similarsystem. Now dating back to last year
as a defensive lineman, what doyou think is most important to be successful
in that system? Maybe fundamentals orjust playing style to be successful. From
what I learned, being gap soundand being patient has always been the biggest

(03:41:58):
thing, and that's how we've beensucessful when I was in Denver, just
kind of like relying on each other. I know that sounds kind of cliche,
but like it's kind of like thethe realm of being in the three
four defense. You gotta really reallyrely on the guys behind you and the
guys on the side of you toreally make their do to do their job,
to make your job easier. Yeah. Dream Uh. Your your states

(03:42:24):
that you didn't start playing football tillyou were junior in high school and largely
played basketball. So then that's whatmade you, I guess decided to go
play football then was away from basketball. No, No, I've always loved
football first. Uh, it wasjust kind of just playing it out,
you know. I love a hoop. But you know, football was definitely
about calling given I was a twohundred and sixty five pounds power forward and

(03:42:45):
I was like sixties and changing.So you know, I kind of toldse
the route that God gave me.No, I'm not six eight da.
Yeah, We'll come to Seattle.And you quoted looking at a couple of
order things that player, and canyou just talk a little bit about that

(03:43:07):
definite that I just said of theUS, you know, always kind of
counted out that you came through.Can you elaborate more than that just from
a standpoint like I always get likeover overshadowed, overlooked, whether it's a
in something, you know what I'msaying, Like, I feel like I
do a lot more than what canbe sitting by the eyes of the inexperienced,
you know, Scout and I doa lot of different dynamic things that

(03:43:31):
help make plays for others. Youknow, I'm definitely an active player.
I'm always doing something, whether inthe runner pass game, so you know,
I think that goes on others sometimesand I'm looking forward to putting people
on notice. Thanks Crady. Whatwhat do you like to do outside of
football? U? Big gamer?I'm definitely. I've been getting to a

(03:43:52):
lot of chess lately, so justto expand my brain. Uh. I
try to get into reading, butif it's not sportulated, I'm really not
interested in reading that much, butmainly just video gaming and chest. And
then when we write and say yourname, do you prefer your grandma?
Uh? I mean you can sayyou say Draymond Jones. I mean,
but like just I feel like personallyjust call me Drey because easy, because

(03:44:15):
people like to f my name uplike a lot. They call me Draymond
Tay. I don't know, Likewhat do you think some of that'll be
able to bring out out of yourgame as you keep trying to you know,
just being more explosive, Probably moreyards per catch with the space that
he's putting us into. The moreyards, more yards have to catch,
more exposive, pick more exposed toplay. So for for not just only

(03:44:37):
me, but she and uh Akand taste them. So I'm excited to
be able to be in the system. I assume you think you guys can
be a lot more explosive than thanyou in the last couple of years.
Oh yeah, of course. Itbrings to a lot of different things,
you know what I'm saying the playbook, but just accountability. Uh, I
feel like that's gonna lead us tosuccess. They said, the language is

(03:44:58):
a little sure, or have youfound that the language that you guys use.
Is it about the same or isit it's kind of standing Really it's
a long long plays, but it'smore understanding for sure. I feel like
you could get to that more understandingplays. And Uh, I feel like
that's that's the difference. Hater wassaying the other day, just kind of
like coming into this offense after liketwenty years of breeze and just kind of

(03:45:20):
how it was just kind of builton top of each other, on top
of each other. It's like kindof a lot to kind of fake in
do you do you find that theykind of turn it down to something new,
starting at like zero with everybody.It's just a little bit easier to
kind of get everybody on the same. Yeah. I feel like it's way
easier. Like you said, itwas kind of more of a Drew Brees
style the last playbook, So allcredit to them though they built that around

(03:45:41):
him, around his players. Butuh, like I said, it's it's
more. Uh, this playbook ismore for uh matchups, and I feel
like it's gonna be better for us. How do you think it's gonna really
take advantage of just skill sets?Uh? Just building around the strengths that
I have, you know what I'msaying, and things that I can do
and things that she can do,uh, things that our players can do.

(03:46:05):
Is kind of focus on what wecan do and building on that.
Uh. I feel like it's playingto the player strengths. So I feel
like it's gonna help us a lothas been around the way this offense will
have a lot more speed. Andhow's that transition being so far? I
mean, like I said, it'sbuilding around the players strengths. So of
course we got speed uh with meor she and ati receiver. So uh,

(03:46:26):
just building around that, like Isaid, playing to our strengths and
be able to capitalize off that.Feel like it's gonna help us a lot
most of like the up tempo astreakand getting a lot of plays in and
less time. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's definitely gonna
play a big difference. Like Isaid, coming from the West Coast,
Uh, they bringing that stand foran offense here, So I'm excited to
be able to be a part ofthat for you personally, what's what's the

(03:46:46):
max level look like for you?What do you what are you trying to
accomplish this year? Uh, juststaying consistent, man, I had a
couple of upside downs last year.Just building off that. Uh, it's
always always gonna work on the physicalpart. But being able to bounce back
after bag game the mental aspect,just learning learned that last year and be
able to build on that this yearis a huge part. You know with

(03:47:09):
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,
it's not really I mean everybody's 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,

(03:47:33):
but just lead by example, workinghard, trying to dominate every rep and
hopefully they follow after that. Afterthe catch is that you feel like that's
the strength of yours that maybe wasn'tutilize I don't know if utilizes the right
word, but you could show morein Yeah, it's an offense that is
built around that. Uh, justcatching the ball in space, catching the

(03:47:54):
ball over the middle or even onthe outside. Uh with with space and
separation, I feel like it's builtaround having yards after catch. So I'm
definitely proud to be in the system, like I said, and I'm excited.
But is that is that a mindsettoo, like being good at yards
after the catch? Like? Ohyeah, I mean of course. I
mean you don't want to get tackledby the first person. And my mindset

(03:48:15):
is trying to take every take everythingto the house, you know, every
touch. So uh, I definitelygot to do that more and definitely try
to work on that in practice.Keep the wheels great, dude, man.
Uh some some that I definitely needed. Some that he relates to me.
Uh, just from backgrounds and uhhe's a great coach, great leader,

(03:48:37):
Uh, motivational and uh. LikeI said, I'm excited to have
him around and for him to pushme. It's everything that I need.
So something you're talking about like mentallybouncing back, you know from tough performances
or whatever, like, did youlike try to find your resources going to
help you figure out how to dothat? Oh? Yeah, I mean
it's older guys. Uh, Uh, tell me that's natural, have bag.

(03:49:00):
But uh, just having the standardthat I have for myself and the
expectations I have for myself gets hardsometimes. So just be able to be
hard on yourself but at the sametime just let it go and just bounce
back for the next game is somethingthat I learned last year. You one
of those guys that feels like youshould always have a certain level production.

(03:49:20):
Are you okay with those certain gameswhere the defense is so focused on you
the other guys have big games andyou're just running good rooubts And uh yeah,
I definitely was. It was likethat early in my career, especially
in college, but I found outit's just about winning really, just trying
if you are that number one guysto bring that attention to you so other

(03:49:43):
guys can get open. It's gonnabe games like that, but as long
as we win and take back withyou guys moves the life. To go
from the camerat of emotions from hearingabout it to now when it's over in
your back out feel unplunny. It'samazing. You know, it's just testing
to him and you know, oneof the god we serve, and then

(03:50:03):
two just the work that he's putin. You know, he's been uh
you know, he came back beforeit was even schedule he can get cleared.
And then on top of that,you know, just coming back after
that freak accident. And you know, I think that we serve a God
that's merciful and that's that's purposeful,and he knows that, and he stepped
into and me and him we havethose conversations about our faith and then cause

(03:50:24):
like this football stuff it seems likeit's everything, but it's not. You
know, we're we're people, andwe we go through a lot off the
field people don't know. And youknow, as his brother, I have
to be there for him, likejust like he's there for me when I
go through what I go through.So I mean, I'm just proud of
him, man, Like the wordproud is even probably enough to like state
the the feelings that I have forthat guy. Man, he's my one

(03:50:46):
of my best friends that I've nyou know, gotten to known over the
years in this in this world offootball and past that. Man, I
feel like I'm known since I've beenthree years old. You know, I
think for like our connections kind oflike we grew up together, and you
know, I just got a lotof left for that guy. And you
know, I'm very excited for him. He's been snapping that practice and doing
really well and you know, toknock off the rust that quick shows how

(03:51:07):
much work he's been in. Howmuch more comfortable are you walking up to
ots this year to the last year, things kind of a little bit slower.
Just what's the biggest difference to you? Yeah, it's night and day.
Man, It's really like I feellike I running the show and I've
got a lot more responsibilities from Slowand from de Beaca and from dry Bill

(03:51:28):
and really our whole officeive staff.And you know, I'm the captain of
the ship and I gotta running theright way. And I feel like I've
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 thinkfrom last year to this year, like

(03:51:48):
I've gotten a lot better with likecontrolling my emotions, controlling my ball placement,
knowing what's NFL open, knowing myfood work better, there's really every
little thing I've taken a step andthen hide the ball, you know,
just everything slowed down. Seeing coverage. Demiico does a good job of blitching
me, and you know, workingon their different coverages and different looks to

(03:52:09):
start too high, go to oneand go back to two motion like as
man, go to cover too likeall that stuff to keep me true and
honest. And you know, Ithink I've tried to do my best with
my off season study to you know, be better, and I feel like
I've done that and had a goodota so far. So got to finish
with that mini camp, but it'sbeen definitely a big transition of just more
comfortability from last year this year.College, you you always had like a

(03:52:31):
real talented receiver room, and thenlast year you had a talented receiver room.
So you've had the experience of havingto feed a lot of guys obviously
had in digs, even Joe Misingcoming out of the backfield. How much
would that experience from those you know, college and last year help you with
being able to make sure that everybody'sbeing fed the way they are. So
if you can, you don't havethe best possible offer. If you guys

(03:52:52):
like get more. Yeah, Imean, I don't think nothing changes.
You know. It's like, uh, I tell I tell guys, cause
I get that question a lot fromI got people just walking around just anywhere,
astra game, whatever, and I'mlike, man, it's football.
You know you're open, you getthe ball. So uh and my thing
is you gotta pick your poison playingus, like who are you gonna double?
Who you gonna cater to? Who? Like you got five dogs?

