Cordrea Tankersley – June 5, 2017
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Monday, June 5, 2017
CB Cordrea Tankersley
(What insight can you give us into how difficult it is to come in here and try to pick up everything about the pass coverage?) – “Yes, it’s very difficult; but you know, we have vets who help us try to learn the process, try to learn the system. The coaches also do a great job of keeping us going and also being able to watch a lot of film and study so we’re not that far behind.”
(How often are you out there and you feel like you’re just totally lost?) – “No, I don’t be lost. Like I said, I just follow my vets and study the game so the next practice, I’m always prepared. I don’t go out there being lost. I’m always prepared. It’s just getting used to the speed of the game.”
(Are you leaning on one vet more than another? Has anybody taken you under their wing at all?) – “I’m definitely leaning on all of them really; but I look at Byron Maxwell, obviously. He’s a guy that has been playing football a long time.”
(We saw you have a pick in 7-on-7 drills one of the days we were here last week. How many interceptions have you had – how many pass break ups have you had?) – “That was the only one. I need more. (laughter) I have a couple of PBUs (pass breakups). In the NFL, you’re not going to get many. It’s not college. The quarterbacks are going to put the ball where it needs to be. Any time I get an interception or even touch the ball, it’s precious.”
(What’s been the biggest eye opener so far? You mentioned the speed of the game. Has it been classroom work or how the vets take care of their bodies? Anything you really said ‘Wow, I didn’t think it would be like this in the NFL?’) – “Not really. Like I said, the only thing that was really overwhelming was just the speed, just adjusting to it. Every receiver you go against is really good. There’s no drop offs. You have to always be ready to bring your A-game every snap. So just being able to adjust every snap and give 100 percent every snap.”
(Have you played at all in the slot, or has it all been in the boundary?) – “Yes, I’ve played some in the slot. Mainly man, basically wherever they need me to play. I’m an open book. But mainly if a receiver goes inside, I’ll match up with him.”
(How much since you’ve been here have you played the nickel?) – “I wouldn’t necessarily call it the nickel. I’d just say I was the man, a corner in the inside slot.”
(How much do you think you could do that?) – “I did it a pretty good amount.”
(LB Raekwon McMillan was in here and he was very pleased that he had got an apartment. How have you rewarded yourself since signing your contract?) – “I just recently moved into my apartment as well – down in Sunrise. So, to finally have my own place, I’m finally adjusting to it.”
(Anything else, anything special?) – “I have my car coming in as well this week. That’s it, I’m not really a big spender. I really just spend money on the things that I really need and I have a son, so I really provide for him.”
(What’d you get?) – “What kind of car? A G-Wagon.”
(Black?) – “Matte gray with black rims.”
(CB Byron Maxwell said that he thanked you for the national championship. RB Kenyan Drake didn’t want to talk about it. Do you have anything you want to say about that?) – “Yes, he tried to steal my ring the first day that I got here. (laughter) Those guys, they worked hard and they set the standard for us to win that championship. The guys before us, the guys that are there now, that’s who we did it for. We are all a team, all alumnus.”
(You mentioned this before, pardon for asking this again. But you and CB Byron Maxwell, did you guys know each other at all? Did you ever meet him?) – “Yes, during my time in high school, I had a chance to visit. I met him a couple of times and he played that one year and then he left. But I was able to keep up with him while he was in Seattle and Philadelphia. He also communicated with me during the times that I … My senior year at Clemson. Just being here on the same team is quite overwhelming. Somebody that I looked up to, just being on his side – I couldn’t ask for a better teammate.”
(So you felt coming in that CB Byron Maxwell would kind of be there for you?) – “Yes, definitely. I definitely knew that, coming from Clemson. A Clemson guy, that’s just what we do. We take care of one another, we always look out for each other. That’s just how we were raised at Clemson.”
(Your first encounter with him was on a recruiting visit and he happened to be there? Do you remember the circumstances of the first time you met CB Byron Maxwell? – “It felt like I’ve known him all my life. The guys that Clemson recruit, we are all really the same. We are low maintenance, high character kind of guys. Even with Andre Branch, I’ve latched on to him. I’ve kind of known those guys, so just being here and seeing those guys already here has motivated me to not be overwhelmed. I have older brothers you could say.”
(So it was on the Clemson campus where you first met CB Byron Maxwell?) – “Yes.”
(This might be way off, but is there a point of which you feel like you’re competing with the veterans as opposed to learning along with the rest of the rookies?) – “Yes, we’re all out competing. I’m competing not only with the vets, but with myself as well. I always want to get better, so you’ve got to follow before you lead. I kind of just look at those guys as my leaders and one day they’ll be able to pass the baton to me.”
(Do you feel like you’ve gotten on equal footing with them or are you still trying to catch up to them?) – “I will never be equal. Those guys put in extra work. Those guys have been here way before me. I’m a rookie. I just have to learn. Can I play with them? Of course. I feel like I can play with anybody. But as for that standpoint, I feel like those guys will always have that step ahead of me. I mean (Byron Maxwell) won a Super Bowl. Some of them have won Super Bowls. Some of them have been here for six or seven years. I’m just getting here. I’m always willing to follow those guys lead.”
(What do you think about no decals for the rookies?) – “I think it’s a great idea. Earn your stripes. Try not to get complacent. You’re competing for something. I think it’s a great idea (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase is doing with the no decal. You’ve still got to put a helmet on.”
