Jesse Davis – June 17, 2021
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Thursday, June 17, 2021
G/T Jesse Davis
(Looking at your career, you came here as an undrafted guy and now you’re going into Year 5. People have come to know that you’re always going to be there and Mr. Dependable and all. How do you process your career so far? What sort of satisfaction do you get out of it?) – “Just being accountable and wherever they need me to be … I’m not going to tell them no. I like playing. I like being out there. I like mixing up with the guys. It’s been a challenge but it comes with the job.”
(A continuation of the last question, I know they ask many players on the team to be versatile in their abilities and their roles, but you’ve proven to be a guy that is a guard or tackle on either side. How much do you think that versatility helps with your personal situation, and also being able to share that information with other guys in the room?) – “Yeah, I’ve bounced around a lot in multiple years. But going into this camp – each year gets harder but with this, being able to have that experience and then passing it along to younger guys like what to expect, how do you play this guy, how do you set this. I like being a teacher for these guys because they’ve got to play too, and I look forward to watching them.”
(The veteran role, it seems like it’s something that you’re taking a lot of pride in. What gives you pride to kind of pass along that information to all of the young guys?) – “As a young player when I was growing up too, these vets would help me. They weren’t scared of competition at all. Going into this, I’m not really going, ‘I’m not going to help this guy because he’s going to take my job.’ I’m like ‘Good, I want you to make me better by pushing me and I’ll push you, and we’ll see where the chips lay at the end of the day.’ Helping these guys, it’s part of the role. If you want to be a leader, you’ve got to help your team out. And if you’re afraid of competition, it isn’t the place to be.”
(What have you seen from QB Tua Tagovailoa as far as his command of the offense and the huddle from Year 1 to Year 2? Has there been a big difference so far this offseason?) – “Yeah, I think each year you get a little more confidence. I think that’s what he’s showing. He’s showing great leadership. He’s taking control of the huddle and he knows what he’s doing. He’s letting us know that he’s here to play and I think he’s done a great job with it.”
(You’re so easygoing about wherever you’re asked to play. So when they asked you what your comfort level is at left guard and if you’re okay with playing there or anywhere, as long as you’re on the field ideally…) – “Yeah, it’s the same thing. Wherever I can be at, that’s where I want to go. But yeah, every spot is open right now. This is where I’m at. The left side I haven’t really gotten too many reps at but that’s how we get better is by doing it. Wherever this organization needs me, that’s where I’ll be.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores mentioned this morning that it’s kind of tough for offensive linemen to get a true evaluation during this time of year because you’re not hitting and you’re not wearing any pads or anything besides the helmet. I’m just wondering, when you’re out there, what are you specifically trying to work on to get better at during these unpadded practices?) – “It’s mostly passes. There’s not a lot of runs. It’s not like fitting up or anything. You kind of get in your sets and you get in your handwork. It’s more technique-based and more fundamentally with that. I’m just trying to get myself to quiet my feet down, keep my hands tight; and I think that everybody does that on the o-line too. We’re just trying to work the same thing. It’s not as easy as it sounds but that’s kind of the thing – you go into these camps trying to work.”
(Do you notice any kind of difference in terms of where you are this year compared to last year, having this on-field work?) – “It’s kind of hard bouncing around but I think I’ve got more confidence in myself with my sets, with my hand placement and just seeing our defense again and seeing the different looks. You’re kind of familiar with them. You’re not going out there kind of blind to it. So just understanding our offense and understanding what the defense is giving us.”
(I’ve been working on this feature on Tropical Breeze Auto Spa. What is it about Kevin and his services that you enjoy and trust to be a repetitive client of his? Again, what do you enjoy about his business?) – “Yeah, Kevin has been around for a while. He’s done the whole team at one point. He’s somebody you’re familiar with that you can trust. He’s gone through our organization and does good work.”
(What’s that feeling like when he hands you the car keys, whether it be after practice or at your house, and you see that sleek car?) – “Are you asking if I feel comfortable with him?”
(No. Like it’s got to be enjoyable to see…) – “Yeah, every time you get car washed and you don’t have to do it, I think it’s a good thing.”
(So if you could take the car of any teammate, whose car would you like to take?) – “Probably my own. (laughter) I’ve got a pickup and I don’t want anybody’s car I can’t fit into. I’m not big on these quick hot-rods or anything. I’ve got a pickup that serves me well.”
(Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville, you obviously know them all because they’ve been around; but they’re also in different roles. What’s different?) – “Just chain of command for one. Godsey and Studesville are co-OCs but they all have different things that they bring to the table. ‘Lem’ (Lemuel Jeanpierre) does the o-line stuff and Godsey it seems is more everything pass-oriented and Studesville is more run game. But they all bring good qualities to this team and they’ve gotten us better in the short time they’ve been here.”
(I know it’s only OTAs and minicamp but do you see a difference in QB Tua Tagovailoa as far as the leadership role coming into this season, knowing that he comes in as the starter? Because he had talked and emphasized that that’s more of what he wants to do – be a vocal leader of the offense.) – “Yeah, I think him coming in with that confidence and knowing – it’s kind of silly to say but knowing the building, knowing where you’re at, who is in the building and your teammates; having that behind you as well in Year 2, you feel more comfortable and can be yourself a little bit more. I think he’s showing his leadership skills on the field and in the huddle and outside the field. He’s been good at it.”
(I know the other day he had thrown several picks in minicamp and it was raining and Head Coach Brian Flores wanted him to throw the ball into the window; but that didn’t seem to rattle him. You were not surprised, I take it?) – “Yeah, sometimes that’s the way it goes. The only way to get better is by failure. It’s just one practice. It was raining. I didn’t even notice how many picks we were throwing. We were just trying to get better. I don’t think it bothered him at all.”
