Cedrick Wilson Jr. – July 29, 2022
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Friday, July 29, 2022
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
(How does this Florida heat compare to Texas heat?) – “It’s not too bad yet. I hear it’s going to get worse. The humidity is definitely different, though.”
(How has this offense been picking up? I know the spring was a lot of install and a lot of getting used to your calls and scheme as a whole. How do you feel like you guys have developed now in training camp?) – “I feel like the group is definitely coming along. We’re definitely getting to the later installs now that we’re going on practice four. But most of the guys are just getting refreshed and getting out there and actually running at full speed again. I feel like we’re picking up pretty good for the most part.”
(You guys have used different receiver combinations with every different team. I’m curious what the advantage of that is to play with receivers from WR Tyreek Hill all the way down to the undrafted rookies. How does that kind of help you come along?) – “It helps me and my aspect of whether I’ve got to help the next guy out or he has to help me out, it’s going out there and knowing the assignment and either getting the job done with whoever is next to you or pushing the guy next to you to get the job done like you are.”
(This particular offense, do you have to learn two or three spots?) – “Yeah, in this offense, you have to learn all of them pretty much. We move around a lot. There’s a lot of formations. It’s pretty much the same plays, very good plays, but in different formations. I feel like that’s most offenses as well.”
(Is there anything that Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker has sort of taught you or opened your eyes to in your first few months around him?) – “Yeah, definitely get your shoulders past the defender. That’s like the biggest coaching point. You can win most of your routes once you get that done. And get off the ball.”
(What have you picked up about QB Tua Tagovailoa from working with him?) – “He can throw. He can throw that ball. It’s accurate and he’s always on point. He’s going to joke with you but as soon as you get in the huddle, it’s time to go.”
(What’s it like with QB Tua Tagovailoa in the huddle? How is his demeanor?) – “He knows what he’s talking about when he’s saying it. He’s very knowledgeable of the playbook and you can definitely tell the intensity once you’re in the huddle. Once you’re lining up, you know he’s going to get his job done so you better get yours done.”
(What’s it like seeing a different person in the huddle versus out of it?) – “I feel like that’s the balance of football. Football when we’re in the game versus when we’re hanging out in the locker room, I feel like you need that. No one can be just a football player all the time.”
(So much is made about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s accuracy. How does that benefit the wide receivers? Ball placement, capture in stride – how does that help you take your game to the next level?) – “I feel like it’s more so get to the spot because you know he’s going to hit it. If you’re not in that spot, you’re probably not going to catch the ball.”
(You have some punt return experience from your time in Dallas. Is that something that you would enjoy doing here as well?) – “I’ll do whatever’s called upon me.”
(I know WR Michael Gallup went down last season but what were some things that really worked for you in your favor as you played and had a lot of success last year?) – “I feel like definitely him going down was really not in my favor because that’s one of my best friends, so it was hard to see him go down. But he gave me the opportunity to go out there and show what I’ve been practicing. I feel like I stepped in when they needed me. And just like when he came back healthy, he came back out there and he didn’t miss a beat. Then he obviously went down again and I had to step back up for the team while I was there.”
(What stands out about WR Erik Ezukanma?) – “He’s big, physical. Definitely going to be useful once we all get going.”
(Can you talk about these running backs here and what you recognize from them so far?) – “A lot of them are fast. All of them are fast. Sometimes you can barely see the number of who is running but they’re all hitting holes and moving forward.”
(Blocking at the wide receiver position is going to be pretty important in this offense. What have you heard from Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker or anybody else in that aspect?) – “Get in position in the play for the blocking scheme and the blocking will take care of itself.”
(What is learning this playbook like for a wide receiver? We heard WR Tyreek Hill say the other day that it’s kind of tricky that there were times he had to go to Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker and say he didn’t understand something. How challenging is it to pick up from your position?) – “At first, it was pretty tricky because one, you’ve got to break down all of the formations just to know where to line up. Then once you get lined up, now you’ve got to know which play it is, who is getting tagged and who is not. I feel like it’s one of those things that once you get it, it’s kind of hard to forget because it’s just going to be second nature.”
(Do you feel like QB Tua Tagovailoa has enough of a command on this offense that when you get into the huddle, even if you are a little shaky of where you need to line up and what you need to do, do you feel like he’s got it locked in him?) – “Oh, he’s locked in. He’ll tell you what you have if you definitely don’t know what you have.”
(You had a 74 percent catch percentage last year on 45-of-61 targets. When you see the ball and it winds up in your hands more likely than not, what’s the pride that you are taking in having that stat in your favor?) – “I feel like that’s what my job is – catch the ball when it’s thrown to me. If I’m not doing that, I probably wouldn’t have a job. Yeah, I take pride in it because it’s my preparation – catching it. Shoot, that’s how I feed my folks.”
(The other day Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about the value of adding WR Mohamed Sanu, someone that’s been around this offense and seen it. WR River Cracraft has worked in this offense. So have WR Trent Sherfield. How valuable have those guys been to kind of help in the receivers room get the offense down?) – “They’re extremely helpful. Shoot, I sit next to all three of them so I’m always asking them questions on the side when Wes (Welker) is installing or Mike (McDaniel) is installing. They’ve both been in it for a while sitting right next to me. ‘Mo’ (Mohamed Sanu) definitely has vet status so he’s taking it to the next step of just overall helping you with the football game.”
(Have you guys had a competition to see who can throw the football the best? I know you guys are both former quarterbacks.) – “We haven’t yet but the day is coming. (laughter)”
(Since WR Tyreek Hill was acquired, have you thought about how having him and WR Jaylen Waddle is going to affect coverage on you? Because I would imagine if you see a third or fourth cornerback in single coverage, you’re going to have an advantage every time with your skillset. Is that something you’ve thought about?) – “Definitely with the two speed guys on the outside, it’s going to leave me with a little more open room. That’s when I feel like I thrive the most is when someone is covering me one-on-one.”
(What have your first impressions been of CB Noah Igbinoghene at corner?) – “Physical. I like his energy. I like how he’s turning into a pro at a young age. It’s good for a young player like that.”
(CB Noah Igbinoghene stopped eating meat. He told us he’s a vegan.) – “Everybody has their methods. I definitely couldn’t stop eating meat.”
(Who has caught your eye among the DBs on this team besides CB Noah Igbinoghene and CB Xavien Howard? CB Trill Williams? S Jevon Holland? Anything on any of those guys that you’ve noticed?) – “Yeah, Trill has definitely had a good two days of camp. A big, physical, young player as well. He definitely has a high ceiling on his game.”
