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Byron Jones – September 27, 2021 Download PDF version

Monday, September 27, 2021

CB Byron Jones

(I wanted to ask about your matchup with TE Darren Waller yesterday. I know you’re giving some height to him and he’s a different position, a bigger guy. Just curious the challenges that go into that and how you feel you performed in that role?) – “He’s a big, fast, receiving tight end. He’s a guy that has a really good catching radius. He has really good speed. The plan was to use me to kind of throw him off his game. Oftentimes he has a safety or maybe a linebacker on him, so we figured we would put a cornerback on him and see how he responded. We had some fun out there, some good battles, some back and forths. Just fun overall.”

(When was the last time you found yourself matching up with a tight end and did you find it more challenging than covering up a wide receiver or less challenging?) – “They are both – it’s been a while. That’s kind of how I got my hay was guarding tight ends my rookie year, my second and third year in the league. I enjoy guarding the bigger guys. You get to be a little more physical. You get away with a little more pushing and tugging. The challenge with those guys is that even when you’re on them, they still have a big catching radius. Just being able to adjust to the ball when it’s in the air and swat it down is the biggest thing when you’re guarding somebody that big. The small shifty guys are always tough. Different body types always have different challenges. Just with bigger tight ends its definitely their catching radius and overall size.”

(I just wanted to get into the mindset of a cornerback. I’ve always had this theory that in these hurry-up, need to score quickly situations when you need to get down the field more, pass interference should be viewed as a play, just like you guys effectively got to the 1-yard line on a pass interference call. Do you think about that in those situations as a cornerback?) – “Honestly you just use your techniques. Whatever you’re coached at those moments, whatever you’re coached and practiced is going to show up in those moments. You don’t play any softer or any harder than you need to. We understand that we have big situations, third down and we’re trying to get off the field, obviously a fourth-and-long, when the game is on the line and you’re trying to guard him tight. Just keep your hands clean – that’s first, second down or regardless of the situation. Definitely third and fourth downs in our defense, specifically we’re trying to get off of the field. At the end of the day, the quarterback needs to throw a good ball, the receiver needs to make a good catch, so as a DB you can’t panic. They still have to execute well on their end. Even if they are open before the ball gets to them, so don’t panic and just play good technique overall.”

(Last time I spoke to you on the podcast, we spoke about your love for cars. I was curious if you’re a Formula 1 fan and if you’re at all excited about the upcoming race here in Miami Gardens next year?) – “Yeah, I started getting into F1 about two or three years ago, so I’m still new. But I love it. I haven’t had a chance to watch much this year. I’ve never been to a race in person. I’m looking forward to actually being there, seeing the cars and being a part of the show. I’m a huge fan and obviously every day we’re seeing the construction outside. It’s kind of cool to see it come together. Definitely looking forward to joining the show.”

(The first three games you guys haven’t executed offensively and defensively how you felt like you should based on the talent that’s on this team. What is the disconnect that’s happening right now that has led you guys getting off to a 1-2 start?) – “I don’t think it’s necessarily a disconnect. It’s just guys need to execute when the moment is presented to us. Yes, we’re a young team, but at a certain point there really is no excuse. I’m going to tell you what, the coaches do a really good job at preparing us throughout the week. It’s really up to us as players to spend extra time studying or really putting the pressure on each other to perform when the lights are on, on a Sunday afternoon. This is a tough learning process. In the league, if you’re off just by a little bit, the scoreboard could be ugly or it could be a tough game like this. We’re looking forward to the challenge of the Colts next week, and try to get back on the winning side.”

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