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Jerome Baker – July 31, 2019 Download PDF version

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

LB Jerome Baker

(Do you like the pass-rushing aspect that they’re trying to implement here with you either going one-on-one or however they’re setting you up to get to the quarterback?) – “Oh, yeah. They have different ways for me to get to the quarterback. I’m pretty sure any player, they’re happy to have that. It’s definitely fun. They definitely have different tools and different things for us to do.”

(How much more confident do you feel with this being your second year, having that full year of experience and with one training camp under your belt.) – “I feel very confident. Just like any player in their second year, they feel confident, they feel better. I’m just excited to go out there and work.”

(How much did you take from your rookie season last year in terms of the experience and the pick-six that you had? What did that do for your confidence coming into this year?) – “It definitely helped. It was definitely a cool learning experience. This year, there’s more added on my plate. I’m just trying to go out there and perform.”

(What’s LB Sam Eguavoen like to line up against? We haven’t really gotten to see too much of him. Ever since he’s signed here, he’s practiced but being in the room with him and consistently around him, what’s he like as a player and what’s he like out on the field?) – “He’s a smart guy. He’s smart, he’s fast, he’s explosive. It’s just cool just to have a guy like that out there. He understands the defense. Together, we just play together and off the field, it’s the same way. He’s similar to me, just quiet. He listens and does what he’s told. He’s definitely great to have out there.”

(You’re smiling though. Is LB Sam Eguavoen kind of a funny guy?) – “He’s like that quiet funny. He’s not going to say much but when he says something, it’s definitely cool.”

(What goes through your mind when they sign a player from Canada and then you meet LB Sam Eguavoen for the first time? What are you thinking?) – “I didn’t think anything of it. I asked him simple questions like how is the Canadian bacon and stuff like that. (laughter) He’s definitely cool. I guess he’s a rookie but in my eyes, he’s really not a rookie.”

(What did LB Sam Eguavoen tell you about Canadian bacon?) – “It was good. (laughter)”

(What do you feel the ceiling of this defense is? What do you feel the potential is?) – “It’s unlimited. We just have to play together. That’s the main thing is just play together, play hard, play smart, play fast. Just like with any great defense, if you play together, it all works out.”

(It seems like they’re trusting you to do more whether it’s what they ask of you or the calls you make on the field. What do you attribute that to and how do you take that responsibility?) – “to me, it’s just an honor. They ask me to do that so that’s what I’m going to do. I go in and make sure I take care of my body. I study as much as I can. I’m just very grateful for it. I definitely don’t want to lose that, so I just constantly work on it. I’m definitely grateful.”

(Is there a moment that stands out from Head Coach Brian Flores over the first week or so in your mind that can just sort of can explain what kind of coach he is to us?) – “A strict, hard, drill-sergeant type of vibe but then he comes in and cracks a corny joke. Everybody is serious so it’s like, are we supposed to laugh or are we not? (laughter) He’s a great guy. It’s definitely fun to play under him.”

(How corny are these jokes? Can you think of one?) – “It’s not just the corniness of it, it’s just that everybody is so serious and his deliver is like – we’re all wondering is he playing or is he dead serious? (laughter) It’s very dry and we don’t want to hear it because we don’t know if he’s serious or not?”

(Is there a coach that you’ve had that you can compare Head Coach Brian Flores to?) – “No, not at all. He’s different. He’s so different. His jokes are different. He’s just a great guy.”

(When you see Head Coach Brian Flores on this level, does it make you want to play for him more? Does it make you want to get to know him more? How do these kind of translate for you guys?) – “Yeah. He’s your head coach so he definitely – he has to control the whole team so you have to take what it is. None of his stuff is personal. It’s just the way he has to be and the way he wants us. When you talk to him individually, he’s just like any person. He has a personality when you talk to him. He’s very fun to be around. He’s definitely good.”

(Head Coach Brian Flores spoke highly this morning about your leadership and what you bring to this defense. As a second-year player, what does that mean to hear that from your head coach that he’s counting on you to bring that leadership?) – “I’m just grateful. I’m grateful for it all. I just try to come out here and do the best that I can do. For me, I really don’t like talking. I kind of like leading by example and that’s what I try to do every day.”

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