(03:53:15):
Who are who are able to getthe get the ball each give and play?
You know? So I think it'sfine. I know Slow has done
a great job of being more creativeand you know, has put different personnel
packages out there, guys in differentpositions that going from inside and outside,
you know. And you know,I'm I'm very excited to work with with
coach Low again. He's done amazingso far, you know OTAs and will

(03:53:39):
continue to do such. But yeah, man, I think that past experience
of playing with Marv Jack's, Garrett, Chris Jamo, America Julian like those
type of guys, they'll tell youtoo, like you know, they'll probably
have said it before, but they'lltell you like they made need better and
I made them better. You know, that's my job is to make everybody

(03:54:01):
around me better. So I'm excited. MA has been healthy competition. Like
I know Gear, I've seen hisindervial day. He was talking about,
Ohio, see how like the receivers, Like if Gear made a play,
Chris is like, nah, watchthis like it's the same thing here,
which is you know, really coolto watch. And you know, as
the quarterbacks meet, Davis in caseand Tim were the same way too.
So healthy competition is the best wayto grow and get better. And I

(03:54:24):
think that that's what it's about.You see how excited Diggs gets for Tank
when he makes it play, andMatch gets for excited for when Nico makes
a play, and Tank gets excitedwhen Rob makes a play. You know.
So it's amazing. And you knowwe got Noah coming back to which
is gonna be amazing. And I'mexcited. Uh been there and a ton
of guys, there's a ton oftalent, Steed showing up. Really everybody's

(03:54:45):
really been doing Jay, Wayne,Johnny you know so and man it's been
fun. Seeja uh Nick wo thatand got you some some makes your talent
on the office side of the ballwell, what do you think about the
additions that he made on the defensiveside of the ball. Yeah, man,
it's been great. It's been goodon good like the talks about iron
shop and iron you know, it'sbeen a lot of smack talk, a
lot of just uh, just goodcompetition, you know. And then it

(03:55:07):
starts with me and disease. Youknow, him being the leader of defense.
I'm the leader at offense. Andyou know, playing him last year.
I mean, he always showed upon tape when I watched the Titans
last year. So it's cool tolike see like the stuff he thinks.
You can see him at my locker, me at his or us before practice,
after practice talking about plays and youknow. So, I mean it

(03:55:28):
starts with us. And then whenyou add Danielle somebody who's a very who
plays really hard, who's gonna helpwill you know them? Two dogs?
He got team in the in themiddle with Autry and and Sosa and just
a ton of guys, man,you know, in the back end,
got young guys showing up. Kaylin'sdoing really well in the back end along
with Petrie and Jimmy, along withKamari. Kamari is thhowing up Stein is

(03:55:54):
playing well as y'all seen. UhSo, man, it's just been dogs
on dogs, you know, likeand that's that's that's that's the best teams
I've ever been on. Out hasbeen the closest teams personally, but also
the most competitive team. So it'sbeen dope. He's see that he broke
out last year and you goo brokeout last year and he Goo gets the
contract Eccentrion, he's here to twentytwenty seven. What does that do for

(03:56:15):
you? Just knowing that you haven'tfamiliar target to work with for the next
few years. You know, it'sjust something I I'm first of all,
I'm just proud of that guy.Uh my brother Nico. He's shown up
and shown out you know when youknow, when his number is called,
he always makes to play. Andyou know, he's just a special He's
a generation talent man. He's he'slike alright, age is Andre Johnson in

(03:56:37):
my opinion of just how fast heis, how he gets in and out
of his brace, his releases,how strong he is. And I think
last year was just a uh apreview to what it's took come for him.
And the one thing I'm proud ofhim. For is just the work
has never stopped. He's constantly hereworking on his body, constanting here working
on his hands. Is his mobilityin the weight room, you know.
So for me, I mean justhaving a a tr true. Uh.

(03:57:01):
I think we have like five numberones, you know. So that's kind
of cool to have. And I'vehad that before in college and I'll have
it again and it's gonna be fine. Man. And Nico he's gonna he's
he loves to see everybody else eattoo. So man, his his love
for his brothers hasn't change. Andyou know, it's it's a it's a
special feeling to see somebody who deservesto get paid and you know, get
what they the d D wait,they what they deserve, And you know,

(03:57:24):
I'm just really proud of him.What does it mean for you to
have another opportunity to work with Barbasola? Andelie Johnson? I don't know if
you remember that was a moment goinginto the playoffs last season? Where do
you live even know if either oneof those guys would here? Pretty shit?
Yeah, I mean for both ofthem to come back was very special.
I think we both we all havea better feel of how to work
with one another. And you knowthe talent I am on the field and

(03:57:46):
the play caller that uh Bobby isand then the the common coach droved is
you know we all work together andthat and you know, slow as I'm
in his office almost every morning justgoing over stuff and watch found with him
going over things like we need togo to get better at and he always
has his phrases, you know,working for the end at mind, and

(03:58:07):
you know he holds me accountable whenyou know it could be easier just to
like let me slide, cause youknow I'm I'm out there still making plays,
but he's like, nah, youneed to be better here, here
and there, And you know,I that's just uh shows a type of
leader he is. And you knowit's a honor to be able to work
with him again. And same forme, like to him like, hey,
flow, I'm not really feeling thisplay or I wanna add this player

(03:58:31):
to try to see if we canget better here in this inn in this
practice where you know, I thinkwe can be really good at this type
of play or and he's very veryaccepting when it comes to that. So
it's been cool to work with bothof them, and I'm very excited to
get another year on our belt.What was it like right here? What
was it like, uh teacher footballinternationally and the the r the reception that

(03:58:52):
you got from the people there,it was it was amazing. You know.
Uh, first of all, shoutout to Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo
you know for excepting me to Micahwith open arms and just the hospitality and
the uh just the culture man thereis just amazing. They want to learn
about football, you know, andit's it was cool just to see like

(03:59:15):
them already have like the foundation ofit, but wanting to grow from there.
And you know, I think footballis a family sport and like those
people are our family now, andyou know, the Olympics come into where
it's gonna be international with flag football, I think it's super dope. And
to be able to get you know, to be able to put our feet
into those those uh doors already,you know, it's kind of cool,

(03:59:37):
you know. So, I mean, I'm very grateful with my team with
uh uh Bernie and David for settingthat up and even like the guys out
there who who gave us top notchhospitality. It w it was just amazing.
Man, the whole experience, soyou know, just my first time
really out the country and just beingable to like go to the Great Wall
China and all that stuff and stilldo what I love to do, you

(04:00:01):
know, working out when Micah itwas cool and uh he has a lot
of crazy takets, but you know, I I got lovet for that guy.
But it was fun. Man Johnand Jonathan Dad, what's uh,
what's it like how you can't stoverdown here with you and what's your relationship
been like with him? Oh?Yeah, Kay's my brother. Man.
You know, I've been through takingthing with him and he's somebody who I

(04:00:24):
I often look at as like likeour moms are like the same or our
families are super close. In hiscollege, I think he's like my blood
brothers who like somewhere for walking downof the line. I don't know how
it works, but I just he'salways like there for me. He's always
you know, I don't know,man, Kate is just like that guy.

(04:00:45):
He's a brother that y uh theytalk about in the Bible, you
know, like that like it's it'sit's He's a friend that is you know,
like just like a brother, AndI don't know if the word brother
just always just comes up with that, like he's just always there to,
you know, hold me up,and he's and he knows my emotions and
for him to be able to impressof the culture of the players that are
in this program right now. ButI think it speaks a lot to the

(04:01:07):
leadership. There's there's a lot ofolder players on this team, and they've
set the tone for the younger players, and I think the younger players have
done a great job of followship andgetting right in line with that. It's
never hit it over a play callingto someone before. What does it mean
to you? I guess he technicallydid it to Bill when he was here
for a couple weeks. But whatdoes that mean to you to kind of
be getting that responsibility from him andhe's calling essentially the offense that you gave

(04:01:31):
it? I guess in some way. Yeah, I still think the play
calling part will be a collaborative effort. And by that I mean that if
it's a good play, I calledit, and if it's a bad play,
he called it. Because the greatpart is an assistant coach, you
can just point the finger a littlebit and just say hey, you know,
I wanted to do this, buthe trumped me. So we haven't
actually discussed game day yet. Youknow, we'll see how that operates.

