Ken Crawley – October 31, 2019
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Thursday, October 31, 2019
CB Ken Crawley
(Tell me about coming into a new situation like this and you don’t know your teammates, you don’t know the defense, the calls – how tough is that?) – “I feel like it’s kind of a little easy transition to me. They play a lot of man, so I’m kind of used to it. The verbiage is kind of different plus learning these new guys and stuff, relationship-wise. I kind of know a couple people here. I’m a fun guy to be around. I’m not that type of dude that comes in with a big attitude. I’m just trying to fit in. That’s it. And I’m just trying to help these guys. That’s it.”
(We hear a lot when we talk about continuity and familiarity. It’s usually with the offensive line. How does it work for the secondary? Do you guys have to be together or can your individual abilities kind of carry you forward?) – “To me, I feel like if you can cover, you can cover; but at a point in time, you need that rush. That rush complements the coverage. It complements the coverage. It works hand-in-hand. These guys, you work together, but sometimes the corners have got to bail the d-line out or the d-line has to bail us out. I feel like it’s not that far off. There’s a little stuff we’ve got to get fixed up, but it’s moving in the right direction to me.”
(Are you glad the Dolphins claimed you because they have – and not just having a job – but also the fact there might be opportunity for playing time on defense?) – “Yeah, it’s kind of crazy because I was talking to my agent and I was saying the ideal place for me to play right now and just help out and try to grow with the guys, is Miami. It’s crazy how God works and it came through for us, so I’m excited to be here. I’m trying to play whatever they try to put me at whether it’s special teams, nickel, corner, safety or whatever. I’m just trying to play and help these guys win.”
(How tough was it going to the guy who started 20-plus NFL games to not playing much this year?) – “It was tough, but my mindset is different. I’ve been through much (more) rough stuff than that. I’ve got a good head on my shoulders and I didn’t let that put me down. I would just come to work every day as (if) I’ve been the starter. Working, working my tail off, helping those guys get better, so I kind of transitioned to a leader role with those guys – helping them out (with) extra film study and just me getting better (with) scout team or whatever I can plug in just to help those guys.”
(When you say you’ve been through rougher stuff than that, what do you consider the biggest hurdle you’ve had to go through either in football or in life?) – “Just in life. I said life. I’m from D.C. I’m from the trenches. That and just growing up without a father, my situation with college and just being the only person in my family to go to college. I went to the University of Colorado and when I was there, we had two coaches and we didn’t win at all when I was there. It was kind of like a rough time and I wanted to leave, but I’m not that type of player to leave on my guys. Most of the guys when I left, they got drafted; so I was with a great group of guys. Chidobe (Awuzie) – he plays for the Cowboys. We’ve got Ahkello Witherspoon – plays with the 49ers. ‘P-Rich’ – Paul Richardson with the Redskins. We’ve got a couple of dudes. Just a great group of guys and just tough times. I went from D.C. to Colorado with one of my best friends, and it was kind of a different vibe. I had to adjust with those guys so it was kind of different. With me, I can get through anything, so it’s not new.”
(So by the time you were finishing up in Colorado, you had started to win, right?) – “No, I wasn’t there when they won. They won the season after I left. They won. They went to the Pac-12 (championship game).”
(So now you’re coming to a team that hasn’t won also. Is there something you can tell these in terms of sticking with it?) – “Just stick with it. Just come to work and get better every day. If it’s something that I learned with the Saints because I learned a lot – ‘Coach AG’ (Saints Defensive Backs Coach Aaron Glenn) – I learned a lot with him. If anything, I can just tell these guys route recognition, noticing formations and what’s coming on, third-and-short, first down, key plays and stuff like that. I’m willing to tell these guys and help these guys.”
(Two years ago you had an interception against the Dolphins. Is there anything that stands out today about that?) – “It kind of – when I got on the field in practice, it kind of brought back memories of going against them and then my last game before I played last week was against (the Dolphins) in preseason. I’m fortunate to be here. I’m just excited. I’m ready to get to work.”
(Do you ever have to sit with the d-line in the locker room in here?) – “At the Saints when I was there, the d-line was kind of like family so I’m kind of used to those guys. They’re pretty cool. (laughter)”
(Did you have a final conversation with Saints Head Coach Sean Payton when they released you after being around them for four years? What was that like?) – “I didn’t, but me and him are kind of close. We were kind of close. I talked to the whole d(efensive) staff and those guys. Those guys are still texting me. It’s just a business. We’re in a business, so I don’t fault those guys. They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do.”
