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Jerome Baker – January 11, 2023

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

LB Jerome Baker

(On playing in the playoffs) – “… This is what you dream of. This is the opportunity you always wanted and we’ve got an opportunity Sunday. Now we’ve just got to execute and get it done.”

(Last time you were there, snowballs were coming onto the field. The Bills mafia is infamous. Now with the Damar Hamlin situation, he may be there. Just the atmosphere – you’re not only dealing with what Head Coach Mike McDaniel said was arguably the best team in football, but then that atmosphere, too, that’s cranking now because of Hamlin?) – “Yeah, I mean, you can’t make something like this up. It’s going to be a special one Sunday. It’s going to electric. It’s going to be everything you wished for, just to be in a playoff game and everything matters. It’s going to be a fun one and we’ve just got to go up there and it’s going to be tough and we’ve got to get it done.”

(Just kind of watching from afar the way that that community and that team has kind of rallied around Damar Hamlin. What’s your observation?) – “Man, it’s just so much love up there and that’s what it’s all about. We’re different teams and all that but at the end of the day we’re all people and we all play this game that we love and it’s just a special feeling and a special thing to watch. It’s going to be exciting Sunday and hopefully we can come out with a win.”

(A lot of familiarity by now with Bills QB Josh Allen. What are the things you’ve learned from those experiences?) – “I feel like I play him all the time and I really do. Every year it’s two games a year and this is going to be the third one this year and they’ve won one, we’ve won one and this is where it all matters. We know them, they know us and it’s no secret what they’re going to do. It’s no secret what we’re going to do. We’ve just got to go out there and execute and get it done.”

(What about QB Josh Allen’s legs specifically? Just the dual threat he presents?) – “Yeah, that second half last game he really got it done on the ground and we’ve got to limit that. We’ve got to do different things to slow him down. We have a good plan and now it’s just time to execute.”

(Head Coach Mike McDaniel told us that QB Tua Tagovailoa can’t go this weekend. Obviously you’re down your starting quarterback. As a member of a defense that has a lot of pride, is it on you guys to win this game?) – “Absolutely. It’s always been on us. It is definitely unfortunate he can’t play, but you win games by playing great defense. If they don’t score any points, you win the game. So it’s going to be up to us and our defense is up for the challenge.”

(You guys have basically been playing to get into the playoffs the last few weeks. How has that mentality maybe helped carry over into Round 1?) – “It was kind of like a learning experience of every game is a big one and now it’s the real deal. Everything matters. Every play matters. The sleep you get matters. What you put in your body matters. This is what it’s all about and it’s going to be a good one.”

(How important is it for this locker room, especially the defense, to kind of rally around QB Skylar Thompson, QB Teddy Bridgewater, whoever it is …?) – “It’s a big deal. Like I said, they’ve got to lean on us and we’ve got to make plays and get off the field and really just slow down this Buffalo offense. It’s going to be a great challenge, but I’m definitely up for the challenge and our defense is up for the challenge. So it’s going to be a good one.”

(After 81 games – regular season games – played for the Dolphins, what does it mean to you personally to now play in your first playoff game?) – “It’s about time. It’s about time. (laughter) But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you don’t go up there and get the win, so I’m going to do everything I can to get the win, get the guys going and we’re going to come out ready to go and we’re going to get it done.”

(Did it feel different coming into work today because you’re preparing for a playoff game?) – “Not really. I still wake up, still sleepy. I think it won’t really hit me until we get on the road and get up there. I’m excited. I’m truly excited. It’s going to be a fun one.”

(Heading into December, Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about that level going up, playing December games when they’re really important. Now it goes even further. What do you expect the energy level to be like for the playoffs and some of the things that you might have to get used to having it been a while since you’ve been able to be…?) – “It’s just going to be high. Everything matters. The energy level is going to be high. The emotional toll it’s going to take is going to be high. Everything is going to be high. It’s the game that you just pray that you’ll be a part of and now we’ve got the opportunity. It’s going to be a good one and we’ve just got to execute and get it done Sunday.”

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