(04:01:52):
But everywhere I've been it's been acollaborative effort, and all of a sudden,
someone that's calling the plays isn't isn'tlike pulls one out of left field
that you hadn't practiced and hadn't beenpart 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 notcoming up with something special you know in
the middle of the fourth quarter thatwe haven't done. But I think it's

(04:02:13):
the key to really being successful onoffense is is how you game plan,
how you put it all together,and then how you practice and train for
that so that you get a chanceto execute it. Because the player's confidences
comes from their demonstrated ability that they'vedone this so many times in practice that
when they get out on the fieldthat this is like that to them.
You know, it's not that theydo it so they do it right,
it's they practice it so much sothat they can't do it wrong. So

(04:02:37):
you know, I think it's thatwhole part of it that is really the
key to being a really good gameplanning team. Second right, Doug Lane
Reef Kingdom North Chip. When youhad that feeling when you were coaching the
quarterbacks during Bowler, did you considerat that point maybe resigning as the head
coach and thinking like this is thisis not where I am anymore. I'll

(04:02:58):
leave and then I'll look to seewhat else out there. No. I
never thought about quitting anything. So, you know, I just is there
an opportunity that I think I canthat fit, you know, And I
think that's the you know, it'sno different than when you're talking to a
recruit about them make a decision onwhere they're going to go to school.
I think that where they should goto school is where the best fit is
for them. So, you know, I just entertained some opportunities and I

(04:03:20):
always felt I felt like this wasthe best fit. But I never thought
about quitting or not coaching. I'mgonna coach. I'm a coach, and
then I'm gonna die. But Imean that's how I think I think about
things. Is I can't picture thatI know someone I was on the Nike
trip and they like, how muchlonger are you gonna go? When I
said I to go another fifteen twentyyears. I don't think about I don't
think about retirement. I don't thinkabout any of those things. That's just

(04:03:43):
not kind of my mindset that youknow. I love football and in the
as long as I can be partof this game, then I'll be part
of this game. Just the waythings worked out with your departure from UCLA,
is there anything that you wish youhad done differently, or anything you
regret or just ccumstances that presented themselves. Do you think that you handled that
departure the best that you could have? Yeah, I mean I got an

(04:04:05):
opportunity to tell my players personally.You know, I think in this day
and age of the internet, wherethey read it somewhere else and you have
to text message him. You know, that was always important to me that
I wanted to make sure I talkto my players and explain the reasons of
what I was doing. I wasn'tleaving to take a head coaching job somewhere
else. I wasn't thinking that thegrass is greener at another university. Was
just in my personal situation, Thisis what I wanted to do. I

(04:04:26):
wanted to take an opportunity to gobe a position coach and coordinator, and
that's how it fit. You know. What I was happy is that I
always thought to Sean Foster, Ithink the world of them, and I
think he's a special you know.And the fact that that they were they
gave him the opportunity to take overthere was you know, it worked out.
I didn't have any say in thatdecision, you know, I was

(04:04:46):
gone, But I always thought thatthat Shaun would be a great head coach,
and I'm really proud of him andhappy that that he got the opportunity
to take that job right behind him. Act have your reputation as innovator.
Was part of the appeal of thisis that you get to get in the
weeds a little bit. Maybe notmad scientists, maybe too too strong of

(04:05:07):
a word, because you're working withinthe system. But was there an appeal
of I get to get my handsdirty here again and innovate and get back
to that side of things. Itwas, But it was really more important
of who I get to work with, you know, and so knowing you
know, I've got I know alot of guys on the staff besides Ryan
also, so you know, whenI know what their mindset is and what

(04:05:28):
their values are and how they dothings, and so I want to be
a part of that. But there'sa part of that. Yeah, how
much of a teacher you get labeledin an innovator. The teaching is a
part of this. How much ishow a teacher are you? And how
patient are you? Yeah? Ithink we're all teachers. I mean,
education is the transportation of knowledge,you know, So it really doesn't matter
what the coach knows. It matterswhat the players understand, you know.

(04:05:52):
So you have to be able tomake sure that while you're implementing things is
what resonates with them and how doesthat come back to them? So,
you know a lot of our teachingstyles that we've learned is more the socratic
method of there's a lot of questions, you know, and a lot of
check for understandings, just to kindof find out where the players are coming
from, because it's what they knowthat that's ultimately gonna win games, not

(04:06:13):
what we know. You know thatwe're not playing the games, we're not
stepping across those white lines, youknow. And your job as a coach
is to create an environment where theyhave an opportunity to be successful and then
get out of their way and letthem go do it. So I think
the teaching aspect is huge, andwe continue to research, you know,
some of the latest trends in teachingto make sure that we are transporting that
knowledge to our players. Second rollleft, Steve Hellwagen, twenty four seven

(04:06:35):
Sports. Yeah, coach, justcurious you got five scholarship quarterbacks with differing
levels of experience from age and everythingelse. Not to annoy him, but
just want to ask specifically about WillHoward coming in after starting part of two
years. He has a state.He just seems to promote this idea that

(04:06:56):
he's a football player, you knowabove all else. Just how impressed are
you with his makeup, his experience, what he's bringing to the table walking
in here right now? Yeah,really impressed. You know, you don't
have to talk to Will for morethan five minutes to kind of know where
he's coming from. He's really focused. You know, he knows he's got

(04:07:16):
a short window left in his collegecareer and it really wants to capitalize on
what that is. There's a maturityto Will, you know, I really
I've had experience. My experience inthis thing since the transfer portal opened in
college football is some of the bestplayers I've had an opportunity to coach.
Ward transfers. Sometimes when you're atrue freshman and it's five years out,
you know, it's like, hey, I got a ton of time,

(04:07:37):
you know. And sometimes when you'rea transfer, is that I've got nine
months, you know. So there'sa sense of urgency I think when you're
dealing with with transfers, and Ithink Will has exuded that since he's been
here. But the other thing thatI just in the short time that Will's
been here is how quickly he's fitin with the entire team, you know,
and how much the rest of theplayers respect him. You know.
He was one of the Gold Awardwinners for his work in the weight room

(04:08:00):
in this offseason, so that saysa lot for him coming in here as
a in a short time, beingable to to win a weight room award,
you know, to start off,Do you guys hope to have the
number one internally externally at the endof spring or I guess just let it
play out, how do you I? I think it always every time I've
been involved in these I think whenthey're organic is when it's the best that.

(04:08:20):
I don't think you can anoint somebodyor force the issue because the players
know, the players would understand.They see it every single day, you
know, and there's a team chemistrypart of this thing too, So we're
not gonna force the issue. Abut I've always seen it play itself out.
So I've been fortunate that there's alwaysgonna be some quarterback battles at at
some point in time. At everyschool there's a quarterback battle, you know,

(04:08:41):
and then and really you gotta letthem play it out on the field,
and that's where it has to That'sthat's where it has to be decided.
Just a couple more hey welcomes thanwe were excited to have you here.
Thank you. I'm kind of totalk about the innovative part. Ryan
said that that's something that he's alwaysloved but working with you and now he
wants you to bring that here andhow to fit with Ohio State. Do

(04:09:03):
you for the idea what that's gonnalook like yet or is it just way
too loll I have no idea,you know. I think part of it
is is you're trying to put theplayers in position to make play. So
a lot of that comes from gettingto understand the players and what their skill
sets are and how we feature whattheir skill sets are, you know,
and and the the one thing afterday one, I can tell you that

(04:09:24):
there there's a lot of skill setout there, you know. So that's
that's what gets you excited, youknow, that's what That's what you jump
out of bed in the morning andyou're excited to go to work because of
the talent that you get to workwith. But the one thing that's the
most impressive is the work ethic thatgoes along with that talent. You know,
it's not just empty talent. It'sis you got some kids who want
to I mean all of them sinceI've been here, want to work.
So that that's what gets you excited. But I think assessing what the skill

(04:09:46):
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 of pressure. I mean, you've experienced what like
to coach national championship, how overteams this program right now and moving into
a situation where you gotta win Quickennow. So does that feel like pressure

(04:10:09):
here for you or is it alittle bit of excitement or both? Well,
I've always subscribed to as pressure iswhat you feel when you don't know
what you're doing. So if youdon't want to feel pressure, then you
should know what you're doing. So, you know, I think it's it's
part of that, and I thinkpart of our job with our players in
terms of the education process is gettingthem to understand that too, is that
you know, it's it's about yourpreparation, it's about you and your development.

(04:10:31):
It's not about that you can't begoverned by what other people say.
It's it's what's my mindset and howam I intrinsically motivated? And then how
do I really compete against myself ona daily basis to get a little bit
better. You know, we gota little bit better today because we get
out on the field today and gota chance to do some football. And
then the challenge is when we getback on the field on Thursday, can
we be a little bit better thanwe were on Tuesday? And if we're
doing that, then we keep stackinggood days on top of good days.

(04:10:52):
And I think we'll be in goodspot and welcome. Thank you. I'm
gonna ask about the pros and consof coaching from the box and coaching from
the field. It's interesting talk tosome of some coordinators. Tom Herman talked
about it. He swore he wantedto coach from the box. Saw the
game so much better, sterile environment, not all the chaos on the field.
Some coaches you talk to the like, I want to be on the

(04:11:13):
field so I can look at myguys in the in the eye. Where
are you at as a as acoordinator? Honestly, And I've thought of
this a lot. I thought ofit a lot during COVID because we had
the empty stands, you know,so I had thought about just walking up
into the stands for a little bitbecause I had a better advantage. I've
always believed you can see the gamebetter from up above, but I believe
you can feel the game better fromthe field. So if there was any

(04:11:33):
way we could get a zip wirewhere you could do both, you know,
coach called from there and then zipout of the field get a chance
to talk to him, because it'sa different deal when you're talking to the
quarterbacks on a phone. You knowthan being able to look in their eye
and kind of see where they arewith it. And part of it is
the field part of it. Iremember when I coached Ryan once. We
were playing Ukon and he got hithard going out of bounce and he just

(04:11:56):
walked by me, and I wasa play caller, and he was like,
run the next play, and Ijust kind of looked at him myself,
the look in his eyes because Idon't think he could have thrown it,
you know, he was still tryingto get his win back. But
you wouldn't know that if you're upin the booth, you know, and
you call a pass play from upin 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's that fineline that I don't have an answer,
you know. I think I thinkit's feel on the ground and it's see

(04:12:18):
from up above. Maybe in thisday a technology they'll figure it out.
But we'll see how that that thatoperates, and whatever Ryan feels is the
best for the team is what we'regonna do. So your teams at the
Oregon were obviously no ever playing atthis ass pace and running a bunch of
plays for a minute and yep,maybe not act by a passing pretty fast.

