Byron Maxwell – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Cornerback Byron Maxwell
(On the biggest challenge as the veteran that is helping the young secondary play at a high level) – “I don’t think I really do it by myself. Really, (I) just lead by example and if they need some type of guidance or help, as far as off the field, I think that’s where I can help the most. That’s where you become a pro. I think, my example and what I do off the field helps more than anything – getting ready for the game, film study and things that (aren’t) necessarily on the field that helps.”
(On how anxious he is to start the regular season) – “I’m ready to play; I’m ready to go. Obviously, this (week) is big for me just because of the relationships I have on the other side of the field. I want to win even more so than any other game. It’s going to be fun, though.”
(On the key to beating or containing QB Russell Wilson and the offense) – “Practice is totally different than a game. ‘Russ’, I don’t want to say he’s a gamer, but the things he can do don’t necessarily show up in practice because he can escape and that’s a big part of his game. He’s a special player as far as that. Really, practice can’t really tell you what he can do. It’s going to be the first experience for me too, having to go against him. I was on the other side cheering for him. It’s going to be fun, though. I know he’s a competitor.”
(On if he can prepare the team for the 12th man effect in Seattle) – “Really, I don’t address stuff like that. I treat it as a normal away game. It’s the first game of the season, (so) you’re going to have some jitters but (I’m) just going out there to play and have fun. Football is football. If you make it bigger than what it should be, that’s when you start to get in trouble. You need to run, hit and play ball. That’s it.”
(On crowd noise not being a factor communication-wise) – “Well, when we’re on the field, it’s going to be quiet because (Seattle’s) offense is out (there). (For our) offense, I wouldn’t tell them to worry about. It’s an away game. It’s an NFL away game. It’s going to be hard and you have to play.”
(On what he can tell his teammates about Seattle QB Russell Wilson) – “Not really. Like I said, this is my second year being gone so they’ve changed a little bit. They do what they do but I just tell (our guys) that he’s a playmaker (and) he’s a good football player.”
(On the advantage to traveling to Seattle a few days early) – “I don’t know.”
(On if it matters that the team is traveling to Seattle a few days early) – “It doesn’t matter to me.”
(On if he still communicates with former Seahawks teammates and what that communication has been like) – “Right now, I haven’t really been texting anybody. You definitely communicate (with guys) because we did some special things and we accomplished a goal that not many players do so definitely, they’re my brothers. (But) I kind of want to shut that down until after the game.”
(On how important it is to read your keys going up against a mobile quarterback) – “You have to be disciplined with your eyes. Your eyes can’t be in the backfield because he can escape and you have to know the play is going to be extended. You just have to make sure you’re on that and be disciplined. The ball is coming your way. He has a big arm. He has a great arm and can make all of the throws.”
(On what it takes to be a great defense like he was part of in Seattle and if this group can do that) – “Definitely. I think obviously it takes great players (and) good coaches. To me, it takes depth too. The first guy has to be good but the second guy has to be just as good. We’ve got that here. It just takes experience, at the same time, and actually going out there and doing it and putting the work in. We’ve got to do that now. We’ve got to do a couple of things that are on that list but we’re definitely capable of being that team.”
(On his best memory from the Super Bowl run with Seattle other than the confetti falling) – “I mean the confetti fall is the best moment. That’s what you work for; that’s the feeling you want. That’s the feeling I want again. That’s it. Once you accomplish it, you’re like ‘This is what it is. This is what it feels like.’”
(On if he has talked trash to Head Coach Adam Gase about that game) – “No, but he brings it up every now and then.”
(On what Head Coach Adam Gase says when he brings up Super Bowl XLVIII) – “He’s suckered. He got blown out. (Laughter) The No. 1 offense got smashed.”
(On Super Bowl XLVIII and Head Coach Adam Gase) – “To be honest with you, the Super Bowl that we lost (in Seattle) sticks in my mind. So I understand.”
(On why he left Seattle) – “Oh, cash flow. All day.”
(On if the Seahawks were even in it with him when he became a free agent) – “They were close but I can’t make that back in my lifetime so I had to go.”
(On there not being any hard feelings when he left) – “No, definitely (not).”
(On if he remembers his days in Seattle fondly) – “Yes, I had a great time.”
(On who he remains close to up in Seattle) – “Really, the secondary guys (and Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Kris) Richard because you spent four years working with those guys in close quarters – six, seven, eight months. You get real close (to them).”
(On if it was fun to play in the Legion of Boom) – “Yes, definitely. It was a culture. It was definitely fun. I’m excited to go back.”
(On what he learned most from his time in Seattle) – “Just preparation. Preparing for the game and treating every game the same. The mindset (and) mentality is really what I learned.”
