Alec Ingold – July 27, 2022
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
FB Alec Ingold
(What does a fullback do to earn the orange jersey?) – “I think it was just the entire offseason – coming back from the ACL (injury), signing with a new team. There are a lot of early mornings out here. So it kind all added up to getting back on the field, not starting on PUP, being with the guys and all that work to kind of get to this point and start with everybody fresh.”
(I thought you killed it in the conditioning test. I was like, how does a guy get orange jersey Day 1?) – “I think it was the whole offseason. So it was pretty cool to have Coach (McDaniel recognize that. That’s what you work for. This is where I wanted to be on Day 1 eight months ago, so it feels good.”
(How significant was it for you to not start camp on the PUP list?) – “I think it’s massive. I think anytime you join a new organization, a new team, you want to show that you’re going to work hard, you’re going to do the little things right, be detailed and just kind of start with that right foot forward. That’s all you’re trying to do. A lot of things had to happen, man – from the surgery, to the support staff, to this whole transition. I’m very grateful for all of it.”
(Does the knee feel totally back to normal or not completely yet?) – “I mean, I wouldn’t say we’re at 100 percent yet, but I know we can get there. And I think that’s where we have the plan in place with the staff to be able to get there. So, man, it’s just hitting the ground running and getting going.”
(What’s your sense of when you’ll be involved in 11-on-11 drills? Do you think at some point in the next two or three weeks?) – “Yes, I think it’s all part of our plan. So as soon as we progress, we’re kind of measuring it every single week. So as soon as I know how I feel, we’re talking, communicating and then we’ll be able to roll from there.”
(How important is it that this offense has success for the life of a fullback?) – “(laughter) It’s everything, right? You’re a part of that. The fullback’s job is to be on schedule. You want the offense to be on schedule. You want to be on the field. You want to make sure that there are no long down-and-distances where you’re off the field, off-schedule or stressed out as a team. That’s my job, to make sure we can all stay on schedule, pick up all that dirty work and whatever we need to do to just make sure everyone is in rhythm and everyone can get their piece of the pie. Obviously, we have a lot of playmakers on this field.”
(Do you feel like you guys represent a dying breed in football?) – “Yes, you have to be proud of it. Anytime you strap up as a fullback, everyone on the field knows it’s this set of plays. There’s not a whole lot of tricks up anybody’s sleeve, but it changes the dynamic of the football game. The fans know, the people in the press box know, the football players know it’s going to be physical and that’s what you have to be proud of every single time you step on the field.”
(Any question about you being ready for the regular season opener in your mind?) – “No.”
(On these backs, impressions of RB Chase Edmonds, impressions of RB Raheem Mostert and impressions of RB Sony Michel, if you don’t mind going through those three individually?) – “We’re all coming into a brand new room. To be able to collaborate, to work together, to be able to add your own coaching points from across the league and add whatever we need to do as ‘Coach E’ (Eric Studesville) installs our techniques, it’s unbelievable. Raheem (Mostert) obviously being a part of this offense before, he’s like the dad of the room, making sure everyone knows why we’re doing what we’re doing. ‘Coach E’ being able to speak on things proudly and with conviction knowing that we have a guy who’s been there, in the shoes, who’s done it before. You have Chase (Edmonds) who’s coming in, he’s the guy – he’s the bell cow. You just see all that shiftiness out on the field that you get really excited for. And then Sony (Michel) as well – a Super Bowl champ – having that experience, been on the Patriots to the Rams and been in multiple rooms. So all three of those guys coming into a brand new room, myself included, you want to bring that expertise. You want to bring that knowledge. You want to be able to elevate the level of practice every single day.”
(How much were you chomping at the bit as you were watching the offseason program and rehabbing?) – “Man, way too much. It was – it’s what you live for. You’re a football player. You love playing football and that’s where you want to be. You want to be in between the lines, so I’m glad to be there.”
(Was there anything that you and RB Raheem Mostert exchanged in terms of conversations of it’s good to be back, actively involved in practice?) – “No doubt. To see his tweets going, blowing up and all that stuff, you can definitely relate to that feeling of uncertainty, of not knowing. To have all that work for however long it takes, to know inevitably you will be back between the lines, that’s the mindset that guy has and that’s something I carried with me through this injury, too.”
(We heard Head Coach Mike McDaniel say that he was impressed with the energy and the focus that the team had upon return. What did you notice about the team’s mentality after summer break?) – “I think there’s always going to be energy juice, like everybody is going to be hyped. Everyone is excited to be out here, but then it’s the focus, it’s the discipline, it’s being on the keys, it’s showing up in shape. It’s all the little things that transform into a good practice to start off. Now it’s the challenge to bring it into the film room, be able to do a walkthrough and then be able to emulate it again tomorrow. So first day, yes – everyone can feel great. But I think what he’s talking about is the controlled energy (and) controlled aggression to be able to come out here and be able to be assignment sure and be able to do your job. “