(04:12:41):
What rule do you see tempo andhaving an offense and in the state
in college football and has maybe changed. I think the game is always evolving,
you know. I think when Ileft in two thousand and twelve to
go to the National Football League,Oregon was the only team that was playing
really really fast and had shiny helmets. And when I came back in twenty
seventeen, everybody had shiny helmets andeverybody was playing fast. So I think

(04:13:05):
the game is always going to goup and down, and there's gonna be
different cycles that it goes through.I think tempo is part of an offensive,
but I don't think it's an offensein itself. I think it's more
of like if you go to dinner, it's a side order. You know,
it's not the main course, butit's it's always good to have it.
So I think there's times when you'lluse it, but you're you're not
going to use it extensively the entiregame. Just like you're not going to

(04:13:26):
throw the ball every single snap inthe game. You're not going to run
the ball every single snap. Inthe game. You know, there's there's
not a game of absolutes anymore.I think the ability to be diverse and
have it as a tool in yourtwo box, so to speak, is
really how we would look at usingit here. Because evens are now work
familiar with it. Then I think, so, you know, I think

(04:13:46):
when you first started going Temple,there were people in the NCAA they want
to outlaw they want to make anNCAA role that you had. You couldn't
do it, you know, AndI'll give coach Shaping credit. I mean,
I think obviously Nick was the firstone to do it. He wanted
it outlawed, and then all ofa sudden he adapted it and said,
all right, we like this,you know, so we'll keep it in.
But I it's I I think peoplehave it doesn't matter what you do.

(04:14:07):
There's there's cycles to this game,and then once people catch on to
that cycle, then it moves.You know. It's no different than for
three defenses and three four defenses.You know what is the rage when the
when the Giants won the Super Bowl, they were there were three four defense
and everybody, everybody says, wehave to do that. What people didn't
understand is they had Carl Banks andLawrence Taylor. It didn't matter what defense
they were running. I know Gym'sback there and Jim played against the you

(04:14:28):
know it was. They could havebeen a four down defense and those guys
would have been great players. Butit's not the scheme. I think that
the coaches that do it the bestway is they insert their players and put
them in the best position to makeplays. And now, now will Temple
be part of it. It'll bepart of it, but it's certainly not
gonna be the main course. Lastquestion, Oh, thank you very much,

(04:14:50):
Jerry. Uh remember one of therewas a there were a great moment
there when y'all were warming up,when you were you were talking with Tim
Walton and Caleb Downs comes up andconversing and as you're in This is kind
of a two part question, butnumber one, what was just your take
on the talent you saw on thatfield today on both sides of the ball.
Where would you rank it? Yeah, I'll rank it. I'll be
very transparent. As I was tellingTim and Caleb what a great offensive player

(04:15:15):
I thought Caleb would be, couldbe and should be. But I'm not
the head coach, So I alwaysturned stretch as a as an offensive coordinator,
I'm always looking at the defensive playerslike I could use him. Oh,
what could I do if I hadhim? What could I do if
I have him? But I don't. I don't get the chick sixty.

(04:15:35):
After you came back, you know, it was more of a just a
game time decision every week. Youknow, I wasn't practiced on Thursdays,
and that was the first time inmy career I've really had to really just
bite the bullet and that approach.And then it was just responding to a
game. And then you know,after the first game against Tennessee, it

(04:16:00):
was, you know, just tryingto climb up, climb up, uh
and think myself out of a hole. But you know, I wanted to
get back and I felt like Icould, but I knew I wasn't gonna
be at a hundred percent. ButI had to push it to, you
know, be there for my team. Okay, I'm to clarify you reporting
today doesn't is an indicative of yourcontract status, not at all. Yeah.

(04:16:21):
I mean you mentioned leadership and abouthow you wanna be the best layer
you can be. Do you useany of this time. Do you know,
speak with any of the better orthe rookie players and try to,
you know, give them some guidanceas a stuff. Yeah, you know,
whether it's on the field, offthe field, you know communication,
uh dinners, just you know,letting them know I'm available for him.

(04:16:45):
You know, I think it canbe something as little as just the steps
on field goal blot or field goalprotection. You know, I've been doing
it for thirteen years. Uh,it's still crazy. I'm still doing it,
but uh, you know, Uh, those are the tip type of
things I'm just given guidance to.And then you know, off the field,
it's you know what takes BacT aroundthe city. Where should you be,

(04:17:06):
where you should be, how youcan help yourself, you know,
the little things. Yeah, whatare you looking for for your contrain?
You know, I'm looking to behere, you know. Uh the value
is what we decide. But youknow, I think for me, I
I I want to be you know, valued at my position. You know,

(04:17:30):
I I understand I came up arough season, but I don't think
it's a step down of where Ican play. You know, I think
when I'm at the top of mygame, I'm still you know, top
five player at my position, andyou know I played a run in the
past and I bring leadership and youknow that's not anything I discover. Can

(04:17:51):
you you plan to be here formini camp and the story of training camp?
Yeah? How difficult has it beenthe last two weeks to not be
here? I mean you said inyour podcasts the first time you never not
men. Yeah, it w Itwas difficult, But like you know,
the thing I got very frustrated withwas just when people questioned my communication with
the team. You know, Iuh was communicating with guys left and right,

(04:18:12):
and you know, front office,coaches, teammates, and all I
care about is how I am withmy teammates. I don't want them to
ever think I don't care about themor how I'm not in it. And
you know, you can say whateveryou want about me. But besides that,
but I'll always dedicate anything I cando, and I don't want that

(04:18:34):
to every question. Isaia said thatit felt like sometimes you were pulled up
somewhere watching film. You texted hyyou missed this, or you wanna tweak
that. Well, like the firstday he was batting all up Russ's passes,
so I had to let him know, you know, I, Uh,
you gotta take advantage of that.You gotta make sure guys are you
know, uh know that you youstill care and you still wanna be a
part of this. Uh, youknow, just watching practice, there's a

(04:18:57):
couple of things we're doing different,whether I'm communicating with dumbbar or other people.
You know. Yeah, so you'rethat You're also talking with him and
you you get him a pointers duringthe off season, just constant communication.
How do you see new girl asa person, you know, as far
as how he's approaching things and howhe's getting ready for this season from his

(04:19:18):
rookie year. Uh, you know, I think the thing with Kiano is
he's more comfortable, you know,you know it since his first time around
the track. You know, it'sactually like he can you know, uh
catch his feet under him. Youknow. I always think when you're in
your rookie season, you're going frombowl game. I don't even know Wisconsin
play in a bowl game. Sorry, Wisconsin, I don't even know.
But you know, personally, Ijust think when you go from bowl game

(04:19:42):
to training for the Combine to youknow, rookie mining camps. OTA's the
you know, mini camp, Imean the training camp, the regular season,
you really don't get a time toreally catch yourself. You know,
he understands the playbook now he canbe more vocal, you know, and
I think when my absence the otherguy's absence, you know, you need

(04:20:03):
guys like that to step up andbe ready for those opportunities you had.
The saying you had during the seasonwas a more thorough What was just tightened
down everything, you know on myleft side because I was overcompensating a little
bit, but you know it wasit wasn't anything that lingers. You know,
I'll say this, A growing isnot like an a cl It's not

(04:20:26):
like anything's ever going to get afectedagain. And you know, you know,
I'm feeling good, able to doeverything squat and heavy with power and
speed, so you know, itfeels good to get after again. What
do you think of what the teamwas able to feel accomplished? Shots usually
termed to bring guys like Russian andthings. You know, I think they're
all good acquisitions, but you know, you never want to be known as

(04:20:48):
a paper champion, so can't winthe off season. I think the work
gets done out here on the fieldgets done in the classroom. Wow,
it gets done training. Uh,you know, and then you see where
you're at in training camp and thenyou build on that. You know,
I think we got the right guysin the building. It's just about putting
a complete team on the field.Cam, how temper call is to separate

(04:21:11):
the business part of the game inthe actual football player. Uh, you
know, you you always wanna youalways have to treat it like a business
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. I don't know, wellnow you you don't know whether n I

(04:21:34):
am don't know. It's crap doingthe transfer portal portal, But you know
you have to. I still havelove for this game, and I still
work my tail off and I stillput everything into it and that's not gonna
change. But you have to know, uh, what you bring to the
team and what your what your valueis. Cam, you wan did a

(04:21:56):
feel to be out there with yourteammates today. Emotionally great? You know
we got a new uh you gota new training staff and still learning the
the warm up a little different,but uh, you know, I loved
it. Uh, you know,just getting after it, learning new guys,
Uh, going through the same drillsI've been doing by myself. Uh.
I actually like having more people aroundbecause like kind of go start crazy

(04:22:18):
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
guys. Cam. Were you confidentand be able? We'll get done with
your emotions. Oh, I'm gonnawe'll try to remain pretty neutral because you

(04:22:40):
know, I don't wanna be tooeither way. All I know is I
want to be here, but we'llsee what happens. Was my last year
here. I I've had a greatcareer here, but we'll look forward to
play next YEARN With that second surgery, you said it this time was on
the left side. Was the firsttime around on the right side, right

(04:23:00):
side during the season, left side, and that was just tightening down my
corner. My corma saw. Itwasn't the same as my ad doctor.
You know, you can ask doctorBradley, uh doct doctor Zuckerbron who uh
did the surgery as well. Youknow, I if anything's gonna help me

(04:23:21):
and it'll make me a lot strongerfor hearing up. And you said you
were training with another guy who youkind of been Tyson. Oh. I've
been training with him for the lasteight years. We've always trained together.
We got a trainer up north,uh Shadow Cole Haley. He's my guy,
traded trained, trained, uh HeathMiller, Brett Keesel, the multitude

(04:23:42):
of guys that I all respect andwe've just been getting after it. Kim's
very few guys historically thirty five thatyou paid big contract that you think that's
held against you. I think there'snot a lot of history behind it.
But you know, for me,I I look at as I'm not looking
to be like anybody else. Youknow, my game is different from everybody

(04:24:03):
else in this league. You know, I like to think, you know,
I can play the run in thepast, and then that's where I'm
different. You know, I rememberlast year Mike t just brought to my
attention. You know the thing that'sreally cool is you watch powerlifters, and
you know, my game's built onpowering technique and those guys going to their
forties and so you know, that'swhat kind of research I'm doing behind the

(04:24:26):
scenes. But you know, II we'll see what happens. The it's
there's not a lot of history,but I'm here to make history. And
I'm here to you know, andwin another Super Bowl year and you know,
have a great season. Do youhave a set goal for yourself on
how many years you wanna play inthe NFL? Or did you just take
things year by the year? Youknow it? It was it was tough

(04:24:49):
answering that question right after the season. I will say this, guys,
I I can't keep answering that questionright after the season. That is not
fair to the season, That's notfair to my family. Uh, you
know, but in my mind,I got three years and I wanna maximize
them. I wanna play at ahigh level, and I wanna go deep
in the playoffs. And you know, we got a good team and I'm

(04:25:12):
gonna do my part to be readyfor all those situations. Here. If
you plan on practice soon when youreport to Latrobe, or is your possibility
that you might fold in and enforcethe new issuations? I I have not
even thought that far. I've takena day by day. Uh you know,
Uh I told my agent and wetalked about it. I mean,
we were cool coming out here.You know. I'll be here for many

(04:25:34):
you know, and then I'll bethere for training parent you know, I
don't know what the work entails,but when we get there, we'll we'll
cross that bridge. Why is itfor you or remain a stealer for those
three years? You know? Therewas a conversation between me Omar and Mike
t And there's certain guys that areone helmet guys, you know, and

(04:26:00):
I want to be one of thoseone helmet guys. And you know,
there's a there's a hunger and desirethere. But that doesn't mean just hanging
it up and calling a career tome, I think, you know,
I got more bullets to fire,and uh, you know, I'm excited
to do that. What doesn't meansone you and Russell Wilson are going to
be out there with Walter Man.What Waltim Payton Man of the Year had

(04:26:23):
I saw Russ's on social media,but I haven't had a chance to see
it. Uh. I let thatsurprise happens when it happened. But at
the same time, we're in theprocess of recruiting you know, people to
our team as opposed to drafting.So it is different than the NFL,
and there's a lot of things toconsider, especially with some of the I

(04:26:44):
A WP rules that come with recruitingprospect back left with me, Ran,
You've talked a lot about evaluating players, considering the truth for Portland, trying
to keep guy and all that isjust trying to get as many of the
best still very positioned, focused infilling gaps. As that changed at all,
Well, I think the first thingis you have to bring in the

(04:27:06):
people that fit Ohio State. That'sthe thing, and now more than ever.
I mean, you know what doyou hate said it a long time
ago? You win with people likethat's more prevalent now maybe even the back
then. And I say that becausethere's so much that goes with today's day
and age. You know, there'sthere's the portal like you're saying there's nil,
there's just there's a lot. Soyou want to have great people in
your program, great coaches, greatstaff members, great supporting you know,

(04:27:30):
people around the program supporting the people, but also you know the players,
you know, the family members.It's all going to fit. And I
think it's important that we make surewe're doing that at a high level and
you know, just say, well, let's go bring in the best players
in the country. Like, itdoesn't work that way. You have to
build a culture and a winning culture, and that's what we're focused on now

(04:27:52):
right. I know things can changein August, but you guys wrap up
cal Josh bryor right tackle, maybethe right side of the lineup that you
guys saw. Yeah, we seeJosh making a lot of progress. He's
had another he's had a really goodJune, an other good offseason, and
we felt like the spring he dida nice job there. So we feel

(04:28:14):
like there's there's just been a lotof progress. Man. I think coming
off of last year he built someconfidence and then he knows he can do
it. He knows the area's gotto improve in in order for him to,
you know, help us win thegames we need to win. So
we feel confident with him playing guardand tackle. We got to figure out
what that right side looks like.You know, I would say we're probably
leaning towards, you know, playinghim at tackle and trying to figure out

(04:28:36):
who that right guard is at thistime, but we do have some flexibility
there, and you know, he'sbeen a leader for us, he's on
the leadership committee, and and justlooking at you know, his numbers and
how he's changed his body, we'reexpecting a big fall from him. A
coach, when when you look atall this stuff that's changed since you took
over all, how do you constantlycontinue to adjust? I mean, at

(04:28:56):
this point, every single day youallow to doself to kind of change with
the changes. Well it even started, you know, I feel like in
nineteen that was like the first yearwe were making a transition, and then
you know, COVID hit, andthen you know, every year it just
seems like there's something else. AndI could come to the conclusion that every
year is going to be different andwe have to adapt. But there's certain

(04:29:17):
things that we're not going to change. There's certain values we're not going to
change. It just you know,you know, principles that have you know,
stood the test of time. AndI shared this with with a group
before when I started doing some someresearch. As we were doing some some
of our recruiting you know, introductionsand some of our you know talks about
you know, the traditions of OhioState. We talked about how Ohio Stadium

(04:29:41):
was built. You know, andwhen you when you when you do your
research on that one hundred years ago, you know, folks had the idea
of building a stadium over sixty thousandpeople, and that's because of what Chick
Harley was doing. And you know, they had a wooden bleachers over here
and all these people started coming inand the idea of bringing in a stadium
that of where sixty thousand people atthe time was like, this is crazy.

(04:30:03):
What is college football turning into?And they instead of going to the
state or going to the school thecommunity, they went to the community to
raise the money they raised over atthe time over a million dollars. Well,
now you fast forward one hundred yearsand the conversation still might be like
what is college football doing right?And in this situation then il we had
to turn to the community for help, and Bucky Nation showed up again in

(04:30:23):
a big way. So although thelandscape is changing, I don't know if
you know, one hundred years later, if it's that much different. It's
just in a different time, ina different you know, set of issues
that we're working through. But Ithink it's exciting. I think there's a
lot of positives to it. Ido. I think that we're taking the

(04:30:47):
next step with the revenue sharing totry to institutionalize some of it, which
would be big for uses. Yeah, every years question, it seems like
this year's has questions. Specifically ifyou look ahead to more than a month,

(04:31:08):
what are the real questions that youhave in your mind about position battle?
I would say on offense, youknow, we got to square away
the quarterback as you know, Ifeel like, you know, the offensive
line on the right side, we'vegot to solidify that. I feel like

(04:31:29):
we got to build, you know, enough depth at receiver that we feel
like we can put in five orsix in the game and feel good about
it. On defense, I thinkwe're still looking to figure out, you
know, who are going to bethe guys inside, you know, the
the third, the fourth, thefifth, defensive interier alignment that we're going
to put in the game. Andthen same thing just just I would say

(04:31:52):
depth, a little bit of safety, just to kind of see who those
next guys are that are going tostep up. And so we know it's
going to be a long year.We're going to need everybody and and so
in a lot of those areas isdepth special 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.

(04:32:15):
So I'd say those are probably theareas we're focused on the most. Ryan
just a fall from the offensive line, there was I think a school applogy
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 January, if
if if we're going to bring somebodyin, it is to fill a hole.

(04:32:37):
We're not just going to bring somebodyin to bring somebody in. Like
at all positions, we'll always lookto see what's out there. We did
evaluate some of the guys that wereout there, and you know, you
know, we felt like coming outof it as we evaluated it, you
know, there was a couple ofguys that you know, we checked on,
but but ultimately, like based onwhere we were and some of the
young guys that are coming up,you know, we felt like we saw

(04:32:57):
some progress in the offensive line inthe spring, So you know, it
wasn't There wasn't as many folks inthe portal, you know, in after
the spring, So we looked atit, we identified it, We did
our due diligence, but you knowwe're gonna go through. We have now
second round bills, right, you'rebet. It was interesting that you have

(04:33:18):
two of maybe the top five orsof guys in sport and then a bunch
of guys who haven't plenty uh maybesomeone that I don't my question, but
did you consider trying to add theirunderstanding that probably the difficult to sell.
We can have such talent to bringsomebody of these experiences, Like what were
those conversations like and how did yousettle on being comfortable with you know,
Trey and well, like you said, you know, I think we're we

(04:33:41):
will get some experience there with thosetwo guys. And then you know,
we felt like coming out of thespring that James and Sam both did a
nice job and you know, we'regonna have to play them and they're gonna
have to you know, take ona little bit of that you know,
we have you know, started havingconversations with Caleb Downs. I was part
of the the recruiting process of possiblyyou know, doing a little bit of

(04:34:03):
running back as well. It's somethingthat he wanted to do. So we've
been having him in some of themeetings and some of the individual drills as
a possibility there if you know,needed so down the road, to continue
to build depth at that position.But you know, I think, you
know, we feel like, youknow, if you have you know,
four strong running backs going into it, then you know that's gonna be that's

(04:34:23):
gonna be enough to carry the season. I do think that the quarterbacks will
run the ball more this season,so that should take some carries away from
them. But to your point,you know, James and Sam are gonna
have to step up to the guysthat we can count on. Save that
for another day, Yeah, justfall up on it. Is he capable

(04:34:45):
of stepping in and being running back? Obviously, we'll see, we'll see.
We talked about in the recruiting process, you know, the first time
around and more specifically in the secondtime around, and so he's you know,
he's been around a little bit justto get a feel for it.
We did very little in the spring. We did I think we pitched them

(04:35:07):
an option or something like that inthe spring just to kind of get them
going. But we'll see where thatgoes. We don't have a specific plan
right now, but we do wantto introduce him to that just the same
thing like Lorenzo styles. It's playedrecier where he did that at Notre Dame.
You know he's out there a littlebit, just kind of learning.
It's healthy. You know, you'reseeing it from the other side of the
ball. This time of the year, you can get away with that a
little bit, a little bit inthe preseason. Where it goes, we'll

(04:35:30):
see, but you just never know. We're trying to put some contigency plans
in place because it could be along season. Yeah, this is my
forty first year covered house day.I don't remember ever expectations like this in
the summer. There were some ofthem were almost as big. Sure you
send that too, and what's thatpressure like as you're working through a summer.
Yeah, people have asked me thatI go back to the expectations every

(04:35:52):
year the same. I mean,it's just the truth. When opening press
conference I said you got to beatthe team up north, and when every
game after that, that's just theexpectations. When you come up short,
you know, you got to figureout a way to get those things fixed.
I think we have done that.But the expectations are the same every
year. Pressure is the same everyyear. I just like the pressure when
you've got a really good team behindyou. So that's what we've got right
now. And you know, weknow it's going to be a long season.

(04:36:15):
We know what we're working towards.But I will say this about this
team, Well, we've been talented. That's there's been times in the past
we've been talented. I don't knowsince I've been here, if we've been
this talented and this experience together withguys that have played a lot of football,
fourth and fifth year guys, andthat doesn't matter. We'll go ext
door Stephen play since you brought itup. Maybe maybe this is just talk

(04:36:37):
because it's summertivious, so you cannow just have conversations. Maybe we're making
a big out of nothing long termsituations. But we've seen it around college
football at league guys playing both sidesof the ball and doing it quite well.
Right Travis Suner is doing it outin Colorado and Kaylen j outside apartment
turns, so we see what hecould do with the ball. But there's
also the standla aspect of that.I just get into a sixteen game season,
So I'm not saying it's funny fortysnaps or something like that. But

(04:37:00):
what about his athleticism what he bringsto the table and let you know that
if you wanted to explore it ina real game, he could last and
still be an effective See. Yeah, yeah, we'd have to see all
that. He did it in highschool. But we got some really good
running backs in a room. Soit's not something that we're planning on doing,
but uh, we all we aregonna, you know, work on

(04:37:21):
a little bit Caleb. Caleb enjoysthat part of it. We did agree
that that was something that we weregonna look into. Where it goes,
I don't I don't really know rightnow, but I know that he has
the capability to do it. Hehas the athleticism and do it, and
you know, we'll kind of seewhere it goes, see see how he
does, and you know, maybehand the ball Tom a little bit the
preseason because again, it's going tobe a long season. We have to

(04:37:41):
make sure we have continuocy plans inplace. But I know it's something that
he enjoys. Having the ball inhis hand. So even during their first
time around the recruiting process, weeven talked about him coming in as a
as an offensive player. Ultimately wethink his ceiling is highest on defense.
But you know, but I alsoagree. I think that having you know,

(04:38:02):
guys go on the other side ofthe ball and just see it,
listen to meetings is really healthy forthe development. So we're gonna do that
regardless. Your defensive recruiting right nowis maybe further along it's been in the
years past, and I think we'veasked differus questions about it in the past.
But is this a product of seeingit over the last couple of years
and now it's not just telling guys, hey, this what might look like

(04:38:23):
this, they're seeing it in realtime. Yeah, you know, we
talked about it when Jim first camein, and I think Tim Wallllons do
an unbelievable job as well in theback end, and you know, Matt
stepped right in and James and Larry. I think they're all doing a great
job. But like you said,you know, it's one thing to talk
about it. That's theory testimony.Is this look at this is this is
what we're doing. And then Ithink you're seeing a lot of guys just

(04:38:44):
excited about playing in this defense andthey see the capabilities and the flexibility too.
You know, right now the waywe play, excuse me, the
way we play right now is basedon you know, we have four really
talented defensive linemen that are really good, and we got a lot of debt
to those positions. But there's alsoflexibility with some of the things Gym's done
in the past that you know,we're definitely looking at and some of the
recruits that we're looking at who bringssome versatility, pass rusher, you know,

(04:39:08):
we had that jack position and thosetype of things. So that's exciting
as well. And I think you'reseeing a lot of the recruits, you
know, really get fired up whenthey get here. People. Yeah,
coach, I think your first coupleof years, your identity was was very
bigger from an AWFU standpoint and airit out type team. Look at the
key best talent and the playmakers youhave there. Because your identity change.

(04:39:30):
I guess, what do you thinkthe identity is of this twenty point fourth
Well, we'll see as we go, but you know, we know what
we need to do to play inthe big games. That's never changed.
And we have to be able tostop the run, run the football,
take care of the ball, andthere'll be opportunities to throw the ball that'll
that'll happen, but you know we'regonna have to, you know, do

(04:39:51):
those things to win close games andplay situational football. But I think,
you know, you won't really geta feel for what the identity of the
team is until we get into probablythe beginning of October, you know,
and I think we all have ideasof what it could go. But you
know now that we're playing in aplayoff format, just like a lot of
those NFL teams sometimes, you know, they don't really quite understand their identity

(04:40:11):
until they get about halfway through theseason. I don't think it'll take that
long. But you know, we'reable to play some games and kind of
work through some things. And Idon't think our defense is going to change
a bunch in terms of what wedid last year. I mean, it's
a lot of the same guys backcould look a little different on offense.
Have you got time for two more? Go to Doug Limerries. Hey,
right, you lose an important Prudystaffer to promotion at Michigan. Just time

(04:40:37):
so much to Michigan this offseason.How do you react something like that is
something that someone like that would takeinformation that started that could help Michigan or
highest stages reaction. Yeah, allgood questions. And you know, I
just I want to talk about theguys that are here, you know,
the staff members that are here,the coaches that are here, the players

(04:41:02):
that are here. Have we gotJeremiah J J? Smith J J?
How'd you feel out there today?You got a great team, team came
out, don't bree and old poolplay. When you come to these kind
of tournaments, what kind of techniquesdo you like to work on it?
See you think that you're gonna deeprun some short stuff from crossing the routes?
Uh, what do you work onwhen you're out of tournament like this?

(04:41:23):
Really just getting back in the doingthe week. So really just working
on my releases. Uh that's whenyour game, my friends faster. I've
been I've been a chuck. Sojust really getting back. Now we know
you pulled the trigger on Ohio State. Obviously you're gonna take visits kind of
make sure that you're You're perfect doneyour decision. What was it about Ohio
State and Brian Hartline and Ryan Daythat made you feel comfortable to commit early?

(04:41:47):
Really? They sent me my firstvisit, but I think you can
They offered me off you feel likemy personal but it just what's up?
What's up? What's what they saywas? But they they need they gave

(04:42:07):
me. Uh really, just akid I'm gonna talk about I wasn't talk
about. I'm trying episode now.I know you got some of your SFV
family up there. You got Brandonn S, you got Carnal Day.
What does it mean to potentially beable to link up with them in a
year and be able to kind ofrun back what you guys have done in
South Florida Express in Columbus, Ohio. It'd be great we go there to

(04:42:30):
Ohio's date take over. It'd begrateful all through great, you can love
the first round. Yeah, you'rea super humble kid. I've been really
impressed by you today. Is thereanything that you want Ohio State fans to
know about you? You know again, I know you're just your all work,
all work, all work. Butwhat are they getting when they get
a JJ Smith to come to Ohiosaying, O kid, the job doing

(04:42:52):
day. Just do what I gottado, take care of my books,
don't just come. That's perfect man, God bless you. I appreciate you,
my man as watching today, thankyous to be ahead of him.
Just like, what is your timeaway from the practice school? It's like

(04:43:15):
it allows you to be such alove. First off, coaches line,
he here all day no matter what. But for me myself, ever since
I was a kid, my dadalways instilled me and my brother to work
hard and be like, just bearound football, be around what we want
to be good at. So afterhere I'll go watch more film, do
some a little school work, andthen later tonight I'll probably come back and

(04:43:38):
watch the film again. But atthe end of the day, it's just
trying to be around football, bearound the facility. How much of your
film watching is like solo? Whatdifference you buy yourself watch and how much
do you know for We've had moresafeties come in throughout the spring. More
guys try to learn the system andlearn the game. But I mean I

(04:43:59):
didn't in the day. You gottado what you gotta do to put yourself
in the best position to win somyself. I'll watch film at home too
by myself, but when I'm here, there's always other players around me that
are trying to work to get better, just like I am. Are you
only watching your watch? No,I watched the NFL teams. Watch good
NFL saties that are playing right now, Javon Holland Panntswine, Winfield, go

(04:44:22):
as like that that can that Ican emulate and try to see how they
play. And then also just watchingother players here, other players that do
things well here, just learning fromthem, trying to see how they play
the game, trying to get better. What are some of the big differences
that you've seen so far between whatyou went through at Alabama and so far
you've gone through a here. Alot of it's the same. A little

(04:44:42):
difference is in the defense and howthey operate and how they see things.
But at the end of the day, football's football defensive defense. So everybody
gotta get to the ball and makethe type of we thinks. Oh,
I love the city. I loveHigh Street, I love being in the
city, love going to the restaurantshere. The food's great here. So

(04:45:03):
I ain't got no complace for me. You found up there me cause it's
like you got the campus all aside, and then he also a big city.
It's it's different than Alabama cause Alabamawas a college town and Tessalosa was
not as big of a city.Here, there's a lot of people to
see, a lot of different businessesthat you can be a part of.
So just trying to learn the cityand learn what everybody has to offer here.

(04:45:26):
He'll be probably noticed that when KadParking made his decision to go back
to Alabama, and then that startsa whole level of speculation and stuff.
Are you were you taking back bythat? Did you feel like you needed
to make a decoration off of that? Uh? I mean at the end
of the day, No, Ididn't feel like I needed to say anything,
cause at the end of the day, I was still here a practice,
I was still here with my teammates. So I mean, I feel

(04:45:47):
like my actions speak for themselves.I'm I mean, I don't I don't
need to say anything about that.Kayden and I talked to him when he
did it, and I congratulated himon his decision. I mean, that's
what he feels his best as whenhe feels his best and I support him,
but I'm here. You guys haveor in this new generation of you
have that sort of freedom, Youhave that sort of control over your career
in a way that other people didn't. Is it's something that you you have

(04:46:10):
to kind of take with a certainseriousness that you're making that right decision at
all times. I think ev Imean it, in life, you have
to make decisions based off of whatyou feels best for yourself. So that
was a big decision for him,And if he feels that's best for himself,
then I support it. But atthe end of the day, for
college suble athletes, I think that'sthe best thing because the coaches have the

(04:46:30):
same right to do what they do. Coach can come here for a month
and leave, and I mean thenhe's just leaving the player at high and
Dry. So I mean, ifthey're gonna have the ability to do it,
why with the players and not havesome type of say in their in
their life. Ken, you youmade the impact opposite last year as a
freshman year. What do you thinkyou could do an assault when you're under
your belt? Yeah, I thinkI can grow and what I did well

(04:46:56):
last year and increase all the qualitiesthat I wasn't not as a leite at
during during the season. So justbeing better in coverage, being better in
the post, being better in mytackling, being a better communicator with my
teammates, all that I think Ican offer to the team. And but
at the end of the day,it's gotta be a team collective to go

(04:47:18):
do what we wanna do. Butwhat do you come in this otis is
a lovely defense? What what doyou think those being a big part of
Spens was elite last year and itshould be be better this year. Yeah,
they were a very elite defense lastyear. And watching all the film
from last year and the whole season, they played a great season. They
played a lot of good defense.Excuse me, which your question just the
idea of being the part I'm abig part. I love the league defense.

(04:47:41):
Uh, I mean I can onlydo my part. I can only
do my one eleventh and do myjob. Every player I can't. I
can't try to do more than that, and every other player just has to
do their job and we'll do whatwe need to do. Okay, we'll
be talking about your field punching habits. Is that the same in high school
and what did that look like foryou want to regular in high school?
My high school coach is one ofmy favorite people in the world, uh

(04:48:03):
Freeman Davis. Me and him watchfilm together a lot, but that was
more so just myself watching film andtrying to grow. So I would say
I had a lot of the samehabits and has trusted over to college,
but a lot of that was meand my high school coach start of the
game together another movie. You aroundeverywhere here, but you know, it
seems like you're at that free safetyspot as opposed to the strong safety spot

(04:48:26):
you played at Alabama. Just saidtransition, like, do you feel that
does that even matter in this kindof defense? I th I mean it's
the same spot really to the it'sthe safety to the field safety playing in
the most space. That's what I'mused to. But at the end of
the day, I feel like Icould play to the boundary. I can
play the dim money position, Ican play nickel. So I mean,

(04:48:47):
at the end of the day,you gotta make plays wherever you're at.
Caylen. What have you been Whathave your thoughts about on that? Jeremia
school A very elite athlete, veryinstinctual player, has a great ball skills.
Should uh should have a big impactthis year. Anybody you can compare
him to what you've seen? Oohnah, Ja, Jason's on self.

(04:49:11):
Jesus, he's on it's his ownman. Uh. Who else who's caught
your eye? That word receiver group? Kaylevid uh is elite in your opinion?
Uh? I watch a Mecca bookaa lot O H and co.
When I was in high school watchingthe games, and then last year watching
some of his film. He's beenan a leade receiver then and he's a
leade receiver now. And Carlote hashad a great spring as well. Yeah,

(04:49:36):
and uh you you personally? Uh? After the uh Steve Appreciation Day
on Saturday, you were mobbed aboutas much as anybody. What is what?
How have you felt the receip meaningthe autograph seekers at Saturday? Now?
Uh? How have you felt thereception here? Uh? For you
over the last several months, butespecially like Saturday, I think it's been
very welcoming. I appreciate everybody andlike I appreciate when I go to class

(04:49:59):
seeing people that know me and justbeing able to meet them and being able
to say that I'm glad to behere, being able to say I'm glad
to be here to everybody that cameup to me. Yeah, so I'm
just I'm very appreciative of it.Do you feel their expectations for you?
You know what I mean? Uh, I mean people may have expectations,
but at the end of the day, only one person can really judge me,
and that's God. I mean,other than that, at the end

(04:50:21):
of the day, it doesn't reallymatter. Don's how much have you been
holding tweeting the three different safety spotsevery day? I take reps at all
three spots just to try to Ithelps you understand and learn the defense from
a new perspective. So being ableto see the ball from the boundary safe,
do you see the ball from thenickel spot? Being able to see
the ball from the dime it helpsyou be able to see the whole game

(04:50:44):
and be able to understand everything thatgoes on around you. Cause you've moved
the scrimmage. You're flying to therea few times on some sacks, it's
a been a look report one ofthe vocal fort it's just stills. You
go on your person quarter back onthe time before exactly about people. All
Right, we are back on TheAndre Duke Show with Carter Smith and we
have a massive special guest tonight,Kirk Barton, former Ohio State offensive lineman,

(04:51:10):
former NFL player, and it isa massive thank you Kirk for coming
on. How are you doing.I'm doing great, man. I appreciate
you guys having me and I lovethe Massive shirt. That is the That's
my favorite shirt I've ever created,because we put Massive in our YouTube titles
a lot and then people made funof it that don't like us, and

(04:51:33):
I was like, we'll I'll puton a shirt. We're gonna sell it.
We sold more of those than anyany item in our shop, So
thank you for buying that. Iappreciate you, my man, No no
problem, Carter. How are youdoing doing this same? I'm doing doing
great man, Just you know,going through the week getting it done.
Super excited to have a chance totalk with Kirk. I loved Kirk when
he was a player at Ohio State. He's got a good relationship with my

(04:51:56):
brother, so I've met him acouple of times to that. So just
really excited to have you on theshow. Kirk. Really preciate you taking
the time to do this always.Man, Man, I appreciate you guys.
So with that being said, wewill h hop right into it.
Kirk, you've talked on your podcastBuckeye Scoop about the Texas game in two

(04:52:18):
thousand and five. So and youbrought it up that the kicker from Miami
of Ohio went to went to Alabama. So how big would a kicker be
in a game like that back whenyou were playing? Well, I mean,

(04:52:40):
you know I played with NuGen obviouslyNudge on the second round, and
you know he hit a game winningfifty five yard field goal against Marshall where
we could have lost that game.I mean, we were tied, you
know, with like three seconds leftand he hit a field goal that thankfully
didn't send us to overtime, butyou know, we and again I'm not
pitting this on Josh Houston. Youknow he kicked five field goals that night,
but you know, we had afifty yarder to basically ice the game

(04:53:04):
over, and you know we wouldhave been up nine with no time,
you know, four minutes left,so they would have needed two scorers.
They'd everybody have gotten two scores versusour defense, and we missed it.
And again, that's not blaming Josh'sjust stating of fact, you know,
or if we have Mike Nugent orwe have you know, an ACE kicker,
you know, we we win theTexas game. And I think that

(04:53:26):
we have a whole different set ofcircumstances. Like I just I remember in
OH four we were so bad onoffense, especially in the beginning of the
season that, like Mike Dudges thatwe played NC State. NC State had
one of the best defenses I've everseen. They had Mario, they had
three first round picks on their defensiveline. They had Mario Williams, Manny
Lawson, uh uh da, MarioPresley, Tank Tyler. I mean,

(04:53:48):
I mean it was literally like unbelievablehow good their defense was. And Steven
Tullock was also like a second roundpick liberg So their front seven was incredible.
And Nuge like kicked I think hekicked four or five. We won
like twenty two to like fourteen orsome weird score, and Nuge kicked like
five field goals that day. Ithink he kicked five. And like,
you know, if we don't haveNuge, we lose that game. We

(04:54:10):
lose. As a Marshall game.So I just think in the air of
the transfer portal, man, whenyou can get a kicker who's maybe kicked
early in his career, you know, because sometimes like kickers, they're not
the easiest thing to evaluate. Butif a kid goes somewhere where we can
start as a freshman, he doesgreat. And like a kid like this
who's got a year left, Ithink you take him in a heartbeat and

(04:54:32):
just totally fortify the offense and makeit an a plus offense because you see
like the best offenses in the NFL. You know, Lamar Jackson won the
MVP. He had justin Tucker.The Chiefs obviously had Harrison, Butker,
I just I love kickers that havehuge legs, like guys that can hit
from mid fifties hit from fifty Andthere's got to be a kicker somewhere on
this earth that's you got eligibility,that can do that. And we haven't

(04:54:56):
had a guy that could do thatconsistently for a long time. But Michigan
finds guys and these other school somehowfun guys. And in the transfer portal
era, I think that our kicking, uh not punting, our punters have
been good. Cam Johnson still inthe NFL, but are kicking. You
know, we haven't had a kickerdo anything in the National Football League since
Nuge and that was an four,So I don't know how that's possible.

(04:55:21):
But again that's just my opinion.And you know, Jaden Feeling might prove
me wrong. I hope he listensto everything I say and he proves me
wrong and he wins the gross ofthis year because again, Mike NuGet as
a true freshman was terrible, andthen as a sophomore he was the best
kicker in America. So things canchange. But you know, I just
I think that kickers are valuable.And again, I know everyone makes makes

(04:55:41):
fun of kickers and they're not realplayers, but you know when they win
national championships and they win Super Bowls, and you know, they're the guys
that have their balls on the line, you know, with one second left
and they got to ace it downthe middle to win the game, like
that counts to me. So that'sjust my opinion. I was very disappointed
we didn't get this for Miami becauseI was praying that he'd hit the portal
and he did, and then ofcourse he goes Alabama. So that's my

(04:56:04):
thoughts. Yeah, And I mean, how big would it have been to
have a kicker like Nugent in theGeorgia game a couple of years ago,
right where you could possibly win thegame there if you have a kicker that
can bury a fifty five yarder.Yeah, I mean, that's I mean,
And and honestly, it's sometimes it'snot just that that end of game
kick, but sometimes there's just there'spoints in games with where when you miss

(04:56:26):
a field goal, it's a humongousmomentum swing and you can feel like the
air come out of the building sometimes, like when we miss one on the
road or or when you hit it. If you hit it, it's a
huge you know, going in athalftime or whatever, like you get some
points on the board. Anyway,people might think that that's nothing, getting
an extra three, but you know, when you miss a field goal,
man, especially in a tight gameversus like equal talent, it really means

(04:56:48):
something. So when you play Michigan, man, you got to hit your
layups, man, you got tohit your three. You know. And
that's the thing that we're not wehaven't been great about absolutely, So just
real quick going back to the Texasgame from that year. Obviously, we're
dealing with another quarterback battle this year. Correct me if I'm wrong. You
guys kind of had a quarterback battlegoing on to start that season. Correct,

(04:57:11):
Yeah, it was. It wasa weird situation because you know,
Troy obviously got suspended for the Alamobile and for Week one versus Miami of
Ohio. Uh, and then youknow we uh, you know, Justin
Justin played the ALM Mobile. Hedid a great job, he did well
against Miami of Ohio. And thenyou know, week two, we're playing
Texas, who's the best team inthe country. They won the national title,

(04:57:33):
and we had this kind of awonky rotation where Justin started and then
Troy came in, and you know, it just it was one of those
circumstances where it was tough because youknow, I mean, I hate rotating
quarterbacks. I don't think it's fairto the quarterbacks, but I think that
when you've got two guys that areequal, and I felt like at the
end of O four Troy separated,but that he kind of stubbed his toe

(04:57:55):
with the suspension. So it wasa tough call. And again, I
do I wish that we would havejust picked one in my that probably,
especially if we got to pick Troy. But it, uh, you know,
the quarterback things aren't always as cutand dry as as you can think,
especially when guys aren't there non contactin fall camp. You know,
because Troy, you know, whenguys can can move, you know,

(04:58:17):
when you see these modern quarterbacks likeKyler Murray and Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson,
the guys that you take in yourfantasy football league, and basically it's
like having like a third running backin your starting lineup when you have the
guys that are athletic, like whenthey're when those guys are in a quarterback
competition during fall camp and they're noncontact and they can't create and do the
things that make them special, thenall of a sudden, I don't think

(04:58:41):
you really know what they can dountil you put them out there in a
real game where there is no blackjersey, there is no non contact jersey.
But you know, a guy likeTroy, you know, when he
could create on the run, itwas kind of like Alan Iverson with his
crossover, you know, I meanlike when you get open man. I
mean, he could he could makethings happen that nobody in his tree O
High Stay football could make happen.So I uh, you know it was

(04:59:03):
it was tough. Again, itwas Uh that's one of those haunting wins.
I mean that that game probably hauntsme more than Florida because Florida we
just got our our wheels, wegot our doors blown up. But Florida
also like we weren't we weren't reallythat good in O six, Like in
O five we were really good,like like that O five Ohio State team.
If they would have played the Osix team, the five team would
have dog locked us just because ourdefense was so much better and and and

(04:59:27):
really our offensive because we had nickNaan Gold and Robson's like we had NFL
dudes on our line. Uh thatwere much better than the guys that we
played in in O six. Sothat that Texas game haunts me to this
day because we had the best teamin the country beat and we let them
go, Which that sucks. Yeah. Absolutely. In another game that you're

(04:59:49):
what about Penn State, did weplayed those Yeah, that was the first
white out, So that spawned thewhite out craze and it was it was.
It was the best college football environmentof all time. I mean it
was. It was so loud,it was so crazy, and and honestly,
you know, I'd never been there. Most of us had never been

(05:00:11):
there. Some of the older likelike uh you know something like Rob SAMs,
Nickmangle, they've been there. Butthey played and I think it was
a noon game in three, butthey we'd never experienced it white out before,
so I don't think we were readyfor the noise. And I got
hurt, which is what really sucked. In the second quarter, I blew
my knee out on a field goalprotection and it hurt bad, and it

(05:00:32):
sucked, and I couldn't finish thegame. And they're their best player was
their d n that I blocked allday. And he was a first round
pick, Tom Behlly, he 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,

(05:00:53):
like, I handled him and heplayed and I played against them the
whole game because he didn't flip likethey don't flop their dns. They play
the same guy plays against the righttackle the whole game. So I was
handling him and and I killed himin OH four when I was a freshman,
and I frankly wasn't even good.And you know, so then when
I got hurt, it like itgot a little bit tougher because we had
to put you know, we putRob Sims at right tackle. Rob Sims

(05:01:15):
it never played right tackle his life, and they put him out there,
and then we put Booty out thereat right tackle. Booty was a true
freshman, and you know, noeighteen year old can handle that environment.
He actually did pretty well. Butyou know at the end of the game,
you know, Tom of course sacksthe quarterback and it's like my nightmare,
uh realized when the guy that Ihandled the whole year, like ends
the game and kills story and tradeas a summersault and like they still play

(05:01:38):
that clip when we play Penn Statebecause it was the dramatic of an ending.
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, ifyou're not in the you know, the
top two ish, you're not goingto have a shot to play for the
championship. That was prebsy, yes, but it was still you know,

(05:02:00):
once you get down get a secondloss through like six weeks, man,
your season's over for you. Youknow, in terms of winning the Natty,
which was our natural that was actuallyour goal. Yeah, absolutely,
back then it was you know,one loss you might still have a chance,
but two losses basically you're out ofit. So that had to be
tough. And then kind of gettingaway from maybe some of the more negative

(05:02:22):
memories of that year. The onegame that I personally had a invested interest
in was the I believe it wasa Fiesta Bowl with Notre Dame. Kind
of walk me through what you guysthought when you watch them on film and
kind of your guys's mentality going intothat game. Well, I mean,
we knew they were really good.We knew that they had a lot of

(05:02:45):
NFL guys that were really well coached. People can say whatever they want about
Charlie Weiss, but you know,their offense was was really good. I
mean, Brady was playing at avery high level. Obviously, he was
a guy that probably could have lefthim been a top ten pick. I
don't think it's safe for his senioryear helped him. I think if he
had left after that third year,he had have made more good running back

(05:03:07):
Darius Walker. Their line was reallygood, Ryan Harriy had a bunch of
NFL guys. Ryan Harris the lefttackle, good player, Samarja who ended
up being a pitcher in the inthe big leagues. Uh was a force
as a wide receiver. Defensively,I remember that victor Or abbey AMII who
again that was there were another teamthat didn't flip. So I played against
Victor abby Mary the entire game andhe was the best player in their entire

(05:03:29):
defense. He ended up being asecond round pick by the Eagles. Uh.
They had Zibbi Thomas of Vikowski whoactually had the same agent. So
we actually became pretty tight once wegot to the league. But you know,
they they had uh, they haddudes. But again we we had
we had guys that could really run, and we thought we could get out
for their back end a little bit, and we